Researching Happy

In this episode of Researching Happy, Dr. Matthew Iasiello speaks with Dr. Anco Peeters, philosopher and cognitive scientist at Radboud University. Anco’s work sits at the intersection of embodied cognition, virtue ethics, human-centered design, and AI — with a focus on care robots, education, and the societal impacts of intelligent systems. Starting from a prescient thought experiment about “Goog...

In this episode of  Researching Happy , host Dr. Matthew Iasiello interviews Dr. Matt Fisher, philosopher, artist, and senior research fellow in public health at Adelaide University. They discuss Fisher’s book  How to Create Societies for Human Well-being , which integrates philosophy, psychology, and public health to argue that societies must be intentionally designed to support human flourishing...

In this episode of  Researching Happy , host Matt welcomes back Professor Aaron Jarden, who recently moved to Perth and took on the role of Associate Dean (Postgraduate) in the School of Education at Edith Cowan University (ECU). Aaron discusses his leadership approach, which emphasizes enabling others, and reflects on career highlights beyond metrics (e.g., student successes). The core discussion...

We all agree that something is deeply wrong with how we die today. In many modern healthcare systems, death feels over-medicalised, isolating, and often stripped of meaning, dignity, and human connection. No one is defending the status quo. Yet on the deeply contentious issue of assisted dying, we are sharply divided — not necessarily on the existence of suffering, but on  how  we should respond t...

In this heartfelt and practical conversation, Matt sits down with Associate Professor James Kirby — clinical psychologist, Director of Clinical Psychology Programs at the University of Queensland, and co-director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group. James is a leading expert in  Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) , developed by Professor Paul Gilbert. He explores why self-compassion often feels...

In this insightful interview, Ruben Rusk shares his unique approach to understanding wellbeing through network analysis, emphasizing systemic factors, the importance of systemic change, and the limitations of current measurement practices in positive psychology. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background of Reuben Rusk 02:59 The Intersection of Engineering and Wellbeing Science 05:58 The Role of C...

This engaging conversation explores the integration of wellbeing into psychiatric research and practice, highlighting innovative approaches, systemic challenges, and future directions in mental health care. Paper discussed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41253742/ Key topics Integration of wellbeing in psychiatric research and practice Systemic barriers to holistic mental health care Innovative a...

Matt shares an update on his busy start to the year, focusing on his work in mental wellbeing, cancer research, and prevention initiatives. He reflects on the evolution of wellbeing concepts from PERMA to more integrated models, and seeks listener input on a personal anecdote about balancing academic and practical work. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Update 00:56 Work on Cancer and Mental Wellbei...

In this episode, Dr. Shane Huntington discusses the challenges faced by early career researchers in the health research sector, particularly regarding funding applications. He highlights the significant decrease in success rates for grants, the importance of communication skills in grant writing, and the need for more funding to support researchers. Dr. Huntington also emphasizes the importance of...

In this conversation, Dr. Denise Quinlan discusses her journey in positive psychology, emphasizing the importance of context, cultural sensitivity, and the need for a human-centric approach in workplaces. She critiques the current state of wellbeing science, advocating for collaboration with other fields and addressing societal issues such as polarization and economic precarity. The discussion hig...

In this episode, Dr. Matthew Iasiello engages in a critical conversation with Diane Bowles and Dr. Kate Sollis about the importance of wellbeing in policy and the challenges faced in promoting it in Australia. They discuss the Measuring What Matters framework, the role of government, and the significance of community engagement in developing effective wellbeing policies. The conversation also touc...

In this engaging conversation, Paul Ollinger shares his unique journey from being a Facebook executive to a stand-up comedian, exploring the intersections of happiness, purpose, and societal expectations. He reflects on the impact of wealth on happiness, the importance of belonging, and the challenges of raising children in a materialistic society. The discussion also delves into the role of comed...

In this episode, Dr Matthew Iasiello speaks with A/Prof Claudia Trudel-Fitzgerald about her research in psychological, social, and behavioral determinants of mental health. Prof Trudel-Fitzgerald is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, with an appointment as a Regular Researcher at the Research Center of Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal. Th...

