Subscribe to the New York Times and you can sign up to have newsletters on various topics delivered to your email inbox. One of the newsletters that I follow is the Well newsletter which delivers tips on health and wellness. The March 9 newsletter is no exception. It contains links to a wide range of articles, e.g., keeping bacteria out of breast pumps, whether cannabis can be used as a sleep aid, and new trends in male grandparenting. But what makes it relevant for this blog is the list of 12 recommended podcasts dealing with health and wellness issues. Two, in particular, focus on meditation, mindfulness practices, and their application in everyday life. The newsletter provides brief descriptions of the broadcasts and recommends two ‘get-acquainted’ episodes for podcast listeners. Here are capsule summaries of these podcasts:

• Tara Brach is a well-known meditation teacher and author of “Radical Acceptance” also produces a highly regarded podcast. Each episode contains a guided meditation and a talk. Recommended ‘get-acquainted’ episodes: “Trusting the Gold — Realizing Our Basic Goodness” and “Navigating Conflict with a Wise Heart — Part 1”.
• ‘Ten Percent Happier’ is the title of a podcast (and book, and app) from journalist Dan Harris. Continuing in his role as journalist, Harris interviews guest scientists, researchers, and authors for their suggestions on how to handle stress and navigate life’s ups and downs. Recommended ‘get-acquainted’ episodes: “How to Handle Dread, with Saleem Reshamwala” and “How to Create an Exercise Habit Without Driving Yourself Nuts, with Kelly McGonigal”.