How to Talk to People You Disagree With (The Science of Happiness Podcast)
We learn techniques for working across the aisle without compromising our values from a Democratic politician in one of the most conservative…
Greater Good Science Center • Magazine • In Action • In Education
Sign up for our newslettersPsychologist Dacher Keltner and guests guide you through short practices and meditations to develop more compassion, resilience to stress, moments of joy and inspiration, and more. A happiness break in your day.
All EpisodesWhat does it take to live a happier life? Learn research-tested strategies that you can put into practice today. Hosted by award-winning psychologist Dacher Keltner. Co-produced by PRX and UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center.
We learn techniques for working across the aisle without compromising our values from a Democratic politician in one of the most conservative…
Beyond just feeling good, studies show experiencing other people's joy makes us more compassionate and satisfied with life.
When we remember the times someone had our back, it changes the way we view ourselves and the world. Our guest explores what happens when…
Indigenous artist Lyla June leads a 5-minute freewriting exercise about our personal journeys. Autobiographical writing has been shown to…
Playfulness can improve your relationships, help you excel at work, and reduce stress. We explore a strategy shown to help you become more playful.
We all have a playful side, and research shows acting on it can help us when we need to move through challenging emotions, manage conflict,…
Our guest tried a practice in radical acceptance, a Buddhist principle made popular by today's expert, psychologist Tara Brach.
A meditation in meeting our most difficult emotions—like anger, disappointment, or fear—with mindfulness and gentle care.
What happens when we intentionally look for beautiful things in our day-to-day lives? We explore a lab-tested practice shown to help you feel happier.…
We explore how the science of behavior change can help us form new habits and be happier while doing it.
Research shows feeling connected with nature can lower our stress response. This visualization meditation can help you feel at ease, no matter where…
When we imagine our best possible selves in our relationships, we feel more motivated to achieve our goals and a greater sense of control over our…
When we're more curious, we are more likely to be happier and have stronger relationships. Try deepening your curiosity with these science-backed…
When did you last take a moment to really look up at the sky? Shifting our gaze upward is linked to more creativity, capacity to focus—and it's a…
Doing good for others benefits our own minds and bodies, as well. We explore the science of kindness.
We explore how contemplating our heritage can make us feel more belonging, gratitude, and confidence in what we're capable of achieving.
How can we feel more moments of joy? We explore the science of joy and how we can cultivate it in our everyday lives, with poet Ross Gay and…
Simple actions like consciously placing a hand on your heart or hugging yourself can lower your cortisol levels, heart rate, and help you feel less…
Take a break from ruminating with Lama Rod Owens as he leads you in a meditation to cultivate a sky-like mind.
When we mindfully tense and then release our muscles, our bodies are telling our brains to relax. Try this practice that's proven to help with…
This week we revisit our science-backed tips for a good night's sleep with sleep scientist Eti Ben Simon and host of the Sleep with Me podcast Drew…
Chef and author Bryant Terry leads us through a visualization to connect with our ancestors by appreciating our families' traditional foods.
Why should you be nice? Our guest explores how small, daily acts of kindness can produce meaningful life changes.
Just 20 minutes of improv theater can foster creativity and confidence, and help with anxiety, depression, and your ability to tolerate uncertainty.
How can we build a sense of hope when the future feels uncertain? Poet Tomás Morín tries a writing practice to make him feel more hopeful and…
Show yourself real self-kindness in less than 10 minutes with this self-compassion break guided by psychologist Kristin Neff.
Self-compassion reduces our feelings of shame and self-doubt. We explore a practice to help quiet our inner critic with kindness.
When we practice forgiveness, studies show we can have healthier relationships, higher self-esteem, and less anxiety and depression.
Do you take the good things in life for granted? You’re not alone, and studies show it's very human. But here’s a way to find more joy in the…
War veteran and country music singer Sal Gonzalez tries the Taoist practice of Wu Wei to improve his relationship with anger.
Humor can help us with stress, anxiety, and feeling more connected to others. But is humor connected to mindfulness? And how can we find more of it?
