Finland has been ranked as the happiest country in the world for the seventh time in a row. But why?
What is happiness? And how is it measured?
This episode of Thinking in English discusses the Cantril Ladder, why the World Happiness Report might not accurately test happiness, and why Finland keeps coming top of the rankings!
Transcript - https://think ... Show More
Jul 13
396. 10 Years Language Learning: Lessons I'd Give My Younger Self (English Vocabulary Lesson)
In August 2016, I moved to a small town on the Japanese island of Shikoku. I had almost no Japanese ability and I didn't have an expectation that I'd stay very long in Japan. Maybe I'd stay in Japan for one year. 10 years later, though, I'm still in Japan. I'm now married. I have ... Show More
28m 58s
Jul 6
395. What Was the USA Like in 1776? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
When I think of the USA, I picture New York's skyscrapers, Hollywood movies, and Silicon Valley technology companies. I think of the world’s largest economy, and the most powerful country, with a population of more the 340 million people. But what was the USA like when it was fir ... Show More
28m 30s
May 2025
The Sunday Read: ‘My Miserable Week in the “Happiest Country on Earth’’’
<p>For eight years running, Finland has been rated the happiest country in the world by a peculiar United Nations-backed project called the World Happiness Report, started in 2012. Soon after Finland shot to the top of the list, its government set up a “happiness tourism” initiat ... Show More
29m 45s
Oct 2025
#575 | The Science of Happiness: Can It Be Measured?
What does happiness really mean, and can it be measured? In this episode, we move from Aristotle’s eudaimonia to brain scans, surveys, big data, and what truly lifts our mood. It asks why money only helps so much, why social ties matter, and how trust shapes national well-being. ... Show More
22m 54s