Shows / The Science of Happiness
The Science of Happiness
Learn research-tested strategies for a happier, more meaningful life, drawing on the science of compassion, gratitude, mindfulness, and awe. Hosted by award-winning psychologist Dacher Keltner. Co-produced by PRX and UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center. Follow us on Instagram @HappinessPod.
Episodes
The Science of HappinessWhy Our Brains Find Meaning in Random Patterns
What happens when imagination meets perception, and ordinary objects come alive? We explore the science of pareidolia. Summary: Our minds are wired to find…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Six Minutes to Connect with Your Body, with Dacher
Dedicating a little time to tune into your body fortifies you to better handle the stresses of daily life. How To Do This Practice: Find your space: Choose a…
The Science of HappinessThe Case for Hope, With Rebecca Solnit
We explore how embracing uncertainty enables us to move beyond climate anxiety and despair to hope and action, with author and activist Rebecca Solnit…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Finding Yourself in Silence
Zen and mindfulness teacher Henry Shukman guides us in a meditation that invites us to listen deeply and find clarity in quiet. How To Do This Practice: Find…
The Science of HappinessWhat to Do When Stress Takes Over
Learn why uncertainty fuels anxiety and how noticing our body’s stress signals can help us find calm. Summary: One in five adults in the U.S. report living…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Meditation to Connect to Your Roots, with Yuria Celidwen
When was the last time you thought about your ancestors? This guided meditation by Indigenous scholar Yuria Celidwen will help you connect to your heritage and…
The Science of HappinessWhat Happens When Caregivers Dance
Even just a few minutes of dancing can shift energy, release emotions, and remind us to care for ourselves while we care for others. Summary: Dance isn’t just…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Science-Backed Path to Self-Forgiveness
Through breath, compassion, and kind words to yourself, this guided meditation helps you forgive yourself, let go, and move forward with love. How To Do This…
The Science of HappinessHow Gentle Touch Builds Connection
Research shows that simple practices such as self-hugs, soothing touch, and hand-to-heart can calm the nervous system, supporting caregivers and the children…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Meditation for When You Feel Uneasy
In this guided meditation with poet and teacher Henry Shukman, learn how allowing discomfort, rather than resisting it, can open the door to greater calm and…
The Science of HappinessHow To Tap Your Way to Calm and Clarity
There’s a tapping practice shown to ease stress, balance emotions, and support healing. We explore the science behind Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Meditation for When Others Are Suffering
Witnessing the suffering of others can be deeply painful. In this guided meditation, Anushka Fernandopulle helps you cultivate both compassion and the ability…
The Science of HappinessDavid Byrne on How Music Connects Us
Music helped former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne come out of his shell and connect with others—and research shows he's not alone. We explore the science…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: How to Awaken Joy, with Spring Washam
Cultivate more joy in your life with this practice led by meditation teacher and author Spring Washam. How to Do This Practice: Reflect on an area of your life…
The Science of HappinessThe Science of Trusting Your Intuition
What if burnout isn’t a breaking point, but an invitation to slow down, tune in, and hear the intuition you have been trying to say all along? Summary: When…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Smiling From The Inside Out
Just a soft smile and a few minutes of breath can shift your mood, lower stress, and deepen your sense of connection. How To Do This Practice: Settle In: Find…
The Science of HappinessHow Parks Keep Us Connected
From childhood adventures to post-trauma recovery, explore how our parks support our well-being— and why access to them matters. Summary: Nature has long been…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Embodying Resilience, With Prentis Hemphill
What if you could tap into your inherent resilience at any time? Prentis Hemphill guides a meditation to turn good memories into a state of resilience. How To…
The Science of HappinessHow to Feel More Hopeful
How can we build a sense of hope when the future feels uncertain? Poet Tomás Morín tries a writing practice to make him feel more hopeful and motivated to work…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Meditation For When You Have Too Much To Do