For time immemorial, humans have connected deeply through singing with one another. We explore the science behind this, plus how group singing…
In the first episode in our series Climate, Hope and Science, we explore how embracing uncertainty enables us to move beyond climate anxiety and…
He started Afghanistan's first post-Taliban rock band when he was 18 years old. A decade later, our Happiness Guinea Pig takes on another challenge:…
Can 36 questions help you fall in love—and stay in love? Best-selling author Kelly Corrigan tries a research-proven technique to feel closer to her…
After more than a decade together, our Happiness Guinea Pig tries to bring the spark back into her marriage.
When was the last time you thought about your ancestors? This guided meditation by Indigenous scholar Yuria Celidwen will help you connect to your…
Feeling awe changes your brain. In our first episode in a series about the science of awe, we explore how awe can make you a better friend, partner,…
One way to feel more thankful for things is to imagine life without them. Our guest tries a practice for seeing the bright side, even when you feel…
Want to calm your inner critic? Our guest tries a practice to find more self-compassion during uncertain times.
Renew your sense of gratitude by remembering acts of kindness, with social scientist and meditation teacher Eve Ekman.
Consider what you want to make space for in your life in this 6-minute contemplation guided by Alex Elle.
Does imagining your future make you more happy—or more anxious? Our Happiness Guinea Pig looks ahead for inspiration to improve her life now.
Finding a greater sense of purpose can help us achieve our goals and strengthen our relationships. Dacher leads a meditation to find purpose by…
We gave our Happiness Guinea Pig a mission: Do five random acts of kindness in one day.
Take a few minutes to reflect on someone who inspires you, and how you can embody the values you admire in them.
When's the last time you made a good memory—intentionally? Our guest tries a practice in cultivating positive experiences and taking time to savor…
Dr. Omar Guzman reflects on how a practice to cultivate more respect shaped the way he interacts with his patients.
Comedian Marilyn Pittman takes stock of what she really wants in life – and makes a plan to get it.
Want to destress your mind? Start with your body. Progressive Muscle Relaxation is a practice where you methodically tense and release your muscles to…
A short break does more than just fuel our bodies, it strengthens our minds. Our overworked guest tries the Swedish practice of "fika"—taking short…
Adrian Michael Green asks big questions designed to help teens—and adults—find more meaning and purpose in their lives.
Reconnect with someone you love or create new, more meaningful bonds with these 36 questions.
Do you struggle with sleep? This week Drew Ackerman of the Sleep with Me podcast tries tips for a good night's sleep, and we explore why it's so…
Chris Sharma is one of the greatest rock climbers of all time, and he's taking on some of the biggest challenges in life: becoming a parent and…
Why do some songs send chills down your spine or give you goosebumps? We explore the science of how music induces awe—and how that affects our…
Having a curious approach to life can improve our mood, creativity and relationships. Scott Shigeoka leads a visualization exercise to help you…
Walking can increase our sense of connectedness with the earth and motivation to take climate action, which might be an important aspect of our…
We enjoy the world through our five senses, so why don't we do more to heighten them? We explore the techniques and science of the senses with…
Music helped former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne come out of his shell. Hear Byrne's story and learn how music creates social bonds in part one…
A few slow, mindful paces can lower your cortisol and make you more at ease. Psychologist Dacher Keltner guides you through this Walking Meditation.
Can practicing mindfulness make us wiser? Judge Jeremy Fogel explores how being present in the moment helps him keep a clear mind and stay connected…
How do you respond when you feel threatened or defensive? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, writer Wajahat Ali, discovers a way to keep himself anchored…
Moving in sync with someone else—even a total stranger—can change how you feel about them, and how you act, without you realizing it.
We speak with john a. powell, director of the Othering & Belonging Institute, about racial justice, well-being, and widening our circles of human…
Comedian Aparna Nancherla has always struggled with anxiety — can a new technique help her cope?
Visualize your best possible self and tap into your inherent enough-ness with this guided meditation by Justin Michael Williams.
Bestselling author Michael Pollan tries to get more out of life by temporarily giving up one of his pleasures.
Fear is a normal part of our lives—but there are ways we can safely challenge and conquer it. Our guest tries a research-backed way to tackle a fear…
Mindful breathing exercises are a simple, effective, and fast way to shift our mindset and improve physical and mental well-being when practiced…
What if you could tap into your inherent resilience at any time? Prentis Hemphill guides a meditation to turn good memories into a state of…
How can we feel connected to the world around us? Singer Diana Gameros tries to cultivate a sense of awe in the most unlikely of places.
