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 HappinessAre You Following Your Inner Compass?
What if you had a magic wand and could better the world in any way? What would you do? We explore a practice shown to help you find your purpose and feel more…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Meditation on Becoming A Gift To Life
Our happiness is interconnected with the well-being of others, both people and the natural world. Step outside of you can, or imagine the outdoors from…
The Science of HappinessHow To Let In New Perspectives
With the U.S. election swiftly approaching, the political divide can feel overwhelming. But what happens when we recognize the limits of our knowledge? Link to…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Take a Break With Our Loving-Kindness Meditation
Loving-kindness meditation, or “metta,” has its roots in Buddhist traditions that date back thousands of years. Studies show it can help nourish your capacity…
- The Science of Happiness
Catch Yourself in a Dream (Encore)
Have you ever known you were dreaming while you were asleep? Our guests try practices to help induce lucid dreams, and we hear what they can teach us about…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Pause to Look at the Sky, With Dacher (Encore)
Take a moment to appreciate the beauty and vastness of the sky. Dacher Keltner guides us through a practice of pausing to turn your gaze to the sky as a…
The Science of HappinessThe Healing Effects of Biophila
Safe encounters with wildlife can deepen our appreciation for nature, and for other people. Craig Foster of “My Octopus Teacher” shares his transformational…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Experience Nature Wherever You Are, with Dacher (Encore)
Just a few moments of tuning into nature can make you feel more inspired, connected, and less lonely. Let us guide you through a five-minute noticing nature…
The Science of HappinessHow Exploring New Places Can Make You Feel Happier
Exploring novel places and having diverse experiences is important to our well-being and can make us feel happier. This week, Ike Sriskandarajah, a producer…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: How to Ground Yourself in Nature, with Yuria Celidwen (Encore)
Connect to yourself and the land you stand on in under 10 minutes with this grounding practice led by Indigenous scholar Dr. Yuria Celidwen. Link to episode…
The Science of HappinessHow To Unwind By Doing Mindful Yard Work
Everyday activities, such as cleaning and gardening, can be sources of joy and opportunities for mindfulness. This week, our guest shares his experience…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: How to Relax Your Body Through A Standing Meditation, With Sherry Zhang
Last week on The Science of Happiness, we discussed the scientifically proven health benefits of the ancient Chinese practice of qigong with Harvard…
The Science of HappinessHow Qigong Can Calm Your Mind and Body
Studies show qigong can strengthen your body and mind, and reduce cortisol levels. We explore this Chinese meditative movement practice that dates back over…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Meditation on How To Be Your Best Self, with Justin Michael Williams
Here's a favorite of ours: visualize your best possible self and tap into your inherent enough-ness with this guided meditation by Justin Michael Williams…
The Science of HappinessEncore: Why We Need Friends With Shared Interests
She's the world's leading animal behaviorist and an autism advocacy leader. Guest Temple Grandin shares what kind of support systems led her to success, and we…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Meditation on Cultivating Awe Through Colors
Experiencing awe can help us slow down and connect to the world around us. So how can we harness the power of this feeling? Host Dacher Keltner leads us in a…
The Science of HappinessHow Birdsong Can Help Your Mental Health
Hearing birdsong can help us feel less anxious, recover from stress faster, and even reduce muscle tension ... but can it help us fall asleep? Drew Ackerman of…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Meditation on Pilina: Our Deep Interconnectedness, With Jo Qina'au
Pilina is an indigenous Hawaiian word, or concept, that describes our deep interconnectedness. Harvard Clinical Psychology Fellow Jo Qina'au guides us through…
The Science of HappinessAre You Remembering The Good Times?
Thinking about happy memories activates reward centers in our brains, and can help us feel more connected and accepted. Palestinian-American poet Naomi Shihab…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Walking Meditation with Dan Harris of 10% Happier
A walking meditation led by 10% Happier Host Dan Harris How to Do This Practice: Begin walking. Bring your awareness to the present moment, noticing sights and…
The Science of HappinessHow To Make Work More Satisfying
Finding ways to bend tasks toward your strengths and passions can make you happier, more productive and find more meaning in your life — no matter your job…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Meditation To Move Through Anger, With Eve Ekman
Accepting difficult feelings like anger or irritation can help us keep our cool, feel better overall, and find calm on the other side. Link to episode…
The Science of HappinessHow To Talk To People You Disagree With
We learn techniques for working across the aisle without compromising our values from a Democratic politician in one of the most conservative states, Oklahoma…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Tap into the Joy that Surrounds You, With Anushka Fernandopulle
Beyond just feeling good, studies show experiencing other people's joy makes us more compassionate and satisfied with life. Link to episode transcript…
The Science of HappinessWho’s Always There for You?
