What happens when life refuses to follow the seating chart? In this Secret Sangha episode, Dr. Diana Hill explores the dark side of control through a behind-the-scenes story from her Tell the Truth dinner with Dan Siegel. Drawing from Stoicism, ACT, Conscious Leadership, and Siegel’s model of agency, belonging, and certainty, Diana shows how our attempts to control outcomes, other people, and uncomfortable feelings can drain the energy we need most. The invitation is simple but not easy: get curious, open up to what is and is not up to you, and focus your energy where it can actually make a difference.

On The Wise Effort show, Diana Hill talks with Dr. Joseph Ciarrochi, a researcher in process-based therapy and ACT, about self-righteous anger and how to stay honest and kind when others aren’t.