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Artwork for The Science of Happiness

The Science of Happiness

PRX and Greater Good Science Center
Mindfulness
Meditation
Radical Acceptance
Mental Health
Playfulness
Burnout
Social Connection
Self-Compassion
Nature
Grounding Meditation
Sympathetic Joy
Anxiety
Job Crafting
Kindness
Psychology
Psychological Research
Guided Contemplation Practice
Best Possible Self
Life Satisfaction
Relationships

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes330Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceSocial Sciences

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Artwork for The Science of Happiness

Latest Episodes

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 thi... more

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 Ha... more

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 ... more

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 imp... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Blaine Merker
Urban designer and public space advocate
Public space design in San Francisco (as discussed)
Episode: How Cities Can Make Space for Awe
Setha Low
Anthropologist and professor
City University of New York
Episode: How Cities Can Make Space for Awe
Susan Magsamen
Neurology professor at Johns Hopkins; author of Your Brain On Art
Johns Hopkins University
Episode: Happiness Break: How Poetry Helps Us Feel and Heal
Nina Esqueta
Poet reading a listener poem
Poet (listener contributor)
Episode: Happiness Break: How Poetry Helps Us Feel and Heal
Elina Hauke-Perot
Poet reading a listener poem
Poet (listener contributor)
Episode: Happiness Break: How Poetry Helps Us Feel and Heal
David Berry
Poet reading a listener poem
Poet (listener contributor)
Episode: Happiness Break: How Poetry Helps Us Feel and Heal
Cat Dornian
Poet reading a listener poem; Calgary/Mokinstis origin
Poet (listener contributor)
Episode: Happiness Break: How Poetry Helps Us Feel and Heal
Niloufar Khonsari
Co-founder of a nonprofit focused on immigration and collective leadership; author of The Future is Collective
Pangea Legal Services / The Future is Collective
Episode: Why Work Feels Better Together
Nino Serrano
Co-founder of Understory, a collectively run restaurant
Understory Collective
Episode: Why Work Feels Better Together

Hosts

Dacher Keltner
Award-winning psychologist and host, focusing on the science of emotional well-being and social connections.
Geena Davis
Actress and host of The Science of Love series, focusing on aspects of love and relationships.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 3k ratings
  • Keeps Us Grounded

    What an amazing podcast! I am enriched by the topics discussed. It gives me actionable ways to be and do better.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ummah1234
    United States3 months ago
  • Comforting

    Such sweet necessary episodes to bringing kindness into your everyday life

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    shakti shiny
    United States3 months ago
  • So much useful

    Thank you so much making this series

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    santramel
    India7 months ago
  • Thoughtful Show, But Undercut by TDS

    The show is insightful and delivers some genuinely poignant life lessons. However, it could do even Greater Good if Dacher refrained from inserting partisan political commentary into nearly every episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    ThinkDifferent01
    United States9 months ago
  • Re: Questions to spark love & connection

    This is my first listen.

    I loved the content. I did not like the soft background music during the second interview. It was extremely distracting. Please reconsider using background music.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    ClayPotYoga
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

There are occasional critiques regarding the introduction of political topics, with some suggesting a focus on the core themes instead.
Overall, the connection established through storytelling, expert interviews, and guided practices resonates well with the audience.
Many find the content comforting and supportive, often relating it to personal experiences and issues they face.
Listeners appreciate the actionable insights and practical exercises provided, enhancing their daily lives and emotional well-being.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Happiness Break: How Poetry Helps Us Feel and Heal
Q: What makes poetry a distinct form of medicine for the mind?
Poetry works by reducing physiological arousal, engaging memory and language networks, and offering a structured space to express complex emotions, which helps reframe experience and support emotional regulation.
What Happens in the Brain When We Improvise
Q: What happens in the brain when you improvise compared to playing a memorized piece?
Improvise triggers a distinct neural pattern where dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activity decreases (reducing self-judgment) while medial prefrontal cortex activity increases (supporting artistic voice), and there is broader, dynamic coordination across creativity-related networks.
What Happens in the Brain When We Improvise
Q: What led you to improv?
I was drawn to improv because I was not naturally good at it, and studying with a jazz musician mentor showed me the magic of the process, which is both challenging and fascinating.
How to Make Work More Satisfying
Q: What was retirement like for you initially, and why did this practice appeal to you?
Susan explains it took her a long time to understand retirement, emphasizing the desire to live a joyful life focused on moments rather than structure.
The Science of Love (Episode 2)
Q: How do we make friends?
Effort is necessary; participating in community activities can foster new friendships.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Science of Happiness

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

The content explores empirically supported methods to foster happiness and well-being through concepts such as compassion, gratitude, and mindfulness. Episodes often include expert guests who provide a diverse range of insights connecting emotional health with personal experiences, nature, and community. The discussions integrate practical exercises and meditations, allowing listeners to actively participate in enhancing their emotional intelligence and connections with others. Unique aspects involve bilingual content and a focus on communal themes such as love and social responsibilities, making it relevant for a wide audience seeking both personal and collective growth.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Science of Happiness?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Science of Happiness. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Science of Happiness and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Science of Happiness get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Science of Happiness?

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How many subscribers and views does The Science of Happiness have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Science of Happiness 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 Science of Happiness?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Science of Happiness:

1. The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
2. 10% Happier with Dan Harris
3. Untangle
4. Hidden Brain
5. Good Life Project

How many episodes of The Science of Happiness are there?

The Science of Happiness launched 8 years ago and published 330 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 Science of Happiness?

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 Science of Happiness?

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

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What guests have appeared on The Science of Happiness?

Recent guests on The Science of Happiness include:

1. Blaine Merker
2. Setha Low
3. Susan Magsamen
4. Nina Esqueta
5. Elina Hauke-Perot
6. David Berry
7. Cat Dornian
8. Niloufar Khonsari

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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