The Science of Happiness

Don't be Afraid of Your Anger Jul 22, 2021

What happens when we suppress our anger? And what if we tried to work with it instead? Our guest tries a practice to harness her inner fierceness to care for herself.

How to Enjoy Life More with Michael Pollan Jul 08, 2021

Michael Pollan tries to get more out of life by temporarily giving up one of his pleasure.

How to Craft Your Life Jun 24, 2021

When the world around you changes, so can your goals. This week's guest tries a practice to tap into a new sense of purpose.

Noticing Nature in the City Jun 10, 2021

What Humans Can Learn From Trees May 27, 2021

Trees don't just compete with one another for resources, they also cooperate. Scientist and author Suzanne Simard explains the surprising science of trees.

Finding Strength through Gratitude May 13, 2021

A doctor who serves communities in dire need shares how gratitude helps him find light in the darkness.

Why Love Needs Laughter Apr 29, 2021

Focusing on funny things can reduce stress, anxiety, and make us feel more connected to others. Our guests, who were high school sweethearts, learn how humor can also strengthen relationships.

How Music Can Bridge Cultures Apr 15, 2021

Have you ever been moved by music sung in a language you don't understand? We speak with Gambian musician Sona Jobarteh about how music can connect us across cultures.

How Music Soothes Us Apr 01, 2021

What is it about certain melodies that can relax our nerves and rock us to sleep? We explore the science of calming music with pianist Rosey Chan.

David Byrne on How Music Connects Us Mar 18, 2021

Music helped former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne come out of his shell. Hear Byrne's story and learn how music creates social bonds in part one of our series, The Science of Music and Happiness.

Scheduling Time to Feel Awe(some) Mar 04, 2021

Feeling awe can boost your mood and make you feel more connected with others. Comedian Chris Duffy learns how to tap into that sense.

Why We're Drawn to Nature Feb 18, 2021

What happens when we spend time outdoors? We explore how getting out in nature can restore peace of mind—and make us more creative.

Are You Setting the Right Goals? Feb 04, 2021

Setting goals can sometimes feel like setting ourselves up for failure. But journalist Monica Campbell finds there's something magical that happens with certain kinds of goals.

Healing Through Gratitude Jan 21, 2021

A stranger helped her through the hardest day of her life. When she expresses her gratitude, our guest encounters the power of true connection.

How to Talk with Strangers Jan 07, 2021

The way we interact with people who come in and out of our lives has changed since COVID-19. Our guest tries a practice to connect with strangers while keeping a social distance.

Happy Again: How to Connect When You Must Stay Apart (Encore) Dec 24, 2020

Are you unable to be with your friends and family during the holiday season this year? These 36 questions can bring you closer to loved ones, even if you're separated.

Are You Listening to Your Elders? Dec 10, 2020

Connecting across generations is one of the oldest happiness practices there is. We explore why to honor your elders, along with other practices from indigenous cultures often overlooked by Western science.

How to Make Better Decisions Nov 26, 2020

Can practicing mindfulness make us wiser? Judge Jeremy Fogel explores how being present in the moment helps him keep a clear mind and stay connected to his true values.

How to Give Up a Grudge Nov 12, 2020

What does it really take to forgive someone? And why should we do it? Our guest, psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman, tries a practice to let go of anger.

Why Voting Connects Us Oct 29, 2020

Why do we vote? We explore the science behind what drives us to the polls, and the benefits we reap for ourselves and communities when we cast our ballots.

How to Ride With the Pain Oct 22, 2020

It's easy to be anxious and uncertain about the future—especially if you're eight months pregnant. Our guest tries practices to help her deal with whatever life throws her way.

If You Want to Be More Productive, Cut Yourself Some Slack Oct 08, 2020

Feeling hard on yourself? Pinterest co-founder Evan Sharp learns to quiet his inner critic and tap into his highest potential.

A Cure for Loneliness Sep 24, 2020

Feeling lonely? Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy learns why focusing on the quality of our relationships, not the quantity, can be an antidote.

24 Hours of Kindness Aug 27, 2020

Why should you be nice? Our guest explores how small, daily acts of kindness can produce meaningful life changes.

How to Switch Off Your Critics Aug 13, 2020

Do you obsess over negative feedback? Shereen Marisol Meraji, of NPR’s Code Switch, tries a better way to cope.

How to Reconnect with Your Partner Jul 30, 2020

A couple try a practice to bring more excitement and passion into their relationship, even while sheltering-in-place.

Do You Want to Be More Patient? Jul 16, 2020

We can be at our worst with the people we love best. Our guests try ways to be more calm and present with those closest to them.

How to Love People You Don't Like Jul 02, 2020

Our guest tries a practice to help her feel compassion toward others — even those she disagrees with.

