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The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Written by: Pushkin Industries
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About this listen

You might think you know what it takes to lead a happier life… more money, a better job, or Instagram-worthy vacations. You’re dead wrong. Yale professor 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 psychology course she teaches at Yale -- the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history -- Laurie will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness.

2025 2025 Pushkin Industries
Hygiene & Healthy Living Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Stop Wasting Your Energy — Here’s What to Do Instead (with Dr. Diana Hill)
    Jan 5 2026

    A lot of us spend our energy on things that aren’t worth it: projects, relationships, or goals that may feel important in the moment but ultimately leave us frustrated and drained.

    Dr. Diana Hill, clinical psychologist and author of Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, gives us a roadmap for applying our energy more effectively in the new year — so that our lives feel lighter, more purposeful, and energizing instead of exhausting.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    47 mins
  • From Decoding Women's Health: Decoding Happiness in Midlife
    Dec 30 2025

    Midlife can be a period of immense change and, sometimes, challenging emotions. But it’s also an opportunity to cultivate deeper, more lasting happiness. Dr Laurie recently joined another Pushkin podcast, Decoding Women's Health with Dr Elizabeth Poynor, to share insights on how midlife women can thrive. Dr Laurie breaks down the components of happiness, explains why we’re often mistaken about what makes us happy, and provides practical tools and habits to boost wellbeing, manage negative emotions, and navigate burnout.

    On Decoding Women’s Health, Dr Elizabeth Poynor makes the science of women’s health accessible—from hormones to metabolism to longevity—so you can thrive at any stage of life. A world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon, Dr Poynor speaks with leading physicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest science on wellness, disease prevention, and what it really means to age on your own terms. Because mid-life isn’t a crisis—it’s an opportunity.

    If you like what you hear, find (00:01:15) Decoding Women's Health wherever you listen to podcasts.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    51 mins
  • Holiday Survival Guide II: Perfect Gifts and Fighting Fatigue (with Rainn Wilson)
    Dec 15 2025

    What stresses you out over the festive season? Happiness Lab listeners sent in their holiday woes so Dr Laurie and guest Rainn Wilson (The Office star and host of Soul Boom) could weigh in with some science-backed advice.

    In the second part of our Holiday Survival Guide, Dr Laurie and Rainn discuss what makes the perfect gift, how to slow down to enjoy the festivities, and why your smart phone should join the elf on a shelf.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    31 mins
All stars
Most relevant
the huge ability we have to adapt! hedonic adaptation and how our mind overestimates how strongly and long we would feel something

amazing

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Just love the way the show is organized and presented. Also the scientific works talked about in the show are very relateable and applyable to our lives..

Cozy presentation of life changing scientific works

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