Harvesting Happiness

Latest Episodes:

Get Grounded: Peacemaking for Stressed People in a Crazy World with Danny Penman PhD Jan 01, 2025

Show notes

The fast pace of today’s world can make people feel frantic and disconnected from experiences. It has become too easy to focus on the expectations of others and succumb to fear-based motivations. Do simple tools exist to make us feel grounded and bring us back to peace-of-mind? Or, does everything have to be a struggle?
To understand how people can reclaim calm in this tumultuous world, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with meditation teacher and award-winning writer and journalist, Dr. Danny Penman.
Danny shares the latest neuroscience research findings and the meditations in his latest book, Deeper Mindfulness: The New Way to Rediscover Calm in a Chaotic World, which he co-authored with Dr. Mark Williams. He describes Feeling Tone tools that help reduce stress, anger, and depression and increase our peacemaking abilities.
*This show originally aired in December 2023.
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Healing Trauma and Building a Legacy of Resilience with Dr Mariel Buqué PhD Dec 25, 2024

Show notes

What some people consider minor stressors can trigger and overwhelm those whose biological and psychological makeup is foundationally built upon intergenerational traumas. These are familial events inherited by generations, affecting their descendants like second-hand smoke.
Those with intergenerational traumas can be predisposed to heightened emotions that may not be widely understood by their societal circles. If you have witnessed someone’s reaction to a circumstance that didn’t appear to warrant it, their response could be based on the person’s unique heritage and ancestry without them being aware of the factors at play.
To discover ways to break the transcending cycle of intergenerational trauma and begin the healing process, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Columbia University-trained Psychologist and intergenerational trauma expert Dr. Mariel Buqué.
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Civic Engagement: Empowered Citizens Shaping a Better Government with Dan Jasper Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

With the elimination of civics courses in schools and the rise of fear-driven political campaigns, many U.S. citizens may be left in a constant state of anxiety about the nation's direction. This anxiety can lead to impulsive decision-making and focusing on short-term solutions, undermining the pursuit of meaningful, long-term change. Advocacy and civic engagement are crucial for overcoming these challenges.
For tips on how to drive change through civic engagement, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with the founder of Street Civics, Dan Jasper.
Dan explores the civic transformation of the U.S. in recent decades, highlighting how these shifts influence the political landscape, citizen advocacy, and the importance of self-care in civic engagement.
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WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Human Connection: The Soul of Our Social Architecture with Allison Pugh PhD Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

The media paints AI as a universal solution,but the spark of human connection,our life force or soul,defies machine replication.As we navigate this new era,the question of human-machine coexistence looms.
For a deeper dive into the soul of our social architecture,Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with a Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University and the 2024-25 Vice President of the American Sociological Association,Dr.Allison Pugh.
Allison discusses the research that led to her latest book,The Last Human Job,and the dilemma of human connective labor when data collection is prioritized.
This episode is a bonus special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…
This episode is proudly sponsored by:
Nutrafol— Offers a drug-free whole-body health approach to hair wellness and growth.Get $10 off any order and free shipping when you subscribe at nutrafol.com with promo code HAPPINESS GIFT.
Like what you're hearing?
WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Psychology of Healthy Attachment: Satisfying Relationships in an Uncertain World with Ann Kelley PhD Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to understanding our individual attachment styles. However, becoming self-aware of what is at the core of our disconnection can provide us with valuable insights into relationship patterns and help us build healthier connections and more satisfying relationships.
For deeper insights into the psychology of attachment, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author and licensed psychologist, Ann Kelley.
Ann discusses the fundamental learnings about attachment and self-regulation gleaned from the book she co-authored, Secure Relating: Holding Your Own in an Insecure World, and offers tools for building awareness of individual attachment styles.
Like what you're hearing?
WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Healing Relationships Through Love, Connection, and Communication with Harville Hendrix PhD and Helen LaKelly Hunt PhD Nov 27, 2024

Show notes

The type of love we receive in childhood is imprinted in our brains. Early feelings and emotions color every single action we take in our adult lives unless we rewire our neural pathways. The way we communicate and the quality of our relationships can be improved. When we understand that we deserve love, we can be our fully vulnerable, beautiful selves with our partners to create long-lasting, happy, fulfilling relationships.
To discover how to transform relationships through love and connection, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with a couple who have done the work toward creating better relationships for themselves and others, Doctors Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt.
Harville and Helen met 42 years ago and have since created Imago Relationship Therapy and written the eternal book, Get the Love You Want. They serve as guides for those who want to heal and transform their relationships through love and communication.
This episode is proudly sponsored by:
Ouai — Offers beauty-boosting head-to-toe self-care rituals. Visit theouai.com and get 20% off sitewide from November 26 to December 2 when you enter promo codeHH.
Like what you're hearing?
WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Real World Well-Being: LGTBQ+ Sexuality, Gender Identity, and Development with Myeshia Price PhD Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

While statistics about young people identifying as LGBTQ+ are increasing, social media may be a catalyst in empowering those who previously couldn't safely express their identity. How can society shift from bullying to allyship?
*This episode explores human sexuality and is intended for mature listeners.
To glean guidance from a researcher studying real-world experiences, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Associate Research Scientist with the Kinsey Institute, Dr. Mayeshia Price.
Dr. Price describes the stages of identity development throughout the human life cycle with a focus on adolescence and offers guidance on how parents can accept and support the well-being of young people.
This episode is a bonus special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…
This episode is proudly sponsored by:
Nutrafol— Offers a drug-free whole-body health approach to hair wellness and growth. Get $10 off any order and free shipping when you subscribe at nutrafol.com with promo code HAPPINESS GIFT.
Like what you're hearing? WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Quantitative Reasoning: Deconstructing Political Data with Anthony Fowler PhD Nov 13, 2024

Show notes

The whole world knows the outcome of the recent US election. Many are shocked that Americans chose the leader they chose. What data offered a glimpse into the concerns of everyday Americans that could have predicted the outcome? And, was the data that political scientists studied selective or transparent?
To better understand what drives public opinion and political reasoning, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Anthony Fowler, a professor at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago where he conducts quantitative research on elections and politics.
Anthony deconstructs public opinion and political data to offer a quantitative analysis on the reasoning behind why people think, and vote, the way they do.
This episode is a special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…
Like what you're hearing?
WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

A Philosophical Discourse on Disappointment with Samir Chopra PhD Nov 06, 2024

Show notes

As major elections unfold globally, uncertainty grips the world. Family members, neighbors, and friends who may have previously tolerated differences of opinion have become increasingly divisive and less accepting of alternative perspectives. Contests of this magnitude ensure that certain groups must grapple with disappointment. How can we unburden ourselves and others during these significant events?
For a bit of philosophical discourse about disappointment, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author, philosophical counselor, and professor emeritus of philosophy at Brooklyn College, Samir Chopra.
Samir shares insights about how acting in service to others can reduce the sting of our disappointment, how life is an exercise of peaks and valleys, and how self-care can ease anxiety and restore sanity.
This episode is a special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…
Like what you're hearing?
WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Existential Flexibility: Brain Food for a Resilient and Healthy Mind with Shai Tubali PhD Oct 30, 2024

Show notes

Compared to the chronological aging of our physical bodies, our minds can remain ageless. With enough healthy servings of brain food, the mind continues its existential flexibility and resiliency. But what happens when we allow our minds to become rigid and there is no additional room for more data?
For a healthy serving of brain food, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Shai Tubali, an award-winning author and leading authority on mental flexibility and self-development.
Shai shares his insights about how we can cultivate critical thinking by truly listening to others during conversations, and how we can maintain flexible and resilient minds.
This episode is a special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…
This episode is proudly sponsored by:
Ouai — Offers beauty-boosting head-to-toe self-care rituals. Visit theouai.com and use code HH to get 15% off any product.
Like what you're hearing?
WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

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