When we feel more connected, we're kinder and care more for others. After 21 years of being incarcerated, our guest Simon Liu, of Bay Area Freedom House Collective, tries a practice that helps him remember the profound connections he's made both inside and out of prison // throughout his life. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/585nkppu Episode summary : When’s the last time you felt a deep connection with someone, and then really reflected on your connections? This week on The Scie...
Jul 21, 2022•21 min
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 practice — you don't even have to leave the city. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/ac4h4uc4 How to Do This Practice: Pause and take notice of the natural elements around you, like trees, clouds, leaves, moving water, animals, bugs and butterflies, etc. Take a moment to allow yourself to truly experience the nature around you, ...
Jul 14, 2022•7 min
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. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2fk69bvw Episode summary : What do you think it takes to become wiser, more compassionate, and more open-minded? This week on The Science of Happiness, we bring you one of our most popular episodes. Former district judge Jeremy Fogel shares his insights on how being present can help...
Jul 07, 2022•18 min
Having close bonds with others is one of the most important things to our happiness. Host Dacher Keltner walks you through a practice you can do with someone else to create new bonds or strengthen old ones. Plus, hear some of his answers to these questions alongside his wife, Molly. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5fchedsa How to Do the 36 Questions for Increasing Closeness Practice: Take a few deep breaths, and notice how you feel. Identify someone with whom you’d like to become...
Jun 30, 2022•8 min
Apologies are key to successful relationships. But are you doing them right? Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/38dfpe8p Episode summary : We all have moments when we say or do something we later regret. Then the time comes to make an apology. But a halfhearted “I’m sorry” rarely gets the job done. On this episode of The Science of Happiness, public defender Sam Dugan joins us for a second time to try science-backed tips for making an effective apology. First, she takes a moment to ...
Jun 23, 2022•17 min
Visualize your best possible self and tap into your inherent enough-ness with this guided meditation by Justin Michael Williams. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/25sza2ev How to Do This Practice: Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and visualize your ideal future self, the person of your dreams you’ve always wanted to be. Try noticing as many details as you can: What color are you wearing, how do you feel, what are you doing, is anyone with you? Answer this question in your m...
Jun 16, 2022•9 min
Our guest explores how reminding yourself that you don't know everything can have a profound impact on your relationships, and our society. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mry7tv66 Episode summary : Jinho “Piper” Ferreira is a playwright, a rapper, and a former deputy sheriff. His band Flipsyde toured the world, but Jinho wanted to make real change to end police violence against his community – so he became a deputy sheriff himself. He was on the force for eight years before resi...
Jun 09, 2022•14 min
Take 10 minutes to be guided through a practice of meaningful self-kindness: A self-compassion break with Kristin Neff. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/427x7e6c How to Do This Practice: Think of a situation in your life that is difficult and is causing you stress. For this practice, especially if you are new to it, it's better to choose something that is moderately difficult in your life, rather than overwhelming. Call the situation to mind and get in touch with what happened or ...
Jun 02, 2022•9 min
Have you ever known you're dreaming while you're asleep? Our guests try practices to help induce lucid dreams, and we hear what they can teach us about consciousness. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/y4z8suca Episode summary : How do you know you’re awake? Are you sure? Practicing lucid dreaming means taking a step back to question your very consciousness — throughout your day, and even when you’re asleep. It’s no wonder lucid dreaming is associated with mindfulness. In this episo...
May 26, 2022•20 min
We guide you through a reflection of three things you're grateful for today. This practice is shown to boost happiness, connection, and motivation while reducing stress. Happiness Break is a new series by The Science of Happiness. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3vatpfru How to Do this Three Good Things practice: Take a few deep breaths, and notice how you feel. Think back on your day. Start from when you woke up, and mentally trace your steps forward in time. What was the most b...
May 19, 2022•10 min
Do you struggle with sleep? This week Drew Ackerman of Sleep with Me podcast tries tips for a good night's sleep, and we explore why it's so important to our well-being. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4zhdc58z Episode summary : A good night’s sleep can be hard to come by, and beating yourself up over not sleeping enough will only make it worse. On this episode of The Science of Happiness, the host of Sleep With Me podcast Drew Ackerman joins us to try science-backed tips for fin...
