The Tao of Chill: Finding Inner Peace Without Woo-Woo with Diane Dreher, PhD

In today’s frenzied and demanding world, the pervasive tide of stress and anxiety feels relentless, yet the solution for finding calm without religion often lies in small, accessible, free practices. The core principles of secular spirituality and Taoism for beginners offer immediately actionable tools. The philosophy teaches that profound inner peace is not an escape from activity, but its counterpoint; just as Yin is useless without Yang.

To explore the exercise of finding calm without religion, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with bestselling author and award-winning professor, Dr. Diane Dreher.

Diane presents statistics detailing the overwhelming anxiety of modern life, then reveals the accessible, ancient methods for comfort and renewal found within her book, Pathways to Inner Peace: Finding Connection, Inspiration, and Renewal in Challenging Times.

Original Air Date Wednesday, December 10, 2025

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Meet Our Guest:

Diane Dreher, PhD, is a bestselling author of eight nonfiction books, including The Tao of Inner Peace, and an award-winning professor and positive psychology researcher on hope with international recognition. Professor emeritus and associate director of Santa Clara University’s Applied Spirituality Institute, she blends timeless wisdom with contemporary psychology and neuroscience to help people meet today’s challenges with courage, creativity, and hope.

Book: Pathways to Inner Peace: Finding Connection, Inspiration, and Renewal in Challenging Times

Diane Dreher—Inner Peace & Taoism for Beginners:

A dramatic rise in chronic anxiety and depression. {2:31}
Finding calm without religion. {9:33}
Taoism for beginners. {14:03}
Pathways to Inner Peace highlights secular spirituality practices. {25:05}

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Shareables:

“When we can’t think clearly because we are disengaged from the pre-frontal cortex, we respond in highly emotional reptilian ways that are not always of benefit to us.” @LisaKamen on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “The American Psychological Association found that over 70% of American adults are feeling stressed about our country's future.” @dianeedreher.bsky.social on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “Taking a walk in nature can help relieve depression. It’s extremely effective.” @dianeedreher.bsky.social on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “I'm grateful to positive psychologists and neuroscientists for giving us real evidence that these practices work.” @dianeedreher.bsky.social on @HHTalkRadio Share on X

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Grab More Joy Below:

Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now? Explore lifelong relationships as part of your journey to happiness.

H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day. Our lifelong relationships have a big influence on this journey.

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