What's Your "Why" in Life? Jun 18, 2020

Adrian Michael Green asks big questions designed to help teens — and adults — find more meaning and purpose in their lives.

From Othering to Belonging Jun 11, 2020

We speak with john a. powell, director of the Othering & Belonging Institute, about racial justice, well-being, and widening our circles of human connection and concern.

Taking Small Steps Toward Big Goals Jun 04, 2020

When our world is turned upside down, how do we keep moving forward? Our guest, award-winning author Christine Day, sets a new path for herself.

How to Connect When You Must Stay Apart May 21, 2020

Do you want to be famous? What's a favorite memory? These 36 questions can bring you closer to loved ones, even if you're separated.

Give Yourself a Break May 07, 2020

Want to calm your inner critic? Our guest tries a practice to find more self-compassion during uncertain times.

Helping Kids Think About the Good Apr 23, 2020

Sheltering-at-home with kids? These questions can help them, and us, focus on the good things in life.

Remembering to Breathe Apr 09, 2020

How a doctor stays calm and centered during times of uncertainty, one breath at a time.

Staying Close While Physical Distancing Mar 26, 2020

Our guest tries a practice to feel more connected to loved ones, and herself, while sheltering at home.

Who Would You Be Without Them? Mar 12, 2020

Think of an important person in your life. Now imagine you never met. Our guest practices counting his blessings by picturing his life without a special person from his past.

Step Away from Anxiety Feb 27, 2020

Do you have a hard time calming your nerves? Author Raina Telgemeier tries a practice to get out of her head, one step at a time.

Who Is Your Rock? Feb 13, 2020

He survived the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, two years ago and has been a student mental health advocate ever since. Now Kai Koerber finds a way to thank the person who helped him find his voice.

What Does It Take To Really Listen To Someone? Jan 30, 2020

Are you actually listening when someone is talking to you, or just waiting for your turn to talk? Our guest, a veteran of the Iraq War, practices how to truly listen to others.

Why Shared Goals Can Bridge Divides Jan 16, 2020

How can people from different groups get on the same page? Our guest, an educator and football coach, tries a strategy for building stronger, more inclusive teams.

How To Make Time for Happiness Jan 02, 2020

Her New Year's resolution was to have more joyful and fulfilling experiences in her daily life. Our guest tried a practice to help make that happen.

How To Get Your Senses Tingling Dec 19, 2019

There are millions of YouTube channels with people crinkling bubble wrap or whispering about folding laundry. Our guests talks about why autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) makes her, and many others, feel more calm and happy.

How To Be Less Hard on Yourself Dec 05, 2019

Do you beat yourself up over every mistake? A high school senior tries to be kinder to himself during an especially stressful time.

Happy Again: How to Notice What You're Thankful For (Encore) Nov 28, 2019

Comedian Maz Jobrani tries to be more thankful for the good things in his life by writing them down — and encourages his kids to do the same.

Can You Find Wonder in the Ordinary? Nov 21, 2019

When was the last time you felt connected to something bigger than yourself? Award-winning cellist Yumi Kendall looks, and listens, for moments of awe.

How To Get Your Priorities Straight Nov 07, 2019

It's easy to lose sight of what matters most. Our guest finds a way to reconnect with her values during stressful times.

Does Your Doctor Listen to You? Oct 24, 2019

Doctors are often trained to be emotionally detached. But our guest finds greater meaning in his work as a physician when he tries to connect more deeply with his patients, co-workers, and family.

Finding Beauty in the Everyday Oct 10, 2019

A tree next to a bus stop, a flower poking through the sidewalk. Our guest, a veteran of the Iraq War, discovers how awe and wonder can be found anywhere — if you just pay attention.

How to Find Your Silver Linings Sep 26, 2019

Do you fixate on what's going wrong in your life? Poet and "recovering pessimist" Maggie Smith practices looking on the bright side.

Can Margaret Cho Get Any Better? Sep 12, 2019

She's one of the most accomplished comedians of her generation. But Margaret Cho wants to find a different kind of happiness.

Can You Humanize a Zombie? Aug 29, 2019

Should we try to find common ground with the villains in our lives? Comedian Zahra Noorbahksh tries to understand a "zombie" from her past.

Making Kindness Contagious Aug 15, 2019

We gave our Happiness Guinea Pig a mission: Do five random acts of kindness in one day.

Facing Your Fears Aug 01, 2019

Heights. Public speaking. Death. Our Happiness Guinea Pig explains how she overcomes her fears, one small step at a time.

How Michael Lewis Finds the Funny Jul 18, 2019

How can you unearth humor in everyday life? Best-selling author Michael Lewis goes looking for laughs.

