Want to be happier? Some of our happiness level is due to genes or life circumstances, but research shows much of it is within our control. Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, talks about the habits and mindsets that lead to lasting happiness, the complex relationship between money and happiness, whether technology is making us less happy, and whether it’s possible to w ... Show More
Oct 28
Helping humans and wildlife coexist, with Suzanne MacDonald, PhD
Many of us share our cities and neighborhoods with animals that lived there before we moved in, such as raccoons, turtles and crows. Suzanne MacDonald, PhD, of York University, discusses why some species thrive in urban environments while others struggle; how city living changes ... Show More
39m 14s
Oct 21
Why we complain and how to do it better, with Robin Kowalski, PhD
Whether it’s grumbling about a boss, the weather, or a spouse’s most annoying habit, we all complain. Robin Kowalski, PhD, of Clemson University, discusses why we complain; the difference between venting and complaining to get results; how to complain in a way that doesn’t wear p ... Show More
26m 54s
Oct 14
Beyond screen time: What makes educational technology effective, with Nicole Barnes, PhD
Digital tools now help teach students everything from spelling to math to science -- but flashy features don’t always translate to learning. Nicole Barnes, PhD, executive lead psychologist for education at the American Psychological Association and lead author of a new report on ... Show More
33m 42s
Sep 2024
The How of Happiness: Psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky On Connection, Gratitude, Kindness, MDMA, & Other Tools For Greater Joy
Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky is a pioneering happiness researcher, bestselling author, and Distinguished Professor of Psychology at UC Riverside. This conversation explores the cutting-edge science of happiness, debunking common myths and uncovering evidence-based strategies for a more ... Show More
1h 53m
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
Dec 2024
Some happiness is predetermined. The rest is up to you.
Happiness, it turns out, comes down to a science — even though what makes each of us happy can vary pretty widely. Host Cristina Quinn talks to happiness scientist Emiliana Simon-Thomas, science director at UC-Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, about exactly what makes us ha ... Show More
12m 53s
Oct 2022
Sonja Lyubomirsky || The How of Happiness
Today we welcome Sonja Lyubomirsky who is a distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside. Originally from Russia, she received her A.B., summa cum laude, from Harvard University and her Ph.D. in Social/Personality Psychology from Stanford Unive ... Show More
55m 36s
Nov 2022
Science-Based Tools for Increasing Happiness
I explain the science of happiness, including the different types of happiness and how our actions, circumstances and mindset control them. While it is difficult to standardize happiness from one person to the next, I outline a structured framework of what is critical to increasi ... Show More
2h 20m
Oct 2020
Laurie Santos, PhD | Simple Ways to Live a Happier Life
Only about 40 percent of our happiness is predetermined by our genes, and as little as 10 percent by our circumstances — which adds up to a lot of opportunity to shape our mental health, says Yale psychology professor Laurie Santos, PhD. On this episode, the woman behind the vira ... Show More
36m 30s