218 episodes

Learn research-tested strategies for a happier, more meaningful life, drawing on the science of compassion, gratitude, mindfulness, and awe. Hosted by award-winning professor Dacher Keltner. Co-produced by PRX and UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center.

The Science of Happiness PRX and Greater Good Science Center

    • Science
    • 4.5 • 1.7K Ratings

Learn research-tested strategies for a happier, more meaningful life, drawing on the science of compassion, gratitude, mindfulness, and awe. Hosted by award-winning professor Dacher Keltner. Co-produced by PRX and UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center.

    How To Talk To People You Disagree With

    How To Talk To People You Disagree With

    We learn techniques for working across the aisle without compromising our values from a Democratic politician in one of the most conservative states, Oklahoma.

    Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/w2a9a42p



    Episode summary:

    Trying to have a conversation with someone who has an opposing view can be exhausting. This week, we explore what it means to have productive discussions when we disagree. Democratic Oklahoma State Senator Jo Anna Dossett recounts her experience bridging political divides with Republican senators in her state with  active listening and self-compassion. Later, we hear from political science professor Lilliana Mason about the blurred line between personal and political identities, and how connecting with individuals on an emotional and social level can lead to more fruitful discussions than just focusing on facts.



    Today’s guests:

    Jo Anna Dossett is an Oklahoma State Senator.

    Learn about Jo Anna Dossett: https://tinyurl.com/muxw7yvz

    Follow Jo Anna Dossett on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dossett4ok

    Follow Jo Anna Dossett on Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/293n98fc

    Follow Jo Anna Dossett on Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/yc3mszhx



    Lilliana Mason is a political science professor at Johns Hopkins University.

    Learn about Lilliana Mason’s work: https://tinyurl.com/w2hy6fhk

    Follow Lilliana Mason on Twitter: https://tinyurl.com/29sumyxb



    Resources from The Greater Good Science Center:

    Eight Keys to Bridging Our Differences: https://tinyurl.com/45ntehyp

    Four Lessons From Mediators for Bridging Differences: https://tinyurl.com/bdhf68te

    What Will It Take to Bridge Our Differences? https://tinyurl.com/3sua8uz5

    Six Techniques to Help You Bridge Differences: https://tinyurl.com/ypsbycf4

    15 Practices to Help Kids Bridge Differences: https://tinyurl.com/mvw4s649



    More Resources on Bridging Differences

    TIME - How Americans Can Tackle Political Division Together: https://tinyurl.com/3phj6y7j

    APA - Healing the political divide: https://tinyurl.com/38kzvm5k

    BBC - Crossing Divides: What the research tells us: https://tinyurl.com/yahmwdth

    Stanford - How to Bridge Political Divides: https://tinyurl.com/yc7ha55p



    Tell us about your experiences and struggles bridging differences. Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

    Help us share The Science of Happiness!

    Rate us on Spotify and share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/d3mc7e6t

    • 17 min
    Happiness Break: Tap into the Joy that Surrounds You, With Anushka Fernandopulle

    Happiness Break: Tap into the Joy that Surrounds You, With Anushka Fernandopulle

    Beyond just feeling good, studies show experiencing other people's joy makes us more compassionate and satisfied with life.

    Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/43e35j37

    How to Do This Practice:


    Find a comfortable position to begin this practice, focusing on your breath.
    Visualize a person or situation that brings you a sense of joy or happiness. It might be a child laughing, the success of a friend, or even a dog wagging its tail.
    Connect with their joy and happiness, wishing them well.
    Expand your focus to larger groups of people, like a team winning a match, wishing them well.
    Consider repeating this practice when you want to connect your sense of happiness with others.


    Today’s Happiness Break host:

    Anushka Fernandopulle is a Buddhist meditation teacher and leadership coach. 

    Learn More about Anushka: https://www.anushkaf.org/about/

    Follow Anushka on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anushka_dharma/

    Follow Anushka on Twitter: https://twitter.com/anushkaf

    More resources from The Greater Good Science Center:

    Happiness Break: Wishing Others’ Well, With Anushka Fernandopulle: https://tinyurl.com/jrkewjs8

    What Is Sympathetic Joy and How Can You Feel More of It? https://tinyurl.com/yuzmykct

    How to Overcome Stress by Seeing Other People’s Joy: https://tinyurl.com/4csukyd5

    Can Little Steps Lead to Big Joy? https://tinyurl.com/3e5yt3hp

    Why Experiencing Joy and Pain in a Group Is So Powerful: https://tinyurl.com/3trjtzfm

    We love hearing from you! Tell us about your experience of appreciating others’ joy. Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

    Find us on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/3bj4637f

    Help us share Happiness Break! Leave us a 5-star review and copy and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap

    We're living through a mental health crisis. Between the stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, burnout — we all could use a break to feel better. That's where Happiness Break comes in. In each biweekly podcast episode, instructors guide you through research-backed practices and meditations that you can do in real-time. These relaxing and uplifting practices have been shown in a lab to help you cultivate calm, compassion, connection, mindfulness, and more — what the latest science says will directly support your well-being. All in less than ten minutes. A little break in your day.

    • 4 min
    Who’s Always There for You?

    Who’s Always There for You?

    When we remember the times someone had our back, it changes the way we view ourselves and the world. Our guest explores what happens when trying a practice to feel more supported.

    Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mrpyr8a7



    Episode summary:

    Ever since he was a young child, José Valladares has spent his life caring for others and has taken pride in supporting his family and community, For our show, he tried a practice where he recalled people in his life who he can turn to during a difficult moment — the people who support him. As he wrote about their admirable qualities and specific instances where they helped him, José felt a renewed sense of gratitude and energy to persist forward in helping others. Later, we hear from psychologist Angela Rowe about how feeling supported can impact our relationships and sense of personal empowerment.

    Practice:


    Make a list of the people who offer you comfort or security.
    Write down six positive qualities that are common to some or all of these people.
    Next, recall and visualize a specific situation when you felt distressed or worried, and one of these people comforted and helped you.
    Write a brief description of that situation and how you felt during it.




    Learn more about this practice at Greater Good In Action:

    https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/feeling_supported



    Today’s guests:

    José Valladares is a software engineer in Utah originally from Honduras.



    Angela Rowe is a psychology professor at the University of Bristol.

    Learn more about Angela’s work: https://tinyurl.com/4nh752ad



    Resources from The Greater Good Science Center:

    Happiness Break: Who Takes Care of You? With Dacher Keltner: https://tinyurl.com/bdezwwyd

    How to Let Someone Love You (The Science of Happiness Podcast): https://tinyurl.com/5xtzbzj2

    Four Ways Social Support Makes You More Resilient: https://tinyurl.com/2p9zkjpj

    Just One Thing: Feel the Support: https://tinyurl.com/yrfnmwfv

    Friend or Family? https://tinyurl.com/msbs2kuh



    More Resources on Feeling Supported

    NYT Times - Are You Anxious, Avoidant or Secure? https://tinyurl.com/yes746sv

    The Atlantic - The Trait That ‘Super Friends’ Have in Common: https://tinyurl.com/bdheumdh

    BBC - Why friendship makes us healthier: https://tinyurl.com/3596n4u7

    TED - How to ask for help -- and get a "yes": https://tinyurl.com/2ybrmt7m

    Stanford - Asking for help is hard, but people want to help more than we realize, Stanford scholar says’: https://tinyurl.com/4n4hraj5'



    Who do you turn to for support in your life? Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

    Help us share The Science of Happiness!

    Rate us on Spotify and share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/b6779syt

    • 16 min
    Happiness Break: Where Did You Come From? Guided Writing With Lyla June

    Happiness Break: Where Did You Come From? Guided Writing With Lyla June

    Indigenous artist Lyla June leads a 5-minute freewriting exercise about our personal journeys. Autobiographical writing has been shown to help do better in relationships and feel more satisfied in life.

    Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3622n5s6

    How to Do This Practice:

    You will need writing utensils for this practice.


    Find a comfortable place to start this writing practice, taking a few moments to ground yourself.
    Write the prompt, “I come from a place where…” 
    For the next 5 minutes (or more), write whatever comes to mind, allowing your thoughts and ideas to flow freely, without judgment or filters. Trying keeping your pen to the paper the whole time. 
    Take some time afterward to read and reflect on what you wrote. 
    Consider repeating this exercise every few weeks or months to reflect on your past and prospective future. 


    Today’s Happiness Break host:

    Lyla June is an Indigenous artist and scholar from the Diné Nation.

    Learn about Lyla June’s work: [https://www.lylajune.com/>\
    Watch Lyla June’s videos: [https://tinyurl.com/bdhbwyru>\
    Follow Lyla June on Twitter: [https://tinyurl.com/4pj565d6>\
    Follow Lyla June on Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/4pj565d6

    More resources from The Greater Good Science Center:

    The Power of Expressing Your Deepest Emotions (The Science of Happiness Podcast): [https://tinyurl.com/2uzh3r67>\
    How to Journal Through Your Struggles: [https://tinyurl.com/yua6wkwd>\
    How Journaling Can Help You in Hard Times: [https://tinyurl.com/3zv3hunw>\
    How Creative Writing Can Increase Students’ Resilience: https://tinyurl.com/4xw8xuff

    How was your experience with this freewriting exercise? Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

    Find us on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ycukc4za

    Help us share Happiness Break! Leave us a 5-star review and copy and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap

    We're living through a mental health crisis. Between the stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, burnout — we all could use a break to feel better. That's where Happiness Break comes in. In each biweekly podcast episode, instructors guide you through research-backed practices and meditations that you can do in real-time. These relaxing and uplifting practices have been shown in a lab to help you cultivate calm, compassion, connection, mindfulness, and more — what the latest science says will directly support your well-being. All in less than ten minutes. A little break in your day.

    • 9 min
    Why Grownups Should Be Playful Too

    Why Grownups Should Be Playful Too

    Playfulness can improve your relationships, help you excel at work, and reduce stress. We explore a strategy shown to help you become more playful.

