Resources
Slide Presentations
Download the slides from presentations delivered at the Greater Good Science Center's "Science of a Meaningful Life" seminars, as well as slides from past talks by GGSC Faculty Director Dacher Keltner.
Science of a Meaningful Life Seminar Presentations | Other Dacher Keltner Presentations | Education Presentations by Vicki Zakrzewski | Talks by Jeremy Adam Smith
Science of a Meaningful Life Seminar Presentations
- Practicing Mindfulness & Compassion
By Greater Good
March 8, 2013
Craneway Pavillion Conference Center, Richmond, CA
The complete slides from the GGSC's inaugural conference.
Download now (.zip)
- Flow and the Quality of Life
By Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
April 27, 2012
Ft. Mason Conference Center, San Francisco, CA
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's presentation on the importance of "flow" to creativity, happiness, and meaning in life.
Download now (.zip)
- The Science of Happiness
By Dacher Keltner
April 27, 2012
Ft. Mason Conference Center, San Francisco, CA
Dacher Keltner's presentation on how and why to cultivate happiness.
Download now (.zip)
- Self-Compassion and Emotional Resilience
By Kristin Neff
March 23, 2012
International House, UC Berkeley
Kristin Neff's presentation on the science, practice, and benefits of self-compassion.
Download now (.zip)
- Living Life Fully: Lessons from Lee Lipsenthal
By Christine Carter
October 15, 2011
International House, UC Berkeley
Christine Carter's presentation on savoring life and living it fully, inspired by lessons she learned from Dr. Lee Lipsenthal.
Download now (.zip)
- Taking in the Good
By Rick Hanson
October 15, 2011
International House, UC Berkeley
Rick Hanson's presentation on how to turn fleeting positive emotions into lasting positive experiences, drawing on cutting-edge research from psychology and neuroscience.
Download now (.zip)
- The Science of a Great Relationship
By Christine Carter
April 29, 2011
International House, UC Berkeley
Christine Carter and Frederic Luskins's seminar on the keys to a lasting and satisfying relationship.
Download now (.zip)
- The Biology of Stress and Happiness
By Robert M. Sapolsky
April 8, 2011
Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
Robert Sapolsky's presentation on the neuro-biology of human stress and happiness, delivered at the Greater Good Science Center's seminar, "The Science of a Meaningful Life: Building Compassion, Reducing Stress."
Download now (.zip)
- Building Compassion, Reducing Stress
By Dacher Keltner
April 8, 2011
Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
Dacher Keltner's presentation on the science and practice of compassion, empathy, and altruism, delivered at the Greater Good Science Center's seminar, "The Science of a Meaningful Life: Building Compassion, Reducing Stress."
Download now (.zip)
- Seeds of Compassion, Roots of Empathy
By Mary Gordon
December 3, 2010
International House, UC Berkeley
Mary Gordon's slides from her presentation about her trailblazing program, Roots of Empathy.
Download now (.zip)
- Seeds of Compassion, Roots of Empathy
By Dacher Keltner
December 3, 2010
International House, UC Berkeley
Dacher Keltner's presentation on the science and practice of compassion, empathy, and altruism.
Download now (.zip)
- Building Compassion, Trust, and Happiness
By Dacher Keltner
November 5, 2010
Town Hall, Seattle, WA
Presentation delivered at the Greater Good Science Center's seminar, "The Science of a Meaningful Life: Building Compassion, Trust, and Happiness"
Download now (.zip)
- Building Gratitude
By Robert Emmons
October 22, 2010
International House at UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Presentation delivered at the Greater Good Science Center's seminar, "The Science of a Meaningful Life: Building Gratitude"
Download now (.zip)
- Taking in the Good: Weaving Positive Experiences into Your Brain and Your Self
By Rick Hanson
October 22, 2010
International House at UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Presentation delivered at the Greater Good Science Center's seminar, "The Science of a Meaningful Life: Building Gratitude."
Download now (.zip)
- Goodness, Evil, and Everyday Heroism
By Dacher Keltner
February 26, 2010
Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Presentation delivered at the Greater Good Science Center's seminar, "The Science of a Meaningful Life: Goodness, Evil, and Everyday Heroism."
