174 episodes

You might think you know what it takes to lead a happier life… more money, a better job, or Instagram-worthy vacations. You’re dead wrong. Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better. Based on the psychology course she teaches at Yale -- the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history -- Laurie will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness.

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos Pushkin

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.7 • 13.6K Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

You might think you know what it takes to lead a happier life… more money, a better job, or Instagram-worthy vacations. You’re dead wrong. Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better. Based on the psychology course she teaches at Yale -- the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history -- Laurie will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    The Happiness of Subtraction

    The Happiness of Subtraction

    We often think adding more things to our lives will make us happier - more trips, more activities, more possessions. Sadly our minds find it hard to comprehend that having less and doing less is usually a better option. 

    Dr Laurie Santos teams up with economist Tim Harford (host of Cautionary Tales) to examine why we find subtraction so very hard, and share tips for finding happiness by cutting down on our commitments. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 35 min
    Why the "Good Enough" Relationship Beats the "Perfect Partner"

    Why the "Good Enough" Relationship Beats the "Perfect Partner"

    Fairy tales and Hollywood rom coms have taught us to expect perfection from a soul mate, but sex and relationships therapist Todd Baratz says we need to be more comfortable with the idea that a "good enough" partner will do. 

    Todd once bought into this perfection myth - wanting a boyfriend to meet all his needs without even being told. These expectations helped end the relationship. Now Todd (author of How to Love Someone Without Losing Your Mind) says we need to accept that our loved ones will be just as flawed and human as we are. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 39 min
    A Supercommunicator's Guide to Love and Dating

    A Supercommunicator's Guide to Love and Dating

    Some people ask searching questions and then really listen to the replies. These so-called supercommunicators make great romantic partners, so can anyone learn to be more like them?  

    Journalist Charles Duhigg (author of Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection) was unhappy with how he and his wife were talking, so he studied his mistakes and adopted the habits of supercommunicators. He explains to Dr Laurie Santos how we can all make small changes that will improve our dating and romantic lives. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 51 min
    Can Couples Learn to Argue Better?

    Can Couples Learn to Argue Better?

    No matter how much you love your partner, your relationship will never be totally free from disagreement. And nor should it be, say researchers Dr John Gottman and Dr Julie Schwartz Gottman. We actually just need to learn to argue better.

    The Gottmans join Dr Laurie Santos to talk us through how to raise complaints with our partners and how to react when they complain about us. 

    Further reading: Fight Right: How Successful Couples Turn Conflict into Connection by Dr John Gottman and Dr Julie Schwartz Gottman. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 34 min
    Love Lessons from the "Masters of Relationships"

    Love Lessons from the "Masters of Relationships"

    Some people are just good at building and maintaining healthy partnerships. In their 'Love Lab", the married researchers Dr John Gottman and Dr Julie Schwartz Gottman have seen how certain couples interact in ways that mean they'll happily stick together for decades. 

    The Gottmans join Dr Laurie Santos to explain what we can learn from these "Masters of Relationships" - so that the stresses and strains of life don't destroy our intimate partnerships. 

    Further reading: Fight Right: How Successful Couples Turn Conflict into Connection by Dr John Gottman and Dr Julie Schwartz Gottman. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 45 min
    The Sweet Smell of Happiness

    The Sweet Smell of Happiness

    Does happiness have a scent? Dr Laurie has been trying to remove the bad smells in her life and bring in more fragrances that enhance her wellbeing. But she's noticed that some of the smells that bring her joy can be a little weird - like musty books and rotting seaweed. 

    So what's going on in our noses and brains? Laurie turned to neuroscientist Dr Rachel Herz (author of The Scent of Desire) to explain why we respond to certain smells and how we can use scent to reduce stress, boost our happiness, make us perform better and even to find the perfect mate.  
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 51 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
13.6K Ratings

13.6K Ratings

Izzy Mayer ,

Great new season!

Big time fan and long time listener, this new season about relationships and communication has been AWESOME! it feels practical and positive, thanks Happiness Lab team!

sirbow ,

The Starbucks ad is tone deaf

I like the podcast, but the Starbucks ad is tone deaf on several fronts. Working in psych and social work means you have to be aware of social justice and your impact. I expect better from one of my own.

Getting Happier ,

Favorite Podcast

I really want to thank Dr Laurie and the Pushkin team for making these episodes. I get filled with joy just seeing the yellow smiling square appear on my iPhone when a new episode is released. That and I get to learn all this without the price of paying a Yale tuition. Looking forward to many more.

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