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Artwork for The Science of Happiness

The Science of Happiness

PRX and Greater Good Science Center
Mindfulness
Mental Health
Meditation
Self-Compassion
Happiness
Anxiety
Nature
Love
Stress Management
Social Connection
Compassion
Gratitude
Friendship
Burnout
Awe
Kindness
Creativity
Climate Change
Stress Reduction
Psychology

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes333Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Social SciencesScience

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Artwork for The Science of Happiness

Latest Episodes

Noticing the history and beauty around us can shift how we see ourselves—and our communities. An awe walk through Harlem reveals how the stories embedded in public spaces can spark connection, perspective, and a sense of what’s possible.

Summary: Ci... more

In this gentle practice, psychologist Kristin Neff helps us extend loving kindness inward, offering ourselves the same care and goodwill we naturally give to others.

How To Do This Practice:

Settle into your body: Sit comfortably, close your eye... more

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

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Bob McKinnon
Social mobility expert; directs the Social Mobility Lab at City College of New York
City College of New York
Episode: An Awe Walk Through History and Possibility
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

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
  • Good concept yet too many ads

    I wish that this podcast limited on its time ratio of ads to content. Beautiful cover art and occasionally enriching information/storytelling.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Legal Beagle 8
    United Statesa month ago
  • 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 States4 months ago
  • Comforting

    Such sweet necessary episodes to bringing kindness into your everyday life

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    shakti shiny
    United States4 months ago
  • So much useful

    Thank you so much making this series

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    santramel
    India8 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 States10 months 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.

An Awe Walk Through History and Possibility
Q: How do you think about social mobility?
Bob McKinnon explains that mobility is not just economic; it's about thriving, belonging, and access to opportunities, with personalized education like CCNY's four-essay trajectory helping students reflect on their origins and future.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

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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?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Science of Happiness, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

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. Good Life Project
4. Hidden Brain
5. Untangle

How many episodes of The Science of Happiness are there?

The Science of Happiness launched 8 years ago and published 333 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?

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What guests have appeared on The Science of Happiness?

Recent guests on The Science of Happiness include:

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

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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