In this 2026 interview with Justine Willis Toms, Maisel shares how we can cultivate serenity not just in meditation, but in the thick of daily life. Serene readiness, Maisel explains, means being mentally and emotionally prepared for life’s surprises while staying grounded in one’s values and creative intentions. This dialogue offers a powerful reminder: Serenity is not withdrawal—it’s readiness in motion.

Eric Maisel is a retired, licensed psychotherapist and an internationally respected coach specializing in creativity, existential wellness, and relationship coaching. He trains coaches and offers workshops and webinars nationally and internationally. The author of more than fifty books, he also writes the long-running “Rethinking Mental Health” blog for Psychology Today and contributes to outlets such as The Good Men Project and Fine Art America. His books include:

Night Brilliance: The Sleep Thinker's Guide to Powerful Problem-Solving (BTSL–Jim Dandy Publishing 2026)

Brave New Mind: The Art of Serene Readiness (BTSL—Jim Dandy Publishing 2025)

Choose Your Life Purposes: A Step by Step Guide to Self Awareness, Empowerment, and Success (TMA Press 2024)

The Coach's Guide to Completing Creative Work: Top Tips for Working with Procrastination, Perfectionism and More (Lynda Monk) (Routledge 2023)

The Coach’s Way: The Art and Practice of Powerful Coaching in Any Field (New World Library 2023)

Why Smart, Creative and Highly Sensitive People Hurt: A Toolkit for Thriving in a Chaotic World (TMA 2023)

The Great Book of Journaling: How Journal Writing Can Support a Life of Wellness, Creativity, Meaning and Purpose (Conari Press 2022)

The Power of Daily Practice: How Creative and Performing Artists (and Everyone Else) Can Finally Meet Their Goals (New World Library 2020)

Interview Date: 1/30/2026

Tags: MP3, Eric Maisel, serene readiness, visualization, deep breathing, self-criticism, life purpose, personal philosophy, procrastination, addiction to perfection, Personal Transformation, Psychology