Episode 141: Incorporating Technology and Sound into our Meditation and Mindfulness Practices with Sam Snowden

Today's episode is all about permission to play in your meditation practice. Sam Snowden and I share insights into our current mindfulness practices and how we use technology to support us. Yes, we also mention the habit of "scrolling" that is not so skillful. Sam highlights how her evening practice is like "sitting down with an old friend." She shares one of her favorite practices, which she calls "honor my efforts." Take a listen to the whole episode for all the goodies and share your takeaways with us on Instagram @OneWade and @anchored_sam

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For over 10 years, Samantha Snowden has taught meditation and mindfulness to kids, teens, families, and adults from all over the world. She started out coaching teens with UCLA, and has worked with youth and families in Guatemala, Portugal, Spain, the UK, Sweden, and Peru, providing community-based psychological services.

Samantha discovered meditation and mindfulness as a teenager, while searching for ways to cope with her anxiety. Trying meditation, she realized for the first time ever that she had a choice in how to respond to her thoughts. This transformed her world, and she's been fortunate enough to relive this life-changing moment again and again through her students.

Samantha has worked with many prestigious youth- empowerment programs, including: the EduCare Foundation, Insight Seminars, the Canadian Association of International Programs (CADIP), UCLA MARC, UCLA Community-Based Learning Program and the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, St. Luke's Medical Center in New York City, as well as meditation centers locally and abroad. She's designed mindfulness programs for schools in Los Angeles, as well as adult education programs abroad. She's also led online mindfulness courses for United Healthcare.

Samantha obtained her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from UCLA and her Master's Degrees in Clinical and Educational Psychology from Columbia University and in Emotion Science from Mid-Sweden University. She has taught courses at the graduate level at Columbia University on subjects such as the Mother-Child Matrix, Adjustment, and Mindfulness with Youth. She co-developed a mindfulness program at Columbia, and has also trained in behavioral neuroscience, guided imagery, yoga, and nutrition.

Currently, Samantha offers mindfulness coaching for youth, adults, families, and educators. She especially enjoys teaching parents and children together, as she gets to witness beautiful moments of vulnerability, insight, and a deeper connection. She considers these moments of awareness her reason for doing the work she does, and is excited to now share her skills and insight with Headspace.