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The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Pushkin Industries
Happiness
Mental Health
Psychology
Self-Compassion
Social Connection
Relationships
Perfectionism
Social Media
Mindfulness
Climate Change
Coping Strategies
Anxiety
Stress Management
Positive Psychology
Gratitude
Conflict Resolution
Stress
Loneliness
Hope
Social Connections

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 ove... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes303Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for The Happiness Lab

Latest Episodes

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 emotions, and building healthier h... more

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 cetera. And we often choose whicheve... more

YouTube

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 better navigate life’s hardest m... more

YouTube

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 from a little silliness and absurd... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Nick Epley
Professor of behavioral science at University of Chicago Booth School of Business
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Episode: What Gets Lost When We Text Instead of Talk with Dr. Nick Epley
Eric Weiner
Traveling philosopher, journalist, and author of The Socrates Express
Author, The Socrates Express
Episode: Finding the Magic in Everyday Life with Thoreau and Eric Weiner
Chris Duffy
Comedian and author of Humor Me
Author of Humor Me; comedian
Episode: Want More Joy? Try Taking Yourself Less Seriously with Comedian Chris Duffy
Eric Zimmer
Author and podcaster focused on recovery and change
Author of How A Little Becomes A Lot; Host of a recovery-focused podcast
Episode: Why Smaller Goals Can Lead to Bigger Changes with Eric Zimmer
Richard Davidson
University of Wisconsin–Madison neuroscientist
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Episode: A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Changing Your Brain with Dr. Richard Davidson
Angela Duckworth
Psychologist, professor at University of Pennsylvania, author of Grit
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: Stop Doing Things the Hard Way with Dr. Angela Duckworth
DJ DiDonna
Sabbatical expert, senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, founder of the Sabbatical Project
Harvard Business School; The Sabbatical Project
Episode: The Life-Changing Power of a Sabbatical
Fay Bound-Alberti
Historian of medicine, emotion and the body
King's College London
Episode: Why Being Alone Might Be Better Than You Think
Micaela Rodriguez
Psychology researcher and Yale colleague
Yale University
Episode: Why Being Alone Might Be Better Than You Think

Host

Laurie Santos
Host of The Happiness Lab

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 24.8k ratings
  • Too Many Add

    I really enjoy the podcast but the amount of ads is really out of control. I understand that this is the main source of revenue but half of the show seems to be ads. The worst part is that it’s the same ad over and over.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Dorothy6598
    United States15 days ago
  • Excellent! Except for one thing

    Lori is an excellent host. Great topics and guests. But the recorded Lori voice needs to go. whoever dubs it, sounds like a bad song and I always fast forward past. What have you done to her voice - terrible.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Coffeelover2012
    United States19 days ago
  • Enjoy but…

    I enjoy the information but find myself distracted by how many times she says “right.”

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Stacie Tree
    United States23 days ago
  • Great content but don’t love sing song voice

    Great content but wish I didn’t find the sing-song cadence so challenging to listen to. I wish Laurie would just speak in her normal voice rather than try to sound like a radio host. I’m not sure why it bothers me so much but it really does keep me from listening.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    FrisaLis
    United Statesa month ago
  • Episode Idea

    I LOVE this podcast!! Maybe an episode on procrastination?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Springstep Willowbreeze
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests often bring strong expertise, keeping discussions informative and engaging.
Ads are a frequent complaint, impacting listening experience.
Quality and consistency of insights remain a key strength for many fans.
Listeners appreciate the evidence-based approach and practical takeaways.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What Gets Lost When We Text Instead of Talk with Dr. Nick Epley
Q: What happens when you add video to the voice in these experiments?
Video didn't add much beyond what the audio already conveyed in terms of how mindful a person seemed; the voice alone carried the essential cues for understanding mind and intention.
What Gets Lost When We Text Instead of Talk with Dr. Nick Epley
Q: Why does hearing the voice matter so much in communication?
Voice provides cues beyond content—intonation, pace, and emotion—that convey a living mind and genuine intent, making people seem more mindful and human than text alone, which can feel dehumanizing in many contexts.
What Gets Lost When We Text Instead of Talk with Dr. Nick Epley
Q: What did you find in your monologue vs dialogue studies about how connected people feel?
People almost always feel more connected after a dialogue than a monologue, even though they may mispredict this difference; real-time back-and-forth interaction strengthens social bonds more effectively than speaking in isolation, and this matters for friendship and social cohesion.
A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Changing Your Brain with Dr. Richard Davidson
Q: Tell me about the London Cab Driver Study and what it showed.
The study demonstrated structural changes in the hippocampus of cab drivers who mastered the London street map, illustrating that intense navigational training leads to measurable brain differences, a clear example of neuroplasticity in humans.
The Life-Changing Power of a Sabbatical
Q: So DJ, I'm curious how you became such a fan of Sabbaticals.
DJ explains his personal journey into sabbaticals starting with an 'ice cream sandwich moment' and how his own burnout led him to explore long breaks, which opened up pathways to new work, experimentation, and a stronger sense of meaning.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Happiness Lab

What is The Happiness Lab about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A scientifically grounded exploration of happiness, behavior, and human connection, blending psychology, history, and cultural commentary. Episodes challenge common assumptions about wellbeing—ranging from solitude versus loneliness to how money, time, and social bonds shape joy—while showcasing a rotating cast of researchers, historians, and writers. Noteworthy is the consistent use of rigorous research paired with practical guidance, plus occasional cross-podcast collaborations that broaden perspective. The show often features accessible, evidence-based frameworks to help listeners rethink everyday choices and relationships, making it a strong fit for audiences who want actionable insights backed by science and history.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Happiness Lab?

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How many listeners does The Happiness Lab get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Happiness Lab?

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How many subscribers and views does The Happiness Lab have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Happiness Lab has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Happiness Lab?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Happiness Lab:

1. 10% Happier with Dan Harris
2. A Slight Change of Plans
3. Hidden Brain
4. The Science of Happiness
5. Untangle

How many episodes of The Happiness Lab are there?

The Happiness Lab launched 7 years ago and published 303 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Happiness Lab?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Happiness Lab?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Happiness Lab from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Happiness Lab?

Recent guests on The Happiness Lab include:

1. Nick Epley
2. Eric Weiner
3. Chris Duffy
4. Eric Zimmer
5. Richard Davidson
6. Angela Duckworth
7. DJ DiDonna
8. Fay Bound-Alberti

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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