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.
PodSkip has analyzed 1 episode of The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos, averaging 5.0 ads per episode (8% of runtime).
Why Happiness Experts Still Struggle to Be Happy with Dr. Ethan Kross
Oct 19, 2026
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…
What Gets Lost When We Text Instead of Talk with Dr. Nick Epley
Oct 12, 2026
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…
Finding the Magic in Everyday Life with Thoreau and Eric Weiner
Oct 04, 2026
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…
Want More Joy? Try Taking Yourself Less Seriously with Comedian Chris Duffy
Sep 27, 2026
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…
Small Steps to Happiness: The Science of Mindful Living with Laurie Santos | From The One You Feed
Sep 24, 2026
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…
Why Smaller Goals Can Lead to Bigger Changes with Eric Zimmer
Sep 20, 2026
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…
A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Changing Your Brain with Dr. Richard Davidson
Sep 13, 2026
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…
Stop Doing Things the Hard Way with Dr. Angela Duckworth
Sep 06, 2026
When we’re struggling to reach a goal, most of us assume the answer is to buckle down and try harder. But what if all that white-knuckling is actually making things more difficult than they need to…
The Life-Changing Power of a Sabbatical
Aug 16, 2026
It’s hard to focus on wellbeing when we’re expected to work nonstop until retirement. Taking a break from time to time should be a given, not a privilege. Dr. Laurie works in one of the few…
You're Actually Not Bothering People Enough
Aug 09, 2026
Most of us hate asking for favors. We worry about being a burden, coming across as needy, or facing rejection for asking too much. But what if our fear of bothering people is stopping us, and the…
Why Being Alone Might Be Better Than You Think
Aug 02, 2026
In recent years, we've heard a lot of unsettling news about the loneliness epidemic and the dangers of social isolation. But could all this talk about loneliness paradoxically be making the…
Winning the Lottery Could Ruin Your Life
Jul 26, 2026
What would it take to make you happier? A raise? A promotion? Getting into your dream school? Winning the lottery? It turns out that we’re surprisingly bad at predicting how these events will…
Men Don’t Just Need Friends. They Need Bromance.
Jul 19, 2026
Men today are spending less time with friends, and many have no close friendships at all. Research shows that this lack of social connection can lead to serious long-term consequences for men's…
Forget Small Talk: Go Deep Instead
Jul 12, 2026
Most of us default to small talk. It's polite, familiar, and feels like the safest way to start a conversation. But it may also be one of the biggest barriers to genuine connection. Dr. Laurie speaks…
What We Still Get Wrong About Happiness (Live at Dartmouth)
Jul 05, 2026
In this special live episode, Dr. Laurie takes the stage at Dartmouth College for a conversation with happiness historian Darrin McMahon. Together, they break down some of the biggest misconceptions…
Why the “Pursuit of Happiness” Is a Bad Idea
Jun 28, 2026
The “pursuit of happiness” is one of America’s founding ideals. But what if chasing happiness is actually making us feel worse? In honor of the 250th anniversary of American independence, Dr. Laurie…
Why “No Regrets” Is Bad Advice
Jun 21, 2026
We’ve all had moments we wish we could do over: the relationship we stayed in too long, the opportunity we didn’t take, the thing we said that we can’t unsay. Regret can feel awful. So it’s no…
Are Kids Today Really Worse Off?
Jun 14, 2026
We hear a lot about rising rates of anxiety, depression, and fragility among kids today. But when Harvard researcher Alexis Redding uncovered a forgotten trove of interviews with college students…
The Surprising Case for Oversharing
Jun 07, 2026
We’re kicking off a new season of The Happiness Lab with some happiness hot takes — bold claims that challenge conventional wisdom about what it really takes to feel happier. Today's hot take is all…
How to Feel Happier in Your Body with Jessamyn Stanley
May 31, 2026
As summer begins, many of us are bombarded with messages about how our bodies aren't good enough. But what if we embraced movement not out of self-criticism or shame, but self-compassion? To close…
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What Your Negative Emotions Are Trying to Tell You
May 24, 2026
Negative emotions like sadness, anger, guilt, and anxiety can feel overwhelming. But what if those uncomfortable feelings aren’t problems to fix, but signals worth listening to? As part of our series…
The Hidden Beliefs That Shape Your Happiness with Shawn Achor
May 17, 2026
Our beliefs shape more than we realize. They influence what we notice, how we respond to setbacks, how connected we feel to others, and whether we take action to improve our lives. As part of our…
The Art of Doing Nothing
May 10, 2026
Struggling to find free time? Feeling constantly busy or burned out? This episode is for you. Dr. Laurie explores the science behind “time famine,” the nagging sense that there’s never enough time in…
What Screen Time Is Really Doing to Your Body with Manoush Zomorodi
May 03, 2026
We hear a lot about how screens affect our mental health, but time spent on computers and smartphones is having just as much of an impact on our physical health — from brain fog and weakened core…
Why More Stuff Doesn’t Make You Happier
Apr 26, 2026
Buying something new can trigger a rush of dopamine, leading to a momentary boost in happiness. But the rush is fleeting, and over time, our possessions can end up weighing us down more than they…
Your Environment Affects Your Happiness More Than You Think with Dr. Leidy Klotz
Apr 19, 2026
Our surroundings affect our happiness in ways we often don’t notice. The layout of a room, the amount of clutter in our home, and even small changes to lighting can shape our mood, focus, and…
How to Break Up with Your Bad Habits
Apr 12, 2026
Breaking bad habits often feels like a test of willpower. We tell ourselves we’ll stop scrolling, eat better, or exercise more — and then fall right back into the same routines. So why is lasting…
Why It Hurts to Hold a Grudge — and How to Let Go with Dr. Fred Luskin
Apr 05, 2026
Forgiveness might sound simple, but it's hard to let go of the anger that comes with being deeply hurt. Grudges, bitterness, and frustration with life’s unfairness can quietly build up over time and…
Why You're Still Using Social Media (Even If You Want to Stop) with Dr. Cass Sunstein
Mar 22, 2026
Why is social media so hard to quit? We waste hours scrolling, feel worse when we log off, and still find ourselves going back for more. Dr. Laurie sits down with Dr. Cass Sunstein, co-author of…
What is Social Media Doing to Kids? with Dr. Jean Twenge
Mar 19, 2026
Over the past decade, rates of depression and loneliness have surged among young people. Many researchers point to one major change: the rise of smartphones and social media. But what does the data…
