Overview
Dan Zigmond holds the position of Venture Partner for Data Science & AI at Compound [1]. Zigmond's LinkedIn profile lists the title Board Partner [2]. According to LinkedIn, Zigmond is described as a technology leader, author, Zen teacher, and coach [3].
Career history
- Executive coach and advisor2014 to PresentVarious
- Board PartnerOct 2016 to PresentCompound
- Vice President of Artificial Intelligence and Data2025 to 2025Headspace
- Engineering DirectorSep 2020 to Nov 2024Apple
- Senior Director of Data ScienceSep 2019 to Jul 2020Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
- Senior Director of Data Science and EngineeringFeb 2016 to May 2019Meta
- Lead Data Scientist, Google MapsMay 2013 to Jun 2014Google
- Head of DataJan 2010 to May 2013YouTube
Education
B.A., Computational Neuroscience1986 - 1990University of Pennsylvania
M.F.A., Writing and Literature2003 - 2005Bennington College
Insights & ideas
The through-line
Across the material, Zigmond keeps returning to one project: applying Buddhist diagnosis of the mind to modern institutional life, moving from the body and diet, to the office, to the technology that now structures most people's attention [1][2][3][4][6]. The constant is his claim that the underlying mechanism the Buddha described, the restless "monkey mind," hasn't changed even as what exploits it has, from food and craving to workplace pressure to the algorithms he himself once helped build [3].
On the Buddha's diagnosis of the "monkey mind" and modern technology
In a dharma talk, Zigmond is described as exploring how the "monkey mind" the Buddha diagnosed 2,500 years ago is exactly what today's algorithms are engineered to exploit, a claim he draws directly from his own background of nearly thirty years building attention-capturing technology [3]. The framing treats contemplative psychology as still diagnostically accurate for a problem that has migrated from personal impulse and craving into engineered products designed around that same impulse.
On dieting without losing your mind
His book on weight loss applies Buddhist practice as a framework for dieting, positioned as an "ancient art" of losing weight without losing one's mind [1]. In discussing the book with co-author Tara Cottrell, the conversation took up the historical question of what the Buddha himself actually looked like, including the point that the historical Buddha was thin, used to unsettle assumptions readers bring to a Buddhist approach to diet [2].
On mindfulness and suffering at work
His later book extends the same contemplative lens to the office, framed as "the ancient art of waking up while working well" [4]. In discussing that work, he addresses how mindfulness can alleviate workplace suffering, and takes up a specific emotional distinction in Q&A: when does describing a feeling actually mask blame, judgment, or criticism, rather than simply naming an emotional state [6]. The implication running through both is that unexamined feelings and unexamined reactivity, not the work itself, are what generate suffering in professional life.
On his own vantage point
He is presented as someone straddling both worlds directly: a writer, data scientist, and ordained Zen priest, who has worked as Director of Analytics at Facebook while also advising start-ups and venture capital firms on data and health, and serving as a contributing editor at Tricycle, a major American Buddhist magazine [5]. This dual footing, in the technology industry and in Buddhist teaching and writing, is what grounds his recurring claim that contemplative diagnosis and technological design are looking at the same mind from opposite sides [3][5].
Takeaways
- He argues that the "monkey mind" the Buddha diagnosed is the same target that modern algorithms are engineered to exploit, a view he grounds in his own nearly thirty years building attention-capturing technology [3].
- His diet book treats weight loss as a Buddhist practice problem, an "ancient art" rather than a purely dietary one [1].
- Discussing that book, he raised the historical detail that the real Buddha was thin, used to reframe reader assumptions [2].
- His workplace book applies the same framework to the office, billed as "waking up while working well" [4].
- He takes up the distinction between naming a feeling and using it to mask blame, judgment, or criticism as central to workplace emotional life [6].
- He discusses how mindfulness practice can directly reduce suffering experienced at work [6].
