logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2021
49m 56s

Where Happiness Hides

Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
About this episode

We all think we know what will make us happy: more money. A better job. Love. But psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky says happiness doesn't necessarily work like that. This week, we explore why happiness often slips through our fingers, and how to savor — and stretch out — our joys.

If you like our work, please consider supporting it! See how you can help at support.hiddenbrain.org. And to learn more about human behavior and ideas that can improve your life, subscribe to our newsletter at news.hiddenbrain.org.

Up next
Jul 7
You 2.0: The Passion Pill
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” The idea is that pursuing your passion will feel invigorating — almost magical. But passions can easily wane over time. This week, behavioral scientist Jon Jachimowicz looks at how to ... Show More
49m 25s
Jun 30
You 2.0: What Is Your Life For?
What should you do with your life? There's no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. But there are scientifically-tested methods that can help you to feel more in harmony with yourself and the world. This week, and in a companion conversation for Hidden Brain+, researcher Vic ... Show More
1h 3m
Jun 23
Win Hearts, Then Minds + Your Questions Answered on Identity and "Covering"
There’s a saying that’s attributed to the Dalai Lama: in the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher. It’s a nice idea. But when people don’t share our values, it’s hard for us to tolerate theirs. This week, we bring you a favorite episode with sociologist Robb Wil ... Show More
1h 25m
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2023
Where Does Your Happiness Come From? (Summer Archive)
Do we ever stop to wonder where our moments of joy and happiness come from during our daily routine? Today's podcast episode aims to explore this thought-provoking question. We're taking a break from the usual rush to understand our emotions better. We'll find out that the source ... Show More
14m 41s
Jul 2019
The Pursuit Of Happiness
We are under so much pressure to be happy. The market has exploded with self help happiness books and we see post after post on Instagram telling us to live our lives to the full. In times of adversity we’re told to ‘keep our chin up’ and ‘turn that frown upside down’. But is it ... Show More
52m 48s
Mar 2017
#109 Happiness - How to Find Happiness
Life can be challenging and hard at times.  How to find happiness, no matter what is going on in our lives, is the focus of this episode.  Learn very specific tools for finding happiness now.   To visit the Happiness Podcast, go to: http://www.HappinessPodcast.org   To learn more ... Show More
13m 7s
Jan 2014
What can you do to make yourself really unhappy?
There are lots of articles and research on happiness these days, but what about unhappiness? What makes us unhappy, and will avoiding it make us happy? In this episode, Marshall points out three behaviors that are sure to create unhappiness. Learn more about your ad-choices at ht ... Show More
5m 20s
Sep 2020
If it Makes You Happy
We all want to be happy, right?!  What brings us happiness?What can we do to be happy?Do we have control over our own happiness? How do we balance life, work, family to feel happy? We explore How to be Happy With Ravi Patel discussing his show Pursuit of Happiness. Learn more abo ... Show More
56m 1s
Nov 2020
How To Be Happy
Being happy is a common goal but how many know HOW to be happy? In this episode, I am going to help you get clear on your happiness so you know what you need to do to be happy in your own life! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR KEEP A POSITIVE MINDSET DURING COVID-19 - www.impactcoachingg ... Show More
12m 18s
May 2024
Is There A Science To Happiness?
Have you ever wondered: What does it mean to be truly happy? Can our brain chemistry, or even our genetics, determine how we feel about our lives? And, most importantly, can we learn to be even happier? Cognitive scientist and Yale University Psychology Professor Laurie Santos ha ... Show More
31m 57s