Podcast · 56 episodes
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
by Pushkin Industries · English
The Happiness Lab is serving up scientifically-backed takes this summer that are so hot, even your SPF 50 won’t protect you. With the help of behavioral scientists, historians, and cultural critics, Yale psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos challenges some of our biggest assumptions about what it takes to live a good life. Dr. Laurie explores topics like why we should forget about TMI and lean into oversharing, how dumping small talk makes for better conversations, why the kids these days are actually doing just fine, and how men can establish strong bromances. Each episode unpacks a bold, counterintuitive claim — using research, data, and expert insight to question the conventional wisdom around happiness and wellbeing.
Latest episodes
Want More Joy? Try Taking Yourself Less Seriously with Comedian Chris DuffyHow humor can increase joy and well-being by acknowledging reality (not toxic positivity), building humor as a skill, and using “new bathroom mindset”/absurdity noticing, self-laughing, and social…28 Sep 2026 · 46 min
Small Steps to Happiness: The Science of Mindful Living with Laurie Santos | From The One You FeedHow to build happiness through “small steps” and mindful living, emphasizing opportunity costs, cognitive biases, gratitude practices, sound mindfulness, and the right amount of discretionary time.25 Sep 2026 · 1 h 7 min
Why Smaller Goals Can Lead to Bigger Changes with Eric ZimmerEric Zimmer argues that lasting change comes less from “big moments” and more from small, low-resistance actions done consistently.21 Sep 2026 · 48 min
All episodes
Want More Joy? Try Taking Yourself Less Seriously with Comedian Chris DuffyHow humor can increase joy and well-being by acknowledging reality (not toxic positivity), building humor as a skill, and using “new bathroom mindset”/absurdity noticing, self-laughing, and social…28 Sep 2026 · 46 min · 24 chapters
Small Steps to Happiness: The Science of Mindful Living with Laurie Santos | From The One You FeedHow to build happiness through “small steps” and mindful living, emphasizing opportunity costs, cognitive biases, gratitude practices, sound mindfulness, and the right amount of discretionary time.25 Sep 2026 · 1 h 7 min · 31 chapters
Why Smaller Goals Can Lead to Bigger Changes with Eric ZimmerEric Zimmer argues that lasting change comes less from “big moments” and more from small, low-resistance actions done consistently.21 Sep 2026 · 48 min · 31 chapters
A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Changing Your Brain with Dr. Richard DavidsonDr. Richard Davidson explains neuroplasticity—how everyday experiences can physically reshape the brain—and how to “flourish” using four skills: awareness, connection, insight, and purpose.14 Sep 2026 · 36 min · 24 chapters
Stop Doing Things the Hard Way with Dr. Angela DuckworthThe episode argues that achievement doesn’t have to rely on “grit” and willpower alone; instead, people can use “situational agency” by changing their environment, especially by shaping what’s around…7 Sep 2026 · 58 min · 24 chapters
The Life-Changing Power of a SabbaticalThe episode argues that sabbaticals—intentional, months-long leave from routine work—are a “life-changing” tool for recovery, creativity, and identity change, and that they can also benefit employers…17 Aug 2026 · 49 min · 24 chapters
You're Actually Not Bothering People EnoughThe episode argues that people avoid asking for help/favors because they fear rejection, but this fear is miscalibrated; asking actually benefits both the requester and the helper and can increase…10 Aug 2026 · 26 min · 9 chapters
Why Being Alone Might Be Better Than You ThinkThe episode argues that “being alone” and “loneliness” are different, and that more alone time can improve mood, reduce stress, and support emotional regulation—while public messaging about a…3 Aug 2026 · 46 min · 26 chapters
Winning the Lottery Could Ruin Your LifeThe episode argues that winning the lottery (and other “dream” outcomes) often fails to produce lasting happiness because people mispredict emotional outcomes.27 Jul 2026 · 42 min · 23 chapters
Men Don’t Just Need Friends. They Need Bromance.The “male connection crisis” and the happiness hot take that men don’t just need casual friends—they need bromance-level, emotionally close “strong ties.” Episode argues these bonds are declining and…20 Jul 2026 · 44 min · 14 chapters
Forget Small Talk: Go Deep InsteadArgues for ditching small talk and replacing it with faster, more authentic “deep talk” to increase happiness and connection.13 Jul 2026 · 38 min · 10 chapters
What We Still Get Wrong About Happiness (Live at Dartmouth)A live Dartmouth conversation continuing The Happiness Lab series, focused on “what we still get wrong about happiness” in the 21st century—how minds mislead us, and which practices actually improve…6 Jul 2026 · 50 min · 26 chapters
Why the “Pursuit of Happiness” Is a Bad IdeaA “happiness hot take” arguing that the “pursuit of happiness” (from the Declaration of Independence) is a bad idea if interpreted as a guaranteed right to feel good.29 Jun 2026 · 47 min · 17 chapters
Why “No Regrets” Is Bad AdviceThe episode argues against the “no regrets” happiness advice (never look back, always be positive).22 Jun 2026 · 31 min · 15 chapters
Are Kids Today Really Worse Off?Whether today’s college-age youth are truly “worse off” mentally than earlier generations, or whether adults misread change over time.15 Jun 2026 · 43 min · 17 chapters
The Surprising Case for OversharingThe episode argues that “oversharing” (TMI) is often beneficial for happiness and social connection, and that the bigger, overlooked risk is “too little information” (TLI).8 Jun 2026 · 39 min · 20 chapters
How to Feel Happier in Your Body with Jessamyn StanleyClearing body shame to make movement (especially yoga) happier and healthier; separating exercise from appearance goals and replacing self-hate with self-compassion and mindfulness.1 Jun 2026 · 35 min · 12 chapters
What Your Negative Emotions Are Trying to Tell YouHow to manage negative emotions (sadness, anger, fear, overwhelm) by using them as “data” instead of avoiding them (distraction/suppression) or getting stuck in them (rumination/brooding).25 May 2026 · 46 min · 15 chapters
The Hidden Beliefs That Shape Your Happiness with Shawn AchorThe Happiness Lab episode argues that “beliefs” are the lens shaping how people act, what they notice, and what outcomes follow.18 May 2026 · 43 min · 13 chapters
The Art of Doing Nothing“The Art of Doing Nothing” argues that modern busyness creates “time famine,” which harms happiness and even reduces prosocial behavior.11 May 2026 · 35 min · 15 chapters
What Screen Time Is Really Doing to Your Body with Manoush ZomorodiHow screen time harms physical health, not just mental health—through prolonged sitting, reduced interoception (awareness of bodily signals), sensory strain (eyes/ears), and posture effects on…4 May 2026 · 46 min · 13 chapters
Why More Stuff Doesn’t Make You HappierThe episode argues that buying more stuff (cars, clothes, gadgets, collectibles) usually doesn’t increase long-term happiness; dopamine-driven “pursuit” fades via hedonic adaptation, and possessions…27 Apr 2026 · 26 min · 12 chapters
Your Environment Affects Your Happiness More Than You Think with Dr. Leidy KlotzHow the spaces where we live, work, and play shape happiness by supporting three psychological needs: agency, competence/growth, and connection (self-determination theory).20 Apr 2026 · 38 min · 22 chapters
How to Break Up with Your Bad HabitsHow to break bad habits by understanding habit “loops” (reward, routine, context) and using environmental changes to reduce willpower demands and disrupt cues.13 Apr 2026 · 33 min · 8 chapters