The Science of Happiness

09:28

Happiness Break: A Practice In Appreciating Your Friends

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/10/01

Take a moment to appreciate the friends who know you, support you, and make your life richer with their presence, with author Alex Elle.How To Do This Practice:Take a few deep breaths: Inhale through your nose and exhale slowly, relaxing your shoulders and jaw. Bring a friend to mind: Think of someone who has become an important part of your life. Remember how they’ve known you: Reflect on the stories, experiences, and versions of yourself that this person has witnessed. Notice the

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26:24

How Smell Shapes Memory

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/09/24

Discover how our sense of smell can transport us back to meaningful memories, shape our emotions, and influence the brain systems involved in memory and mood.Summary: Smell is one of our most powerful and underappreciated senses, with a unique ability to evoke memories and emotions. On this episode of The Science of Happiness, we look at the science behind smell’s close relationship with memory, emotion, and our environment and we explore how paying attention to the scents around us can

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08:07

Happiness Break: A Meditation on the Uniqueness of...

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/09/17

In celebration of Latinx Heritage Month, embrace the beauty of your accent in this self-compassion meditation. Mindfulness and meditation teacher Criss Cuervo invites you to reflect on your history, heritage, and connection to your ancestors.How To Do This Practice:Find a Comfortable Position: Sit in a relaxed yet alert posture, either on a cushion or chair. Gently lower your gaze or close your eyes if that feels comfortable. Focus on Your Breath: Take a deep breath in and slowly exhale

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25:48

How to Protect Your Brain as You Age

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/09/10

What if getting older doesn’t have to mean losing your memory? Learn how neuroplasticity, healthy habits, and simple memory exercises can help keep your brain strong at any age.Summary: We often assume that getting older means our memory and brain function will inevitably decline—but emerging science tells a more hopeful story. On this episode of The Science of Happiness, we’ll explore how neuroplasticity, along with practices like memory exercises, stress reduction, sleep, exercise, and

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04:55

Happiness Break: Tap into the Joy That Surrounds You

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/09/03

Buddhist meditation teacher, Anushka Fernandopulle, guides us through a practice of Mudita, or appreciative joy, to help us share in the happiness of others.How To Do This Practice:Get comfortable and ground yourself: Sit comfortably, close your eyes if you’d like, and take a few deep breaths. Relax your body: As you exhale, release tension in your face, jaw, shoulders, and anywhere else you feel it. Think of someone whose happiness is easy to celebrate: Bring to mind a friend, child,

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37:36

Sidedoor: Writing on the Wall

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/09/02

Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.From the time we are old enough to hold a crayon, it feels instinctive to draw on the wall. But for MISS CHELOVE—also known as Cita Sadeli—this instinct became a calling. Through bold color and layered symbolism, she transforms everyday public spaces into deeply personal statements, inspiring some passers-by to wonder: what is the role of the public artist? And how can public art both reflect and shape a community's identity?Transcription:

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24:11

Talk To A Stranger—It’s Good For You

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/08/27

We often underestimate how much small talk can impact our wellbeing. Research shows that even brief conversations with strangers can boost our happiness and sense of connection, but fear and anxiety often keep us from reaching out.Summary: We often avoid talking to strangers because we assume they’d rather be left alone, or worry the interaction will be awkward. But research shows that our expectations about these interactions are often wrong. Even brief conversations can make us happier

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08:51

Happiness Break: A Practice In Moving Through Stress

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/08/20

Join yoga and meditation teacher Jonathan Relucio for a trauma-informed practice combining mindful movement and breathing to reduce tension and build resilience to stress.How To Do This Practice: Get comfortable: Sit or lie down and notice the support beneath your body, keeping your eyes open or closed—whichever feels comfortable. Connect with your body: Bring your attention inward and notice how your body, mind, and heart feel in the present moment. Release tension: Inhale as you

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15:08

Where To Look For Joy

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/08/13

How can we feel more moments of joy? Explore how joy is rooted in connection, gratitude, and paying attention to the people and moments that bring meaning to our lives.Summary: Did you know that joy isn’t just something we feel, but something we practice? On this episode of The Science of Happiness, poet Ross Gay shares how connection and attention can help us cultivate more joy, while psychologist Philip Watkins explains how gratitude can amplify that feeling. Learn how hanging out,

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10:54

Happiness Break: A Body Scan for Calm and Ease

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/08/06

Meditation teacher Spring Washam guides us in a practice of embodied awareness, helping us use the body as an anchor during stressful or overwhelming moments.How To Do This Practice:Find a comfortable position: Sit upright in a relaxed position where you can comfortably notice the flow of your breath. Begin at the top of your body: Close your eyes and bring your attention to your head, neck, face, and jaw. Notice any tightness and allow those areas to soften. Move your awareness

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43:36

Ear Hustle Podcast: Corny-Ass Episode

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/08/05

Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.Nigel says no matter where you are, everyone has a story to tell about a hug: good, bad, or awkward. Earlonne isn’t buying it. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.You can download the episode here and find the transcript here.

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20:03

Why You Can’t Do It Alone

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/07/30

Can anyone truly succeed alone? We explore how role models, mentors, and strong social support make upward mobility far more possible than grit alone.Summary: What role do the people around us play in shaping our success? Brothers Danny and Gilbert Murillo share how education, mentorship, and their evolving relationship helped them overcome incarceration and systemic barriers to build lives of purpose. Then, Social Mobility Lab founder Bob McKinnon explains why success is never a solo

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10:26

Happiness Break: Holding Truth With Compassion

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/07/23

Take a moment to connect with your body and make space for difficult emotions with compassion and care. This embodiment practice is guided by Lyla June Johnston, a Diné musician, scholar of Indigenous land management, and community organizer.How To Do This Practice: Ground yourself in the present: Find a comfortable seated position and take four slow, deep breaths. Notice the feeling of your body supported by the chair or the floor, bringing your attention fully into the present

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23:18

Why Revenge Feels So Good—and Why It Hurts Us

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/07/16

Neuroscience reveals revenge can become a powerful habit—and that forgiveness may be one of the most effective ways to break the cycle.Summary: After years of bullying led him to almost committing an act of violence, James Kimmel Jr., an assistant clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine, set out to understand why revenge can be so compelling—and how forgiveness can interrupt that cycle, easing emotional pain and strengthening self-control. On this episode of The Science of

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07:25

Happiness Break: A Meditation to Move Through Anger

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/07/09

Try a practice in accepting difficult feelings like anger or irritation to help keep your cool, feel better overall, and find calm with contemplative social scientist Eve Ekman. How To Do This Practice: Settle with your breath: Take a few slow, deep breaths, lengthening your spine as you inhale and relaxing your face and body as you exhale. Notice your body: Scan your body with curiosity and observe any sensations without trying to change them. Recall a mild frustration: Bring to mind a

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22:26

How Joy Helps Save the Planet

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/07/02

Choosing joy over guilt and shame can make climate-friendly habits easier to sustain while improving your own well-being along the way.Summary: Fear may grab our attention, but research suggests joy is what helps us make meaningful, sustainable climate choices. On this episode of The Science of Happiness, discover how small shifts can have a big impact. Scientists Elizabeth Dunn and Jiaying Zhao share how reframing climate action around happiness instead of guilt can help us build healthier

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09:27

Happiness Break: Where Did You Come From? A Guided...

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/06/25

Indigenous artist Dr. Lyla June Johnston leads a 5-minute freewriting exercise about our personal journeys. Autobiographical writing has been shown to help do better in relationships and feel more satisfied in life.How to Do This Practice: Ground yourself: Sit in a comfortable position and take a few slow breaths. Notice the inhale and exhale without trying to change anything. Let your attention settle into your body and the present moment. Set a simple intention: Bring to mind the idea

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23:25

How To Find the Wow In Life

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/06/18

What can a singing bird, a neighborhood walk, and a pair of puppet adventurers teach us about awe? Sit down with Wowsabout! creators Dorien Davies and Halle Stanford to discuss helping kids—and grownups—find wonder wherever they are.Summary: Kids may be natural wonder-seekers, but how do we help them hold onto that sense of awe as they grow up? On this episode of The Science of Happiness, we talk with Wowsabout! creators Dorien Davies and Halle Stanford about creating a PBS Kids special

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09:58

Happiness Break: A Compassionate Letter to Yourself

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/06/11

Take less than 10 minutes to write yourself a letter of care, compassion, and encouragement with psychologist Kristin Neff in this research-backed practice.How To Do This Practice:Choose an area of self-judgment: Think of one aspect of yourself that makes you feel inadequate, stressed, or not quite good enough. Name what you're feeling: Write a few sentences about the situation and the emotions it brings up, such as sadness, fear, frustration, shame, or loneliness. Imagine an

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25:01

Introducing - Intention to Treat: Money and Misdiagnosis

The Science of Happiness ·

2026/06/10

Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.Intention to Treat: The Race Equation is a new series from the New England Journal of Medicine, investigates how race-specific diagnostic tools harm Black patients and contribute to growing health inequities.Transcription: https://tinyurl.com/36bne7hd

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