May 12, 2022•21 min
Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2p8wnyx6 Episode summary : Emanuel Hahn has never been great at asking for help. He didn’t live with his parents after age 12, and consequently, he says he learned to only rely on himself. But now that he’s launching his first book and juggling a freelance career, he knows he can’t do it all on his own. He tried our Ask for Help at Work practice, which challenges you to make a direct request when you need a hand from someone. Emanuel had to pack 80...
Apr 28, 2022•18 min•Season 6Ep. 46
Fear is a normal part of our lives — but there are ways we can safely challenge and conquer it. Our guest tries a research-backed way to tackle a fear she's had since elementary school. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/58npxmer **Vote for The Science of Happiness in The Webby’s!** https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2022/podcasts/limited-series-specials/health-science-education\ You’ll have to make an account, but we promise it takes less time than it does to say “The Scien...
Apr 14, 2022•18 min•Season 6Ep. 45
Comedian Marilyn Pittman takes stock of what she really wants in life – and makes a plan to get it. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5n7dya5t
Mar 31, 2022•17 min•Season 6Ep. 44
High expectations can lead to disappointment, but expecting the worst doesn't feel great, either. This week we explore how to find the balance. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/27s3x7n7
Mar 17, 2022•18 min•Season 6Ep. 43
Part of life is experiencing pain and loss. And sometimes, finding meaning in it. We explore a writing practice shown to help us come out stronger after difficult times. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4ufxpwaa
Mar 03, 2022•20 min•Season 6Ep. 42
A NYT restaurant critic puts down her pen and grabs her camera to capture the beauty of the outdoors. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc66tdhb
Feb 17, 2022•19 min•Season 6Ep. 41
What happens when we feel compassion for the things that scare us? Shabazz Larkin shares what it's like to face some of his deepest fears. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yp7r8fwu
Feb 03, 2022•20 min•Season 6Ep. 40
What does your best possible self look like? Our guest tries a practice in optimism by imagining her brightest future. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2s4hbkrt
Jan 06, 2022•17 min•Season 6Ep. 39
Feeling burned out? Our guest, a nurse, explores how cultivating gratitude helps people in high stress jobs. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/th82bwp2
Dec 23, 2021•19 min•Season 6Ep. 38
Can taking a few photos really make you happier? Afghan rocker Sulyman Qardash tries a practice to find meaning through snapping photos of daily life. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/a2x9vkve
Dec 09, 2021•19 min•Season 6Ep. 37
Thank you. Gracias. Merci. Every language has a word for gratitude. But why do we feel it? How can we experience more of it? We revisit some of our favorite episodes about the science of gratitude. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3y7m2nmk
Nov 25, 2021•19 min•Season 6Ep. 36
What happens when we share our time? Our guest, chef and author Bryant Terry, pauses to be present with the ones who matter most. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3n3tftbw
Nov 11, 2021•16 min•Season 6Ep. 35
Comedian Paula Poundstone tries to take on a messy and daunting task, one small step at a time. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mv2hstcp
Oct 28, 2021•20 min•Season 6Ep. 34
Anna Sale, host of Death, Sex, and Money, practices awe as an antidote to her anxiety. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5n82n9w2
Oct 14, 2021•20 min•Season 6Ep. 33
They were childhood best friends until one came out as queer. Now, two college students reconnect and try to see the world through one another's eyes. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/44pbbj48
Sep 30, 2021•21 min•Season 6Ep. 32
For our 100th episode, host Dacher Keltner sits in the guest chair and tries one of the most popular happiness practices. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mv46juba
Sep 16, 2021•18 min•Season 6Ep. 31
When was the last time you went down a slide? Our guest tries a practice to bring more play into his life and explores what that means as a Black man in the U.S. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/ysc3h82b
Sep 02, 2021•21 min•Season 6Ep. 30
What would life be like without the people you care most about? Our guest tries a practice to help appreciate loved ones. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2p877x8x
Aug 19, 2021•17 min•Season 6Ep. 29
Our guest uses her breath to find calm in some of Los Angeles' noisiest neighborhoods. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc7ccv7x
Aug 05, 2021•18 min•Season 6Ep. 28
