Harvesting Happiness

The practice of meditation was developed in Asia by monks over two and a half thousand years ago. Their practices offered them an understanding of their own consciousness en route to enlightenment. Today amidst a barrage of technological distractions and uncertainty about the practice, meditation is elusive for many. If there was a streamlined process for the practice of meditation that took peopl...

Long-term partnerships can be one of life’s greatest achievements. But couples who have been together for many years, may succumb to bad habits that inhibit the growth of a healthy relationship. These bad habits, with some awareness and problem resolution skills, can alter the trajectory of a relationship and increase the joy derived from it for both partners. To discover the do’s and don’ts of me...

Psychedelic compounds have been used for thousands of years in spiritual and healing rituals. Today, the experiences induced by the compounds produce an opportunity for modern healers to guide patients into releasing trauma and building a new mindset. But how qualified are the current shamans and guides to lead trauma therapy sessions with non-regulated psychedelic drugs? And are the drugs essenti...

Happiness is a by-product of our life journey, not a destination. When we are able to acknowledge happiness in simple moments, we release life’s pressure valve and allow ourselves to be the best we can be without self-judgment. But how much of our true nature gets lost as we fabricate our amalgamated identities? Our value lies not in our ability to achieve goals or quotas. Our value is inherent. W...

When we are truly curious about why things happen and why others do what they do, our judgment is suspended. We begin to gain empathy for the plight of others which opens our own lives up to deeper experiences, textured understandings, and richer lives. But paying attention in a world full of distractions is becoming a lost art. To discover the many ways expanding our observation can serve humanit...

Many women have succumbed to the belief that they need to be everything to everybody. Being the best parent, the best spouse and the best corporate employee is how many of us keep score with ourselves. But how much of our true nature gets lost as we fabricate our amalgamated identities? How much of our self-worth depends on the approval and judgment of others? To get an honest take from someone wh...

We are all vulnerable to the irrational beliefs or misbeliefs that permeate social networks, our social circles, and family dinner tables. Even the most level-headed skeptics can get drawn into baseless claims and alternative facts due to compounded stress, fear of not belonging, and the human need to tell a good story. To discover the social and cultural elements that form the funnel of misbelief...

In the US, people are exposed to hundreds of product advertisements each day. Advertisers know how to trigger us into buying things we don’t need using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs model. With many houses already bursting with clutter, how can we get rid of what no longer serves us and curb our buying of things we don’t need? To discover how to declutter the nooks and crannies of our lives, Harvest...

*This conversation includes mature content that may not be suitable for all audiences. It is a common misconception that older adults are no longer interested in or capable of having sex. But sexual activity is a primary drive that offers connection and intimacy to those of any age. Sex can offer older adults comfort and enhance well-being, so why isn’t everyone talking about it? To discover how t...

In the world today, happiness is more elusive than ever. It may be that our understanding of happiness is based on the belief that happiness is sustainable, but it is not. Happiness is a fleeting emotion. Our ability to bounce back after adversity and to complete mundane tasks may be the true measure of contentment. To discover the secrets to achieving life satisfaction, Harvesting Happiness Podca...

Unexpected events can seem insurmountable at the onset, but as time passes those events may change our lives for the better. Maintaining an understanding that what happens to us is out of our control may help us appreciate the love, and humor, hiding under the surface of a situation. To discover how one family adapted to one of life’s unexpected curveballs, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa C...

The extraordinary amount of control we have over our well-being is proven again and again in mindfulness research. Studies that include placebos are a prime example of this phenomenon. Why do some people experience pain relief after taking placebo medication? What is truly at play when people have the will to live? To delve deeper into the mind-body connection, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Li...

For many people, life can be a bit overwhelming at times. Yet, isn’t it surprising how many people seem to have it all together? With depression and suicide rates rising in almost every age group, it may be that more people are hiding their mental health issues behind a mask of perfection. To identify the connection between perfectionism and depression, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cyper...

Trauma is defined as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. When we are unable to meet a difficult situation effectively we create protective strategies to keep ourselves separated from our wounded places. But in doing so, we are actually holding on to our trauma as part of our identity. And while it’s a normal part of the human condition to experience trauma, how we process trauma can lea...

When we put down our digital devices and engage with others through personal interactions and conversations, our brains sync up, we build rapport and form relationships. The human voice transmits a plethora of information, including our emotional state, which assists the people interested in our well-being to respond accordingly. To explore how we can become more conversationally connected, Harves...

The human brain contains multiple systems designed to protect us and aid in our survival. When we experience trauma the event is stored in our memory as a way to maintain vigilance when we are confronted with future similar situations. Recent studies in cognitive neuroscience have uncovered new approaches that update the emotional content of our memories to reduce or negate the charge of previousl...

As universal consciousness awakens in us all, how will our relationship with God transform? Will we allow God, the Divine, Source, or the Universe to speak to us in a way that lights the way toward compassion and love for all? Or, will we be headstrong, believing that only the God depicted by our religious beliefs will lead us to our individual holy land?. To seek out guidance on how we can redefi...

The research on women’s health issues is an underserved area of study. Many women resort to becoming citizen scientists to sort out their symptoms in an effort to put the puzzle pieces together to achieve wellness. Conventional medicine rarely uses natural methods or plants to help women achieve proper wellness, opting instead for pharmaceuticals, which normally only serve to hide symptoms. To dis...

In Western society, the way we handle the death of a loved one is largely outsourced. No longer do we sit in our homes with a loved one who has departed, as we did in the past. This modification changes the way our brain processes our grief and may inhibit the realization that our loved one will not return to us. To discover ways to restore ourselves to a meaningful life after a loss, Harvesting H...

Yoga is an ancient practice designed to increase well-being. It integrates physical movements, breathwork, and mental relaxation techniques to calm the nervous system and relieve stress. In addition to added physical flexibility, yoga also increases mental muscle tone and resilience. To discover how practicing yoga changes the brain structurally and functionally, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host...

How open are you to new experiences? Have you found that with age comes a fear of learning new things? Research finds that being willing to admit that we may be wrong about truths we previously held while maintaining confidence is a central tenet of resilience. To discover some practical tips for keeping mental arthritis at bay, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen talks with Elaine...

The lack of intimate, face to face human contact is causing record levels of depression and loneliness. Yet, it seems people, especially young adults, continually choose screen time over the opportunity to physically and emotionally connect with others. Is this a phenomenon of human evolution, or is this the objective of device and software corporations to increase advertising revenue? To seek out...

Listening is a gift we give to ourselves and the person speaking. When we are curious and engaged with each other, our relationships become more satisfying and productive. But when was the last time you felt truly listened to and understood, in the workplace, or at home? To discover practices that enhance our daily experiences in this mysterious and sacred world, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host...

What drives some people to take on circumstances they wouldn't choose for themselves to help those in need, speak for those who don't have a voice, or follow integrity toward the righteous path? Where does the spark of courage come from? To illuminate what gives us inner grit, grace, and the power of courage, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with the bishop and spiritual...

What if it was possible to have a roadmap to optimize the health trajectory of your body? Wearables and AI can utilize set parameters based on personal genetic and historical data and help mitigate risk by suggesting preventative practices, decreasing the chance of suffering chronic illness. How much control will we have over our health in the future? To discover new scientific wellness techniques...