You know, Alan coming from the good wife and CBS also he was had been in some movies like X, men and spy kids golden I. Emma. I know I'm because he about a year ago did me a huge favor. I do not. I never actually met the guy, but my literary agent, the guy, who helped me get ten percent happier out into the world with none of the publishers wanted to buy my literary agent, who is an awesome guy, namely Jack low. Also, who represents our coming in when I was first trying to launch the ten percent happier app. I wanted to get some well known. People to try it and make little videos of it, and so I look connect me with Alan we email than even though he didn't know me at all. He agreed to do at which it really cool of him. Many made these hilarious little videos you can see on the internet. If you look it up. So when I heard you had a new book out. I wanna get him in two to be on the pike ass and get to meet him in person for the first time and he's incredibly funny and

You will hear him. He will make you laugh he'll make you think, and he will make fun of me here is for maybe see This is the ten percent. Have your podcast dinner Ellen Great meet you do, then? Why do you ve been such a plan? presence in my life when you popped up, but I've ever actually met you in person. I've known video and email let me start with a question that we can focus on here, which is: are you still meditating? Yes, I am. I mean I've kind of dropped off the wagon ever because it is one of the wagon the little bits, but no, I still do it. How did you see I just started telling myself: I just thought I'd, like kind of like closing my eyes and just kind of helping. You know realizing that it would be very nice to just block everything out for a while

how big over you pretty well really, like literally block everything up like you know, just sometimes anything I could get really stressed. By this or people are really annoying me. You know I could them something I would on going to make an executive decision with my brain to just go. Go inside forgot you that that city. So that's why I started doing, and then I wanted to train formalize a bit more union country make it more have more of a practice instead of just being in crisis moments, or else just at times. When I was thinking, I think, sometimes you do it without realising when you have one yoga above you know when your life changes and yet very very quiet time. I've just in Scotland in this island called butter as they are my own for copper days, and I felt very

I felt like. I done a lot of meditation, what they actually doing in the woods I normally would do. It will be to kind of new sequester myself and really focus on when you when you're doing it formally. Yes, what do you do? What you're? What you're I sit on it as it, a large share of my hands on my knees, and I am it's an I breathe. I start to breathe start to think about mobility. I feel it a breath coming and going on, and I try to do. I love that the thing I've got written on my look from Urim or do you think as respond to react, he was my favorite that really stuck out you, and I should just tell everybody that you were very kind. No, we didn't know each other. We have one mutual friend who, You when I was launching the ten percent happier app whether you would try it out and maybe makes a little videos on your phone to talk about your experience in you did, which I am eternally grateful for end and they were

totally their incredibly charming, which is not surprising, given what we know about you and the thing that really stuck out you We're finally, with a lot of our users is respond, not react, as it is being a popular thing. I think we need to make tee shirts had soon. Why what would speak to you about that it was ready. Cuz. It was something I realized. I did hugely a knock. Knock knock, knock question to tall is like someone suddenly kind of you know getting off their face, and it's someone with you and different person, and I was a what an analysis. It's just something it makes such sense to just sit the whole thing in my car cuz, I'm from yesterday to just take, take a step back and just start thinking. Okay, it's the best situation here with the best way to deal with this and then and then make a make a kind of qualified and studied

are you going to respond that look at me, I I will say I mean I've been meditating for a couple years. Now is it become a guiding principle, my life, but I fear all the time so are you? Are you able to implement it with any success respond? not react yeah. I think I'm pretty good at it. I think I'm actually. I know also. Yes, I think I asked very- and I have nor does it with other people. I'm the that's people write me I'll, say: ok, don't don't like that. You know right now to stitches, wait, a minute, let's just rest and see how we feel after five minutes because I still struggle of that. Right I mean it's. A struggle is a current, I'm just going to struggle. I met once a lot, you know, but I think I Look up. I think I have got better at that, and I think I have pasta into my. You know community yeah I do, especially when they were Jimmy my assistant, I'm thinking about right now very much so that the ice

Even yesterday, there was a thing where he was responding. Is, however, that you show me the thing: is it but to show you he knows about this at Vienna to take up our graphite. This is not true that this has led to assist. You know it's not because I think. I mean my mama says and gets illegal everything that you know you that this, She also says it's, it's not. You know it doesn't cost anything to be nice. I know, and I feel like any situation that there is no situation in the world that cannot be dealt with better than than with kindness. I think at you. Even when you went to punch summoning the face, Stick stepped back and untrained behind a it. Damn it will go better amen. But easier said than done yet. Oh, yes, yes, he does done, but I think it got something that would meditation if you just u have to kind of lakes or hypnotizer, of into a mere declaration, is this kind of measure.

