Latest Episodes
Happier Holidays: How to Celebrate No Matter What
December 14, 2020
- 37:21
A lot of the festive events and traditions we look forward to each year will be very different in 2020. Gatherings might be smaller than...
Happier Holidays: How to Celebrate No Matter What
December 14, 2020
- 37:21
A lot of the festive events and traditions we look forward to each year will be very different in 2020. Gatherings might be smaller than...
Happier Holidays: How to Give and Receive the Perfect Gift
December 7, 2020
- 29:57
Exchanging holiday gifts is supposed to be joyful... but for many of us it is a source of stress, anxiety and hurt feelings. To...
About The Show
You might think you know what it takes to lead a happier life… more money, a better job, or Instagram-worthy vacations. You’re dead wrong. Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better. Based on the psychology course she teaches at Yale--the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history--Laurie will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness. For an even deeper dive into the research we talk about in the show and to sign up to our newsletter visit: happinesslab.fm
More Episodes
Happier Holidays: How to Celebrate No Matter What
December 14, 2020
- 37:21
A lot of the festive events and traditions we look forward to each year will be very different in 2020. Gatherings might be smaller than...
Happier Holidays: How to Celebrate No Matter What
December 14, 2020
- 37:21
A lot of the festive events and traditions we look forward to each year will be very different in 2020. Gatherings might be smaller than...
Happier Holidays: How to Give and Receive the Perfect Gift
December 7, 2020
- 29:57
Exchanging holiday gifts is supposed to be joyful... but for many of us it is a source of stress, anxiety and hurt feelings. To...
Happier Holidays: How to Give and Receive the Perfect Gift
December 7, 2020
- 29:57
Exchanging holiday gifts is supposed to be joyful... but for many of us it is a source of stress, anxiety and hurt feelings. To...
A Happier Election (with Axios Today)
November 6, 2020
- 17:03
Elections can make us feel anxious, angry and mistrustful - emotions that are all detrimental to our happiness. Dr Laurie Santos talks...
A Happier Election (with Axios Today)
November 6, 2020
- 17:03
Elections can make us feel anxious, angry and mistrustful - emotions that are all detrimental to our happiness. Dr Laurie Santos talks...
The Happiness Lab Presents: Brave New Planet
October 12, 2020
- 04:23
Introducing Brave New Planet, a seven-part series that delves deep into the powerful technologies changing our world. These technologies...
The Happiness Lab Presents: Brave New Planet
October 12, 2020
- 04:23
Introducing Brave New Planet, a seven-part series that delves deep into the powerful technologies changing our world. These technologies...
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: The Buddha
October 5, 2020
- 28:47
The Buddha was born to a royal family... and it shocked him when he found out that no amount of money or power could keep suffering and...
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: The Buddha
October 5, 2020
- 28:47
The Buddha was born to a royal family... and it shocked him when he found out that no amount of money or power could keep suffering and...
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Epictetus
September 28, 2020
- 28:53
Epictetus was born into slavery and beaten until he was lame... but he became one of Ancient Rome's greatest thinkers by accepting every...
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Epictetus
September 28, 2020
- 28:53
Epictetus was born into slavery and beaten until he was lame... but he became one of Ancient Rome's greatest thinkers by accepting every...
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Plato
September 21, 2020
- 27:13
Plato likened us all to charioteers trying to control two wayward horses. The steeds represent the competing wants and desires that...
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Plato
September 21, 2020
- 27:13
Plato likened us all to charioteers trying to control two wayward horses. The steeds represent the competing wants and desires that...
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Aristotle
September 14, 2020
- 28:16
He gave us biology, physics and drama... but Greek philosopher Aristotle also thought deeply about how humans can flourish and live...
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Aristotle
September 14, 2020
- 28:16
He gave us biology, physics and drama... but Greek philosopher Aristotle also thought deeply about how humans can flourish and live...
The Happiness Lab Presents: Revisionist History
August 10, 2020
- 39:23
The Happiness Lab presents an episode of Malcolm Gladwell's Revisionist History, in which Malcolm explores the delicate science of...
The Happiness Lab Presents: Revisionist History
August 10, 2020
- 39:23
The Happiness Lab presents an episode of Malcolm Gladwell's Revisionist History, in which Malcolm explores the delicate science of...
The Happiness Lab Presents: The Chronicles of Now
July 9, 2020
- 19:24
Covid-19 has made us all prisoners of our homes. And at times, our families. If the pandemic goes well into 2021, what will an extended...
The Happiness Lab Presents: The Chronicles of Now
July 9, 2020
- 19:24
Covid-19 has made us all prisoners of our homes. And at times, our families. If the pandemic goes well into 2021, what will an extended...
