Dr. Laurie Santos

Shows

Episodes

  1. Holiday Survival Guide II: Perfect Gifts and Fighting Fatigue (with Rainn Wilson)

    DEC 15

    Holiday Survival Guide II: Perfect Gifts and Fighting Fatigue (with Rainn Wilson)

    What stresses you out over the festive season? Happiness Lab listeners sent in their holiday woes so Dr Laurie and guest Rainn Wilson (The Office star and host of Soul Boom) could weigh in with some science-backed advice.  In the second part of our Holiday Survival Guide, Dr Laurie and Rainn discuss what makes the perfect gift, how to slow down to enjoy the festivities, and why your smart phone should join the elf on a shelf.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    31 min
  2. Holiday Survival Guide I: Ending Family Arguments (with Rainn Wilson)

    DEC 8

    Holiday Survival Guide I: Ending Family Arguments (with Rainn Wilson)

    What stresses you out over the festive season? Happiness Lab listeners sent in their holiday woes so Dr Laurie and guest Rainn Wilson (The Office star and host of Soul Boom) could weigh in with some science-backed advice.  In the first part of our Holiday Survival Guide, Dr Laurie and Rainn discuss ways to defuse family arguments, why it's ok to feel sad at Christmas, and how to beat festive FOMO.  And find Nick Epley's "deep questions" conversation guide at drlauriesantos.com/deepquestions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    48 min
  3. Reset Your Relationship with Stress (for National Stress Awareness Day)

    NOV 5 · BONUS

    Reset Your Relationship with Stress (for National Stress Awareness Day)

    On National Stress Awareness Day we've pulled a popular episode from our archive. Stress can suck. Many of us drown in it - worrying about past events and fearing upcoming challenges. We even stress about feeling stressed. So how can we reset our relationship with stress - benefitting from its positives and avoiding those negatives?  Dr Jenny Taitz has some effective tips to help you greet stress more healthily. A clinical psychologist and the author of Stress Resets: How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes, Dr Jenny explains that if we think differently about challenges and tough situations and take action, then stress can become a friend rather than a foe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    43 min
  4. How to Make Better Choices (with Barry Schwartz)

    OCT 6

    How to Make Better Choices (with Barry Schwartz)

    Every choice you make shapes your wellbeing - and the bigger the decision, the greater the impact. So when it comes to life-changing questions like where to live, who to marry, or which career to pursue, how can you tell if you’re making the best decision for your long-term happiness? Economists might argue that you should weigh up every single option carefully - like a gambler in a casino figuring out the odds of winning. But psychologist Barry Schwartz says you can't apply a formula to happiness. In this episode, he shares insights from his new book, Choose Wisely: Rationality, Ethics, and the Art of Decision-Making (co-authored with philosopher Richard Schuldenfrei), offering a more thoughtful and human approach to making life’s hardest choices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    41 min
  5. Why Being Grateful Makes Us Feel Great (A Thanksgiving Re-run)

    NOV 24 · BONUS

    Why Being Grateful Makes Us Feel Great (A Thanksgiving Re-run)

    It's Thanksgiving - a good time to think about gratitude and being selfless. Concentrating on the things we have to be grateful for is a great way to boost your happiness. So thank the people who've done good things for you, and think of ways you can help others too.   This circle of gratitude – the science suggests – will also make you a better friend to one of the most important people in your life… your future self. In a re-run of a 2020 episode, Dr Laurie investigates this effect with Northeastern University’s Professor David DeSteno – author of “Emotional Success: The Power of Gratitude, Compassion and Pride.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    27 min
  6. How to Experience the Joy of Giving Right Now

    DEC 2

    How to Experience the Joy of Giving Right Now

    According to the science, it really is better to give than receive. Donating a dollar; sharing a kind word or lending someone a hand changes lives, but can also hugely boost your happiness. So we're teaming up with other podcasts from Hidden Brain to Revisionist History to ask you to give to a charity helping some of the poorest people around. We're calling it #PodsFightPoverty.      Go to givedirectly.org/happinesslab right now and give whatever you can. And the first $500,000 we donate will be matched thanks to our friends at Giving Multiplier! Even a small donation will make you feel good and have a much larger impact on the world than you thought possible. To help inspire you, this special episode examines the science of giving and shares stories of heartwarming and impactful acts of kindness.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    48 min
  7. Make Vulnerability Your Superpower (with NBA star Kevin Love)

    OCT 20

    Make Vulnerability Your Superpower (with NBA star Kevin Love)

    Not many elite athletes talk openly about mental health, but five-time NBA All-Star Kevin Love is changing that. After a very public panic attack on the basketball court he was told to "snap out of it". But Kevin decided to discuss his "dark moments" of anxiety and depression and show that vulnerability is actually a strength.  The sports star joins Dr. Laurie to talk about overcoming generational trauma, the pressures of toxic masculinity, and how speaking up can change the game for all of us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    37 min
  8. How Horror Movies and True Crime Can Make You Happier

    OCT 27

    How Horror Movies and True Crime Can Make You Happier

    Halloween isn't just costumes and candy. It's also a time when we indulge our interest in the scary and macabre. But there's also a taboo about gory horror movies and gruesome true crime shows - we often feel that being interested in blood and violence is unhealthy. The opposite is possibly true.  Psychologist Coltan Scrivner (author of Morbidly Curious: A Scientist Explains Why We Can’t Look Away) says that watching a scary movie or listening to a murder podcast is perfectly natural and in fact teaches us valuable lessons to enhance our emotional resilience.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    45 min
  9. Try It For 1 Week: 3 Small Habits That Change Your Body, Energy, And Life

    JUL 21

    Try It For 1 Week: 3 Small Habits That Change Your Body, Energy, And Life

    Today’s episode is the cheat sheet you’ve been waiting for. If you're confused by all the conflicting health advice – from keto to vegan, biohacking, to hormone tracking – this is your reset.  Mel did the heavy lifting for you, analyzing 53 conversations with the world’s leading health experts to pinpoint exactly what matters most for your health, energy, and longevity.  The result? 3 simple, science-backed habits that every single expert agrees are the most important for your health and happiness. You’ll hear directly from: -Dr. Eric Topol, one of the most renowned health researchers in the world, on how exercise can reverse your biological age.  -Dr. Vonda Wright, top orthopedic surgeon and women’s health expert, with a simple, no-cost workout plan you can do at any age with no gym required.  -Dr. Shefali, top clinical psychologist, on how your devices are stealing your time, energy, and peace of mind, and what to do about it  -Dr. Laurie Santos, the top professor at Yale and a happiness expert, on the surprising secret to happiness — and better health.  Forget complicated routines or expensive supplements.  If you’ve ever thought, "Could someone please just tell me what works?", consider this your answer.  For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page.  If you liked the episode, you’ll love the full episodes with each of the doctors interviewed today: Dr. Eric Topol: Advice From the #1 Longevity Doctor: Add 10 Years to Your Life With 3 Simple HabitsDr. Vonda Wright: Look, Feel, & Stay Young Forever: #1 Orthopedic Surgeon’s Proven ProtocolDr. Shefali: You Learn This Too Late: This One Idea Might Change Your Entire LifeDr. Laurie Santos: The Science of Well-Being: Powerful Happiness Hacks That 5 Million People Are UsingConnect with Mel:    Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Sign up for Mel’s personal letter Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 13m
  10. Take a Three-Day Weekend Without Losing Any Pay (with Juliet Schor)

    SEP 29

    Take a Three-Day Weekend Without Losing Any Pay (with Juliet Schor)

    Many of us toil for long hours - and even take work home at the end of the day. That's bad for us in so many ways - but extensive research shows that it just doesn't have to be this way. Many of us could work a four-day week and still get everything done.  Economist Juliet Schor has studied every kind of business - from breweries to ad agencies - and found that thoughtfully reducing work hours benefits employees, improves productivity and increases profits. She explains how you too can enjoy a three-day weekend with insights from her new book Four Days a Week: The Life-Changing Solution for Reducing Employee Stress, Improving Well-Being, and Working Smarter.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    56 min
  11. How to Spend Your Time and Money Better (with Nobel Prize Winner Richard Thaler)

    SEP 22

    How to Spend Your Time and Money Better (with Nobel Prize Winner Richard Thaler)

    We all behave irrationally. We pay for expensive gym memberships and only go once. We spend windfall cash on things we'd never buy with our salaries. We plan to do nice things in the distant future, but don't actually write them down in our calendars. These things can be bad for our happiness, so why do we do them? Economist Richard Thaler won a Nobel Prize for studying human irrationality - and explains why we all do odd things sometimes and how we can guard against being so irrational. Richard is joined by fellow behavioral economist Alex Imas to explain the updated insights from the classic book The Winner’s Curse: Behavioral Economics Anomalies Then and Now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    49 min
  12. Eat Like the People Who Live Happily to 100 (with Dan Buettner)

