Dr. Steve Haberlin on Bringing Mindfulness Into Higher Education

In this episode of the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, Sean Fargo sits down with Dr. Steve Haberlin—educator, mindfulness teacher, and researcher dedicated to helping aspiring teachers share mindfulness with authenticity and confidence.

Sean and Dr. Haberlin explore the unique challenges facing today’s college students — from stress and distraction to the mental health crisis on campuses. Steve shares how he began weaving mindfulness into the classroom, what the data says about its benefits, and why practices like breathwork, box breathing, and loving-kindness can help students regulate stress and unlock their potential.

His research and teaching reveal both the opportunities and barriers to bringing mindfulness into academic settings, offering insights for educators, parents, and students alike.

Whether you’re a mindfulness teacher, a college educator, or simply someone navigating stress, this episode offers practical strategies and inspiration to bring mindfulness into everyday life.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro

02:42 – Discovering meditation at age 12

06:34 – How practice evolved into daily life

10:02 – Bringing mindfulness into classrooms

15:54 – Research findings: stress, anxiety & student well-being

18:54 – Barriers students face with mindfulness

21:31 – What practices work best (MBSR, loving-kindness, box breathing)

23:40 – Risks of pushing practices too far, too fast

32:25 – Mindfulness tech: apps, neurofeedback, and AI

🌿 Tune in to learn how to move beyond self-doubt, step into your voice, and share mindfulness in a way that feels authentic and sustainable.

🔗Know more about Dr. Steve Haberlin

Email: steve.haberlin@ucf.eduWorkshop📖 Books:

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About the Podcast Mindfulness Exercises with Sean Fargo is a practical, grounded mindfulness podcast for people who want meditation to actually help in real life. Hosted by Sean Fargo — a former Buddhist monk, mindfulness teacher, and founder of MindfulnessExercises.com — this podcast explores how mindfulness can support mental health, emotional regulation, trauma sensitivity, chronic pain, leadership, creativity, and meaningful work. Each episode offers a mix of: • Practical mindfulness and meditation teachings • Conversations with respected teachers, clinicians, authors, and researchers • Real-world insights for therapists, coaches, yoga teachers, educators, and caregivers • Gentle reflections for anyone navigating stress, anxiety, burnout, grief, or change Rather than chasing peak experiences or spiritual bypassing, this podcast emphasizes embodied practice, ethical teaching, and mindfulness that meets people where they are—messy, human, and alive. If you’re interested in: • Mindfulness meditation for everyday life • Trauma-sensitive and co...