Alex Marmor Alex Marmor

BONUS: A Happier Christmas

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 to feel happier. Dr Laurie Santos brings you science-based tips so you can have yourself a merry little Christmas.AlSO: The Happiness Lab returns with four specia...

8 min  ·  BONUS

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 to feel happier. Dr Laurie Santos brings you science-based tips so you can have yourself a merry little Christmas.

AlSO: The Happiness Lab returns with four special New Year shows to take you into 2020 - beginning 6 Jan.

To sign up to our newsletter visit happinesslab.fm

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Alex Marmor Alex Marmor

Making the Grade

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 and preventing us from living our lives to the fullest. Can giving up on grades radically improve our wellbeing?For an even deeper dive into the research we tal...

33 min

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 and preventing us from living our lives to the fullest. Can giving up on grades radically improve our wellbeing?

For an even deeper dive into the research we talk about in the show visit happinesslab.fm

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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Alex Marmor Alex Marmor

Is Happiness Contagious? How Other People's Emotions Affect Us

The moods of those around us can directly influence how happy or sad we feel. Drawing on psychology and neuroscience, Dr. Laurie teams up with the world’s leading expert on TV laugh tracks to explore how emotional cues shape our feelings without us realizing it. From sitcoms to social group...

34 min

The moods of those around us can directly influence how happy or sad we feel. Drawing on psychology and neuroscience, Dr. Laurie teams up with the world’s leading expert on TV laugh tracks to explore how emotional cues shape our feelings without us realizing it. From sitcoms to social groups, learn how humans naturally “catch” emotions from others—and how we can we intentionally bring joy to ourselves and our loved ones.

Experts Mentioned:
- Tanya Chartrand, Roy J. Bostock Professor, Duke University
- Jeff Hancock, Harry and Norman Chandler Professor of Communication and founder of the Stanford Social Media Lab, Stanford University
- Sigal Barsade, Joseph Frank Bernstein Professor Professor of Management, The Wharton School
- Marcel Marceau, legendary mime

Resources Mentioned:
- "The Man Who Perfected the Laugh Track," (Slate, 2018)
- "When Paid Applauders Ruled the Paris Opera House," (JSTOR Daily, 2021)
- "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," TV series, (1952-1966)
- "The Chameleon Effect: The Perception-Behavior Link and Social Interaction," (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1999)

Related episodes of "The Happiness Lab":
- "Nerd Out! The Happiness of Being a Fan"
- "Emotions Are Data…So Listen to Them"
- "Laurie Gets a Funtervention (Part 1)"
- "Laurie Gets a Funtervention (Part 2)"

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Alex Marmor Alex Marmor

Decision Fatigue: The Psychology of Choice Overload

We tend to think having more options is better, but the science shows too many choices can drain mental energy, increase anxiety, and make us feel worse about making decisions, even when those decisions seem trivial. Dr. Laurie explores the psychology of choice overload and decision fatigue&mdash...

35 min

We tend to think having more options is better, but the science shows too many choices can drain mental energy, increase anxiety, and make us feel worse about making decisions, even when those decisions seem trivial. Dr. Laurie explores the psychology of choice overload and decision fatigue—including why we wrongly prioritize more choices over greater well-being and how constant decision making can undermine long-term happiness. She also speaks with a woman who radically simplified her life just by cleaning out her wardrobe.

Experts Mentioned:
- Dr. Sheena Iyengar, S.T. Lee Professor of Business, Columbia Univesirty
- Barry Schwartz, Dorwin P. Cartwright Professor Emeritus in Social Theory and Social Action, Swarthmore College and Visiting Professor, University of California, Berkeley
- Mark Lepper, Albert Ray Lang Professor of Psychology, Emeritus, Stanford University
- Peter Ubel, Madge and Dennis T. McLawhorn University Distinguished Professor
Professor of Business Administration, Professor of Medicine, Professor in Population Health Sciences Duke University

Resources Mentioned:
- "When Choice is Demotivating: Can One Desire Too Much of a Good Thing?" (Personality Process and Individual Differences, 2000)
- The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz (2004)
- Karen Quinlan Supreme Court Case
- Courtney Carver and Project 333

Related episodes of "The Happiness Lab":
- "Reconnect with the Moment"
- "You Only Live Once...So Commit"
- "How to Make Better Choices (with Barry Schwartz)"
- "You Can Change"

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Alex Marmor Alex Marmor

Don't Accentuate the Positive

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 hears how champion swimmer Michael Phelps imagined the worst to help make his Olympic dreams come true. It's a mental habit that you can learn too.For an even d...

41 min

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 hears how champion swimmer Michael Phelps imagined the worst to help make his Olympic dreams come true. It's a mental habit that you can learn too.

For an even deeper dive into the research we talk about in the show visit happinesslab.fm

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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Alex Marmor Alex Marmor

Why It's So Hard to Stop Intrusive Thoughts—And What Actually Helps

How many times have you tried to suppress an unwanted thought, only to ruminate on it even more? Research shows that the brain reacts to attempts at thought suppression by repeatedly checking for the thought, making it stronger and increasing our distress. Dr. Laurie explains why our minds work i...