    SEP 15

    Eat Like the People Who Live Happily to 100 (with Dan Buettner)

    Your eating habits could be cutting years off the end of your life. But there's a simple solution - eat like the people who live happily and healthily into their 80s, 90s and beyond. Dan Buettner studies the inhabitants of so-called "Blue Zones" - where people live long lives. Food and eating culture seem to play an important role this longevity.   Dan talks to Dr Laurie about Blue Zones and explains the idea behind his cookbook One Pot Meals: 100 Recipes to Live to 100 And to hear more from Dan check out The Dan Buettner Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min
  13. Stop Caring What Other People Think of You (Bruce Hood on 10% Happier with Dan Harris)

    AUG 25

    Stop Caring What Other People Think of You (Bruce Hood on 10% Happier with Dan Harris)

    Bruce Hood was a mentor of Dr Laurie early in her academic career and now teaches a course on happiness based on her famous Yale class. Hear him discuss his top tips on 10% Happier with Dan Harris.   Find out more about Dan Harris and 10% Happier at https://www.danharris.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 8m
  14. “Can You Train Your Mind to Be Happier?” (with Dr Tal Ben-Shahar)

    AUG 18

    “Can You Train Your Mind to Be Happier?” (with Dr Tal Ben-Shahar)

    How do you train your mind to be happier? That was the question posed to Dr Laurie by Dr Tal Ben-Shahar at a live webinar for his Happiness Studies Academy.  Tal is a leading expert in positive psychology and co-founded the academy to share his knowledge online with students from around the world. Dr Laurie is just one of the scientists he invited to give lessons and take questions from the audience. If you want to learn more about the Happiness Studies Academy, or are interested in taking one of the certificate, masters or PhD courses - visit Happiness Studies Academy.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 27m
  15. Why Having the Courage to Defy Makes us Happier (with Dr Sunita Sah)

    SEP 8

    Why Having the Courage to Defy Makes us Happier (with Dr Sunita Sah)

    We all go along with things we don't want to do... or worse, things that make us feel uncomfortable or morally uneasy. We comply for lots of reasons. We don't want to make trouble, or upset our friends, our bosses or people in authority. But Dr Sunita Sah says we should be more ready to defy.   Defy: the Power of No in a World That Demands Yes is one of Dr Laurie's favorite books of 2025, so she invited Sunita to explain how we can say no more often and what that means for improving our happiness.  (With thanks to the Milgram family for allowing us to use the archive audio in this episode. It's from Stanley Milgram Papers (MS 1406). Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library.)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    40 min
  16. "Human Minds Are Stupid!" (with Rich Roll)

    AUG 11

    "Human Minds Are Stupid!" (with Rich Roll)

    On his podcast, Rich Roll seeks to give his listeners the knowledge to unleash their best selves. He invited Dr Laurie on his show to explain the science-backed "rewirements" she recommends to make us happier. The wide-ranging interview covers lots of topics - but tackles the tricky question of why the human mind often encourages us to do things that are actually bad for our happiness.  The Happiness Lab will be back with a new series after Labor Day, but we'll be bringing you more interviews with Dr Laurie throughout the summer.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    2h 23m
  17. The Joy of Not Being Dead (with Ryan Holiday on The Daily Stoic)

    AUG 4

    The Joy of Not Being Dead (with Ryan Holiday on The Daily Stoic)

    Dr Laurie often uses the teachings of the ancient Stoic philosophers to help her through daily life - so she was invited on Ryan Holiday's hit show The Daily Stoic to discuss what she's learned. Ryan started off asking Dr Laurie's thoughts on death and the importance of seeing life as finite - but never fear, the conversation wasn't at all depressing.  The Happiness Lab will be back with a new series after Labor Day, but we'll be bringing you more interviews with Dr Laurie throughout the summer.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 8m
  18. You Can Change

    09/13/2019

    You Can Change

    You can make yourself happier today. Your life circumstances and personality aren't nearly as important as you think in deciding how happy you can be. Dr Laurie Santos explains how understanding the latest science will point you in the right direction and make you more satisfied with your life. Are you ready to feel better? For an even deeper dive into the research we talk about in the show visit happinesslab.fm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    38 min
  19. How to Achieve True Happiness Using Science-Based Protocols | Dr. Laurie Santos

