The Happy Brain

Serotonin and the Natural Urge for Social Dominance

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You have probably noticed that my explanation of serotonin is not what you hear elsewhere. This episode explains why, and gives you the raw biology of...

Trauma and Dating

24 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

My guest is Sasha Hershfeld, creator of TraumaDater.com, which helps people see the link between their early pain and their present patterns of romant...

Why Doesn't Love Last

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Love feels spectacular because it sparks all four happy chemicals, but you end up disappointed if you expect the good feelings to last. Here’s how t...

Can We Talk About Death?

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Excuse me for bringing up this harsh topic, but you can relieve stress with these 4 new and scientific ways to think about death.The HAPPY BRAIN PODCA...

Don't Blame Your Phone

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our brain is designed to have life-or-death feelings about social recognition, so locking up phones and deleting social accounts will not end bad feel...

Addicted to Politics

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Politics sparks dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin so we keep wanting more, but it makes us feel bad in the long run. Here’s how to relieve your addi...

How To Avoid Getting Sucked into Other People’s Misery

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here are 3 simple steps to feel good despite the inevitable negativity of family, friends, coworkers, and public affairs.The HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST helps...

Ruthless Compassion

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Sirota founded the Ruthless Compassion Institute to teach people to be “kind” instead of “nice,” because the latter is often dysfunctional...

When Students Don’t Engage

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A substitute teacher asks me how the inner-mammal perspective can help him manage the bad behavior he observes in the classroom.The HAPPY BRAIN PODCAS...

Food Panaceas and Food Alarmism

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“Fat Burning Man” chats with me about how we can wade through the avalanche of conflicting claims about food and wellness. (https://abeljames.com/...

If Your Therapist Isn't Open to You

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Hartz created the Open Therapy Institute to help people find therapists who respect their world view, and to help therapists respect people who...

Pakistani Doctor on Lifestyle Diseases

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Attia Ansari tells me how her patients in Pakistan "just want a pill” instead of working to improving their wellbeing and lifestyle. Here’s th...

Your Power Over Your Attention

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nir Eyal explains his model for becoming “indistractable” instead of feeling overwhelmed by external stimuli. (nirandfar.com)The HAPPY BRAIN PODCA...

Wiring In Your “Wise Advocate"

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The founder of Myelin Leadership tells me how he teaches people to find their child circuits and rewire them into “wise advocate” circuits.The HAP...

A BioFeedback Rewiring Device

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I’m skeptical of magic bullets, but my guest helps people strap on a device that trains you to change your brainwaves, and it sounds reasonable. (ht...

War And Mammals

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

My guest is a Ukrainian-Israeli who just read my book and is putting it into practice right now.The HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST helps you spark your happy bra...

Training: How Much Is Too Much?

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

My guest was an elite athlete until she trained too much, and her story can help you make good decisions about whatever you’re training for.The HAPP...

Urge Surfing

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The author of No Willpower Required tells me about strategies that worked for him after years of alcohol dependence. (hardenbrook.com/no-willpower-req...

How to Guide Your Inner Horse

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A horse expert tells me how she guides the animal, and it’s amazingly relevant to guiding our inner mammal.The HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST helps you spark y...

Why You’re Unhappy: Biology vs Politics

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

My new book shows why unhappiness is a natural brain function, and how politics transformed it into a disease. (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGTNQHGZ) ...

A Therapist's View of Mental Fitness

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Susan Hickman tells me why she created the Mental Fitness Institute, as we compare and contrast our darker days.The HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST helps you ...

Children Are More Impressionable Than You Realize

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is just me. I get so many questions about parenting that I wanted to address them. In short, we are tempted to reward bad behavior withou...

The Lonely Entrepreneur

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

My guest coaches entrepreneurs who dare to leave the cave to find something new, but how does their inner mammal find the courage? joshthomas.net/home...

Learning a Foreign Language

20 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many people get frustrated in their efforts to wire in a new language, so I discuss the challenge with Michael Waite, who teaches English in Japan. Th...

Friends - On TV and IRL

06 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The TV show “Friends” is my guest's mental-health solution, and you will be surprised at how persuasive she is. @myonlyfriends podcast.The HAPPY B...

Climbing Out of a Hole

22 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Zack Paul went from Navy SEAL to a deep hole of pain, but he climbed out and now teaches others to do that.Check out my new video course, Train Your I...

Managing Highs and Lows

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christian Ray Flores became a rock star in the Soviet Union after living in war zones in Third-World countries, and shares the life skills he learned ...

So Many Different Wellness Strategies!

25 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bianca Brasil treats patients with a huge range of Eastern and Western methods, and even uses them on herself! (institutobiancabrasil.com.br/home)Chec...

A Homeless Addict’s Success Story

11 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jared Klickstein tells me about growing up with drug-addicted parents, and about the recovery program that succeeded where so many failed.Check out my...

Rewiring Negativity in Kids

28 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Troubled classrooms are transformed by my guest Scott Ervin as he rewards positive behaviors & NEVER rewards negative behaviors. (behavioralleader...

Music and the Brain

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kalos Music School founders Eugenia Mendez and Saul Vera tell me how they teach music to children, and how this helps us all find our power over our b...

Spirituality: Disagreeing Respectfully

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I discuss the book Questioning Spirituality with the author, Eldon Taylor, finding common ground despite core differences. (https://amzn.to/3mXdzEy)Ch...

Thinking About Eating

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I think about eating a lot, so I talk to a health and mindset coach who helps people think differently about food. (https://jeniferparedes.com)Check o...

Change Catalyst

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa Cunningham DeLauney shares my interest in travel and animals and management, so I was eager to hear how she helps people deal with change.Check o...

Boost Your Mood 10th Anniversary

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ten years ago, I wrote a blog post on boosting your happy chemicals, and I re-posted it last year. My guest Lisa Williams Edgar wrote to tell me that ...

Change Your Branches by Nourishing Your Roots

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Andrea Nakayama trains functional nutritional counselors, and teaches me about functional medicine, training, and to tell you the truth, about poop. h...

Self-Confidence: Can It Be Taught?

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Levitin tells me how he teaches people to feel their own strength— though they don't know it's serotonin. (instagram.com/paullevitin)Link to my...

Mean Mammals

07 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mean Mammals Realtor Matt O-Neill describes people who manipulate, intimidate, and try to get something for free, and how the inner mammal approach he...

Rapid Transformation Therapy

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

RTT practitioner Valentina Michetti joins me for a deep discussion of what it takes to rewire, and asks me great questions about enabling, myelin, rel...

Beyond Burnout

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sharon Grossman, "The Burnout Doc," talks to me about preventing burnout and designing solutions that fit your individual needs. (drsharongrossman.com...

Divorce Lawyer’s Advice

24 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Toni Nieuwhof wrote “Before You Split” after years of watching the toll that divorce takes. (toninieuwhof.com)Link to my new course! https://inner...

Release Constrictions: Live Lesson

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A method for releasing physical and emotional pain is taught to me (and you!) by Roberta Tachi, a senior teacher of The Realization Process. (theselfa...

The Sex Chemicals with John Gray

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The author of the Mars Venus books gives me his view of the sex hormones and tells me how a dog obedience class improved his marriage. (marsvenus.com)...

The Problem with Academic Psychology

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is just me because I want to explain my skepticism about the research we get from academic psychology. Get the full text here: https://in...

Your Executive Brain

30 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Eugene Choi left a career as a pharmacist to teach people how to manage their higher brain, but how does that fit with my work on the lower brain?...

Herd Behavior

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

My guest manages goats, cows, a cheese factory, and a farm tour, so she’s full of insight on mammalian impulses. (achadinha.com)You can now enroll i...

Hospital Drama

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

My guest tells us how she brings the inner mammal method into her daily work as a Registered Nurse. (https://RNextdoor.com)If you like The Happy Brain...

Addiction MD on Political Correctness

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Vera Tarman tells me about the changes that have taken place in her 20 years of treating addiction.If you like The Happy Brain Podcast, please rat...

A Dating and Supply Chain Entrepreneur!

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Lyons has applied the inner mammal method to his many businesses, from dating coach to supply chain consultant, with great results!If you like Th...

Tribe Sober

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Janet Gourand helps people stimulate their dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphin after they give up alcohol (TribeSober.com).If you like The Ha...

