The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Science-backed challenges to common assumptions about happiness and wellbeing AI summary

Pushkin Industries Visit website › Society & Culture · EN · 283 episodes · latest 2026-11-09

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What it is about

The Happiness Lab is serving up scientifically-backed takes this summer that are so hot, even your SPF 50 won’t protect you. With the help of behavioral scientists, historians, and cultural critics, Yale psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos challenges some of our biggest assumptions about what it takes to live a good life. Dr. Laurie explores topics like why we should forget about TMI and lean into oversharing, how dumping small talk makes for better conversations, why the kids these days are actually doing just fine, and how men can establish strong bromances. Each episode unpacks a bold, counterintuitive claim — using research, data, and expert insight to question the conventional wisdom around happiness and wellbeing.

Publisher’s own description, taken unchanged from the podcast feed.
2026 2025 Pushkin Industries

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Latest episodes

Are You Taking Fun Seriously Enough?

2026-11-09 · 39 min · Season 11, episode 43

Between work, family, and our never-ending to-do lists, finding time for fun can feel like a luxury. But what if having fun isn't just a nice bonus in life — what if it's essential to our happiness, our health, and even…
AI Is the New Social Media. Can We Protect Kids This Time?

2026-11-02 · 44 min · Season 11, episode 42

We’re still reckoning with the effects of social media on young people’s mental health. Now, with artificial intelligence rapidly becoming part of our everyday lives, we’re at risk of making the same mistakes all over…
The Unexpected Science of Cats and Happiness

2026-10-26 · 46 min · Season 11, episode 41

Cats have a reputation for being aloof, independent, and sometimes downright indifferent to their human companions. But what if we've been getting cats all wrong? In honor of National Cat Day, Dr. Laurie is joined by…
Why Happiness Experts Still Struggle to Be Happy with Dr. Ethan Kross

2026-10-19 · 53 min · Season 11, episode 40

You might assume that people who study happiness for a living have it all figured out. But even happiness experts struggle to follow their own advice. They know the science behind feeling happier, managing difficult…
What Gets Lost When We Text Instead of Talk with Dr. Nick Epley

2026-10-12 · 45 min · Season 11, episode 39

For most of human history, we only had one way to talk to one another: our voices. Today, we have more ways to communicate than ever before. We can text, call, send a video message, reach out over social media, et…
Finding the Magic in Everyday Life with Thoreau and Eric Weiner

2026-10-05 · 34 min · Season 11, episode 38

As we move through our busy lives, it’s easy to stop noticing the tiny, beautiful things all around us. But rediscovering the sense of wonder we had as children might not only bring us more joy — it could also help us…
Want More Joy? Try Taking Yourself Less Seriously with Comedian Chris Duffy

2026-09-28 · 46 min · Season 11, episode 37

When we’re exhausted, overworked, or just going through a difficult time, our instinct is often to put our heads down and simply focus on getting through it. But those serious moments may actually be when we benefit…
Small Steps to Happiness: The Science of Mindful Living with Laurie Santos | From The One You Feed

2026-09-25 · 1 hr 7 min

Today we're sharing author Eric Zimmer’s interview with Dr. Laurie on The One You Feed podcast. In this episode, Dr. Laurie Santos discusses the importance of taking small steps to happiness and the science of mindful…
Why Smaller Goals Can Lead to Bigger Changes with Eric Zimmer

2026-09-21 · 48 min · Season 11, episode 36

Most of us are familiar with this frustrating pattern: you set a goal, start off strong, but then lose motivation and end up right back at square one. Why does it seem so hard to change — even when you have a plan in…
A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Changing Your Brain with Dr. Richard Davidson

2026-09-14 · 36 min · Season 11, episode 35

Your brain is changing all the time, whether you realize it or not. Everything from your hobbies and chores to the media you consume can physically shape it. So how can you make sure it’s changing in ways that actually…

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Publisher details

Oldest episode in feed: 07/2019 · over 7 years
Typical length: 37 min
Format: Episodic Newest first, episodes stand alone

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