Have you ever been moved by music sung in a language you don't understand? We speak with Gambian musician Sona Jobarteh about how music can connect us…
Cultivate a sense of compassion for yourself and others by trying a meditation rooted in loving-kindness, called "Metta."
Is there such a thing as good stress? Our guest learns to welcome her stress by understanding how it can actually help her, plus tips and tricks to…
When the world around you changes, so can your goals. This week's guest tries a practice to tap into a new sense of purpose.
Do you find yourself looking at your phone when you're supposed to be paying attention to a friend? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, The Takeaway's Tanzina…
Can you train your brain to be more grateful? Todd Zwillich, host of The Takeaway takes on the challenge.
Connect to yourself and the land you stand on in under 10 minutes with this grounding practice led by Indigenous scholar Dr. Yuria Celidwen.
Did you know that you have the power to spark happiness in someone else's brain with just a few simple words? College student Eva Dickerson shares how…
When was the last time you went down a slide? Our guest tries a practice to bring more play into his life and explores what that means as a Black man…
Dedicating a little time to tune into your body fortifies you to better handle the stresses of daily life.
What does your best possible self look like? Our guest tries a practice in optimism by imagining her brightest future.
Take a few minutes to develop your sense of awe for the circle of life in this mediation with Dacher Keltner.
A tree next to a bus stop, a flower poking through the sidewalk. Our guest, a veteran of the Iraq War, discovers how awe and wonder can be found…
Moving meditations can help reduce stress and boost self-awareness. Improve your ability to sense your body in space with this seven-minute…
Setting goals can sometimes feel like setting ourselves up for failure. But journalist Monica Campbell finds there's something magical that happens…
How can we feel more connected to our loved ones, even when they're not around? Our guest tries a practice shown to make us feel less lonely and more…
When was the last time you spent a moment savoring silence? Tricia Hersey, aka The Nap Bishop, guides us through an appreciation of silence and its…
Do you beat yourself up over every mistake? A high school senior tries to be kinder to himself during an especially stressful time.
Treating yourself with kindness reduces anxiety and improves coping skills. Spring Washam encourages us to be more self-compassionate through a short…
Not sure how to start practicing gratitude? Psychologist Dacher Keltner guides you through a practice that can help you see the good things in your…
How do you forgive someone while still holding them accountable? What if that person is yourself? This week, our guest tries a practice in forgiving…
Do you obsess over negative feedback? Shereen Marisol Meraji, of NPR’s Code Switch, tries a better way to cope.
The loss of a job, the pain of a breakup -- it's easy to get down on ourselves when things aren't going well. Find out how our Happiness Guinea Pig…
When you’re helping others cope with stress and anxiety, how do you deal with your own? Psychiatrist Elizabeth Guinto tries a practice to be kinder…
Rapper Rexx Life Raj shared his deepest pain in his latest album, and discovered it was one big compassion practice for his fans dealing with their…
Letting go of our regrets can motivate us to improve and help us grow. Alex Elle, a poet and breathwork and writing coach, guides us through a…
Feeling burned out? Our guest, a nurse, explores how cultivating gratitude helps people in high-stress jobs.
Relieve stress, boost self-esteem, and increase focus through a simple body music practice. And do it with a friend to feel more compassion and a hit…
She's the world's leading animal behaviorist and an Autism advocacy leader. Guest Temple Grandin shares what kind of support systems led her to…
Are you so stressed that it wears you down physically as well as mentally? Discover how award-winning radio host Krista Tippett brought relief to her…
Are you too hard on yourself? Our Happiness Guinea Pig spent most of his life behind bars. Discover the research-tested practice that helped him…
Feeling awe can boost your mood and make you feel more connected with others. Comedian Chris Duffy learns how to tap into it.
Comedian Maz Jobrani tries to pay more attention to the good things in his life by writing them down -- and encourages his kids to do the same.
We all overestimate how much we know. Our guest tries a practice in slowing down to ask more questions, and finds it leads to higher quality…
How can we feel more connected to our loved ones, even when they're not around? Our guest tries a practice shown to make us feel less lonely and more…
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