Using Happy Chemicals To Reach Goals

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kartini Ariffin is sharing my work with her clients in Malaysia and brought me a long list of great questions about moving toward goals.f you like The...

How Coaches Get Coached

09 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lucy Mullins, founder of #RidetheWave Professional Coaching School, talks to me about learning to jump the waves that crash on us throughout life. htt...

Supply Chain Drama Up Close

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You don’t appreciate the supply chain 'til it’s gone, and logistics expert Priscille Livenais tells me about the stress and the career opportunity...

All Happy Chemicals At Once

12 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

My guest has read all of my books and asks great questions so we kept going until I answered them all, especially about stimulating all the happy chem...

How to Gamify Your Life

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Renowned gamification expert Yu-kai Chou tells me how anyone can gamify their life to get desired behaviors more easily. (https://octalysisgroup.com)I...

Entrepreneur Stress

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re tempted to quit your job and go solo, here’s a realistic talk with performance coach, Lydia Kathryn. (lydiakathryn.com)If you like The H...

Deep Work vs. Busy Work

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tova Safra tells me about her new app that gives you a virtual co-working space on demand: https://groove.ioTHE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST helps you blaze n...

A PTSD Success Story

17 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Medric Cousineau explains the cascade of problems that began with a heroic rescue, and the cascade of solutions that began with a service dog. (https:...

Negotiating with Family

03 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Wilson teaches conflict resolution in prisons, colleges, and corporations, so I ask her about conflict within families. (https://iheartresolutio...

Panic Attacks

20 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Maite Crespo tells me how she stopped her panic attacks by creating a “pause for serenity” method, which she teaches now at https://todoyoga.comTH...

Your Inner Voice Is Learned

06 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I discuss the Origins of Consciousness theory of Julian Jaynes with the founder of the JJ Society, Marcel Kuijsten. (JulianJaynes.org)THE HAPPY BRAIN ...

The HR Mammal

22 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I discuss the HR world with Daniel Vent, a professional who shares my interest in applying inner mammal awareness to the HR function. THE HAPPY BRAIN ...

Body/Mind Connection

08 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Todd Nyholm, somatic therapist, tells me about his system for using your body and mind together to change unwanted patterns. (nytality.com)THE HAPPY B...

Make Peace with Alcohol

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

My guest is the Alcohol Minimalist, who trained her brain to lose interest in alcohol. (https://mollywatts.com)THE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST helps you blaze...

Insecurity and Spirituality

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

My guest, Agata Dzierzawa, is the translator of my book "I, Mammal" into Polish, and she wants to talk to me about spirituality. (https://www.ajourney...

The Quest for Happy Habits

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I speak with Irish broadcaster Matthieu Norry about his research on happy habits, to see which conclusions we share.THE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST helps you ...

Stop Fearing Gatekeepers

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Diris has read 4 of my books and asks me great questions about his efforts to get ahead and to help friends in need. THE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST helps you...

Build Your Stress Resistance

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

My guest, Paul Taylor, learned stress resistance from high-pressure military experience plus formal study of neuroscience, but I disagree with him on ...

Keeping Up Appearances

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

An MD reader asks me big existential questions: Why do we care about social approval? How can a person get unstuck and live authentically?THE HAPPY BR...

Nomad Happiness?

31 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

My guest, Victoria Puzach, helps digital nomads be more productive…but are nomads happy? worktravelsummit.com THE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST helps you blaz...

Your Personal Health Records

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I learn about an app that holds your personal health data (Andaman7) from its creator, Vincent Keunan, whose personal experience with health records w...

See You In Court!

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mediator and dispute resolution expert Arabella Tresilian explains her method of cooling down entrenched conflicts. (arabellatresilian.com)THE HAPPY B...

Know Your Nervous System

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I learn about the nervous system from fire-walking chiropractor, Dr. Josh Handt.THE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST helps you blaze new trails to your dopamine, s...

The Money Circuits in Your Brain

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Early experience shapes your relationship with money in surprising ways, explains “Anatomy of Money” founder Deborah Fryer. (DeborahFryer.com)THE ...

Be Yourself on Camera

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Video confidence coach Janie Peters chats with me about overcoming fear of speaking live on video.THE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST helps you blaze new trails t...