    12/23/2024

    How to Achieve True Happiness Using Science-Based Protocols | Dr. Laurie Santos

    In this episode, my guest is Dr. Laurie Santos, Ph.D., a professor of psychology and cognitive science at Yale University and a leading researcher on happiness and fulfillment. We discuss what truly increases happiness, examining factors such as money, social comparison, free time, alone time versus time spent with others, pets, and the surprising positive impact of negative visualizations. We also explore common myths and truths about introverts and extroverts, the science of motivation, and how to adjust your hedonic set point to experience significantly more joy in daily life. Throughout the episode, Dr. Santos shares science-supported strategies for enhancing emotional well-being and cultivating a deeper sense of meaning and happiness. Read the full show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Dr. Laurie Santos 00:02:52 Sponsors: Eight Sleep & ExpressVPN 00:06:00 Happiness, Emotion & Cognition; Emotional Contagion 00:11:18 Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Rewards 00:14:43 Money, Comparison & Happiness 00:21:39 Tool: Increase Social Connection; Real-Time Communication 00:32:16 Sponsor: AG1 00:33:47 Technology, Information, Social Interaction 00:39:22 Loneliness, Youth, Technology 00:42:16 Cravings, Sustainable Actions, Dopamine 00:47:01 Social Connection & Predictions; Introverts & Extroverts 00:57:22 Sponsors: Function & LMNT 01:00:41 Social Connection & Frequency; Tools: Fun; “Presence” & Technology 01:07:53 Technology & Negative Effects; Tool: Senses & Grounding; Podcasts 01:15:11 Negativity Bias, Gratitude, Tool: “Delight” Practice & Shifting Emotions 01:25:01 Sponsor: David  01:26:17 Importance of Negative Emotions; Judgements about Happiness 01:34:16 Happiness & Cultural Differences, Tool: Focus on Small Pleasures 01:41:00 Dogs, Monkeys & Brain, “Monkey Mind” 01:47:40 Monkeys, Perspective, Planning 01:53:58 Dogs, Cats, Dingos; Pets & Happiness 02:00:49 Time Famish; Tools: Time Affluence Breaks; Time Confetti & Free Time  02:07:46 Hedonic Adaptation; Tool: Spacing Happy Experiences 02:15:27 Contrast, Comparison & Happiness; Tool: Bronze Lining, Negative Visualization 02:24:08 Visualization, Bannister Effect; Tool: Imagine Obstacles 02:29:12 Culture; Arrival Fallacy, Tool: Journey Mindset 02:37:11 Mortality, Memento Mori, Tool: Fleeting Experiences & Contrast 02:44:33 Awe  02:48:15 Timescales; Community Engagement & Signature Strengths; Tool: Job Crafting 02:56:55 Strength Date, Leisure Time; Tool: Doing for Others, Feel Good Do Good 03:01:42 Tool: Asking for Help 03:05:32 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Social Media, Protocols Book, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    3h 8m
  20. The Science of Well-Being: Powerful Happiness Hacks That 5 Million People Are Using

    12/12/2024

    The Science of Well-Being: Powerful Happiness Hacks That 5 Million People Are Using

    In this episode, you will learn how to live a more meaningful and happy life with zero weird tricks.  Today, world renowned professor Dr. Laurie Santos is here to give you a crash course on living a happier, more fulfilling life.  Dr. Santos is the professor behind Yale’s most popular course of all time, which she then taught as an online course called The Science of Well-Being. 5 million students have taken her semester-long course, but you don’t need to. Why? Because today on the podcast, she is distilling and summarizing the key takeaways from her world-famous 26 lectures into one hour for you.  She will share the surprising truths about what truly makes you happy and 5 science-backed ways to rewire your mind for more joy and meaning.  And even if happiness feels out of reach, this episode will change your perspective and equip you with practical tools to experience more of it, starting today.  For more resources, including links to the studies mentioned in the episode, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked this episode, you’ll love hearing from Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar – the most popular professor in Harvard’s history – share about the science of creating a better life. Listen to this one next: How to Build the Life You Want: Timeless Wisdom for More Happiness & Purpose Connect with Mel:   Get Mel’s new book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Sign up for Mel’s personal letter Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to ad-free new episodes Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 28m
Dr. Laurie Santos on Apple