Center for Healthy Minds

Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., is professor of medicine emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where he founded the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society (in 1995), and (in 1979) its world-renown Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Clinic. 

He is the author of 14 books, including the bestsellers Full Catastrophe Living, Wherever You Go, There You Are, and Mindfulness for Beginners. His four latest books (2018/2019) are a series, updating Coming to Our Senses: Meditation is Not What You Think; Falling Awake; The Healing Power of Mindfulness; and Mindfulness for All. With Mark Williams, he was co-editor of Mindfulness: Diverse Perspectives on its Meaning, Origins, and Applications (2013). 

His books are published in more than 40 languages. His work has contributed to a growing movement of mindfulness into mainstream institutions such as medicine, psychology, health care, neuroscience, schools, higher education, business, social justice, criminal justice, the law, technology, government and professional sports. More than 700 hospitals and medical centers around the world now offer MBSR. Kabat-Zinn lectures and leads mindfulness workshops and retreats around the world.

Davidson is best known for his groundbreaking work studying emotion and the brain. A friend and confidante of the Dalai Lama, he is a highly sought after expert and speaker, leading conversations on well-being on international stages such as the World Economic Forum, where he serves on the Global Council on Mental Health. Time Magazine named Davidson one of “The 100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2006. His research is broadly focused on the neural bases of emotion and emotional style as well as methods to promote human flourishing, including meditation and related contemplative practices. 

Anne Strainchamps is the host and co-founder of Wisconsin Public Radio's To the Best of Our Knowledge, the Peabody award-winning public radio interview show heard on more than 200 public radio stations across the United States. Strainchamps began her career in public broadcasting at National Public Radio. She was a founding producer of The Diane Rehm Show at WAMU, created WPR's award-winning audio essay series Wisconsin Life, and the weekly live call-in show 45 North. She's also been a food and wine columnist and—in a former life—a chocolatier.