Q & A on Sustainable Happiness

08 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Great questions on cortisol, adrenaline, sex, bonding and 14 Days to Sustainable Happiness, with reader Kristen Helmstetter.THE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST he...

Adverse Childhood Experiences

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Juleus Ghunta wrote a children’s book to help build literacy in children with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like his own (Rohan Bullkin and t...

Screen Addictions: Porn, Gaming, Etc

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

These addictions are status problems in the opinion of my guest, masculinity coach Mark Queppet.THE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST helps you blaze new trails to ...

Social Awkwardness

27 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Is it new? Is it you? I discuss social awkwardness with “Focus on the Forty” founder, Anthony Poponi. (The 40% of happiness he believes we control...

Questions from Mexico

13 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A translator of my book had great questions, so we did a Q &A in English, and repeated it in Spanish. He added one question in Spanish that he didn't ...

Why We Do Things for Free

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A Brazilian Product Manager asks me great questions about why we contribute to uncompensated activities, both online and IRL.THE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST h...

A Pediatrician’s Alternative

16 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Miriam Mandel shares the inspiring story of how she came to train teachers in methods that build wellness in children. (exhalewithme.com)THE HAPPY...

Career Frustrations

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Great questions about career happiness and trade-offs are posed by a reader who's a computer scientist in France.THE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST helps you bla...

Dad The Best I Can

18 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The man behind the "Dad The Best I Can" book and podcast chats with me about helping his kids wire in good happy habits within the challenges of moder...

An Addict Rewires

11 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Addiction coach Dennis Berry tells me how he left the partying life and how he helps others reach emotional sobriety.THE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST helps you...

Hobby Happiness

28 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A car enthusiast tells me about the early experience that wired in his hobby happiness, and how he built it into a career.THE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST help...

Hi-Performance Coaching

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brain First Training Institute Founder Ramon David tells me how he helps people tap into high-performance motivation with his deep research and coachi...

Emotions Stored in Your Body

23 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

My guest, Renee de Weerd, explains how emotions get stuck as muscle tension, and how you can release them to improve physical and emotional well-being...

Tracking Negativity

09 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I learn how to track down automatic negative thoughts with my guest, therapist Guy Earle www.drguyearle.comTHE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST helps you blaze new...

Mental Hygiene

26 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You’re responsible for your brain the way that you're responsible for your teeth, says my guest, LCSW Andrea Parsons.THE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST helps y...

A Male Quest for Mental Health

12 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

My guest, Tim Krass, was depressed and addicted for decades, but he found love and purpose by redefining masculinity.THE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST is a fran...

World Happiness Fest Founder

26 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Luis Gallardo tells me how he created the World Happiness Foundation and what’s in store for this year’s free online festival March 18-23 www.worl...

How Dentists Fight Stress

12 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Find out how my guest, Dhru Shah, helps dentists improve their wellbeing through his organization, Dentinal Tubules.THE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST is a frank...

A Gentle Way to Reprogram Yourself

29 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

My guest, EFT Therapist Cecile Marie, explains how the tapping technique worked for her, and why she thinks it can work for others. (femininehealingar...

Teaching Self-Management to Children

15 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

My guest, Christen Schweizer, tells me how she uses the inner mammal method on her kids. THE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST is a frank conversation between Loret...

Beyond Bipolar

01 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

My guest is writer, podcast host, and mental health advocate Joseph Fusaro, who talks to me about how he got labelled at a young age, and how he got h...

Winning and Losing

18 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Coach Gwen Bryson recalls her “winning” days and how the inner-mammal method helped her get past that perspective and teach others to get past it....

Anti-Bullyism Makes Things Worse

04 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Izzy Kalman, school psychologist and founder of Bullies 2 Buddies, explains why the accepted anti-bullying strategy makes things worse.The HAPPY BRAIN...

Best Morning Routine Ever

20 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The link between success and your morning routine is explained to me by Habit Coach Lunide Louis. THE HAPPY BRAIN PODCAST is a frank conversation bet...

Meditation Teacher Gets Real

06 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Singapore life coach and meditation teacher Yvonne Yeow chats with me about competitiveness, anxiety, and what works better than meditation (yvonneyeo...