Rising yourself into a pattern. I think about a more like training Just like you know, we train ourselves in the gym. Yet we train your vocal courts sing, get weak its skill give better at better at it, but I just I I guess I think that's interesting. I think of that use its efficacy mesmerizing. I think I I think, I think I mesmerized my body into looking a certain way when out when I train, I and ethnic amazement. My job is to mobilise people. Why you succeeded that Albert I will and I want to talk a lot about your performing coming up just on the meditation. Yes as it were, You said, and I agree that did your mother's, your mother's lol,

Access is amazing, you're wearing a hat right now that it has make America gay again, which is an amazing hat. Do you think you could practice? Kindness was somebody like I'll drop? Yes, I got I could I mean. I think I because I feel that peace is an example of the kind of person you absolutely should use kindness with, because his modus operandi completely to be mean unto be to be aggressive and two undercuts. When an to insult someone unto you know be offensive, so I think actually more so I mean that's were really talking to challenge. Of course, but I think I mean if I was in a room with Donald Trump, and I wanted to have a conversation with him. I went absolutely try and do it with great dignity and kindness, because I think that's he expects people not to have those qualities. He lives in a world where people don't have those qualities, not waste.

To sell to the world to America right now, and so I think, absolutely all the more reason to remind him that it is possible you, you think that kind of approach would have work. If your dad, who you write about quite movingly in your new book, you gotta get bigger dreams, I'm holding a m holding a galley coffee, which is not the way to actually looks and used and in Europe this your third book Yerevan not my Father Sun, which was in your task Bessie Ehler. What you really talk you ve got a lot of eight that relationship. So I just I wonder, would this at ye those

work in that count. What I mean, I think the very fact I have that ethos is is up goes completely due to the fact that I am my father son, I'm nuts, you I've learned a lot about how to deal with people and difficult people from from my early life, but I also think yes, I will ever definitely try to I mean as an adult. I would try to. As a child. I didn't have much choice, but I definitely I didn't really ever do anything, I'm your site from one time when I went to confront my father with my brother and I wasn't I don't. I still was kind I've. Just more blunt with him. I saw her up now. He died, but also I mean, I think, he's also my father was typical than someone, I think, is mentally ill. The US has personality disorders is due those kind of rules, go too. Use in other kindness and the kind of. Logic, because someone is not someone is it.

Logical Anthea, you won't get reason from an unreasonable person how bad did it get and because it in the new book, you may have oblique references yet gittin, just ripped of page out, because I was there is about it, and I want to ask you better. You you're talkin about how, in this page how you you're a party animal you love going out at night. And you thought for a while that you're you're eagerness to dance and have fun was because you never had unadulterated, joy, you rarely had unadulterated joyous child. How bad did it get em gotten it was, I mean, was more. I mean he was very violent, sometimes very violent, like swimming. I flew crossed the room and with its forces, strike, but Madame it was more really. This is this: can affirm atmosphere of absolutes fear and and and silent,

Remember my child, you think so silent and just been caught in a constant state of anxiety about when he's going to erupt. Next and just what I was going to do to you know, make him explode and Kurt vile with me. So it was it was it was. It was man away think that's more potent and terrifying thing is Is this the overlying foreboding and just complete? You know, tether real Tara so that that's that was my child to that was, like you know, a really large part of my childhood- and I remember this evening- could be silent by Kno. Be speaking, I want you, just new would be better to get through if you just get your head down and- and I understand that I've been in other situations which I have worked with tyrants and I see how people the best way to deal with a much needed to get your head down and move forward and does not to draw attention to yourself, but that you know that just for those of us who see your performance,

you know the good life for on stage cabaret or other movies. You Only by gives your x men we. I don't pick up even a whiff of an unhappy. The child, you seem so comfortable in your own skin. Oh I am. I am no. I don't do. You know, I think, that's also that's what anyway, that's what First, that my last book was about was about how you can and why I am really really got edited Airbus. I didn't expect this kind of part of the process, but like being being able to tell people that you can overcome, serve rise up from something really really debilitating and potentially completely damaging and have a life that is joyful and successful, and I mean I know in an ending do my work.

How do you do it eat? I may I think, I'm very strong willed person a knife. I you know that in my by took button and in the last week of the decision I made to to a shame into my life. I don't know why. I don't hide that I'm biking. I remember the moment precisely when I rejected shame and I think I kind of like the way the meditation works. Mesmerized myself. Or change myself and just thinking no, like you know it wasn't easy there was there is lots of hiccups along the way, but like saying I'm good enough, I'm fine, it wasn't me and I'm going to be okay and I'm gonna move forwards, and and not let this baggage from my past dictate my present or future bayonets and to do that through sheer force of wills it or at least in part, through sheer force of Willie. Somebody may like some therapy

help I have known you did nothing against therapies. That's all good! In my book, the events in meditation there. To the extent that you said you kind of fall off the Wagner get back on the way, and what are you I'm always curious about this? What wise at heart You have to make an abiding one for me. It's because of lack of routine in my life is its duty on average and, like you know, I'm an actor named. I do you like this, if he's so my book with all my schedule for the last couple weeks has been crazy. Inelastic up in you know in the Remote western isles of Scotland, Lebanon bachelor. Edinburgh, near Calais, in New York, is really the last weekend, I'm on a book to an I'm here to frighten Gough again, so I dont know I mean I really do grave ass. My love phenomena play. I love good, work at Saint Everyday. I love you know. Beating me, Samuel citizens ready. So I've done

can I do cuz, I people who have that kind of our boy, They had more of a kind of I'm flying off here today, but but, but I think that's what makes it things like magician difficult for me is that I don't have a pattern. I do this at this time. And I like even just right now, I'm in I've got my swimming costume in my bag. An hour later, I'm gonna go swimming. Could I mean you crave, I feel like and I feel like. I said have you swimming survey method, a thing I stay at yet I love that sneered at quiet and that we get to think and also be recognises me. You know in a simple answer to good. Like an agenda, people see you sweating and regular nine people as you I'm YAP absolutely, but I mean on the one hand, I can see how the annoying, but also, if you are recognising the fact that people are recognising you is a sign that you're doing something right. Eve achieved success that you, your performance, a memorable, etc, etc. Yes, I mean

it as if I dont really quantified in that way, and I may get. I wonder what would happen if I remember one time when, as forty so equivalent Amigo, what really am fifty one you, Well, do you live in formaldehyde, took no sleep and not enough not enough of it. It's early last known ass night as DJ at my own book, plunge party, and then I guess it was such fun. I kept on DJ even after the party was finishing, became another part in and the real digit jealous match our gothic blocked by a DJ, Agnes DJ blocked, but

no one out on the night. We know and you get when you have this big birthdays. You have I sort of reckoning, maybe a little slip out of my flipped on my night for my fortune virtuous as weeping amusing, fatality drinks course as weeping and dislike. I'm damn got my husband's said ways it twice,

and I went. I dont want to be favoured anymore and I I was at the Sundance Film Festival which had done if you ve been tonight. It's like. I was therefore the whole week I know, is at its film, thereby also doing this think that Sundance Channel intervene people it felt like people hitting you your head, like this ordeal of like twenty four hours a day. That's what it feels like just people, people are people and its. If God is little in offences along the main streets, he can't cross the road shift. It's just so intense, and I and I- and I just I reached my ceiling with it with people and

and it you and it's a kind of a a celebrity petting zoo is that happened in those situation and by realized? I had this wire side as well, as I realise, even if I stopped d never made another film, never did another performance, anything it would go on for such a long time, even without meeting anything to exacerbated If you start it all went away, would you miss it might? Well, I don't know I mean. Who knows? That's, that's that's kind, my point it because it won't go away It would give a go way along a b. I belong. Template did rapidly Where, because of the long tail of the work you have done because I'm old enough- and you know, because you're just its distilled things are on tv, diamond people. Remember you, and so it went just stop right now, so it sets as actually kind of It was actually very liberating thanks that I like. Could I do I like the fight? Do I wanna, like this labour, have parted and part of why I can do things like right. This book are.