How to Keep Love Alive Jul 04, 2019

After more than a decade together, our Happiness Guinea Pig tries to bring the spark back into her marriage.

Who Makes You Feel Connected? Jun 20, 2019

Our Happiness Guinea Pig, the creator of Cartoon Network's We Bare Bears, finds a way to feel close to a loved one he recently lost.

Try this week’s happiness practice: Feeling Connected

A Better Way to Talk to Yourself Jun 06, 2019

Her husband has been in prison for 23 years. Our Happiness Guinea Pig tries a new approach to stay strong while working to get him released.

What to Do When You Feel Like a Failure Apr 11, 2019

The loss of a job, the pain of a breakup -- it's easy to get down on ourselves when things aren't going well. Find out how our Happiness Guinea Pig tuned down the self-critic in her head.

Delight in the Unexpected Apr 04, 2019

A high-five from a stranger, a hummingbird on a busy city street. Poet Ross Gay shares his own happiness practice: savoring the everyday delights in life.

~ Try one of UC Berkeley's Greater Good in Action happiness practices.

How To Let Go of Anger Mar 28, 2019

Are you still mad at someone who hurt you in the past? That can eat away at your health and well-being. Our Happiness Guinea Pig tries a new approach to giving up a grudge.

What Are Your Strongest Reminders of Connection? Mar 21, 2019

What kinds of objects, images, and words surround your home or office? Our Happiness Guinea Pig surveys her apartment for items that spark connection and kindness.

Do You Know How to Eat a Raisin? Mar 14, 2019

Do you have trouble slowing down enough to actually enjoy your life? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, comedian and radio host Luke Burbank, finds a way to break free from his over-scheduled lifestyle.

Try this week’s happiness practice: Raisin Meditation

Finding Awe in Every Step Mar 07, 2019

How can we feel connected to the world around us? Singer Diana Gameros tries to cultivate a sense of awe in the most unlikely of places.

Try this episode’s happiness practice: Awe Walk

Finding Your Strengths Feb 28, 2019

Do you fixate on your flaws and shortcomings? Our happiness guinea pig tries the opposite: focusing on her personal strengths.

~ Try this episode’s happiness practice: Use Your Strengths

Trying Compassion on Capitol Hill Feb 21, 2019

Can you extend compassion toward a difficult person in your life? Congressman Tim Ryan tries a practice to help him reach across the aisle.

A Lesson in Thanks and Vulnerability Feb 14, 2019

A junior high school teacher spent his life defying stereotypes about how men should express their emotions. Here he takes on a new challenge: getting his students to express gratitude.

Notice the Good in Your Life Feb 07, 2019

Comedian Maz Jobrani tries to pay more attention to the good things in his life by writing them down -- and encourages his kids to do the same.

Try this episodes happiness practice: Three Good Things

The Power of Expressing Your Deepest Emotions Dec 20, 2018

He started Afghanistan's first post-Taliban rock band when he was 18 years old. A decade later, our Happiness Guinea Pig takes on another challenge: writing about his emotions.

Who's Got Your Back? Dec 13, 2018

How do you build feelings of trust and security? Our Happiness Guinea Pig learns some truths about what it takes to feel supported.

Being Kinder to Yourself Dec 06, 2018

When you’re helping others cope with stress and anxiety, how do you deal with your own? Psychiatrist Elizabeth Guinto tries a practice to be kinder to herself.

W. Kamau Bell’s Thoughts on Awkward Relationships and Bridging Divides Nov 29, 2018

Comedian W. Kamau Bell discusses the challenges of finding common ground, even with people in your own family.

Find That Inner Calm Nov 22, 2018

International megastar Daniel Wu tries a practice that brings him calm amidst the chaos.

These Words Cause Happiness Nov 15, 2018

Did you know that you have the power to spark happiness in someone else's brain with just a few simple words? College student Eva Dickerson shares how she spread happiness across her campus, equipped with just her iPhone and some compliments.

A Simple Recipe for Happiness Nov 08, 2018

Our Happiness Guinea Pig, children's author Joanne Rocklin, shares her happiness practice: bringing people together to share a meal. It took on a deeper meaning for her after a recent tragedy.

Can’t Relax? This Will Help Nov 01, 2018

Why does a bath or swim feel so relaxing? Our guest shares her own happiness practice--spending time in water--which science is finding can make us happier and healthier.

How to Make a Real Apology Oct 25, 2018

"I'm sorry you feel that way."

Some apologies can actually make things worse. Our Happiness Guinea Pigs, Jolenta Greenburg and Kristin Meinzer of the By the Book podcast, try a more effective way of saying sorry.

How to Deal with Uncertainty Oct 18, 2018

How do you respond when you feel threatened or defensive? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, writer Wajahat Ali, discovers a way to keep himself centered amidst the challenges and chaos of life.

