The Science of Happiness
Episodes
Finding Your Strengths
28 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Do you fixate on your flaws and shortcomings? Our happiness guinea pig tries the opposite: focusing on her personal strengths. ~ Try this episode’s...
Trying Compassion on Capitol Hill
21 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Can you extend compassion toward a difficult person in your life? Congressman Tim Ryan tries a practice to help him reach across the aisle. Link to E...
A Lesson in Thanks and Vulnerability
14 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A junior high school teacher spent his life defying stereotypes about how men should express their emotions. Here he takes on a new challenge: getting...
Notice the Good in Your Life
07 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Maz Jobrani tries to pay more attention to the good things in his life by writing them down -- and encourages his kids to do the same. Try...
The Power of Expressing Your Deepest Emotions
20 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
He started Afghanistan's first post-Taliban rock band when he was 18 years old. A decade later, our Happiness Guinea Pig takes on another challenge: w...
Who's Got Your Back?
13 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
How do you build feelings of trust and security? Our Happiness Guinea Pig learns some truths about what it takes to feel supported. Link to Episode T...
Being Kinder to Yourself
06 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When you’re helping others cope with stress and anxiety, how do you deal with your own? Psychiatrist Elizabeth Guinto tries a practice to be kinder ...
W. Kamau Bell’s Thoughts on Awkward Relationships and Bridging Divides
29 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian W. Kamau Bell discusses the challenges of finding common ground, even with people in your own family. Link to Episode Transcript: https://ti...
Find That Inner Calm
22 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
International megastar Daniel Wu tries a practice that brings him calm amidst the chaos. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/bdfcws4a
These Words Cause Happiness
15 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that you have the power to spark happiness in someone else's brain with just a few simple words? College student Eva Dickerson shares how...
A Simple Recipe for Happiness
08 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Our Happiness Guinea Pig, children's author Joanne Rocklin, shares her happiness practice: bringing people together to share a meal. It took on a deep...
Can’t Relax? This Will Help
01 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Why does a bath or swim feel so relaxing? Our guest shares her own happiness practice--spending time in water--which science is finding can make us ha...
How to Make a Real Apology
25 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
"I'm sorry you feel that way." Some apologies can actually make things worse. Our Happiness Guinea Pigs, Jolenta Greenburg and Kristin Meinzer of t...
How to Deal with Uncertainty
18 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
How do you respond when you feel threatened or defensive? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, writer Wajahat Ali, discovers a way to keep himself centered amids...
BONUS: The Science of Happiness at Work
11 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What would make you happier at work? Featuring some of our happiness guinea pigs, we share the latest insights and research on well-being and happines...
What if You Had Never Met?
09 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Do you take your partner for granted? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, cartoonist Gene Luen Yang, imagines a life in which he never met his wife. Link to Ep...
Give Yourself Some Distance
02 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Are you stuck ruminating about the past? Legendary skater Tommy Guerrero tries looking at negative events from a different perspective. Link to Epis...
Listen Like It's Your First Date
26 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Do you find yourself looking at your phone when you're supposed to be paying attention to a friend? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, The Takeaway's Tanzina V...
Why You Shouldn't Hate Small Talk
19 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us avoid chatting with strangers – isn't small talk tedious and dull? Listen as our happiness guinea pig discovers its surprising benefits....
How to Change Your Mind
12 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Author Michael Pollan, shares his experiences on being a guinea pig for his new book, How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics T...
How to Find Your Purpose in Life
05 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know what you wanted when you were in high school? Our guest takes on the challenge of figuring out her purpose in life.Transcription: https:/...
What Are You Afraid Of?
28 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Would you rather swim with sharks or give a speech before thousands of people? Discover how our happiness guinea pig tackled one of his many fears--an...
How to Forgive Your Father
21 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Holding on to a grudge? Hear how our happiness guinea pig tried to let go of deep-seated anger and resentment. Link to Episode Transcript: https://ti...
Feeling Angry? Try This
14 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
For years, Dan Harris of ABC News was plagued by anxiety, depression, and streaks of anger. Here's how he learned to tame the voices in his head and ...
Let People Help You
07 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In hard times, do you seek comfort from others or turn inwards? Find out how our Happiness Guinea Pig emerged from trauma by accepting others' support...
Is There Someone You Need to Thank?
02 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Is there someone important you've never properly thanked? Award-winning children's book author, Yuyi Morales, discovers the power of writing a "gratit...
Can You Predict What Will Make You Happy?
26 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Do memories of your past affect your happiness today? Susannah Cahalan was young and healthy when she was stricken with a mysterious illness. Learn ho...
Find Your Best Possible Self
19 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Does imagining your future make you more happy--or more anxious? Our happiness guinea pig looks ahead for inspiration to improve her life now. Lin...
How Gratitude Benefits Your Brain
12 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Can you train your brain to be more grateful? Todd Zwillich of The Takeaway takes on the challenge. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.c...
Krista Tippett on Being Grounded in Your Body
05 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Are you so stressed that it wears you down physically as well as mentally? Discover how award-winning radio host Krista Tippett brought relief to her ...
Why a Walk Works Wonders
26 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Do you dwell on the negative and let moments of joy just pass you by? Discover how the Academy Award-winning director of Inside Out got out of his...
3 Funny Things
19 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What should you do when you thought you had it all -- but learn you've had it all wrong? Discover what our happiness guinea pig did to bring more joy ...
How to Fall in Love with Anyone
12 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Can 36 questions help you fall in love--and stay in love? Best-selling author Kelly Corrigan tries a research-proven technique to feel closer to her h...
Quieting Your Inner Critic
05 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Are you too hard on yourself? Our Happiness Guinea Pig spent most of his life behind bars. Discover the research-tested practice that helped him quie...
3 Good Things
05 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Do you take the good things in life for granted? You’re not alone, and studies show it's very human. But here’s a way to find more joy in the eve...
The Science of Happiness Trailer
23 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to live a happier life? Learn research-tested strategies that you can put into practice today. Hosted by award-winning psychologist ...