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.
In this podcast episode, Dr. John and Dr. Gottman explore the complexities of love and relationships. They delve into the Four Horsemen of relationship destruction-criticizing, controlling, stonewalling, and defensiveness -and offer insights into how to build lasting connections. The Gottmans also discuss the importanc...
This podcast episode explores the multifaceted nature of smell, discussing how it influences our emotions, memories, behaviors, mate selection, and health. The speakers delved into the complex interplay between our sense of smell and various aspects of life, emphasizing the importance of smell in shaping our experience...
This podcast episode underscores the urgent need for climate action and emphasizes the power of individual contributions in addressing this crisis. From teaching classes to advocating within institutions, Adam Aron's journey as a climate activist illuminates the importance of finding one's frontline and inspiring other...
This podcast episode delves into a fresh approach to climate change by emphasizing happiness and joy. It reframes climate change as an occasion to rethink our way of living rather than a severe penalty. The focus shifts from sacrifices to sweet spots—activities that boost happiness while lowering carbon consumption. Th...
This podcast episode explores the psychological factors that prevent humans from addressing climate change despite it being a catastrophic threat. It also discusses the challenges of addressing climate change due to its complex nature and the need for systemic actions. Additionally, it highlights the importance of leve...
This podcast episode explores the various challenges associated with scheduling and synchronization, from the historical examples of St. Lubbock's Day and the Soviet Union's Neprevka system to the contemporary issues of unpredictable work hours for low-income workers and the impact of digital nomadism. It also delves i...
This podcast episode explores the complexities of happiness and the four pillars of happiness: faith, family, friends, and work that serves. It challenges common misconceptions about happiness and emphasizes the importance of enjoyment, social interaction, and metacognition in enhancing well-being. The podcast provides...
This podcast episode delves into the complex relationship between technology, education, and mental health among young people, highlighting the escalating culture of achievement and its consequences for happiness. It presents strategies for increasing happiness by changing behaviors and mindsets, emphasizes the signifi...
This podcast episode explores our changing relationship with food throughout history, from its status as a basic need to its current state as a subject of obsession and anxiety. The speakers argue that the disconnect between wanting and liking food, fueled by the ubiquity of hyper-palatable options and the influence of...
This podcast episode explores the history of psychoactive plants and their impact on human consciousness. It delves into the role of psychedelics in inspiring creativity, scientific discoveries, and new metaphors, as well as their therapeutic potential for mental health conditions and existential distress. Additionally...
This podcast episode explores the effectiveness of cash transfers in alleviating poverty, homelessness, and substance use, challenging traditional approaches to addressing these issues. Research findings suggest that cash transfers are a cost-effective and dignified way to empower individuals, leading to significant im...
This podcast episode delves into the decline of social capital in the U.S. since the 1960s, emphasizing the need for a cultural shift towards prioritizing collective well-being. It discusses the historical roots of collective wellbeing, the concept of happiness economics, the significance of measuring happiness and wel...
This podcast episode delves into the importance of third places, spaces for socialization outside work and home, for fostering happiness and social capital. The episode explores a particular bar's inspiration for the sitcom "Cheers," the decline of third places, and the academic subterfuge used to study the relationshi...
This podcast episode explores the evolving attitudes of Gen Z towards work friendships, questioning the traditional expectation of socializing at work. Catherine Hu, a former student of Dr. Santos, discusses the shift in focus from companionship to income among younger generations and the benefits of remote work in fos...
This podcast episode delves into the personal journey of Jia Jiang, who overcame his fear of rejection by undertaking a 100-day challenge. He faced various rejections but learned that people are more receptive to helping than he initially thought. The episode emphasizes the importance of asking for help, embracing vuln...
This podcast episode delves into the challenges faced by introverts and explores the concept of volitional personality change, encouraging introverts to overcome their natural tendency to avoid social situations. The speakers also discuss the benefits of talking to strangers and the idea of cultivating extroverted beha...
This podcast episode delves into the importance of actively checking in on friends, nurturing social connections, and overcoming barriers to reach out to those in need, especially during difficult times. Through personal stories and research findings, it highlights the profound impact of simple gestures in strengthenin...
This podcast episode highlights the significance of compliments in enhancing happiness and fostering self-esteem. It emphasizes the need to overcome hurdles and break societal norms to express appreciation for others. The episode also delves into the psychology behind compliments, the various factors that hinder compli...
This podcast episode delves into the importance of self-care, emotional regulation, and self-compassion to enhance well-being, performance, and resilience. It explores strategies such as mindful self-talk, distant self-talk, and superhero self-talk to cultivate self-compassion and make significant improvements in life.
This podcast episode dives into the importance of recognizing, understanding, and managing big emotions in children and adults. It explores various strategies for emotional self-regulation, including teaching kids to identify and express their feelings, parents and adults managing their own big emotions, preparing for ...
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