38 min

How many times have you tried to suppress an unwanted thought, only to ruminate on it even more? Research shows that the brain reacts to attempts at thought suppression by repeatedly checking for the thought, making it stronger and increasing our distress. Dr. Laurie explains why our minds work in this paradoxical way—and explores the science behind intrusive thoughts, bad memories, and mental control. Through stories of real people who have confronted and overcome disruptive thoughts, she shares how acceptance, attention shifts, and self-compassion can lead to less stress and greater happiness.

Experts Mentioned:
- Daniel Wegner, Professor of Psychology, Harvard University
- Eve Ekman, Senior Fellow, Greater Good Science Center
- James Pennebaker, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of Texas Austin
- James Gross, Ernest R. Hilgard Professor of Psychology, Stanford University

Resources Mentioned
- "When the Antidote is the Poison: Ironic Mental Control Processes," (Psychological Science, 1997)
- "Paradoxical Effects of Thought Suppression," (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1987)
- "The Putt and the Pendulum: Ironic Effects of the Mental Control of Action" (Psychological Science, 1998)
- The Eichmann Trial
- "Disclosure of Traumas and Health Among Holocaust Survivors," (Psychosomatic Medicine, 1989)
- Opening Up: The Healing Power of Expressing Emotions by James Pennebaker (1997)
- "Antecedent- and Response-Focused Emotion Regulation: Divergent Consequences for Experience, Expression, and Physiology," (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1998)
- "Delayed Costs of Suppressed Pain," (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1993)
- "Not in Front of the Kids: Effects of Parental Suppression on Socialization Behaviors During Cooperative Parent–Child Interactions," (Emotion, 2019)
- "The Four Noble Truths," (BBC, 2009)

Related episodes of "The Happiness Lab":
- "Q: 'How Do I Stop Negative Self-Talk?' (with Ethan Kross)"
- "Emotions Are Data…So Listen to Them"
- "Hack Your Emotions (with Ethan Kross)"
- "How to Handle Change"
- "How to Fight Perfectionism"

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Alex Marmor Alex Marmor

Caring What You're Sharing

Sharing a good experience with another human deepens our enjoyment of the moment... but only if we abide by certain rules. Dr Laurie Santos shows us how we often get 'sharing' wrong and explains how we can all derive more happiness from ice cream, sunsets and a night in front of the TV.For an eve...

38 min

Sharing a good experience with another human deepens our enjoyment of the moment... but only if we abide by certain rules. Dr Laurie Santos shows us how we often get 'sharing' wrong and explains how we can all derive more happiness from ice cream, sunsets and a night in front of the TV.

For an even deeper dive into the research we talk about in the show visit happinesslab.fm

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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Alex Marmor Alex Marmor

Mistakenly Seeking Solitude

Technology allows us to bank, shop and dine without talking to another human, but what toll is this taking on our happiness? The inventor of the ATM and the Talking Heads singer David Byrne join Dr Laurie Santos to explore the ways in which talking to strangers can bring us all genuine joy.  For...

34 min

Technology allows us to bank, shop and dine without talking to another human, but what toll is this taking on our happiness? The inventor of the ATM and the Talking Heads singer David Byrne join Dr Laurie Santos to explore the ways in which talking to strangers can bring us all genuine joy.  

For an even deeper dive into the research we talk about in the show visit https://www.happinesslab.fm/ 

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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Alex Marmor Alex Marmor

A Silver Lining

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 Laurie Santos, Michelle lets us in on a key secret to achieving happiness when you're tempted to feel like a loser.  For an even deeper dive into the research we ta...

40 min

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 Laurie Santos, Michelle lets us in on a key secret to achieving happiness when you're tempted to feel like a loser.  

For an even deeper dive into the research we talk about in the show visit happinesslab.fm

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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Alex Marmor Alex Marmor

The Unhappy Millionaire

How can winning the lottery ruin your life - while contracting an incurable disease feel like 'a gift'? Dr Laurie Santos hears about dreams come true and nightmares realised; and talks with Dr Dan Gilbert about why human happiness isn't defined by these major events in the way we all assume.For a...

37 min

How can winning the lottery ruin your life - while contracting an incurable disease feel like 'a gift'? Dr Laurie Santos hears about dreams come true and nightmares realised; and talks with Dr Dan Gilbert about why human happiness isn't defined by these major events in the way we all assume.

For an even deeper dive into the research we talk about in the show visit happinesslab.fm 

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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Alex Marmor Alex Marmor

You Can Change

You can make yourself happier today. Your life circumstances and personality aren't nearly as important as you think in deciding how happy you can be. Dr Laurie Santos explains how understanding the latest science will point you in the right direction and make you more satisfied with your life. A...

38 min

You can make yourself happier today. Your life circumstances and personality aren't nearly as important as you think in deciding how happy you can be. Dr Laurie Santos explains how understanding the latest science will point you in the right direction and make you more satisfied with your life. Are you ready to feel better?

For an even deeper dive into the research we talk about in the show visit happinesslab.fm

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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Alex Marmor Alex Marmor

Coming Soon: The Happiness Lab Season One

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 of what will truly make our lives better. Based on the Ivy League psychology course she teaches, Laurie will take you through the latest scientific research and...

3 min  ·  TRAILER

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 of what will truly make our lives better. Based on the Ivy League psychology course she teaches, Laurie will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about becoming happier. The Happiness Lab debuts September 17 from Pushkin Industries.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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Alex Marmor Alex Marmor

Introducing: The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Coming September 17 from Pushkin Industries Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 min  ·  TRAILER

Coming September 17 from Pushkin Industries

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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