- His perspective is shaped by working simultaneously as a data scientist and analytics leader and as a Zen priest and Buddhist magazine editor [5].
Media & appearances
- San Francisco Zen Center Dharma TalksApple PodcastsThe Monkey and the Machine04/08/2026, Dan Zigmond, dharma talk at City Center. Dan Zigmond explores how the "monkey mind" the Buddha diagnosed 2,500 years ago is exactly what today's algorithms are engineered to exploit, drawing on nearly thirty years of building attention-captu
- The Just-in-Time Cafe PodcastApple PodcastsLean into Mindfulness: Better Work, Less Suffering, with Dan ZigmondIt's Episode 109, and the highlight is Elisabeth & Tracy's interview with Dan Zigmond, ordained Buddhist Priest, tech professional, and author of The Buddha’s Office. He’s seen his share of offices, so he’s in the best position to describe how mindfulness alleviates workplace suffering. For Book Buzz, we’ll cover a guide that lays out the steps to designing fully transformative workshops. It shakes up the notion that experiential workshops are the pinnacle. And then for Q&A, we asked, when does describing a feeling mask blame, judgment, or criticism? We’re taking a deep dive into the emotional underpinnings of modern work life. Although we may not discuss emotions in the workplace, we ignore them at our peril. Let’s get mindful! Designing & Leading Life-Changing Workshops "When does describing a feeling mask blame, judgment, or criticism?" Dan Zigmond LinkedIn Live Event: "From Page to Sound: The Making of a Leadership Audiobook" with Katie Anderson, featuring Elisabeth Swan Resources: Multiple-award-winning book, "Picture Yourself A Leader" "5S Baby!" Ms. Fix-a-Lot's latest Lean Rap Video Ready or not, here we come! Thanks for Listening! Listen to more podcasts at JITCafe.com. Link to the video version of this podcast: https://youtu.be/u628h_nLgN4 - Apple Podcasts - Podbean - Spotify - RSS Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/JITCafe/feed.xml
- Captivating Audiobooks Delivering Meaningful Entertainment During Active Modern LifestylesApple PodcastsBuddha's Office Audiobook by Dan ZigmondListen to full audiobook for free : https://audiobookzap.com/free Title: Buddha's OfficeSubtitle: The Ancient Art of Waking Up While Working WellCategories: Anger Management, Buddhism, Career, Eastern PhilosophyAuthor: Dan ZigmondNarrator: Dan ZigmondPu
- Take Out With Ashley and RobynApple PodcastsEpisode 82 with Guest Dan ZigmondDan Zigmond is a writer, data scientist, and Zen priest. He is Director of Analytics at Facebook, and advises start-ups and venture capital firms about data and health. He is a contributing editor at Tricycle, the largest American Buddhist magazine, and
- What is Going OM with Sandie SedgbeerApple PodcastsBuddha’s Diet with Dan Zigmond And Tara CottrellBuddha’s Diet: The Ancient Art Of Losing Weight Without Losing Your Mind With Dan Zigmond And Tara Cottrell Aired Thursday, 3 November 2016, 7:00 PM ET There’s a lot we don’t know about the Buddha. For one, the real Buddha as thin. And before he
- Immersive Audiobooks Creating Lasting Memories During Peaceful Listening MomentsApple PodcastsBuddha’s Diet Audiobook by Dan ZigmondListen to full audiobook for free : https://audiobookzap.com/free Title: Buddha’s DietSubtitle: The Ancient Art of Losing Weight Without Losing Your MindCategories: Anger Management, Buddhism, Detox, Eastern PhilosophyAuthor: Dan ZigmondNarrator: Pam
- Get Yourself the JobApple PodcastsDan Zigmond
- Relish The Unabridged Audiobook Titles On Your Favorite DevicesApple PodcastsBuddha’s Diet: The Ancient Art of Losing Weight without Losing Your Mind (Written by Tara Cottrell, Dan Zigmond)
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