Harvesting Happiness

Factory-based farming and meat processing facilities have become part of the food chain for many developing nations but they are, in some circles, considered dirty little secrets. From birth to death, meat production sullies all aspects of the environment, not to mention the pain and suffering of the animals in this cycle. Plant-based eating is an alternative option that uses fewer resources and l...

There are times in all of our lives when we wish we would have said something differently or changed the way we reacted to something or someone. But, truth be told, very few of us have acquired the communication skills to express ourselves fully to the people we come into contact with, especially when it comes to a loved one. To shine a light on how to hone our communication skills and truly empat...

Overstimulation is affecting us all. Everywhere we turn screens, people, and devices are battling for our attention. Without the right tools, it becomes easy to get stuck in the mire or not advocate for ourselves in the best way possible and focus our attention on the future. To discover how we can regain personal agency and make better decisions, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen...

Some people grimace when talking about their job in the corporate world. Common complaints are they must comply with orders, they feel their voice isn’t being heard, or they must conform to the status quo. And, then there are some who buck the system and break the rules to innovate and drive positive change. How can organizations change an employee's experience to create constructive disruption? W...

During the 2000s, the number of people who say they are lonely has doubled and the number of suicides has gone up by 33% in the US. The recent COVID pandemic has only served to exacerbate these conditions. The one group that has fared better in terms of happiness and well-being is the elderly. To discover why maturity brings resilience and wisdom, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen...

Most people want to be happy. Yet, the moral fabric of society lays prey to degradation caused by our evolutionary need to tribalize. The reduction of our critical thinking abilities allows for mind parasites to take hold and inhibit well-being. Is it possible to inoculate our minds and make them immune to untruths and bad ideas that spread through social media? To unveil mental methods that keep...

Throughout our existence, humans have dipped our proverbial toes into the how and the why of our thoughts and actions. But as curious as we are, there is still a wide gap in our understanding of what is fact and what is fictitious. To discover how to thwart misinformation and move closer to understanding our psyches, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with a scientist and a...

The quality of information we intake and the meaningful conversations we have directly equate to how productive and meaningful we consider our lives to be. When we add digital devices into the mix we add distractions that keep us from focusing on the task at hand. The distractions plus the frustration of being unable to focus our attention can lead to stress which wreaks havoc on our bodies. To fi...

Taking time away from our digital devices and engaging in the present moment is becoming more difficult with each new social media app. Each bell and ding is designed to hook us and keep us engaged. When we are conscious and thoughtful about our screen time, we put ourselves back in control of our human experience. To find out how we can take a much-needed digital detox and re- engage with society...

Human beings require interpersonal relationships to be fulfilled in life. But many who suffer from bouts of depression find it difficult to take the necessary steps to get motivated or to communicate their needs with others. Researchers are studying how to create mindfulness techniques that can break cycles of depression for willing participants. To find out more about the mindfulness- healthy min...

Social connection is fundamental to the human experience. Our minds are incentivized to connect with other humans by the release of warm and fuzzy pleasure-inducing chemicals that encourage us to communicate with and touch other humans. Mimicking this strategy is how technology companies commandeer our bodies and minds to keep us transfixed on their product. Unfortunately, their products only feed...

Many humans are unaware of the depths of their physical and mental strength. When confronted with a task they fear, some use substances to mentally dull themselves while others say they are unable to take action. If the tools for reaching our next level of performance are all straightforward and free, why aren’t more of us shifting to become more resilient and tougher? To reveal the secrets of hig...

Today’s job market is a stark contrast to the job market of 20- years ago. Millennials and Gen Z’ers who are entering the workforce have different ideas about what makes a successful career and a happy work life. Young adults who are empowered with the right tools to problem solve for themselves will be major assets for the organizations they join. How long they maintain a position will be up to t...

Moving residences, whether elective or forced, is known to be one of the most stressful things humans can do. Dealing with the trauma of new places and new faces can be difficult for both parents and children. Why do some people bounce back after a change and others sink into themselves? What about when a family moves into a different culture? How do individuals maintain a sense of well-being in t...

Walk into a Christian church that preaches from the Old Testament and then walk into a synagogue that teaches from the Hebrew Bible, the scripture should be similar, right? Well, not exactly. Even though both books are known to depict the same stories, many factors go into how we interpret them. Certain works may be highlighted in one religion or omitted by another. To explore the intricacies of r...

Have you ever read a book or heard a story of an unusually cruel or violent person and wonder what makes them capable of such atrocities? A sound hypothesis would be that the person had a very difficult and painful childhood, suffering abuses beyond normal coping mechanisms. But, new discoveries suggest that stress and trauma can be passed from one generation to subsequent generations through RNA...

These days, more often than not, financial market headlines include the terms ‘market crash’, ‘bubble bursting’, ‘inflation’, or ‘downturn’. What do these terms mean for long-term investors or for those who don’t invest but are impacted by job loss or economic hardship? How can everyday Americans attain enough financial security to be happy? To get expert advice about staying financially healthy,...

When we take a moment to go through the thought experiment of putting ourselves in the shoes of another, the perceived lines of differences begin to fade and we gain a better understanding of the other person and ourselves. Being mindful of our feelings and emotions allows us to decenter and observe the mind’s automatic responses so we can preserve our well-being and make better choices. To discov...

o get in touch with our spiritual side we must clear out, bypass, cleanse, and filter through all of the programming that has told us to be strong, get over it, and feel shame. For humanity to heal, we need to gather quiet moments, reflect on our experiences, and work together in a compassionate, understanding, and principled way. We have the unique opportunity to make the most of our one shot at...

As we begin to emerge from the pandemic-induced lockdown, many people are starved for human connection. Online social gatherings may not have been enough to regulate our emotions the way that pure, screen-free human touch does. It may feel uncomfortable to be in close proximity to others, shake hands, or embrace friends and family. And, when we do reach out, what do we say to those who are grievin...

Plenty of information exists about how exercise can boost our immune system and add years to our lives. Emerging research shows that physical movement can also ward off dementia, increase creativity, and help us manage stress. To work out how movement and exercise may be the wonder drug to heal our brains and reduce the need for pharmaceuticals, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen,...

A cancer or other life-threatening disease diagnosis is a difficult blow to the patient receiving the news. The next steps for the patient include sharing the weight of the news with friends and loved ones. For some, certain expectations of support accompany the disclosure. A response can be difficult because the right thing to say differs from person to person. Is it better in some cases not to s...

The term retirement planning is often used by financial institutions to describe the means necessary to sustain a quality of life after a person’s primary career has ended. This antiquated way of thinking worked for a while, but times are changing. Longer life spans afford people new opportunities to recreate their lives and careers to be more aligned with their authentic selves and to nurture the...

Research shows that most people believe themselves to be above average when it comes to most things. And, for some, being right has become less of a virtue and more of a defensive stance. Standing our ground on trivial issues may damage our relationships and make us more susceptible to disinformation campaigns. To discover the strategies that help us to increase our critical thinking skills and ou...

If the cells that make up our bodies regenerate completely every seven to ten years why is it that we hold on to and perpetuate trauma? And, if in every moment of our lives we have a choice about how to feel and how to react, why do some choose to be a victim? Suffering based on someone else’s actions is living amid that person's karmic drama. It disempowers us and eliminates our agency. To discov...