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PODCAST

The Science of Happiness

PRX and Greater Good Science Center

Learn research-tested strategies for a happier, more meaningful life, drawing on the science of compassion, gratitude, mindfulness, and awe. Hosted by award-winning psychologist Dacher Keltner. Co-produced by PRX and UC Berkeley"s Greater Good Science Center. Follow us on Instagram @HappinessPod.

science social sciences

All Episodes

24:22

How Cities Can Make Space for Awe

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/04/09

A simple experiment turning a parking space into a parklet reveals how small changes to public spaces can spark connection, belonging, and awe. Summary: What if even the smallest changes to our cities could transform how we feel and connect? In this episode of The Science of Happiness, we visit the site of San Francisco’s first parklet, and explore how reclaiming everyday spaces can invite people to pause, gather, and experience a sense of belonging.Scroll down for a transcription of this

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03:57

Happiness Break: Make Uncertainty Part of the Process

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/04/02

Through poetic reflection, Yrsa Daley-Ward helps us embrace the in-between moments, reminding us that the unknown can be the very terrain where real change begins.Settle into Stillness: Find a quiet space, get comfortable, and take a few slow breaths to arrive in the moment. Acknowledge the Unknown: Gently notice and name any uncertainty, confusion, or emotional fog you’re feeling without needing to fix it. Welcome the Silence: Allow the silence and stillness to be here, trusting it

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14:39

Happiness Break: How Poetry Helps Us Feel and Heal

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/03/31

What happens in your brain when you read or write a poem? We listen to powerful poetry from you, our listeners, and uncover the neuroscience of why it helps us feel, process, and recover.Scroll down for a transcription of this episode. Today’s Happiness Break Guest:DR. SUSAN MAGSAMEN is a Neurology professor at John Hopkins, and author of the New York Times bestseller, Your Brain On Art: How the Arts Transform Us. Find Susan’s book here: https://www.yourbrainonart.com/Related Happiness

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25:48

Why Work Feels Better Together

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/03/26

From a worker-owned restaurant in Oakland to a nonprofit built on shared leadership, we explore how collective work models can help people feel heard, valued, and more invested in their work.Summary: In this episode of The Science of Happiness, we examine how people can build cultures of care, accountability, and belonging together. Through stories from a worker-owned restaurant and insights from a leader in collective nonprofits, we share what research reveals about why collective

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05:23

Happiness Break: A Meditation For When You Have Too...

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/03/19

Does your to-do list feel endless? Try this short, guided practice to help you reflect, reconnect, and release the pressure to do it all perfectly.How To Do This Practice:Find a Comfortable Posture: Sit or stand tall with a sense of dignity, grounded, yet relaxed. Take Three Cleansing Breaths: Inhale twice through the nose, then exhale slowly through the mouth. Repeat this three times to settle into the moment. Scan Your Body from Head to Toe: Gently bring your attention to each part of

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21:54

What Happens in the Brain When We Improvise

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/03/12

Explore the neuroscience behind musical improvisation—and what it reveals about our natural capacity for creativity.Summary: Creativity may be more natural than we think. Research on musicians and children improvising at the piano suggests that improvisation can quiet the brain’s inner critic while engaging networks linked to exploration, play, and reward. In this episode of The Science of Happiness, we look at the neuroscience of improvisation—and what a “beginner’s mind” can teach us

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08:32

Happiness Break: A Meditation For Connecting In...

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/03/05

Having a curious approach to life can improve our mood, creativity and relationships. Scott Shigeoka leads a visualization exercise to help you approach someone you might disagree with with an open and curious mind.How To Do This Practice:Ground Yourself: Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take three slow, deep breaths, noticing the sensation of each inhale and exhale. Let your body begin to settle. Picture the Conversation: Bring to mind an upcoming interaction that may feel

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16:25

How to Make Work More Satisfying

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/02/26

Finding ways to bend tasks toward your strengths and passions can make you happier, more productive and find more meaning in your life—no matter your job.Summary: On this episode of The Science of Happiness, we explore a research-backed practice in Job Crafting, where you take stock of the tasks that fill your day, how much time and energy they require, what really lights you up, and what changes you can make to better align your efforts at work with your genuine strengths and passions. We

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05:36

Happiness Break: How to Feel More Connected to Others

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/02/19

Research shows that reflecting on our shared humanity can increase self-compassion and life satisfaction while reducing feelings of isolation. In this practice, Dacher Keltner guides us to look beneath our differences and connect with the qualities that make us human together.This guided exercise draws on a meditation by Sean Fargo, a mindfulness teacher and former Buddhist monk.How To Do This Practice:Settle your body: Sit comfortably and take a few slow, steady breaths. Let your

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25:04

The Science of Love (Episode 3)

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/02/13

Guest host Geena Davis guides us through the research on love that stretches beyond romance and friendship, showing up in our bonds with objects, nature, grief, and the collective moments that connect us to something larger than ourselves.Summary: In this final episode of our 3-part series on The Science of Love, researchers reveal how love expands our sense of self and strengthens our bond to humanity. We also explore why objects can feel meaningful, how love of nature can motivate care

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27:53

The Science of Love (Episode 2)

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/02/12

Guest host Geena Davis helps us explore how the love we feel —for our partners, friends, family, even our four legged companions—shapes our brains, bodies, and lives.Summary: On this episode of The Science of Love with Geena Davis, we delve into the many forms of love, and experts share research on how small daily actions, physical touch, and emotional attentiveness strengthen relationships, while evolutionary and neuroscience studies reveal why these bonds matter. We also explore practical

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25:16

The Science of Love, with Geena Davis (Episode 1)

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/02/05

In a culture that often reduces love to romance, we explore the science of love across the lifespan—revealing how our bonds with parents, friends, partners, and communities shape our health, happiness, and survival.Summary: Love is commonly understood as a feeling, yet scientific research increasingly points to its role as a core biological drive. In this episode of The Science of Love, we explore how love is expressed through caregiving, friendship, romantic attachment, and shared

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22:17

How to Keep Your Humanity

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/01/29

Discover what happens to our well-being when we respond to suffering with compassion, collective action, and why choosing to care can help us hold on to our shared humanity.Summary: In the face of widespread suffering, many of us struggle with how to respond without becoming overwhelmed or numb. Drawing on research and real-world experience, this episode of The Science of Happiness examines the psychological impact of bearing witness, acting in alignment with our values, and showing up for

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06:58

Happiness Break: Finding Calm in Uncertainty

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/01/22

Psychologist and stress expert Elissa Epel leads us in a gentle, science-backed practice to calm our nervous systems and meet uncertainty with greater ease and acceptance.We want to hear from you! Take our quick 5-minute survey to tell us what you love, what you want more of, and how we can make the show even more inspiring and useful. Everyone who completes the survey can enter a drawing to win a copy of The Science of Happiness Workbook: 10 Practices for a Meaningful Life. Click the

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22:09

How Qigong Can Calm Your Mind and Body

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/01/15

Studies show qigong can strengthen your body and mind, and reduce cortisol levels. We explore this Chinese meditative movement practice that dates back over 4,000 years.Summary: After a period of intense stress, loss, and physical disconnection, one guest turns to qigong—a gentle, meditative movement practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine—to reconnect with their body and calm their nervous system. This episode of The Science of Happiness explores the growing scientific evidence

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08:04

Happiness Break: An Affirmation Practice for the New...

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/01/08

This New Year, affirm the wonderful qualities you already possess with this meditative writing practice with Chris Murchison called "I Am."How To Do This Practice:Settle your body and breath: Find a comfortable seat. Close your eyes or soften your gaze. Take a few slow, deep breaths. Feeling your belly and lungs expand. Bringing your attention into the present moment. Notice what’s here: Briefly tune in to what’s moving through you right now: thoughts, emotions, sensations in your body,

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19:18

How Stories Shape Belonging

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/01/01

Learn how the stories we tell and hear shape our relationships, values, and sense of belonging.Summary: Storytelling is more than entertainment. It shapes how we think, feel, and relate to others. In this episode of The Science of Happiness, we dive into how immersive narratives calm stress, inspire reflection, and foster compassion across differences. We also explore how stories of resilience, joy, and tradition leave lasting impressions that influence our relationships and sense of

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09:01

Happiness Break: Una meditación para enraizar, con...

The Science of Happiness ·

2025/12/26

También tenemos esta meditación en Español.Transcription: https://tinyurl.com/4rjmambm

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08:17

Happiness Break: A Meditation to Inspire a Sense of...

The Science of Happiness ·

2025/12/25

Take a few minutes to reflect on someone who inspires you, and how you can embody the values you admire in them.You can also listen to this episode in Spanish here: https://tinyurl.com/4rjmambmHow To Do This Practice:Find a quiet moment and settle your body: Sit or stand somewhere you feel safe and comfortable. Take a few slow breaths and let your body soften, releasing the noise of the day. Bring to mind someone who embodies “moral beauty”: Think of a person whose kindness, courage,

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21:13

The Power of a Collective Pause

The Science of Happiness ·

2025/12/18

Explore how students are using simple mindful breathing practices to navigate stress, stay grounded, and support their classmates.Summary: Classrooms often are confronted with difficult topics that can leave students overwhelmed and anxious. In this episode of The Science of Happiness, we highlight how college student Evelyn Mata brought calm to herself and peers during an Immigration Studies class through simple collective breathing practices. How to Do Box Breathing:Sit comfortably:

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