How to Be a Better Ally
June 29, 2020
- 36:59
You might detest bigotry and injustice, but have you done anything to address these problems? There are many reasons we stay silent and...
How to Be a Better Ally
June 29, 2020
- 36:59
You might detest bigotry and injustice, but have you done anything to address these problems? There are many reasons we stay silent and...
The War For Kindness
June 22, 2020
- 34:52
Feeling you belong to a group can be great - but it also has a darker side, leading us down an unhappy path of hatred and violence...
The War For Kindness
June 22, 2020
- 34:52
Feeling you belong to a group can be great - but it also has a darker side, leading us down an unhappy path of hatred and violence...
Demonic Possessions
June 15, 2020
- 25:08
Cait Flanders went deep into debt so she could buy all the clothes, books and gadgets she thought would make her happier. It was only...
Demonic Possessions
June 15, 2020
- 25:08
Cait Flanders went deep into debt so she could buy all the clothes, books and gadgets she thought would make her happier. It was only...
How to Kick Bad Habits (and Start Good Ones)
June 8, 2020
- 32:05
We all have bad habits - things we eat, drink, do or say that cause us unhappiness. We repeat these behaviours over and over again -...
How to Kick Bad Habits (and Start Good Ones)
June 8, 2020
- 32:05
We all have bad habits - things we eat, drink, do or say that cause us unhappiness. We repeat these behaviours over and over again -...
Dial D for Distracted
June 1, 2020
- 30:04
The world is full of people and things that can make you happy, but you have to notice them to get the full effect. Smartphones are...
Dial D for Distracted
June 1, 2020
- 30:04
The world is full of people and things that can make you happy, but you have to notice them to get the full effect. Smartphones are...
For Whom the Alarm Clock Tolls
May 25, 2020
- 34:07
'Time famine' is when you just don't feel you have a spare moment... and it can make you miserable. It's a feeling Dr Laurie Santos...
For Whom the Alarm Clock Tolls
May 25, 2020
- 34:07
'Time famine' is when you just don't feel you have a spare moment... and it can make you miserable. It's a feeling Dr Laurie Santos...
Working Your Way to Happiness
May 18, 2020
- 33:44
Marty kills rats... but if you asked him what his job is he'd say it was "solving problems" and "helping people". How we view our work...
Working Your Way to Happiness
May 18, 2020
- 33:44
Marty kills rats... but if you asked him what his job is he'd say it was "solving problems" and "helping people". How we view our work...
The Power of a Made-up Ritual
May 11, 2020
- 29:23
Vlad's mom taught him a family tradition - remember grandpa when you taste the first fruits of the season. It was odd, but the boy went...
The Power of a Made-up Ritual
May 11, 2020
- 29:23
Vlad's mom taught him a family tradition - remember grandpa when you taste the first fruits of the season. It was odd, but the boy went...
PJ and Alex Love to Gripe
May 4, 2020
- 29:30
Reply All hosts PJ and Alex love to trade gripes. Their complaints about the minor annoyances of modern life make for great audio, but...
PJ and Alex Love to Gripe
May 4, 2020
- 29:30
Reply All hosts PJ and Alex love to trade gripes. Their complaints about the minor annoyances of modern life make for great audio, but...
Psychopaths and Superheroes
April 27, 2020
- 29:27
We talk a lot about psychopaths - but rarely discuss their polar opposites, super altruists. These are people who go to extreme lengths...
Psychopaths and Superheroes
April 27, 2020
- 29:27
We talk a lot about psychopaths - but rarely discuss their polar opposites, super altruists. These are people who go to extreme lengths...
New Season: The Happiness Lab Returns April 27
April 23, 2020
- 01:07
Do you want to be happier? Complain less? Enjoy your work more? Find time for the things that matter to you?Yale's Dr. Laurie Santos has...
New Season: The Happiness Lab Returns April 27
April 23, 2020
- 01:07
Do you want to be happier? Complain less? Enjoy your work more? Find time for the things that matter to you?Yale's Dr. Laurie Santos has...
BONUS: Good Screens and Bad Screens
April 20, 2020
- 23:09
The pandemic has us all glued to our smartphones, tablets, laptops and TVs - they give us important information, vital social contact...
BONUS: Good Screens and Bad Screens
April 20, 2020
- 23:09
The pandemic has us all glued to our smartphones, tablets, laptops and TVs - they give us important information, vital social contact...
BONUS: Helping the Helpers
April 16, 2020
- 38:46
The heaviest burden of Covid-19 has fallen on the shoulders of medical staff, first responders and others who care for the sick and...
BONUS: Helping the Helpers
April 16, 2020
- 38:46
The heaviest burden of Covid-19 has fallen on the shoulders of medical staff, first responders and others who care for the sick and...
BONUS: Laurie's Personal Tips
April 9, 2020
- 35:43
Many people seek Laurie's advice on how to be happier despite this awful pandemic. Prof Katy Milkman invited Laurie to appear on the...
BONUS: Laurie's Personal Tips
April 9, 2020
- 35:43
Many people seek Laurie's advice on how to be happier despite this awful pandemic. Prof Katy Milkman invited Laurie to appear on the...
The Happiness Lab Presents: Checking In with Susan David
April 6, 2020
- 12:54
The Happiness Lab Presents: Checking In with Susan David, a podcast where Susan David—a psychologist at Harvard Medical School— offers...
The Happiness Lab Presents: Checking In with Susan David
April 6, 2020
- 12:54
The Happiness Lab Presents: Checking In with Susan David, a podcast where Susan David—a psychologist at Harvard Medical School— offers...
BONUS: Keep Your Relationship Healthy
April 2, 2020
- 25:47
The health of our romantic relationships is in peril thanks to the many stresses and strains of the pandemic lockdown. Couples might be...
BONUS: Keep Your Relationship Healthy
April 2, 2020
- 25:47
The health of our romantic relationships is in peril thanks to the many stresses and strains of the pandemic lockdown. Couples might be...
BONUS: Help Others to Help Yourself
March 30, 2020
- 28:46
College student Liam Elkind studied happiness in the class taught by Dr Laurie Santos. When the Covid 19 crisis hit, he knew exactly...
BONUS: Help Others to Help Yourself
March 30, 2020
- 28:46
College student Liam Elkind studied happiness in the class taught by Dr Laurie Santos. When the Covid 19 crisis hit, he knew exactly...
BONUS: Calm Can Be Contagious
March 26, 2020
- 38:52
In normal times our minds can be filled with unhelpful thoughts, but during this crisis you might be finding it even harder to calm your...
BONUS: Calm Can Be Contagious
March 26, 2020
- 38:52
In normal times our minds can be filled with unhelpful thoughts, but during this crisis you might be finding it even harder to calm your...
BONUS: Rising to a Challenge
March 23, 2020
- 26:07
We always face problems and setbacks - but the coronavirus has dramatically upended many of our lives in a few short weeks. Allowing...
BONUS: Rising to a Challenge
March 23, 2020
- 26:07
We always face problems and setbacks - but the coronavirus has dramatically upended many of our lives in a few short weeks. Allowing...
BONUS: Coach Yourself Through a Crisis
March 19, 2020
- 25:46
We all need to keep a clear head at times of crisis - but that's not always easy. So when strong emotions of fear and anxiety start to...
BONUS: Coach Yourself Through a Crisis
March 19, 2020
- 25:46
We all need to keep a clear head at times of crisis - but that's not always easy. So when strong emotions of fear and anxiety start to...
BONUS: Beat Your Isolation Loneliness
March 16, 2020
- 22:12
Many of us are being advised to stay at home and avoid social contact to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Human interaction is a...
BONUS: Beat Your Isolation Loneliness
March 16, 2020
- 22:12
Many of us are being advised to stay at home and avoid social contact to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Human interaction is a...
BONUS: Sleep When You're Dead Tired (LIVE with Arianna Huffington)
January 27, 2020
- 27:37
Business leader Arianna Huffington nearly died because she didn't get enough sleep. She tells Dr Laurie Santos how this wake-up call...
BONUS: Sleep When You're Dead Tired (LIVE with Arianna Huffington)
January 27, 2020
- 27:37
Business leader Arianna Huffington nearly died because she didn't get enough sleep. She tells Dr Laurie Santos how this wake-up call...
BONUS: Think Yourself Happy (LIVE from Yale)
January 20, 2020
- 29:43
Really concentrating on the emotions and physical sensations you are experiencing right now can make you happier. Join Yale mindfulness...
BONUS: Think Yourself Happy (LIVE from Yale)
January 20, 2020
- 29:43
Really concentrating on the emotions and physical sensations you are experiencing right now can make you happier. Join Yale mindfulness...
BONUS: Grateful Expectations
January 13, 2020
- 26:50
Grit and determination to change your habits can only get you so far... if you want to be happier you have to stop and think about how...
BONUS: Grateful Expectations
January 13, 2020
- 26:50
Grit and determination to change your habits can only get you so far... if you want to be happier you have to stop and think about how...
BONUS: A New Hope
January 6, 2020
- 22:44
Research shows we all look for moments to make a fresh start - new years, new seasons, new decades. Our optimism about making big,...
BONUS: A New Hope
January 6, 2020
- 22:44
Research shows we all look for moments to make a fresh start - new years, new seasons, new decades. Our optimism about making big,...
