THE HAPPY SCIENCE PODCAST

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Episodes

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Center for Wellbeing, Welfare and Happiness at the Stockholm School of Economics•www.hhs.se

Discover the science of happiness, one episode – one study! In this podcast, host Professor Micael Dahlen explores groundbreaking research with leading experts, uncovering the science behind what truly makes us happy. Whether it's relationships, work, politics, or daily habits, The Happy Science Podcast brings insights from the field in a fun, engaging and accessible way. Tune in for thought-provoking discussions and practical takeaways on how to live a happier, more fulfilling life—backed by science!

Episodes

11. Happiness or Good Looks: Which Comes First? - with Professor Delin Sun

Does happiness make you more attractive, or does being attractive make you happier? In this episode, we explore the intriguing connection between how we feel and how we’re perceived. Professor Delin Sun of Duke University has conducted a brain study to uncover the secrets behind happiness and how attractive we are to others. Which comes first—being happy or being desirable? Tune in to find out, and see if a smile really is your best asset!

Dec 02, 2024•15 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast

10. Cheating and Happiness: What’s the Real Connection? - with Professor Olga Stavrova

In this episode, we dive into a big no-no in relationships: infidelity. What’s the link between happiness and cheating? Does infidelity make couples less happy, or is unhappiness what drives them to cheat? Professor Olga Stavrova of University of Lübeck shares her research on why this connection matters and what it reveals about relationship dynamics. Tune in to explore how happiness and betrayal are more intertwined than you might think!

Nov 25, 2024•14 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast

9. How Much Does the Government Really Impact Your Happiness? (Spoiler alert: The answer is pretty surprising…) - with Professor Peter Esaiasson

In this fun episode, we find out how people associate their happiness with politics and the government. Could a breakup with your partner make you want to dump the government too? In this episode, Professor Peter Esaiasson of University of Gothenburg shares insights from his multi-country research on how happiness impacts support for the government, and even good citizen behaviors as paying taxes and abiding laws. Tune in to explore how happiness, love, and politics are more connected than you m...

Nov 18, 2024•15 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast

8. Does Having Almost Nothing Make You More or Less Happy? - with Professor Eric Galbraith

In this fun episode, we tackle the age-old question: Do money and material things really buy happiness? Or could you find just as much (or even more) happiness living deep in the Amazon rainforest, in the mountains of Nepal, or in a desert village? Professor Eric Galbraith from McGill University shares insights from his unique research, where he compares the happiness of people in 19 small, remote villages and tribes around the world with those living in WEIRD society’s – Western, Educated, Indu...

Nov 11, 2024•15 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast

7. Does Air Quality Affect Your Happiness? - with Professor Paul Dolan

Is the air you’re breathing making you happy, or unhappy? In this episode, we explore how the quality of air can impact your mood, and even your overall happiness. Professor Paul Dolan of London School of Economics shares his surprising findings on how air quality influences well-being, to an extent that can even be comparable to making thousands of extra dollars or not. Tune in to discover how those good or bad “air days" might be affecting more than just your lungs! https://www.cambridge.org/c...

Nov 04, 2024•16 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast

6. Does Your Partner's Happiness (or Unhappiness) Rub Off on You? - with Professor Olga Stavrova

In this fun episode, we explore how happiness - or unhappiness - spreads between couples. Does the happier partner rub off more, or is the other way around? Professor Olga Stavrova of University of Lübeck shares insights from her research on emotional contagion, revealing how partners affect each other's happiness and well-being in unexpected ways. Tune in to discover who holds the most influence in this happiness crossover and how these dynamics can even extend beyond couples to larger groups, ...

Oct 28, 2024•14 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast

5. Fine Art or Not-So-Fine Art: Which Brings Happiness? - with Professor Kathleen Vohs

In this fun episode, we explore how looking at art can not only impact happiness but also meaning in life. Professor Kathleen Vohs of University of Minnesota shares insights from her research on how people feel when looking at fine and not so fine art. Surprisingly, both can have positive, but very different, effects. Tune in to discover what kinds of art might elevate your happiness or deepen your life’s meaning! https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17439760.2021.1975159...

Oct 21, 2024•15 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast

4. Is opposite or Same Sex Siblings Better for Parents’ Happiness? - with Professor Paul Dolan

In this fun episode, we dive into the surprising impact on parental happiness when having one more kid of the same versus opposite sex. Professor Paul Dolan of London School of Economics shares insights from his research on how the dynamics of raising boys versus girls can influence parent wellbeing, over a whopping 20-year time span. Tune in to discover whether and how having opposite or same sex kids really matters when it comes to parenting happiness! https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...

Oct 14, 2024•15 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast

3. Focus or Variety, Which Increases Daily Happiness the Most? - with Professor Jordan Etkin

In this fun episode, we explore how your daily activities — whether you focus on a few things or vary between more — impact happiness. Professor Jordan Etkin of Duke University shares insights from her research on how what you do can affect happiness on a daily basis (or even by the hours and minutes!) Tune in to discover how and why structuring your time is more important than you think! https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/sites/default/files/documents/areas/fac/marketing/mogilner/Etkin%20Mogilner%20...

Oct 07, 2024•13 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast

2. Do Price Tags Impact Your Happiness, Even When You Don’t Want the Stuff? - with Professor Helge Thorbjørnsen

In this fun episode, we explore how expensive or cheap prices impact your happiness, even for stuff you don’t want. Professor Helge Thorbjørnsen of Norwegian School of Economics shares insights from his research on the surprising effects of advertised prices on happiness, friendliness and even helpfulness. Tune in to discover how price tags can impact our feelings and behaviors more than we think! https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/mar.22026 ...

Oct 07, 2024•14 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast

1. Does the World Happiness Ranking Impact the Actual Happiness in a Country? (Spoiler Alert: It Does…) - with Professor Kristina Heinonen

In this fun episode, we dive into what happens to happiness when your country is ranked the happiest in the world. How did Finland’s top spot affect its citizens' happiness, and how did Swedes feel about being ranked fourth? Professor Kristina Heinonen of Hanken School of Economics shares fascinating insights from her research on the impact of these rankings. Tune in to discover how national happiness rankings reflect – but also impact - how happy people feel!

Oct 07, 2024•15 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast

Trailer

Discover the science of happiness, one episode – one study! 

Sep 30, 2024•52 sec•Transcript available on Metacast