#21 Donald Altman: From Modern Life to Mindfulness: Donald Altman on Mastering Your Inner World

What if your greatest power wasn’t hustle or grit, but attention? 00:00 The Discipline of Mindfulness03:21 Understanding Thoughts and Emotions09:18 Changing Relationships with Emotions11:59 The Power of Observation19:45 Mindfulness Techniques and Tools24:02 Mindfulness in the Modern World27:06 The Role of Gratitude31:29 The GLAD Practice36:13 Attention as a Superpower39:08 Getting Started with MindfulnessToday’s guest, Donald Altman, is a former monk, psychotherapist, and award-winning author who’s spent decades teaching people how to use mindfulness to reshape their lives from the inside out. In a world built to hijack your focus, Donald offers a quiet rebellion: the power to step back, observe, and choose. In this episode, we dive into the myths of mindfulness, the neuroscience of emotion, and why tiny moments of awareness might just be the key to real resilience. Whether you’re a bartender, a manager, or anyone trying to stay sane in the modern world, this conversation is packed with insights (and practical tools) to help you get out of your head and into your life.”Expect to Learn:How mindfulness rewires the brainThe difference between thoughts and factsWhy attention is a superpowerHow to step back from negative emotionsPractical breathing techniques for stressThe STOP method for emotional regulationThe five types of gratitudeHow to build a daily GLAD practiceThe science behind naming emotionsMindfulness as mental training not relaxationHow modern technology hijacks focusThe role of selective attention in happinessHow to shift identity away from negative thoughtsHow small awareness practices lead to big changesLinks mentioned in the show:Donald's Website Service starts now.I talk mostly to people in and around the service industry space. I'm looking to hear from the people I wish I could have talked to when I was coming up in restaurants. Said another way: I am trying to make sense of this wild, beautiful mess of a life, and help others that are feeling similarly confused and/or lost. You can find more of my work at ⁠⁠my blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and all my social links are at the bottom of that page.Classic Episodes You May Like:-#3:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My 1st and Most Powerful Conversation with Shane Alexander⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-#10:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nat Harry, cocktail expert!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-#14:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Dr. Shalini Bahl, mindful marketing⁠⁠⁠⁠As always, I’m just here taking notes, trying to figure out what it all means.Cheers