BONUS: The Science of Happiness at Work Oct 11, 2018

What would make you happier at work? Featuring some of our happiness guinea pigs, we share the latest insights and research on well-being and happiness in the workplace.

What if You Had Never Met? Aug 09, 2018

Do you take your partner for granted? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, cartoonist Gene Luen Yang, imagines a life in which he never met his wife.

Give Yourself Some Distance Aug 02, 2018

Are you stuck ruminating about the past? Legendary skater Tommy Guerrero tries looking at negative events from a different perspective.

Listen Like It's Your First Date Jul 26, 2018

Do you find yourself looking at your phone when you're supposed to be paying attention to a friend? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, The Takeaway's Tanzina Vega trades in her technology for some old school listening.

Why You Shouldn't Hate Small Talk Jul 19, 2018

Many of us avoid chatting with strangers – isn't small talk tedious and dull? Listen as our happiness guinea pig discovers its surprising benefits.

How to Change Your Mind Jul 12, 2018

Author Michael Pollan, shares his experiences on being a guinea pig for his new book, How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence.

How to Find Your Purpose in Life Jul 05, 2018

Did you know what you wanted when you were in high school? Our teen guinea pig takes on the challenge of figuring out her purpose in life.

What Are You Afraid Of? Jun 28, 2018

Would you rather swim with sharks or give a speech before thousands of people? Discover how our happiness guinea pig tackled one of his many fears--and lived to talk about it.

How to Forgive Your Father Jun 21, 2018

Holding on to a grudge? Hear how our happiness guinea pig tried to let go of deep-seated anger and resentment.

Feeling Angry? Try This Jun 14, 2018

For years, Dan Harris of ABC News was plagued by anxiety, depression, and streaks of anger. Here's how he learned to tame the voices in his head and get 10 percent happier.

Let People Help You Jun 07, 2018

In hard times, do you seek comfort from others or turn inwards? Find out how our Happiness Guinea Pig emerged from trauma by accepting others' support.

Thank you for your emails, calls, and letters! We think your stories will inspire others and we’ll be sharing some of them on the show. So call us at (510) 519-4903 and let us know how doing the Feeling Supported practice went for you!

Support for this podcast comes from Sun Basket. We all know that every part of our life is enhanced when we eat nourishing, healthy meals but always eating right can be hard to do. Sun Basket makes it easy. Go to SunBasket.com/SOH today to learn more and get $35 off your first order!

Is There Someone You Need to Thank? Apr 02, 2018

Is there someone important you've never properly thanked? Award-winning children's book author, Yuyi Morales, discovers the power of writing a "gratitude letter" to the librarian who changed her life.

Can You Predict What Will Make You Happy? Mar 26, 2018

Do memories of your past affect your happiness today? Susannah Cahalan was young and healthy when she was stricken with a mysterious illness. Learn how writing about her “month of madness” in the bestselling book Brain on Fire helped her reclaim her life.

Find Your Best Possible Self Mar 19, 2018

Does imagining your future make you more happy--or more anxious? Our happiness guinea pig looks ahead for inspiration to improve her life now.

How Gratitude Benefits Your Brain Mar 12, 2018

Can you train your brain to be more grateful? Todd Zwillich of The Takeaway takes on the challenge.

Krista Tippett on Being Grounded in Your Body Mar 05, 2018

Are you so stressed that it wears you down physically as well as mentally? Discover how award-winning radio host Krista Tippett brought relief to her mind and body.

Why a Walk Works Wonders Feb 26, 2018

Do you dwell on the negative and let moments of joy just pass you by? Discover how the Academy Award-winning director of Inside Out got out of his head and savored the good in his life.

3 Funny Things Feb 19, 2018

What should you do when you thought you had it all -- but learn you've had it all wrong? Discover what our happiness guinea pig did to bring more joy and humor into his life.

How to Fall in Love with Anyone Feb 12, 2018

Can 36 questions help you fall in love--and stay in love? Best-selling author Kelly Corrigan tries a research-proven technique to feel closer to her husband. Plus, we learn how the same technique can actually reduce racism and prejudice.

Quieting Your Inner Critic Feb 05, 2018

Are you too hard on yourself? Our Happiness Guinea Pig spent most of his life behind bars. Discover the research-tested practice that helped him quiet his inner critic.

3 Good Things Feb 05, 2018

Do you take the good things in life for granted? You’re not alone, and studies show it's very human. But here’s a way to find more joy in the everyday.

The Science of Happiness Trailer Jan 23, 2018

What does it take to live a happier life? Learn research-tested strategies that you can put into practice today. Hosted by award-winning psychologist Dacher Keltner. Co-produced by PRX and UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected