Ask Us Anything! Laurie and Gretchen Take Your Questions (Live from Toronto)
What do you do when you enter "survival mode"? How can you become better at forging social connections? Can you be happy in a sad world? Happiness experts Dr Laurie…
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You might think you know what it takes to lead a happier life… more money, a better job, or Instagram-worthy vacations. You’re dead wrong. Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better. Based on the psychology course she teaches at Yale — the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history — The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness.
Most Recent Episode
Ask Us Anything! Laurie and Gretchen Take Your Questions (Live from Toronto)
What do you do when you enter "survival mode"? How can you become better at forging social connections? Can you be happy in a sad world? Happiness experts Dr Laurie…
With Elmo’s Help… It’s Never Too Early to Learn About Happiness
Not matter if you're aged three or 103, you can learn to be happier using pretty much the same strategies. Sesame Workshop and its furry friends have been teaching "emotional…
Can Spiritual Experiences and Psychedelics Make us Happy? (LIVE from DC)
More than a third of us admit to having had a spiritual experience. We might have been profoundly moved by a sunset or a painting; or felt that we've connected…
Why We’re Mean to Our Future Selves (LIVE from Boston)
Who do we volunteer to run a gruelling half-marathon? Who do we expect to give up sugar, or quit drinking? Who do we demand clears out the garage in the…
The Man Who Invented Happiness Science: Marty Seligman
When Marty Seligman started his long scientific career, psychologists concentrated on studying "misery and suffering" and what made people sad. But Marty wanted to discover what made happy people, well,…
Smell, Taste and Touch: How to Joyfully Awaken Your Senses
Happiness expert Gretchen Rubin was warned that her eyesight was in peril. It shocked her into realising she'd taken all of her five senses for granted - and so she…
Sight and Sound: How to Joyfully Awaken Your Senses
Are you seeing what you look at? Or tuning in to the noises all around you? We take our senses for granted - particularly when it comes to the sights…
Do We Need a New Word for ‘Happiness’? Katie Couric talks to Dr Laurie Santos
Laurie swaps seats in the studio to be interviewed by none other than Katie Couric. In this episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Laurie's asked to define happiness; outline…
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Sikhism and Daily Habits
Following 9/11, Simran Jeet Singh's Sikh family in Texas was subjected to extreme racist abuse. And yet, Simran's father chose to look on the bright side and offer thanks instead…
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Sikhism and How We’re All Connected
Educator and author Simran Jeet Singh is Sikh. Most of his fellow Americans have no idea what Sikhism is - causing some to treat Simran with suspicion and hostility. But…
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Yoga of the Mind
We often think of yoga as a physical exercise - but a centuries-old Sanskrit text, The Yoga Sutras, share teachings intended to improve both the body and mind. The author,…
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: The Trauma of Troy
In Virgil's epic poem, The Aeneid, few Trojans survive the destruction of their city at the hands of their Greek enemies. A prince, Aeneas, leads a band of those fleeing…
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: The Anger of Achilles
Achilles has anger issues. The great Greek warrior sits out most of the Trojan War because he's angrily sulking. When he finally enters battle, he does so in a fit…
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Aristotle and Plato ICYMI
The Greek thinker Socrates was put to death for encouraging his students to question everything - from their own beliefs to the laws and customs of Athenian society. But his…
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Socrates and Self-Knowledge
Question everything... that's a key insight from the great Greek philosopher Socrates. We may think we know ourselves and what makes us happy... but that's not always true. Yale professor…
The Happiness of Silence
We're surrounded by noise. That "noise" can be actual sounds - but also other annoyances and distractions that make it hard for us to concentrate or think clearly. And it's…
Stop Looking for the Perfect Job – a “Good Enough Job” is Just Fine
We can put huge amounts of physical and emotional energy into our jobs - even basing our self-worth on our achievements at work and letting ourselves be defined by what…
A Daily Workout to Tackle Nagging Self-Criticism
Lots of us hit the gym in January to get fit - but should we also be exercising our minds in preparation for tough times? A daily "self-talk workout" might…
How to Eat Intuitively in 2023
Everyone has a view about what you should eat and how much. We're so bombarded with fad diets, fasting plans and nutritional advice that we can bounce from one way…
Stop Endlessly Chasing the “Next Big Thing” in 2023
We're often looking into the future... hunting for the "next big thing". That could be an exciting new job or a new relationship. We can get so fixated with these…
Giving Tuesday: Why Giving Money to Others Makes us Happier
Money can buy you happiness - but not in the way we think. Giving money away - especially to help others - has been shown make us happier than spending…
Happier Parents, Happier Kids Pt 2: Letting Children Try and Fail
It's tempting to tie a child's shoe lace, tidy their rooms or help with their science projects - to see that these tasks are done right - but parents are…
Happier Parents, Happier Kids Pt 1: Your Child Isn’t a VIP or a Fragile Vase
Rosy had a packed schedule of lunches, meet-ups and activities - and she was only three. Mom Michaeleen Doucleff felt she couldn't waste a second of her daughter's time. Rosy…
Hulking Out! Why You Change When You’re Angry
When mild-mannered David Banner gets mad he transforms into the raging Incredible Hulk. Dr. Laurie Santos loves this comic book tale - because it reflects real life. Intense things like…
You Only Live Once… So Commit
YOLO seems like the perfect rock 'n' roll philosophy. You only live once... so do whatever seems right in the moment. Be spontaneous. Quit your job; find a new person…
The Fun of Eating a Pepper Hotter Than the Sun
There is nothing hotter than Puckerbutt Farm’s Carolina Reaper Hot Sauce... and author Leigh Cowart gargles it for FUN!!! Why do we sometimes get a happiness high from painful and…
Why Living Without Regret is a Bad Idea
Regret sucks. Thinking back on things we should have done, or should never have done, can make us feel bad. But #noregrets isn't a philosophy for a happy and healthy…
The Handbook for Sonic Happiness – A Twenty Thousand Hertz/Happiness Lab Mash-up
Some sounds bring happy memories flooding back. Other sounds put us on edge; drive us to distraction; or cause us considerable distress. Sound matters... so why don't we pay more…
Move to Your Happy Place
People who live in some places are happier than others. But if you move to a happy country, happy city or happy district, will it make you feel better? And…
Nerd Out! The Happiness of Being a Fan
Really love a TV show; a boyband; a sci fi movie; or a celebrity? We're often too embarrassed to admit adoring some things for fear that we'll be seen as…
The Secret to Making Friends as an Adult
Loneliness is a far more common and far more serious problem than we think. It affects one in five Americans, and takes a toll on our bodies and minds. To…
Q: “What Did the Pandemic Teach Us About Happiness?”
Covid brought disruption and despair... but it also caused many of us to think about our lives and what is most important to us. Listener Dr Amy Commander, Director of…
Q: “How Do I Stop Negative Self-talk?”
It can speak to us in the middle of a work project, the middle of a date, or the middle of the night. The critical voice in our head telling…
Q: “Can You Be Happy Alone?”
Since Covid hit, many of us have seen fewer people and experienced more loneliness. Listener Ivana Cole wants to know what we can do to reconnect and asks, if we…
Q: “Are We Born to Work? Or Born to Live?”
Listener Niki Walker has a question... in our busy, career-driven, money-oriented live, are we forgetting to make time for more important things? In our first episode fielding questions from fans…
Malala on Burnout, Guilt and How to Disagree Better
Nobel Peace Prize winners feel burnout too. Malala Yousafzai - who survived an assassination attempted by the Taliban - works tirelessly so that more women and girls can access education.…
Burnout and How to Avoid It
If you dread getting out of bed in the morning; if you are bad tempered with co-workers, clients or customers; if you leave work feeling an exhaustion that goes way…
Fighting that "Meh" Feeling of Languishing
Psychologist and writer Adam Grant used every second of his day to the fullest... until he was struck by feelings of emptiness and stagnation. His sleep patterns changed, his productivity…
When Guilt Is Good… and When It’s Not
If you’ve done something wrong, feelings of guilt can prompt us to apologize, make amends and change our ways. But many of us also feel guilty with little cause. We…
Embracing Sadness in the Pursuit of Happiness
We react to sadness in a variety of unhelpful ways. We try to suppress it. We experience guilt over it and apologize to the people around us for feeling it.…
How to Be Angry Better
Anger is a powerful signal that you or someone you value is in danger. But in our normal lives the sensations of rage we experience are false alarms - we…
Stepping Off the Path of Anxiety
Many of the most painful or troubling emotions we experience are reactions to events that have actually happened — but one powerful and sometimes paralyzing feeling can be provoked by…
The Eight Pillars of Grieving
Grief is a simple enough word, but the emotional journey it describes is chaotic, messy and unique to each person. Psychotherapist and bereavement expert Julia Samuel (www.grief-works.app) joins Dr. Laurie…
The Paradox of Grief
Most of us don’t like to think about death - and when we experience a bereavement we’re often not prepared for the pain or willing to confront all the feelings…
How to Identify Your Negative Emotions
We need to pay attention to our negative feelings - since they are telling us important things which we should address if we are to be happier in 2022. But…
Emotions Are Data…So Listen to Them
Uncomfortable emotions such as anger, guilt or loneliness are like the guiding beam of a lighthouse - they warn you of dangers ahead and help you navigate a meaningful life…
Reset Your Relationship With Negative Emotions in 2022
The Happiness Lab returns on Jan 3 to help you take a fresh, new year look at the emotions that make us sad, angry or uncomfortable. We often either ignore…
How to Give More Effectively
We all want to do good - and doing good can make us feel good - but we often don’t make the most effective choices when we do things like…
How to Adopt a Growth Mindset
If we decide that we can’t get better at things, or that our ideas and personality traits are fixed... then we hinder our ability to change and improve in enjoyable…
How to be Happier at Work (with Dan Harris)
Dan Harris was working seven days a week - and knew something had to give. He reluctantly left his ABC News job to concentrate on the Ten Percent Happier podcast.To…
How to Feel More Empathy (With the Host of Bad Women: The Ripper Retold)
When bad things happen to people - illness, accident or crime - our brains fool us into believing the victims must have done something to deserve their fate. This deep-seated…
Laurie Gets a Fun-tervention (Part Two: Beach Party)
Dr. Laurie Santos doesn’t have so much fun these days - which is really bad for her health and wellbeing. So Catherine Price (author of The Power of Fun: How…
Laurie Gets a Fun-tervention (Part One)
Peter Pan was her childhood hero, but Dr. Laurie Santos woke up one day and realized she’d broken the cardinal rule of Neverland - she’d grown up and stopped having…
BONUS: How to Handle Change
Change is the only certainty in life. We may desperately want to change ourselves and our surroundings, or we may fear the disruption and distress some changes bring. Dr. Laurie…
The Kindness of Strangers
When Kitty Genovese was murdered, her family and the wider world was told that bystanders watched, but did nothing to intervene. Psychologists tried to explain this callous inaction with a…
You Can’t Always Want What You Like
We might love grueling hikes, trips to see far-flung relatives, or super hard crossword puzzles, but often we lack the motivation needed to embark on these fun things. How can…
Let Slip the Dogs of More Happiness
Companion pets - especially dogs - are credited with making our lives richer and more fun, but does the science back up this belief? Dr. Laurie Santos breaks down what…
Boldly Go Like Yuri Gagarin
Space crews, athletes and pop stars all indulge in strange rituals before moments of high stress. It’s easy to mock these behaviors — indeed even the people who practice them…
Treating the Pain of a Broken Heart
Being shunned by a lover, a school, or an employer hurts — but we’re only just beginning to understand how real this pain is and what steps we can take…
Why Nostalgia Ain’t So Rosy
Actor Rob Lowe LOVES the 1980s. And who can blame him? He was one of the most famous men on the planet. But, as he tells Dr. Laurie Santos, he’s…
The Happiness Lab Returns August 16
Dr. Laurie Santos returns with a new season of science-based happiness tips. She takes a personal look at why she lacks motivation in the morning and why she doesn’t make…
The Happiness Lab Meets No Stupid Questions
There are no stupid questions when it comes to discussing happiness - so Dr. Laurie Santos has joined forces with fellow psychologist Angela Duckworth (host of the No Stupid Questions…
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Confucius
The Covid pandemic has robbed us of many rituals and ceremonies we took for granted - from simple handshakes to elaborate graduation ceremonies. Their loss is important - rituals contribute…
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Forgiveness
Miroslav Volf teaches at Yale Divinity School - and is celebrated for his work on reconciliation and forgiveness. But book learning alone does not explain this focus.Miroslav’s brother was killed…
Happiness Lessons of the Ancients: The Day of Rest
Sarah Hurwitz worked 24/7 at Harvard, and barely took time off as she built a career in DC writing speeches for first Hillary Clinton and then Michelle Obama. Sarah would…
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: The Torah
Sarah Hurwitz grew up thinking there was little the great texts of Judaism could teach her - she even hatched a plot to get out of Hebrew school. But in…
Laurie Talks Relationships with Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas
Double Date is a new podcast with Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas. The couple have been blissfully married for more than 40 years, and wanted to explore what makes some…
Move More… But for the Right Reasons
Moving more is great for your happiness - but many of us decide to exercise because we’re unhappy with our bodies and long to change them. What should be fun…
Feed Yourself Like You’d Feed a Loved One
Diets and "healthy" eating fads are a January fixture - but few of us stick to these harsh regimes. And when the dieting ends, we often go back to the…
Reconnect With The Moment
Psychologist and meditation teacher Tara Brach felt too stressed and busy to spend time with her elderly mother - until she had a lightning moment of realization. Why couldn’t she…
Dump Your Inner Drill Sergeant
We often start a new year hoping to make big changes in how we look, feel or act. This can involve a lot of self-criticism and adopting things like tough…
Happier Holidays: How to Celebrate No Matter What
A lot of the festive events and traditions we look forward to each year will be very different in 2020. Gatherings might be smaller than we’d like... or cancelled altogether.…
Happier Holidays: How to Give and Receive the Perfect Gift
Exchanging holiday gifts is supposed to be joyful... but for many of us it is a source of stress, anxiety and hurt feelings. To transform the way you think about…
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: The Buddha
The Buddha was born to a royal family... and it shocked him when he found out that no amount of money or power could keep suffering and loss at bay…
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Epictetus
Epictetus was born into slavery and beaten until he was lame... but he became one of Ancient Rome’s greatest thinkers by accepting every setback as an opportunity to learn and…
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Plato
Plato likened us all to charioteers trying to control two wayward horses. The steeds represent the competing wants and desires that constantly pull us off course and away from a…
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Aristotle
He gave us biology, physics and drama... but Greek philosopher Aristotle also thought deeply about how humans can flourish and live happy lives of virtue.Yale professor Tamar Gendler tells Dr…
How to Be a Better Ally
You might detest bigotry and injustice, but have you done anything to address these problems? There are many reasons we stay silent and inactive when we know we should intervene…
The War For Kindness
Feeling you belong to a group can be great - but it also has a darker side, leading us down an unhappy path of hatred and violence towards people with…
Demonic Possessions
Cait Flanders went deep into debt so she could buy all the clothes, books and gadgets she thought would make her happier. It was only when she junked it all…
How to Kick Bad Habits (and Start Good Ones)
We all have bad habits — things we eat, drink, do or say that cause us unhappiness. We repeat these behaviors over and over again — almost as if we…
Dial D for Distracted
The world is full of people and things that can make you happy, but you have to notice them to get the full effect. Smartphones are technological marvels, but the…
For Whom the Alarm Clock Tolls
“Time famine” is when you just don’t feel you have a spare moment... and it can make you miserable. It’s a feeling Dr. Laurie Santos knows only too well, so…
Working Your Way to Happiness
Marty kills rats... but if you asked him what his job is he’d say it was "solving problems" and “helping people.” How we view our work can contribute greatly to…
The Power of a Made-up Ritual
Vlad’s mom taught him a family tradition — remember grandpa when you taste the first fruits of the season. It was odd, but the boy went along with it. Only…
PJ and Alex Love to Gripe
Reply All hosts PJ and Alex love to trade gripes. Their complaints about the minor annoyances of modern life make for great audio, but are the podcasters making a classic…
Psychopaths and Superheroes
We talk a lot about psychopaths - but rarely discuss their polar opposites, super-altruists. These are people who go to extreme lengths to help others — even though their acts…
New Season: The Happiness Lab Returns April 27
Do you want to be happier? Complain less? Enjoy your work more? Find time for the things that matter to you?Yale’s Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness…
BONUS: Good Screens and Bad Screens
