Why Asking Weirder Questions is an Exercise in Accessing Dignity with Megan Saxelby

Dan Harris0:00

Hey, this is Dan Harris, host of the Ten Percent Happier podcast. There's so much bad news in the world, but one amazing piece of news is that happiness is actually a skill you can train. So every week, I talk with top scientists, meditation experts, even the occasional celebrity, about anxiety, depression, productivity, focus, dealing with difficult people, how to get enlightened, psychedelics, et cetera, ancient wisdom and modern science to help you do your life just a little bit better. The Ten Percent Happier podcast, listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

Zach· Host0:30

[upbeat music] Hey, it's Zach. Today, a weirdly helpful alternative to the age-old question, "Hey honey, how was your day?" with my guest, Megan Saxelby.

Megan Saxelby· Guest0:43

Um, I'm the founder of a company called Wild Feelings, um, and I'm an early adolescent parent coach out here rewriting the story of early adolescence for joy.

Zach· Host0:51

Before I talked to Megan, I hadn't thought much about really parsing the meaning of dignity and, like, how it's different than respect. I don't know if I could've told you what's the difference.

Megan Saxelby· Guest1:04

And, like, you don't have to respect people. Like, respect is earned and lost, and just because someone's lost your respect a- doesn't give you the right to, like, humiliate them or, right, like, treat them like they don't matter. You can move through your day acknowledging that you don't necessarily respect this person, but their inherent worth is non-negotiable.

Zach· Host1:25

Megan believes that a lot of the time it's really difficult to access