The Science of Happiness - podcast cover

The Science of Happiness

PRX and Greater Good Science Centergreatergood.berkeley.edu

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.

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Episodes

How to Reconnect with Your Partner

A couple try a practice to bring more excitement and passion into their relationship, even while sheltering-in-place. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/bdhkkdvt

Jul 30, 202020 minSeason 6Ep. 3

Do You Want to Be More Patient?

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. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/ycx4cxam

Jul 16, 202021 minSeason 6Ep. 2

How to Love People You Don't Like

Our guest tries a practice to help her feel compassion toward others — even those she disagrees with. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/32zrzn5t

Jul 02, 202023 minSeason 6Ep. 1

What's Your "Why" in Life?

Adrian Michael Green asks big questions designed to help teens — and adults — find more meaning and purpose in their lives. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/58es3rup

Jun 18, 202024 minSeason 5Ep. 30

From Othering to Belonging

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. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yewzbtj9

Jun 11, 202026 minSeason 5Ep. 29

Taking Small Steps Toward Big Goals

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. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4rx9tv3p

Jun 04, 202016 minSeason 5Ep. 28

How to Connect When You Must Stay Apart

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. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4nww8xrm

May 21, 202020 minSeason 5Ep. 27

Give Yourself a Break

Want to calm your inner critic? Our guest tries a practice to find more self-compassion during uncertain times. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc63cckh

May 07, 202020 minSeason 5Ep. 26

Helping Kids Think About the Good

Sheltering-at-home with kids? These questions can help them, and us, focus on the good things in life. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yvbp9zf7

Apr 23, 202020 minSeason 5Ep. 25

Remembering to Breathe

How a doctor stays calm and centered during times of uncertainty, one breath at a time. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3fjn655n

Apr 09, 202016 minSeason 5Ep. 24

Staying Close While Physical Distancing

Our guest tries a practice to feel more connected to loved ones, and herself, while sheltering at home. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/53d7c5jx

Mar 26, 202017 minSeason 5Ep. 23

Who Would You Be Without Them?

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. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5y9x2rz

Mar 12, 202017 minSeason 5Ep. 22

Step Away from Anxiety

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. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/d42v3ywd

Feb 27, 202021 minSeason 5Ep. 21

Who Is Your Rock?

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. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mrfakhm3

Feb 13, 202018 minSeason 5Ep. 19

What Does It Take To Really Listen To Someone?

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. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/nhfvv54t

Jan 30, 202017 minSeason 5Ep. 18

Why Shared Goals Can Bridge Divides

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. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/ef83kvf2

Jan 16, 202018 minSeason 5Ep. 17

How To Make Time for Happiness

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. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/nh9nn3m5

Jan 02, 202018 minSeason 5Ep. 16

How To Get Your Senses Tingling

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. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3t4nnp6m

Dec 19, 201918 minSeason 5Ep. 15

How To Be Less Hard on Yourself

Do you beat yourself up over every mistake? A high school senior tries to be kinder to himself during an especially stressful time. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yrbcmj37

Dec 05, 201921 minSeason 5Ep. 14

Can You Find Wonder in the Ordinary?

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. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/388cpjer

Nov 21, 201917 minSeason 5Ep. 13

How To Get Your Priorities Straight

It's easy to lose sight of what matters most. Our guest finds a way to reconnect with her values during stressful times. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/55hmf3mm

Nov 07, 201919 minSeason 5Ep. 12

Does Your Doctor Listen to You?

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. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5n8h4vxs

Oct 24, 201922 minSeason 5Ep. 11

Finding Beauty in the Everyday

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. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2w2ht55h

Oct 10, 201919 minSeason 5Ep. 10

How to Find Your Silver Linings

Do you fixate on what's going wrong in your life? Poet and "recovering pessimist" Maggie Smith practices looking on the bright side. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5n8cy7fk

Sep 26, 201926 minSeason 5Ep. 9

Can Margaret Cho Get Any Better?

She's one of the most accomplished comedians of her generation. But Margaret Cho wants to find a different kind of happiness. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2p9yjvks

Sep 12, 201919 minSeason 5Ep. 7

Can You Humanize a Zombie?

Should we try to find common ground with the villains in our lives? Comedian Zahra Noorbahksh tries to understand a "zombie" from her past. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3be2aszs

Aug 29, 201919 minSeason 5Ep. 7

Making Kindness Contagious

We gave our Happiness Guinea Pig a mission: Do five random acts of kindness in one day. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/36zrcd2p

Aug 15, 201916 minSeason 5Ep. 6

Facing Your Fears

Heights. Public speaking. Death. Our Happiness Guinea Pig explains how she overcomes her fears, one small step at a time. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mr2pyunc

Aug 01, 201917 minSeason 5Ep. 5

How Michael Lewis Finds the Funny

How can you unearth humor in everyday life? Best-selling author Michael Lewis goes looking for laughs. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3kebr688

Jul 18, 201914 minSeason 5Ep. 4
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