Download now (.zip)
- “The Science of a Meaningful Life: Gratitude”
By Robert Emmons
September 25, 2009
International House at UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Presentation delivered at the Greater Good Science Center's seminar, "The Science of a Meaningful Life: Gratitude and Forgiveness."
Download now (.zip)
- “Why to Be Good, How to Be Happy”
By Dacher Keltner
September 10, 2009
Center for Healthy Communities, Los Angeles, CA
Presentation delivered at the Greater Good Science Center's seminar, "The Science of a Meaningful Life: Why to Be Good, How to Be Happy."
Download now (.zip)
- “Compassion, Mindfulness, and Well-Being”
By Dacher Keltner
May 15, 2009
International House at UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Presentation delivered at the Greater Good Science Center's seminar, "The Science of a Meaningful Life: Compassion, Mindfulness, and Well-Being."
Download now (.zip)
- “Building Compassion, Creating Well-Being”
By Dacher Keltner
February 27, 2009
International House at UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Presentation delivered at the Greater Good Science Center's seminar, "The Science of a Meaningful Life:Building Compassion, Creating Well-Being."
Download now (.zip)
Other Dacher Keltner Presentations
- Thriving Families: Insights from the Science of A Meaningful Life
By Dacher Keltner
November 13, 2010
Tamalpais High School, Mill Valley, CA
Presentation on the keys to happy kids and compassionate families.
Download now (.zip)
- “Beyond Happiness: Jen Science & the Good Life”
By Dacher Keltner
April 30, 2009
La Jolla, CA
Part of Cal Discover Lecture Series.
Download now (.zip)
- “Seven Principles of Good Power: Machiavellian Myths and Power for the New World”
By Dacher Keltner
April 17, 2009
Keynote delivered at the California Psychology Association's annual conference.
Download now (.zip)
- “Myths of Power”
By Dacher Keltner
April 2009
APA Conference
Download now (.zip)
- “Happiness and Health”
By Dacher Keltner
October 2, 2008
Berkeley Repertory Theater, Berkeley, CA
Download now (.zip)
Education Presentations by Vicki Zakrzewski
Slides from talks given by Vicki
- Helping Your Child Build a Happy and Meaningful Life—and Handle the Ups and Downs Along the Way
By Vicki Zakrzewski
April 23, 2013 and May 1, 2013
Sacred Heart Preparatory, Atherton, CA and Edison Elementary School, Alameda, CA
Workshop on the science of a meaningful life - including hope, self-compassion, mindfulness, and gratitude - for parents and their children.
Download now (.zip)
- The Science of a Meaningful Life for Students
By Vicki Zakrzewski
March 15, 2013
Bay Area Teacher Development Collaborative, Los Angeles, CA
Workshop on the science of a meaningful life - including awe, hope, self-compassion, mindfulness, and gratitude - for teachers and students.
Download now (.zip)
- Hope, Mindfulness, and Gratitude in Education
By Vicki Zakrzewski
March 11, 2013
California Association of Independent Schools, Oakland, CA
Workshop on the practices of hope, mindfulness, and gratitude for students.
Download now (.zip)
- Building a Positive School Culture
By Vicki Zakrzewski
March 11, 2013
California Association of Independent Schools, Oakland, CA
Tips and tools for school administrators on how to build a positive school culture.
Download now (.zip)
- Teacher CARE
By Vicki Zakrzewski
March 11, 2013
California Association of Independent Schools, Oakland, CA
Tips and tools for teachers and administrators on how to take care of themselves and avoid burnout.
Download now (.zip)
- Self-Compassion and Gratitude in Education
By Vicki Zakrzewski
October 10, 2012
East Bay Charter Connect Conference, Oakland, CA
Workshop on the practices of self-compassion and gratitude for teachers and their students.
Download now (.zip)
Talks by Jeremy Adam Smith
Talks by GGSC Web Editor Jeremy Adam Smith
- Positive Thinking for Cranks and Pessimists: At Work
By Jeremy Adam Smith
October 16, 2012
In a talk for the University of California, Berkeley, Tang Center, Jeremy Adam Smith explains how to manage on-the-job stress in a time of budget cuts and staff re-organizations.
Download now (.zip)