In this conversation, Professor Sarah Willen discusses the role of anthropology in understanding flourishing and wellbeing. Dr Willen is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Connecticut and Co-Director of the Research Program on Global Health and Human Rights at the university’s Human Rights Institute. She emphasizes the importance of structural circumstances and individual experiences i...

In this episode of "Researching Happy," Dr. Matthew Iasiello sits down with Professor Narelle Lemon, a leading expert in education and positive psychology, to explore the intricate balance between self-care and professional demands. They delve into the challenges faced by educators, the importance of wellbeing literacy, and how self-care can be redefined beyond commercialized notions. Jo...

In this episode of Researching Happy, Dr. Matthew Iasiello is joined by Dr. Katherine Nelson Coffey, an Associate Professor at Arizona State University and a leading expert in positive psychology. They discuss the impact of parenting on well-being, the importance of parental happiness, and how positive psychology interventions can enhance family dynamics. Dr. Nelson-Coffey shares insights from her...

In this episode of  Researching Happy , Dr. Matthew Iasiello sits down with Professor Mike Steger, a leading voice in positive psychology from Colorado State University, to explore the future of well-being science. They dive into Mike’s recent paper,  Regenerative Positive Psychology: A Call to Reorient Well-Being Science to Meet the Realities of Our World , discussing how the field can expand bey...

In Episode 51 of Researching Happy , host Dr Matthew Iasiello engages Dr. Carli Ochs, a postdoctoral researcher at Georgetown University’s Happy Tech Lab, in a lively discussion about the impact of smartphones on social wellbeing. Dr. Ochs, fresh from her PhD in Switzerland, explores "phubbing" (phone snubbing), where smartphone use disrupts face-to-face interactions, and its effects on...

In this milestone 50th episode of  Researching Happy , Dr. Matthew Iasiello hosts a dynamic debate with Prof. Todd Kashdan and Dr. Eri Mountbatten-O’Malley on the state of positive psychology. Titled “Are We Lying to Ourselves in Positive Psychology?”, the discussion critiques the field’s disconnect from real-world impact, over-reliance on reductive science, and ethical pitfalls. Todd defends well...

Learn about the fascinating career of A/Prof Frank Martela. We cover: Frank's unique academic journey The inspiration for his work on purpose and pro-social behaviour His experiences working with Prof Richard Ryan and the effort to test whether Beneficence could be the fourth human psychological need Frank's recent theory of wellbeing Learn more about Frank's work at https://www.frankmartela.com/

Dr Mark Fabian is an associate professor of public policy at the University of Warwick and an affiliate researcher at the  Bennett Institute for Public Policy  at Cambridge University. He  is an area specialist (well-being) rather than a discipline specialist, which we discuss throughout the episode, and publishes in journals across multiple fields. This was a fantastic, broad-reaching discussion,...

In this episode of Research Happy, we dive into Australia’slatest federal budget and its implications for mental health with Dr. Stephen Carbone, a seasoned mental health advocate and former GP. Recorded on April 3, 2025, Dr. Carbone shares his candid disappointment with the budget’s lack ofvision, describing it as "piecemeal" and insufficient to address the growing mental health crisis....

Kelsey J. O’Connor is a Senior Researcher in the Economics of Well-Being with STATEC Research (part of the national statistics office of Luxembourg). He serves as Associate Editor (economics) for the Journal of Happiness Studies, and on the Executive Board of the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS). This is a fantastic conversation with Kelsey, we cover a range of topics: Ho...

Dr Matthew Iasiello's live presentation from the 2025 Society for Personality and Social Psychology We agree mental health is more than the absence of mental illness... but what is it? It was an honour to give an invited talk at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Annual Convention in Denver last week. I spoke about our efforts at Be Well Co to develop a taxonomy of positive ment...

Welcome to Episode 44 of Researching Happy.  This is a special episode of the show, as we celebrate the launch of Be Well Co’s Face of Languishing Campaign.  Dr Matthew Iasiello is joined by Amy Smith and returning guest Dr Joep van Agteren, as they discuss the marketing problem that so many people in mental wellbeing promotion will recognise - that wellbeing is still seen as a ‘nice to have’ rath...