Does your to-do list feel endless? Try this short, guided practice to help you reflect, reconnect, and release the pressure to do it all perfectly. How To Do…
The Science of HappinessHow To Do Hard Things
What happens when the world sees you as a hero, but you feel lost inside? Abby Wambach, a trailblazer in women’s soccer, shares how facing life’s challenges…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Make Uncertainty Part of the Process
Through poetic reflection, Yrsa Daley-Ward helps us embrace the in-between moments, reminding us that the unknown can be the very terrain where real change…
The Science of HappinessOur Brains on Poetry
Learn how poetry can help your brain handle stress, process feelings, and spark insight. Summary: This episode of The Science of Happiness is part of our…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: How to Awaken Your Creative Energy
Spring Washam guides us on a gentle visualization to help you tap into the joy, wonder, and possibility that creativity brings. How To Do This Practice: Settle…
The Science of HappinessHow Art Heals Us
We explore how making art can ground us in the present and be a space of healing, connection, and joy. Summary: We explore how creative expression can support…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Making Space for You, with Alex Elle
Consider what you want to make space for in your life in this 6-minute contemplation guided by Alex Elle. Find a quiet place, settle your body, and reflect on…
The Science of HappinessWhat Humans Can Learn From Trees (Encore)
Trees aren’t just competing for sunlight and soil—they’re also looking out for one another. Scientist Suzanne Simard reveals the unexpected ways trees…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Who Takes Care of You?
When we feel cared for, our cortisol levels drop, we feel safe, and we handle stress better. Dacher leads a meditation to help us focus on the people who make…
The Science of HappinessWhy Going Offline Might Save Us
What happens when we replace sky-gazing with screen-scrolling? Discover how digital life impacts happiness and what Gen Z can teach us about reclaiming control…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Meditation on the Uniqueness of Your Voice
Embrace the beauty of your accent in this self-compassion meditation that guides you in a reflection of your history, heritage, and connection to your…
The Science of HappinessHow to Focus Under Pressure (Encore)
Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider tries a body scan meditation to sharpen her focus and calm her nerves as she prepares for the Tournament of Champions…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Find Calm When You Can’t Clear Your Mind, With Lama Rod Owens
Take a break from ruminating with Lama Rod Owens as he leads you in a meditation to cultivate a sky-like mind. How to Do This Practice: Get Comfortable: Sit or…
The Science of HappinessHow Music Can Hold and Heal Us
An art-form powerful enough to prescribe — from ancient traditions to modern neuroscience, we uncover how music, including lullabies, function as a form of…
The Science of HappinessMaking Music With Your Body, With Keith Terry | Happiness Break
How to Do This Practice: Find a Comfortable Space: Choose a place where you feel comfortable moving and making noise. You can do this practice standing or…
The Science of HappinessWhy Friendships Matter More Than We Think
In a world that emphasizes romantic relationships, we explore the science of friendships in humans and our primate relatives—how we make them and how they not…
The Science of HappinessA Guided Meditation on Embodied Love | Happiness Break
Experience the physical sensations of love through this guided meditation that nurtures connection, relaxation, and emotional awareness. How To Do This…
The Science of Happiness36 Questions to Spark Love and Connection
Scroll down for a transcription of this episode. Can a simple set of 36 questions build love and intimacy? We explore the science behind how the questions we…
The Science of HappinessA Meditation on Original Love and Interconnectedness, with Henry Shukman | Happiness Break
Scroll down for a transcription of this episode. Cultivate a sense of original love — a universal connection that nurtures joy, safety, and belonging — with…
The Science of HappinessHow 7 Days Can Transform Your Relationship
Scroll down for a transcription of this episode From daily check-ins to meaningful compliments and planned dates nights, we explore a 7-day love challenge to…
The Science of HappinessHow to Awaken Joy, with Spring Washam | Happiness Break
Scroll down for a transcription of this episode Cultivate more joy in your life with this practice led by meditation teacher and author Spring Washam. How to…
The Science of HappinessHow Awe Helps You Navigate Life's Challenges
We explore how embracing awe can uplift caregivers, providing tools to nurture themselves while nurturing others. Sign up for our Caring for Caregivers…
The Science of HappinessA Meditation to Inspire Awe in the New Year | Happiness Break
A meditation to cultivate a sense of awe by focusing on new beginnings -- whether it’s a budding plant, a new friendship, or a recent moment of wonder. How to…
The Science of HappinessWhy Dancing Is The Best Medicine
Dance, one of humanity's oldest art forms, traces its roots back over 10,000 years. Its rhythmic movements are known to release endorphins, strengthen…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Self-Compassion Meditation For Burnout
Feeling burned out? Join Dr. Kristen Neff as she guides us through a calming practice to bring kindness and support to ourselves during tough times. How to Do…
The Science of HappinessThe Contagious Power of Compassion
Compassionate dialogue isn’t just about talking and listening—it's a meaningful way to bridge divides, cultivate belonging, and reimagine education as a space…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Walking Meditation with Dan Harris of 10% Happier (Encore)
Trouble sitting still? Learn to practice meditating by simply walking in this practice guided by 10% Happier host Dan Harris. Scroll down for a transcript of…
The Science of HappinessHow To Find Calm Through Walking
Mindful walking isn’t just a stroll—it’s a science-backed way to reduce, improve concentration, and soak in the beauty of your surroundings at the same time…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: 5 Minutes of Gratitude
Psychologist Dacher Keltner guides you through a practice to help you see the good things in your life that you might otherwise overlook. How to Do This…
The Science of HappinessHow To Practice Gratitude When You're Not Feeling Grateful (Encore)
One way to feel more thankful for things is to imagine life without them. We explore a practice shown to help you see the bright side, even when you feel down…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: How To Tune Into Water’s Restorative Power
Indigenous scholar Dr. Yuria Celidwen guides us in a reflection on our interconnection with water, encouraging us to see it as more than just a vital resource…
The Science of HappinessHow Water Heals
Discover how connecting with water through all five senses can support well-being. A growing body of research shows that connecting with water through things…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Sketching Serenity, With Chris Murchison
A guided drawing meditation to help you break out of stale thought patterns and maybe even enter a state of flow. No talent required. How to Do This Practice…
The Science of HappinessHow Rituals Help Us Process Grief
We explore Día de los Muertos—Day of the Dead—as a ritual that nurtures community, imbues loss with meaning, and helps us process grief while also connecting…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Humming Technique To Calm Your Nerves, with Priyanka Gupta
Discover Humming Bee Breath (Bhramari Pranayama), a soothing breathing technique that uses gentle humming to promote relaxation and mental calm. It’s important…
The Science of HappinessThe Science of Humming
Did you know humming can soothe your nervous system? We explore the stress-relieving power of Bhramari Pranayama, also known as humming bee breath, with…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Breathing Technique To Help You Relax, with Dr. David Spiegel (Cyclic Sighing)
Dr. David Spiegel guides you through cyclic sighing, a breathwork practice that helps reduce stress and anxiety. Summary: Dr. David Spiegel guides you through…
The Science of HappinessHow To Breathe Away Anxiety
It’s important to take a moment to pause and take a long, slow exhale as we navigate life. In our podcast series, "Breathe Away Anxiety," we explore ancient…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: The Healing Power of Your Own Touch, with Kristin Neff
Dr. Kristin Neff guides us in a self-compassionate touch exercise, and shares the many research-backed reasons to cultivate kindness towards oneself…
The Science of HappinessHow To Show Up For Yourself
We explore the science behind how self-compassionate touch can help us feel better about ourselves. Link to transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4nm5827f Summary…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Note to Self on Forgiveness, with Alex Elle (encore)
Letting go of our regrets can motivate us to improve and help us grow. Alex Elle, a certified breath work and writing coach, guides us through a meditation to…