You know this guy was an earlier this year and get this still made as because I'm in quite mainstream things that allow people watch and so I ask- is that you can deposit. I ever I get something from the same bank, I can deposit in the end, the obscure Artie Bank and I really like that transaction. So it's actually all right. It's all going fine, but I can Get off but but but but if I'm at home and I'm listening this interview, my headphones or whatever I can imagine people saying our desire class problem being framed. A took the coast is yes, I'm not I'm not pretend Otherwise, I'm not I'm not morning Are you saying I were on your forty birthday I wasn't morning I was the morning I think I was always I was having a realization Finally, as having a realization- and I do you know- there's things about it there, he reaches ceiling sometimes instead,

situations where you're in a public situation, and it's just you if you like, like I say this thing had been just being people tapping a face like it's, like your being tortured love, not torture goes exist, but it's just that you have no no time for yourself, nothing for you! I am so I ve developed a way to live my life. What I can have it all, I think I have I have the benefits of of what it brings. I do the things that I have to do and I also live a life. What I don't hide and I've made myself- you know, exist in the end in in the

the public world humped cut myself. Often, I think that's that's the way to go it all again. It's all you know a transaction and negotiations to find a kind of life that you want to live, and I want to build two welcoming streets and have fun and nor are good bars, not worry, but people, you know not being in the papers for doing something ridiculous and they got any gum managed to craft a life myself where I can be, who I want to be and still be, the personality in the world. To me to be the kind of work I want to do, and you studying up at his pipe guess mean a ray of things. You do it. Dizzying you tore. Do though I may get this wrong. Is Alan, coming sing, sat beside that's correct, so you sing songs all over the place. All over the world you are in tee to on tv, shows your in movies you're. This, as we said, is your third book. It's a lot dare to keep on the track, So let me ask you about this new book. You gotta get bigger dreams, my life in stories and pictures.

What was the? What was the impetus for writing this book will actually I wanted to do a book as for awhile before him. For my last one actually get studies of the good our stories, the Stoiber weekend. I spoke of doubt and I It was in two thousand and one- and I wrote it quite soon after the next couple years after that, such a long time ago, so that these updated and kind of attitude, but some of these stories, where you know from a long time ago, and the photos are from a long time ago, so so kindly doing that, having loading limit right in trying to get a collection too, and then all the stuff happens with my father and my grandfather in two thousand and ten and that's why I wrote the sun. So in a way this is the book I can amount to rights right a while ago, then circumstances dictated said, so in fact it was really nice goes. I felt more confidence.

And also I felt like I, I have already written a book very revealing about my life. I know this was a bit was more about more fun side of my life mostly, and it was I think photos are a good way of intellectuals snapshot into it, and soon I am do let go of it out on me to do I'm I'm talking. I meet fascinated people like him and I write Vietnam and analyze them. So I mean a man. Can if I wanted to call this book, I am writing this because carved out. Omitted. Let me, as I do that alone. I called the stories gotta about him you. They get big. You gotta get bigger dreams. Where does that come from? It comes from something that opera said, because I, my friend, it is an absolute open. Not an was being honoured by them. Ellie am I just listen. Ellie Visa Visa Foundation and dearly departed and they are going right. This thing and earth so I took Eddie is

its knowing that you'd think I could is going to be there, and so we went to it in his is along prolongs doing the book, but basically, at the end of the artwork, in the middle of the evening. Actually, I realized I was consuming and on all brand trying to get him kind of in the she was so desperate for a photo, and I was like Eddie, I'm not sure I can post. You know how much I hate it when people coming bug me when we're having dinner and music finally I see your point, but I still want to put I realise that she was dying to walk towards us because we are linked by the loose and she was coming to the loose in the dinner break of this ceremony, as it should he's coming. So I can try to undo my camera and I hear daddy in this little piping. Choir boys going opera may have voted with you. It would be my dream and opera said

gotta get bigger dream, and I just that it was so, and I take this awful picture music. It's a great picture is not technically kind of awful half of Cyprus faces in it, looking be its effect, and then all the baddies phases blurred manic. Looking and completely the essence of that moment at the opera, cannot be fully there she's a good as beneficial but even in that moment of huge annoyance. It must be, and I mean that it happens to me a lot. I can imagine what it must play for opera constantly, not when you- You took a step in a public situation. Constant, Ignacio photographed US people wanted to grab you eve not moments. She managed. Heart, some wisdom Gus she's right. Eddie should have bigger dreams, it is, you shouldn't be just- have a photo without prior to me. I know He has the least them to have the dreams cause. He's he's got that one very cool woody How would you describe your career What are your Tiktok

