The Science of Happiness

Her husband has been in prison for 23 years. Our Happiness Guinea Pig tries a new approach to stay strong while working to get him released. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2ayervbh

The loss of a job, the pain of a breakup -- it's easy to get down on ourselves when things aren't going well. Find out how our Happiness Guinea Pig tuned down the self-critic in her head. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4vz97my7

A high-five from a stranger, a hummingbird on a busy city street. Poet Ross Gay shares his own happiness practice: savoring the everyday delights in life. ~ Try one of UC Berkeley's Greater Good in Action happiness practices . Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3jzdxybs

Are you still mad at someone who hurt you in the past? That can eat away at your health and well-being. Our Happiness Guinea Pig tries a new approach to giving up a grudge. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc47kjvc

What kinds of objects, images, and words surround your home or office? Our Happiness Guinea Pig surveys her apartment for items that spark connection and kindness. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yewvyzrk

Do you have trouble slowing down enough to actually enjoy your life? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, comedian and radio host Luke Burbank, finds a way to break free from his over-scheduled lifestyle. Try this week’s happiness practice: Raisin Meditation Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/m2nceh36

How can we feel connected to the world around us? Singer Diana Gameros tries to cultivate a sense of awe in the most unlikely of places. Try this episode’s happiness practice: Awe Walk Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yt2t2wr6

Do you fixate on your flaws and shortcomings? Our happiness guinea pig tries the opposite: focusing on her personal strengths. ~ Try this episode’s happiness practice: Use Your Strengths Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mj38w54k

Can you extend compassion toward a difficult person in your life? Congressman Tim Ryan tries a practice to help him reach across the aisle. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yp2tec4c

A junior high school teacher spent his life defying stereotypes about how men should express their emotions. Here he takes on a new challenge: getting his students to express gratitude. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/46w7cd2v

Comedian  Maz Jobrani  tries to pay more attention to the good things in his life by writing them down -- and encourages his kids to do the same. Try this episodes happiness practice: Three Good Things Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/9kzjcvf3

He started Afghanistan's first post-Taliban rock band when he was 18 years old. A decade later, our Happiness Guinea Pig takes on another challenge: writing about his emotions. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2uzh3r67

How do you build feelings of trust and security? Our Happiness Guinea Pig learns some truths about what it takes to feel supported. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mr4defr6

When you’re helping others cope with stress and anxiety, how do you deal with your own? Psychiatrist Elizabeth Guinto tries a practice to be kinder to herself. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yer2c25p

Comedian W. Kamau Bell discusses the challenges of finding common ground, even with people in your own family. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/ys466txk

International megastar Daniel Wu tries a practice that brings him calm amidst the chaos. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/bdfcws4a

Did you know that you have the power to spark happiness in someone else's brain with just a few simple words? College student Eva Dickerson shares how she spread happiness across her campus, equipped with just her iPhone and some compliments. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc5vp9es

Our Happiness Guinea Pig, children's author Joanne Rocklin, shares her happiness practice: bringing people together to share a meal. It took on a deeper meaning for her after a recent tragedy. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3m5b4sw8

Why does a bath or swim feel so relaxing? Our guest shares her own happiness practice--spending time in water--which science is finding can make us happier and healthier. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5n8uyznd

"I'm sorry you feel that way." Some apologies can actually make things worse. Our Happiness Guinea Pigs, Jolenta Greenburg and Kristin Meinzer of the By the Book podcast, try a more effective way of saying sorry. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/br9c86s7

How do you respond when you feel threatened or defensive? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, writer Wajahat Ali, discovers a way to keep himself centered amidst the challenges and chaos of life. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc5msv7x

What would make you happier at work? Featuring some of our happiness guinea pigs, we share the latest insights and research on well-being and happiness in the workplace. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3uhb58b8

Do you take your partner for granted? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, cartoonist Gene Luen Yang, imagines a life in which he never met his wife. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3rp4nycn

Are you stuck ruminating about the past? Legendary skater Tommy Guerrero tries looking at negative events from a different perspective. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/bddb9eaj

Do you find yourself looking at your phone when you're supposed to be paying attention to a friend? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, The Takeaway's Tanzina Vega trades in her technology for some old school listening. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4a98pmzc