The Happiness Lab is serving up scientifically-backed takes this summer that are so hot, even your SPF 50 won’t protect you. With the help of behavioral scientists, historians, and cultural critics, Yale psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos challenges some of our biggest assumptions about what it takes to live a good life. Dr. Laurie explores topics like why we should forget about TMI and lean into oversharing, how dumping small talk makes for better conversations, why the kids these days are actually doing just fine, and how men can establish strong bromances. Each episode unpacks a bold, counterintuitive claim — using research, data, and expert insight to question the conventional wisdom around happiness and wellbeing.
This podcast episode explores the concept of stress and its impact on our well-being. It highlights the experiences of caregivers and the challenges they face in managing stress. The episode discusses the role of chronic stress in affecting our biology, eating habits, and overall health. It also examines different stra...
This podcast episode explores the phenomenon of boredom and its historical context, discussing the fear of boredom and our constant need for stimulation in today's society. It examines how the environment can influence our perception of boredom and the impact of mind-wandering on happiness. The episode introduces the A...
This podcast episode explores the challenges of perfectionism and their impact on happiness and well-being. The host shares personal struggles with happiness despite being an expert in positive psychology. The episode discusses different dimensions of perfectionism, including self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially...
This podcast episode explores the host's personal struggles with boredom, stress, perfectionism, and the fear of death. They discuss the physical and emotional manifestations of these struggles and express their hope to understand and address these issues. The upcoming season of the podcast will focus on exploring topi...
This podcast episode explores the concept of generosity and its connection to happiness. Elizabeth Dunn, a social psychology professor, shares her in-depth research on this topic, which led to her book titled Infectious Generosity. Studies and experiments conducted by Dunn and her team consistently show that spending m...
This podcast episode explores the concept of hidden potential and how it can be unlocked through various means. It discusses the importance of having a growth mindset and the role of motivation in learning and growth. The episode also highlights the significance of soft skills and character skills in predicting future ...
This podcast episode explores the importance of prioritizing happiness and mental health in the workplace. It challenges the belief that money alone leads to happiness and highlights the correlation between employee happiness and company profits. The episode introduces the RAINN method for understanding and nurturing e...
This podcast episode explores the concept of digital wellness and the importance of finding balance in our interactions with technology. It introduces the idea of Digital Wellness Day, a global holiday dedicated to reflecting on our technology usage, and emphasizes the need for mindfulness in our digital habits. The ep...
This podcast episode explores the potential for growth and unexpected benefits from traumatic events. The guest, Karen Guggenheim, shares her personal journey of experiencing significant loss and finding strength through adversity. Her story exemplifies post-traumatic growth, where individuals emerge from traumatic exp...
This podcast episode explores the importance of happiness for health and overall well-being. Dr. Rangan Chatterjee emphasizes that happiness is directly linked to lifestyle choices and has a significant impact on our health outcomes. He discusses the three-prong approach to happiness: alignment, contentment, and contro...
This podcast episode explores the topic of youth happiness around the world, highlighting the findings from the World Happiness Report. It discusses the importance of child and adolescent well-being as an indicator of future outcomes and quality of life. The episode explores the concerning decline in youth happiness in...
This podcast episode explores the intersection of aging, happiness, and dementia, highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by older adults. It emphasizes the importance of positive practices in delaying dementia and enhancing well-being during its progression. The episode also discusses the psychological nee...
This podcast episode explores the World Happiness Report, an annual ranking of countries based on their citizens' well-being. The report emphasizes the importance of judgmental happiness, which is based on overall life evaluations, rather than emotional happiness. The latest report shows that the Nordic countries conti...
This podcast episode of The Happiness Lab explores the World Happiness Report and its implications for overall well-being. It delves into the concept of mental chatter, distinguishing between adaptive inner dialogue and unproductive mental chatter, and introduces distance self-talk as a strategy for controlling chatter...
This podcast episode explores the concept of "Masterly Inactivity," the idea that in many situations, doing nothing can be the best course of action. It demonstrates the importance of letting go of control and accepting the inevitable, as exemplified by Major Charles E. Yeager's act of surrender during a dangerous flig...
This podcast episode emphasizes the need for critical thinking when consuming online relationship advice, as it may lack nuance and oversimplify complex issues. It highlights the negative impact of fixating on identifying red flags in potential partners, leading to increased anxiety and difficulty connecting. The speak...
This podcast episode delves into the habits of "supercommunicators" who excel at building connections and enhancing happiness. It highlights traits such as asking open-ended questions, active listening, matching communication styles, and fostering emotional connection through vulnerability. Learning from supercommunica...
This podcast episode delves into the dynamics of conflict in relationships, discussing the Four Horsemen of the Relationship Apocalypse (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling) and their destructive impact. The Gottmans emphasize the importance of addressing conflicts when they arise, revealing hidden age...
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