hope. What are your bigger dreams at age, fifty one having achieved so much what you wanna do like him, I would like to maintain. I like I, should really enjoy. I've, never hides idle, our dreams and that we have never had you know? I think, especially in America, people put so much on us on. I'm achievements and goals and links it got and I've Europe Evans country on this kind of striving first put at an end when actually their missing their journey. Now missing the present- and I have always been very weary of the I dont many have gene don't we have. Nothing like no hunting. I really want to do this. You just enjoying the right. I am, and I think I've always been like that. I really do me. One thing I wanted to do and as a drama school was to work at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow because a distant dream,

great a move so stylish and Sheikh I thought it was debated, beautiful design and the detailed he's funny european place. You know nobody ever heard of, and seen, and I just thought it was so I loved it in this theatre limited the Goebbels, which is very annoying. Does the area, and I just loved everything about it, and it was really cheap to go by possibly subsidized by the government Crispin. I just everything about it. I just wanted to be a part of that was my dream. You gave it now No, I did. It is still better. No, I'm gonna like because it settled I gotta I mean, I am, I remember when I don't work. The tool in company- and I thought I was so exciting and then they actually got a phone call from the directive at seeing in call me up This is it. This is ITALY and they said we will love you to come and join the company ethic and said we'd love to play Pinocchio. In our Christmas show as much

because it is always a thing of those employees. Scottish people in the Christmas shoe to do the kind of deal because monsieur and enough and not give us people jobs in them proper season. So I died, I know so I was doing something and it wasn't free, but I bet it's device recent cells is a different, was different people. Do it now is not the same at all areas that Canada, you know, is a magical time for a few years in the distant was every system here, we want to do but I've never. Since then I really do feel I feel like I've tumbled through life. And I know that's annoying for people because it looks like I'm this cap. Of industry of my own. You know land of whatever, and I'm not. I just think things should be fun and I did- and of course you know, I also of tat- judge your. U prelates can't say this, but you also look I want to mean that an analogy know I mean I don't think them yeah, but so a lot super talented. Do I use

I don't think it's really annoying when accuracy, I'm so lucky and bubble blood hashtag blast and of I have a huge problem. Hashtag me too. I think it's a lazy thing to say nor analyze and not it's just. I just think it's this. Nor do I don't like it to feel it's like a humble brag rates angle. The idea. Look it look it look at my amazing life. Look at my private plain bless. The Esta, like awaited Gonna, take the edge off of browsing totally totally a kind of pre empt set certain ver yellow The anvil right gum due for than today, No, I mean I'm aware of it. I don't follow it to do them done much recently, but that I just love it. But you, I hate all that, but I do feel also at Saint AIM. Incredibly lucky, I think you know my. I am an example of of of someone who benefited from circumstance. Luck,

confluence of various circumstances and, of course I am quite talented, but so many people and as many People much more time than me: maybe they don't have the kind of, social skills. Maybe there have been all doesnt work, but I do feel dates. It to be in my position being the kind of person. I am it's completely arbitrary and to do it just you know, fits more question before I. Let you go in and get into your swimming costume and go swimming you, and this is a kind of a heavy weight and what you just did a pretty serious thing, which is you went to Lebanon and work for the? U and high commission for refugees. Why did you want to do that? What you learn? I wanted to do that cause I've just been sort of over the last few years. You know looking at the refugee crisis, and harder on you know and all these awful things of these boats and people in the Mediterranean,

and also seeing how much the the that have a massive displacement I got from in Syria and Iraq has affected so much of Europe like you know it really devastating. Relations with in various countries and bringing up really horrible opinions and people and break set, uniting the whole breaks at things completely influence by by the by the syrian refugee crisis and the water of the other, and all these people coming in on you Britain has also had law, it's been a building thing of. Mean a rough asylum seekers from other countries, and I knew here, of course, we're all immigrants. Word is just completely touchstone of Van men's violence and racism and xenophobia, and I think that's completely to do the world's in this time of in changing and people moving being displaced and so its effect,

