Harvesting Happiness

As major elections unfold globally, uncertainty grips the world. Family members, neighbors, and friends who may have previously tolerated differences of opinion have become increasingly divisive and less accepting of alternative perspectives. Contests of this magnitude ensure that certain groups must grapple with disappointment. How can we unburden ourselves and others during these significant eve...

Compared to the chronological aging of our physical bodies, our minds can remain ageless. With enough healthy servings of brain food, the mind continues its existential flexibility and resiliency. But what happens when we allow our minds to become rigid and there is no additional room for more data? For a healthy serving of brain food, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks wit...

This just in … you won't go to diet jail if you eat soul-soothing ice cream. And, what a shame it would be if you judged yourself nibbling on a slice of decadent chocolate cake. Food for thought: Studies show that as long as you nourish yourself with high-quality food rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, you can feed your cravings and build resilience against the never-ending supply of...

The primary goal of most media sources is to make money by pushing a political agenda and influencing the psychology of those who ingest the content. In order to achieve their goals, people use data, misinformation, and deliberate disinformation as weapons, creating what is often called Infowar. This can lead to groupthink, which causes public fear, doubt, and cognitive bias. False stories are exa...

Social responsibility is an ethical concept that endorses civil engagement for the good of all. Civic engagement, in all its forms, strengthens communities by involving citizens in the democratic process. No act is more significant in emboldening democracy than exercising one’s right to vote. With the spread of misinformation and disinformation in this election cycle, it is paramount to have acces...

With the elimination of civics courses in schools and the rise of fear-driven political campaigns, many U.S. citizens may be left in a constant state of anxiety about the nation's direction. This anxiety can lead to impulsive decision-making and focusing on short-term solutions, undermining the pursuit of meaningful, long-term change. Advocacy and civic engagement are crucial for overcoming these...

Lifelong stigmas and myths abound about human sexual expression have been as we age. Cultural differences notwithstanding, older males and females are more likely to rate communication as the highest form of arousal in their relationships. Why then does the media portray sexuality and intimacy after mid-life as a less than pleasurable experience? *This episode explores human sexuality and is inten...

Fear and doubt serve as powerful tools in the political landscape, and disinformation is used by politicians to manipulate public perception and sow confusion. By labeling legitimate investigations or criticisms as witch hunts, these leaders attempt to delegitimize the concerns raised against them. This tactic not only deflects attention from the actual issues at hand but also erodes trust in the...

Maintaining a philosophical approach rooted in critical thinking can help us make sense of the barrage of information we experience during election cycles. Our natural anxieties are often preyed upon by masters of persuasion. We must enlist our powers of discernment to protect our mental health during this important election season. br /> To discover how to protect our mental health with a philoso...

Large media outlets often highlight the extreme sides of our nation, amplifying polarized perspectives that distort the bigger picture. This coverage can create a sense of isolation, especially when reality doesn't align with our expectations. It is only when we perform our civic duty and get involved in our local communities that we feel a sense of control over our lives and the personal pursuit...

When we experience fear, we often instinctively push things away, which only amplifies that fear and tests our resilience. However, by embracing awareness and leaning into our relationships, we create a pathway for personal growth. By staying fully present and avoiding the urge to build emotional walls, we enhance our well-being and lay the foundation for spreading love and positivity in the world...

* This episode explores human sexuality and is intended for mature listeners. Desire and intimacy are words often associated with the pleasures of the physical body, but human desire is the foundation of our deepest motivations, driving our pursuit of connection, purpose, and personal fulfillment. Therefore, we must question the societal forces that shame us for our desires, compelling us to suppr...

If bumper stickers were still a thing Adulting is Hard would be a bestseller. It's not that the challenges of adulthood have intensified, but rather, the parenting landscape has shifted. Overprotective tendencies now seem to outweigh the absenteeism of past generations. Is it possible for parents to empower their children to become independent adults? To discover how parents can support young adul...

Think for a second briefly about the excitement of learning something new as a child. That sense of wonder and accomplishment when you first figured out how to write a bike, solve a puzzle, or read a book. That joy doesn't have to end with childhood, and in fact, lifelong learning is the secret to maintaining that spark of happiness throughout our lifetime. To find out the art of unlocking happine...

The learning mechanism in the human brain is not yet equipped to deal with information meant to deceive or manipulate. Armed with a computational approach to civilization but lacking the ability to discern fact from fiction, we find ourselves at the precipice of a new digital world for which we may not be prepared. To reveal how human cognition processes information, Harvesting Happiness Podcast h...

*This episode explores human sexuality and is intended for mature listeners. Sexual arousal can mean many different things to many different people. A quick walk through the local ‘adult’ store can be an eye-opening experience for some and offer a giggle for others. No matter what turns you on, the root of a healthy sexual experience is psychological safety. Our minds and bodies work together when...

Nutritional Science is a fairly new field of study relative to human existence. In the past, humans grew much of their food in and around where they lived, incorporating a variety of nutritionally dense plants and animals into their diet. Fast forward to today, when industrialization has changed how we feed ourselves, humans more often use satiation above nutrition to gauge our feeding needs. To g...

For many women, rising above trauma can feel unattainable in public life and utterly impossible when under the restraints of incarceration. But, women, being who they are, build mutual support systems behind bars that foster resilience, and community, and underpin transformations not often correlated with stories of life in prison. To discover ways of transcending incarceration, Harvesting Happine...

Anxiety is a natural response to the uncertainties and challenges we face in life. When we are anxious, relief can seem a world away. But, through cultivating self-awareness and practicing mindfulness, anxiety can be managed, transforming it from a source of suffering into an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. To discover the philosophical approach to treating anxiety, Harvesting Happiness...

If you could reimagine the time of your life, what would it look like? Would you continue to be trapped by your calendar? Or, would you dial into what is sacrosanct and transform your relationship with time so it played by your rules and worked itself into your schedule? To get a template for living a regret-less life, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author and keyn...

In business, financial gain is often the basis for change, when in reality the lessons gleaned from the process are just as valuable as the change itself. For it is usually in hindsight we realize that the journey of any endeavor is more important than the end result. Taking a kindness plus math approach to business decisions means valuing empathy and human connections alongside financial metrics....

Modern life is filled with many kinds of pollution. From the audible and visual pollution of our cities to the garbage we let leak into our natural world, humans are separating themselves from nature at a faster rate than ever before in our history. The flora and fauna so graciously given by our earth mother have been all but forgotten in many human environments. Observing, reconnecting, listening...

Social pressures often influence an individual's decision-making process. The algorithms behind social media platforms can shape perceptions by showing content tailored to behavior, reinforcing or promoting specific ideas to further financial or political causes. It is proof that understanding human cognition can significantly influence our decisions, from the products we buy to the beliefs we hol...

Remember when you flirted just enough with a person to let them know you were interested but not too much that you risked rejection? Then, you were surprised when the other person had no clue what had happened. If you are a man reading this, it's understandable — you likely had no idea this scenario even unfolded. If you are a woman, it wasn't his fault; he's simply emotionally, physiologically, a...

The path to joy is often obstructed with obstacles, setbacks, and grief. From expectant mothers who are just one intense push away from delivering a new lifeforce to adult children caring for their aging parents, many times the pain we endure is the seed that blossoms into the flower of happiness. To find out more about cultivating the labors of life into personal fulfillment, Harvesting Happiness...