182 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 • 13.7K 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

    Five Tips to be Happier at Work (Dr Laurie at SXSW)

    Five Tips to be Happier at Work (Dr Laurie at SXSW)

    Work is a worry. Are we paid enough? Should we be getting promoted quicker? Is artificial intelligence about to replace us all? 

    Speaking at SXSW 2024, Dr Laurie Santos argues that because of all our career woes we often neglect our happiness. She walks through her top five tips for improving our workplace wellbeing - which will not only make us feel better, but might even cause our salaries to rise!  
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 56 min
    Tame Those Devices: 10 Tips to Achieve Digital Balance

    Tame Those Devices: 10 Tips to Achieve Digital Balance

    Technology is amazing! We can make video calls, find facts in an instant and watch movies on our phones. We take all this for granted, but have we let our screens and devices take over too much of our lives? 

    To mark Digital Wellness Day on May 3, we hear from Amy Blankson (author and "chief evangelist" at the Digital Wellness Institute) about her ten tips to tame our devices at home and in the workplace. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 39 min
    How to Grow After Adversity

    How to Grow After Adversity

    Karen Guggenheim was devastated by the death of her husband, Ricardo. She was alive, but dead to the world around her. Slowly she put her life back together and found growing happiness. To share her insights with others in need, Karen started the World Happiness Summit. 

    Karen's campaign to spread global happiness is just one example of "post traumatic growth". Clinical psychologist Dr Edith Shiro (author of The Unexpected Gift of Trauma) has worked with many people who have recovered from trauma and grown as a result. She explains how we can give ourselves the best possible chance to experience post traumatic growth.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 40 min
    Simple Ways to Feel Great Every Day - with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

    Simple Ways to Feel Great Every Day - with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

    Medical doctors are waking up to the importance of happiness, partly prompted by the work of people like Rangan Chatterjee. Dr Chatterjee is Professor of Health Education and Communication, the host of the hit podcast 'Feel Better, Live More' and author of five best-selling books including Happy Mind, Happy Life: 10 Simple Ways to Feel Great Every Day.

    Rangan sat down with Dr Laurie Santos at the 2024 World Happiness Summit to discuss his life and work - and explain why physicians like him are joining the fight to make happiness a health priority.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 52 min
    How to Make America's Young People Happier Again

    How to Make America's Young People Happier Again

    The US is sliding down the world happiness rankings - but it's the unhappiness of young people that's really dragging down the average. What has happened to make Gen Z so sad? And what can be done to turn the situation around?

    Jan-Emmanuel De Neve (director of Oxford University’s Wellbeing Research Centre) has been analyzing the figures for the World Happiness Report. He offers advice to young people and parents, and looks at what happy young Lithuanians can teach the rest of the world.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 37 min
    Can Happiness Ward Off Dementia?

    Can Happiness Ward Off Dementia?

    Age is the main risk factor for cognitive decline. So with more people around the world living longer, cases of dementia are set to rise. There's currently no cure - but research suggests that happiness can reduce the impact of this awful illness. 

    Psychologist Emily Willroth helped write a chapter on this topic for the 2024 World Happiness Report - and explains how making friends, helping others and engaging in fun physical activities can slow cognitive decline, even when the disease has taken hold.  
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 35 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
13.7K Ratings

13.7K Ratings

that one guy ya know ,

Absolutely in love

I am absolutely in love with this podcast. As a combat veteran dealing wit ptsd and a tbi I’ve been looking at ways to not only heal my trauma issues but be happier. I also look to share that happiness and methods with others. Thank you for all you do.

Ohio Vick ,

General feedback

I continue to enjoy & learn so much every week from this podcast. Thank you for all your hard work & commitment to happiness. Take care.

Moonflowerminis ,

Lying minds.

Love the podcast but do not love how often they reference our “lying mind.” It perpetuates the idea that we cannot understand or be one with our own minds and need psychologists and scientists to explain it to us - when in reality part of happiness is being at peace with our minds.

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