    Link to episode transcript: http://tinyurl.com/b5xc78r3



    Episode summary:

    Patricia Mebrahtu used to have so much fun as a child. Now, as a medical assistant and mother of two young children, she found herself feeling burnt out and irritable. For our show, Patricia tried a practice to infuse more playfulness into her life. From singing karaoke with her family to playing in the rain, she tapped into her inner child. Through this practice, Patricia recognized the importance of taking time out for yourself, and that she can carve out opportunities to have fun and be playful, even as a busy adult. Later, we hear from psychologist René Proyer about the different types of playfulness, and how incorporating play can benefit our sense of wellbeing.


    Practice:


    Each day for a week, incorporate one playful activity into your routine – it can be anything you find enjoyable and playful.
    Every evening, write about the experience, and how it made you feel in the present moment.




    Today’s guests:

    Patricia Mebrahtu is a mother and medical assistant in California.



    René Proyer is a psychologist from the Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg.

    Learn about René’s work: http://tinyurl.com/4sa9vye9

    Follow René on Twitter: http://tinyurl.com/3x5986u6



    Resources from The Greater Good Science Center:

    Can We Play? http://tinyurl.com/prhv22rf

    What Playfulness Can Do for Your Relationship: http://tinyurl.com/n9b3h7e4

    Tuesday Tip: Play with Some Friends: http://tinyurl.com/mu837nwr



    More Resources on Being Playful:

    BBC - Playtime: Is it time we took 'play' more seriously? http://tinyurl.com/4jmx89vn

    NYT - Why We All Need to Have More Fun: http://tinyurl.com/335z4bdu

    Washington Post - Why it’s good for grown-ups to go play: http://tinyurl.com/5w8shen

    TED - The Importance of PLAY in adulthood and childhood: http://tinyurl.com/4hsn9um4



    How do you incorporate play into your life? Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

    Help us share The Science of Happiness!

    Rate us on Spotify and share this link with someone who might like the show: http://tinyurl.com/up29j8zk

    • 19 min
    Happiness Break: A Meditation on Playfulness, With Dacher Keltner

    Happiness Break: A Meditation on Playfulness, With Dacher Keltner

    We all have a playful side, and research shows acting on it can help us when we need to move through challenging emotions, manage conflict, and be more creative.

    Link to episode transcript: http://tinyurl.com/4bxtn9ek

    How to Do This Practice:


    Find a comfortable position to begin the practice. Focus on breathing deeply.
    Think back to a moment of play during your childhood. Recall specific details like your age, what you were doing and who you were with. As you remember, notice how the memory is affecting you in the present moment.
    Next, focus on a recent memory of play – maybe with your partner, friends, or family. Fully recall the moment, again bringing to mind specific details. Notice how this memory makes you feel.
    Take note of how reflecting on play has affected your breathing. Did it affect the tight areas in your body? How about the relaxed and open ones?
    As you refocus your attention on your breath, make a commitment to add play into your busy schedule going forward.


    Today’s Happiness Break host:

    Dacher Keltner is the host of the Greater Good Science Center’s award-winning podcast, The Science of Happiness and is a co-instructor of the GGSC’s popular online course of the same name. He’s also the founding director of the Greater Good Science Center and a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley.

    Check out Dacher’s most recent book, *Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life: *https://tinyurl.com/4j4hcvyt\](https://tinyurl.com/4j4hcvyt)

    More resources from The Greater Good Science Center:

    What Happens When We Play (The Science of Happiness Podcast): http://tinyurl.com/mrfm5pj5

    Can We Play? http://tinyurl.com/prhv22rf

    What Playfulness Can Do for Your Relationship: http://tinyurl.com/n9b3h7e4

    For Black Children, Play Can Be Transformative: http://tinyurl.com/mwnfcu26

    What memories of play came to your mind? Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

    Find us on Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/ycydhyxz

    Help us share Happiness Break! Rate us and copy and share this link: http://tinyurl.com/ycydhyxz

    We're living through a mental health crisis. Between the stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, burnout — we all could use a break to feel better. That's where Happiness Break comes in. In each biweekly podcast episode, instructors guide you through research-backed practices and meditations that you can do in real-time. These relaxing and uplifting practices have been shown in a lab to help you cultivate calm, compassion, connection, mindfulness, and more — what the latest science says will directly support your well-being. All in less than ten minutes. A little break in your day.

    • 6 min

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
1.7K Ratings

1.7K Ratings

MsFlowerLady14 ,

Spring

My hands were sweating for no reason all morning long no matter how I tried to tell my mind everything was ok . My anxiety just wanting to be on top. I found this podcast & after 8 minutes my hands were no longing sweating! Amazing !

taubg ,

Seeing Results

Just listening to the talks has a positive effect. But actively engaging in these short easy meditations, and sticking with them yields surprising results. There is always something you can relate to.

mituska2 ,

Applicable to my life

This podcast gives strategies tried by people and backs them with research.

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