everything and I really wanted to go and just go back to the router and see actually what it was like. That's that's really why that was my in a way I wanted to go and what you see. I saw late just people who have had to give up everything. I just want to go back home and they are in these situations that are so bleak. And there are many of them are still in danger, and many of you know it Kids are born in these little shelters, have no I've never had any other law if I'm being a refugee and there in this kind of little lean to with plastic, shooting and and there. Nothing and their money. If any savings they had. Five years knows for those running right, you see I'm late the country, Lebanon, straining at the seams deal is thirty percent of the population of Lebanon and refugees in a crazy

a country that had its own problems exile at age? at this time, and it sooner and unfolds an eye- and I met people who told me stories of such what they ve been to. His is incomprehensible to me, like I, too, have survived to a funeral. And I'm someone who's been through things like few life transcended, really dark things in my life, but just perhaps because of that seeing and other people, people who saw the fence being- and it was at that whole Jpg programme in the U N Refugees, because a lot of these kids that come out of the ideology- teeth. Are there still in danger and if something the country they might be resettled and will not accept them, and you can't go back to the Congo back, not just because the tone is still being bombed, o er, the ices is controlling it, because if we go back

be killed immediately because energy- and I see no- I heard them say that they saw their friends being thrown off roofs, favour, raped and electrocuted. Bond sometimes by their own families, and that I saw Some a man held my hand and set out on you. Ve got out you ve got to tell the world we need to be. Resettled is dangerous for us here in Lebanon. It still you know they could still be. We expect, but expatriated back the city on Iraq and timidity killed. So I it was justice, I'm but all I felt like I may allow people who are not scary, are not aggressive towards America or the west. Quite the reverse. The are being helped by a great institution like the: U N, really really helped relying on it, but all you want to do is to go back and have the life of these to have.

Before or this started. So that was an ivory, and I realise that you know: hey look ass, his gait we're talking about it now I realize this would happen, and I feel that I think is really good to remind people that don't buy into this rhetoric of hatred and fear. That really does it waste has been caused by their running from the people. We are afraid of two they're, not the people we should be afraid of, and they are not trying to scare us actually. So that was that was you do what I learned on that and that the EU and its yacht is an amazing organization and we should try and do I use seven umbrella thing encompassing many other charities in and she was nothing but the coordinates. Everything It got great system me I didn't realize is, but they were set up after the Second World WAR which apply to only be in existence for a few years to help all the displaced people from from from the Second World WAR.

An optimistic May know- and you know sadly, after about twenty years, the USA, I think we should keep your dependent thank as they cannot. This is probably going to continue and it hasn't yet because of that they have this great history of unsystematic. Deal with this situation, so I was really really impressed by an outside met people who their entire life. Entire working life has been going on in the world. Helping refugees and making setting at systems for people to live in display situations, and I felt so full of Adam for them elements had severe timely to say. Thank you for doing a thank you for all your york you're doing, including your new book. You gotta, get bigger dreams and taken so we're being nice to me when I you don't even know me and I didn't deserve it for, for you- no happiness, launch yelling. I legacy I'd like it. You know because energy- and I feel like I, you know I I I responded to your essence

my digital essence integrated and great to meet you in the flesh. I really appreciate and and luck on the rest of this book tour, our there's another edition of the ten percent happier podcast. If you like it, and we need you up for a favor, please subscribe to it, review it and read it. I want to also thank the people who produce this part cast Josh, go hand, learn foreign, Sarah, AMOS and the head of digital Dan Sober and heavy up a twitter Danby Harris next time there's not a person in Amerika who hasn't been impact it in some way by the corona I was pandemic, but it every community. There are pockets of people who were soon

every day, this is my last day of the cylinder stretch of photos for one of our ten Visa or America's essential workers, the people who are keeping moving. I turn into a home school mom and now in a new plants from Ebay, see news you gonna hear from damage. Was she went back to my office inside crying because he is not here and making sure that our community faintly Lorraine? This is essentially inside the from the emergency room, the police cruiser to the czech outline. You hear one. This pandemic sounds like the people putting themselves ones where there's always a risk of rain is home to re. Kids are my husband or right here is listened to the essentials inside the curve on Apple podcast, refitted pod cast him.