The Happiness Lab Presents: How To! with Charles Duhigg
December 20, 2019
- 29:32
In this special episode of Happiness Lab, we feature an episode of the podcast How To! with Charles Duhigg. Mike’s dream job of playing...
The Happiness Lab Presents: How To! with Charles Duhigg
December 20, 2019
- 29:32
In this special episode of Happiness Lab, we feature an episode of the podcast How To! with Charles Duhigg. Mike’s dream job of playing...
BONUS: A Happier Christmas
December 16, 2019
- 08:34
Accept our gift of happiness this holiday season! It can be a hectic and stressful time of year... but it's also full of opportunities...
BONUS: A Happier Christmas
December 16, 2019
- 08:34
Accept our gift of happiness this holiday season! It can be a hectic and stressful time of year... but it's also full of opportunities...
Making the Grade
November 19, 2019
- 33:15
From school grades to fitness trackers, we're all being ranked and rated on a daily basis. This is having a huge impact on our happiness...
Making the Grade
November 19, 2019
- 33:15
From school grades to fitness trackers, we're all being ranked and rated on a daily basis. This is having a huge impact on our happiness...
Make 'Em Laugh
November 15, 2019
- 34:35
The world's greatest expert on canned TV laugh tracks helps Dr Laurie Santos demonstrate how the emotions of those around us can make us...
Make 'Em Laugh
November 15, 2019
- 34:35
The world's greatest expert on canned TV laugh tracks helps Dr Laurie Santos demonstrate how the emotions of those around us can make us...
Choice Overload
November 5, 2019
- 34:58
We all make thousands of choices each day - and think it means we're in charge of our lives. But making even trivial decisions - about...
Choice Overload
November 5, 2019
- 34:58
We all make thousands of choices each day - and think it means we're in charge of our lives. But making even trivial decisions - about...
Don't Accentuate the Positive
October 29, 2019
- 41:16
We often think positive thinking is the best way to achieve our ambitions - but the science shows it holds us all back. Dr Laurie Santos...
Don't Accentuate the Positive
October 29, 2019
- 41:16
We often think positive thinking is the best way to achieve our ambitions - but the science shows it holds us all back. Dr Laurie Santos...
Don't Think of the White Bear
October 22, 2019
- 38:39
Once a thought is in our heads, we can't suppress it and trying to only causes us misery. Dr Laurie Santos explains why our brains work...
Don't Think of the White Bear
October 22, 2019
- 38:39
Once a thought is in our heads, we can't suppress it and trying to only causes us misery. Dr Laurie Santos explains why our brains work...
Caring What You're Sharing
October 15, 2019
- 37:52
Sharing a good experience with another human deepens our enjoyment of the moment... but only if we abide by certain rules. Dr Laurie...
Caring What You're Sharing
October 15, 2019
- 37:52
Sharing a good experience with another human deepens our enjoyment of the moment... but only if we abide by certain rules. Dr Laurie...
Mistakenly Seeking Solitude
October 8, 2019
- 34:15
Technology allows us to bank, shop and dine without talking to another human, but what toll is this taking on our happiness? The...
Mistakenly Seeking Solitude
October 8, 2019
- 34:15
Technology allows us to bank, shop and dine without talking to another human, but what toll is this taking on our happiness? The...
A Silver Lining
October 1, 2019
- 40:44
Ice skater Michelle Kwan was all set to win Olympic Gold... but in a major sporting upset she came second. Sharing her story with Dr...
A Silver Lining
October 1, 2019
- 40:44
Ice skater Michelle Kwan was all set to win Olympic Gold... but in a major sporting upset she came second. Sharing her story with Dr...
The Unhappy Millionaire
September 24, 2019
- 37:30
How can winning the lottery ruin your life - while contracting an incurable disease feel like 'a gift'? Dr Laurie Santos hears about...
The Unhappy Millionaire
September 24, 2019
- 37:30
How can winning the lottery ruin your life - while contracting an incurable disease feel like 'a gift'? Dr Laurie Santos hears about...
You Can Change
September 13, 2019
- 38:19
You can make yourself happier today. Your life circumstances and personality aren't nearly as important as you think in deciding how...
You Can Change
September 13, 2019
- 38:19
You can make yourself happier today. Your life circumstances and personality aren't nearly as important as you think in deciding how...
Coming Soon: The Happiness Lab Season One
August 27, 2019
- 03:46
Do you want to be happier? Yale's Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite...
Coming Soon: The Happiness Lab Season One
August 27, 2019
- 03:46
Do you want to be happier? Yale's Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite...
Introducing: The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
July 24, 2019
- 01:12
Coming September 17 from Pushkin Industries
Introducing: The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
July 24, 2019
- 01:12
Coming September 17 from Pushkin Industries