The pandemic has us all glued to our smartphones, tablets, laptops and TVs - they give us important information, vital social contact and much needed distraction. But Catherine Price (founder…
BONUS: Helping the Helpers
The heaviest burden of Covid-19 has fallen on the shoulders of medical staff, first responders and others who care for the sick and vulnerable. These people are saving lives, while…
BONUS: Laurie’s Personal Tips
Many people seek Laurie’s advice on how to be happier despite this awful pandemic. Professor Katy Milkman invited Laurie to appear on the Choiceology podcast to talk about the things…
BONUS: Keep Your Relationship Healthy
The health of our romantic relationships is in peril thanks to the many stresses and strains of the pandemic lockdown. Couples might be facing huge emotional and financial challenges at…
BONUS: Help Others to Help Yourself
College student Liam Elkind studied happiness in the class taught by Dr Laurie Santos. When the COVID-19 crisis hit, he knew exactly what to do to fight the negative emotions…
BONUS: Calm Can Be Contagious
In normal times our minds can be filled with unhelpful thoughts, but during this crisis you might be finding it even harder to calm your anxious internal monologue. Meditation could…
BONUS: Rising to a Challenge
We always face problems and setbacks - but the coronavirus has dramatically upended many of our lives in a few short weeks. Allowing sadness, anger or fear to dominate us…
BONUS: Coach Yourself Through a Crisis
We all need to keep a clear head at times of crisis - but that’s not always easy. So when strong emotions of fear and anxiety start to cloud your…
BONUS: Beat Your Isolation Loneliness
Many of us are being advised to stay at home and avoid social contact to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Human interaction is a vital component of happiness,…
BONUS: Sleep When You’re Dead Tired (LIVE with Arianna Huffington)
Business leader Arianna Huffington nearly died because she didn’t get enough sleep. She tells Dr Laurie Santos how this wake-up call changed her attitude to getting enough sack time and…
BONUS: Think Yourself Happy (LIVE from Yale)
Really concentrating on the emotions and physical sensations you are experiencing right now can make you happier. Join Yale mindfulness expert Dr. Hedy Kober as she introduces a live audience…
BONUS: Grateful Expectations
Grit and determination to change your habits can only get you so far... if you want to be happier you have to stop and think about how nice people have…
BONUS: A New Hope
Research shows we all look for moments to make a fresh start - new years, new seasons, new decades. Our optimism about making big, positive changes is strong, but it…
BONUS: A Happier Christmas
Accept our gift of happiness this holiday season! It can be a hectic and stressful time of year... but it’s also full of opportunities to feel happier.Dr. Laurie Santos brings…
Making the Grade
From school grades to fitness trackers, we’re all being ranked and rated on a daily basis. This is having a huge impact on our happiness and preventing us from living…
Make ‘Em Laugh
The world’s greatest expert on canned TV laugh tracks helps Dr. Laurie Santos demonstrate how the emotions of those around us can make us feel happier or more sad. If…
Choice Overload
We all make thousands of choices each day - and think it means we’re in charge of our lives. But making even trivial decisions - about salad dressings, for example…
Don’t Accentuate the Positive
We often think positive thinking is the best way to achieve our ambitions - but the science shows it holds us all back. Dr Laurie Santos hears how champion swimmer…
Don’t Think of the White Bear
Once a thought is in our heads, we can’t suppress it and trying to only causes us misery. Dr. Laurie Santos explains why our brains work in this way and…
Caring What You’re Sharing
Sharing a good experience with another human deepens our enjoyment of the moment, but only if we abide by certain rules. Dr Laurie Santos shows us how we often get…
Mistakenly Seeking Solitude
Technology allows us to bank, shop and dine without talking to another human, but what toll is this taking on our happiness? The inventor of the ATM and the Talking…
A Silver Lining
Ice skater Michelle Kwan was all set to win Olympic Gold... but in a major sporting upset she came second. Sharing her story with Dr. Laurie Santos, Michelle lets us…
The Unhappy Millionaire
How can winning the lottery ruin your life - while contracting an incurable disease feel like “a gift”? Dr. Laurie Santos hears about dreams come true and nightmares realized; and…
You Can Change
You can make yourself happier today. Your life circumstances and personality aren’t nearly as important as you think in deciding how happy you can be. Dr. Laurie Santos explains how…
The Host
Dr. Laurie Santos
Dr. Laurie Santos is Professor of Psychology and Head of Silliman College at Yale University. Professor and podcast host Dr. Laurie Santos is an expert on human cognition and the…