When we remember the times someone had our back, it changes the way we view ourselves and the world. Our guest explores what happens when trying a practice to…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Where Did You Come From? Guided Writing With Lyla June
Indigenous artist Lyla June leads a 5-minute freewriting exercise about our personal journeys. Autobiographical writing has been shown to help do better in…
The Science of HappinessWhy Grownups Should Be Playful Too
Playfulness can improve your relationships, help you excel at work, and reduce stress. We explore a strategy shown to help you become more playful. Link to…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Meditation on Playfulness, With Dacher Keltner
We all have a playful side, and research shows acting on it can help us when we need to move through challenging emotions, manage conflict, and be more…
The Science of HappinessEncore: How to Feel Less Pressed for Time
When we devote a little time to the other people in our life, we actually feel like we have more of it. Our guest tried a practice to regain control of his…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Wrap Yourself in Kindness, With Jack Kornfield
When we treat ourselves with kindness and gratitude, research shows we feel more motivated and less self-critical. Meditation teacher Jack Kornfield leads in a…
The Science of HappinessWhat To Do When You Don’t Like The Way You Feel
Our guest tried a practice in Radical Acceptance, a Buddhist principle made popular by today's expert, psychologist Tara Brach. Link to episode transcript…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Radical Acceptance, With Tara Brach
A meditation in meeting our most difficult emotions — like anger, disappointment, or fear — with mindfulness and gentle care. Link to episode transcript…
The Science of HappinessHow (And Why) To Find More Beauty in the Everyday
What happens when we intentionally look for beautiful things in our day-to-day lives? We explore a lab-tested practice shown to help you feel happier. Link to…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Meditation to Find Grounding in the New Year, With Spring Washam
Research shows feeling connected with nature can lower our stress response. This visualization meditation can help you feel at ease, no matter where you are…
The Science of HappinessHow to Stick to Your Resolutions in 2024
Join our limited newsletter The Science of Habits to get curated, science-backed tips to help make your New Years resolution stick in 2024…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Visualizing Your Best Self in Relationships, With Dacher Keltner
When we imagine our best possible selves in our relationships, we feel more motivated to achieve our goals and a greater sense of control over our lives. This…
The Science of HappinessHow Thinking About Your Ancestors Can Help You Thrive
Join our limited newsletter, The Science of Habits, to get curated, science-backed tips to help make your New Year's resolution stick in 2024…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Meditation for Seeking Forgiveness, With Shelly Tygielski
Join our limited newsletter The Science of Habits to get curated, science-backed tips to help make your New Years resolution stick in 2024…
The Science of HappinessWhen It's Hard To Connect, Try Being Curious
Join our limited newsletter The Science of Habits to get curated, science-backed tips to help make your New Years resolution stick in 2024…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Visualization to Connect With Your Heritage, With Bryant Terry
Chef and author Bryant Terry leads us through a visualization to connect with our ancestors by appreciating our families' traditional foods. Join our limited…
The Science of HappinessBeing Kind is Good for Your Health
Join our limited newsletter The Science of Habits to get curated, science-backed tips to help make your New Year’s resolution stick in 2024…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Feel more Gratitude, With Eve Ekman
Renew your sense of gratitude by remembering acts of kindness, with social scientist and meditation teacher Eve Ekman. Link to episode transcript…
The Science of HappinessEncore: The Science of a Good Night's Sleep
This week we revisit our science-backed tips for a good night's sleep with sleep scientist Eti Ben Simon and host of the Sleep with Me podcast Drew Ackerman…
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. Link to episode transcript…
The Science of HappinessThe Science of Singing Along
For time immemorial, humans have connected deeply through singing with one another. We explore the science behind this, plus how group singing benefits other…
The Science of HappinessA Meditation For Connecting In Polarized Times, With Scott Shigeoka
Having a curious approach to life can improve our mood, creativity and relationships. Scott Shigeoka leads a visualization exercise to help you approach…
The Science of HappinessHow Holding Yourself Can Reduce Stress
Simple actions like consciously placing a hand on your heart or hugging yourself can lower your cortisol levels, heart rate, and help you feel less stressed…
The Science of Happiness5 Minutes of Progressive Muscle Relaxation, With Jo Qina'au
When we mindfully tense and then release our muscles, our bodies are telling our brains to relax. Try this practice that's proven to help with depression…
The Science of HappinessHow To Use Your Body to Relax your Mind
Want to destress your mind? Start with your body. Progressive Muscle Relaxation is a practice where you methodically tense and release your muscles to help…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Meditation for Groundedness, With Diana Parra (English & Spanish)
Take a moment to ground yourself with this meditation that helps bring awareness to the relationship between ourselves and the earth beneath us. Link to…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Una meditación para enraizar, con Diana Parra (inglés y español)
Tómate un momento para conectarte con esta meditación que ayuda a tomar conciencia de la relación entre nosotros y la tierra. Enlace a la transcripción…
The Science of HappinessMaking Difficult Interactions More Respectful
Dr. Omar Guzman reflects on how a practice to cultivate more respect shaped the way he interacts with his patients. Link to episode transcript…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Meditation to Inspire a Sense of Purpose
Take a few minutes to reflect on someone who inspires you, and how you can embody the values you admire in them. Link to episode transcript…
The Science of HappinessWhy Compassion Requires Vulnerability
Rapper Rexx Life Raj shared his deepest pain in his latest album, and discovered it was one big compassion practice for his fans dealing with their own grief…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Awe in Impermanence
Take a few minutes to develop your sense of awe for the circle of life in this meditation with Dacher Keltner. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT…
The Science of HappinessWhy Humor Matters for Happiness
Humor can help us with stress, anxiety and feeling more connected to others. But is humor connected to mindfulness? And how can we find more of it? Link to…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: Making Music With Your Body, With Keith Terry
Relieve stress, boost self-esteem, and increase focus through a simple body music practice. And do it with a friend to feel more compassion and a hit of…
The Science of HappinessHow Improv Makes You More Confident and Less Anxious
Just 20 minutes of improv theater can foster creativity and confidence, and help with anxiety, depression, and your ability to tolerate uncertainty. Link to…
The Science of HappinessHappiness Break: A Mindful Breath Meditation, with Dacher Keltner
Mindful breathing exercises are a simple, effective, and fast way to shift our mindset and improve physical and mental well-being when practiced regularly…
The Science of HappinessHow To Let Go Without Giving Up
War veteran and country music singer Sal Gonzalez tries the Taoist practice of Wu Wei to improve his relationship with anger. Link to episode transcript…