Greater Good Science Center • Magazine • In Action • In Education

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  • The Science of Happiness at Work

    Greater Good's online course series offering research-based strategies for more satisfaction, connection, and purpose at work. CEs for health professionals & HR managers.
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    Alex Filippenko

    Alex Filippenko, Ph.D., an elected member of both the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, is one of the…
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    Alex Wood

    Alex Wood is professor and director of the Behavioural Science Centre at Stirling Management School, University of Stirling, which links the…
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    Amie M. Gordon

    Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D., is a social-personality psychologist who takes a dynamic, dyadic approach to investigating the affective,…
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    Andrea Hussong

    Andrea Hussong is director of the Center for Developmental Science and a professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina at…
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    Ashok Gadgil

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    Barbara Fredrickson

    Barbara Fredrickson, Ph.D., is the Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology and the principal investigator of the Positive Emotions and…
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    Belinda Campos

    Belinda Campos, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Chicano/Latino Studies at the University of California, Irvine, and an…
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    Birju Pandya

    Birju Pandya focuses on the nexus of money, social good and inner transformation. He is a Managing Director with Armonia, a private equity…
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    Brian Bordainick

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    Brooke Lavelle Heineberg

    Brooke Lavelle Heineberg is the Senior Education Consultant to Mind & Life’s Ethics, Education, and Human Development Initiative and a…
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    Carolyn Zahn-Waxler

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    Chade-Meng Tan

    Chade-Meng Tan (Meng) is a Google pioneer, award-winning engineer, international bestselling author, thought leader, and philanthropist. He…
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    Chris Murchison

    Chris Marcell Murchison is a passionate advocate for positive workplace culture. In his broad career spanning the higher education,…
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    Christina Karns

    Christina Karns, Ph.D., is a researcher at the University of Oregon working at the intersection of emotion, social neuroscience, multisensory…
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    Christine Carter

    Christine Carter, Ph.D. is a Senior Fellow at the Greater Good Science Center. She is the author of The New Adolescence: Raising Happy and…
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    Cindy Elkins

    Cindy Elkins, MBA, is passionate about creating vibrant and high-performing cultures where people thrive and bring their best selves to life…
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    Craig L. Anderson

    Craig Anderson received his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley, where he was a member of Dacher Keltner’s Project Awe research team. His most recent…
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    Dacher Keltner

    Dacher Keltner, Ph.D., is the founding director of the Greater Good Science Center and a professor of psychology at the University of…
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    Daniel Goleman

    Daniel Goleman, Ph.D., is the author of the bestsellers Emotional Intelligence, Social Intelligence, and Focus: The Hidden Driver of…
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    Daniel Siegel

    Dan Siegel, M.D., is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and the founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness…
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    David Delgado

    David Delgado is a visual strategist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where he develops experiences that provoke curiosity through…
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    Diana Jason

    Diana Jason is the managing director of employee communications at Charles Schwab and Co. For 29 years, she has been helping companies tell…
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    Eboo Patel

    Eboo Patel is founder and president of Interfaith Youth Core and author, most recently, of Out of Many Faiths: Religious Diversity and the…
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    Elle McDougald

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    Emiliana R. Simon-Thomas

    Emiliana R. Simon-Thomas, Ph.D., is the science director of the Greater Good Science Center, where she directs the GGSC’s research fellowship…
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    Emma Adolfsson

    Emma Adolfsson has an international background in IT both as a management consultant (Deloitte and IBM) and as a leader at a number of…
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    Eranda Jayawickreme

    Eranda Jayawickreme, Ph.D., is the Harold W. Tribble Professor of Psychology and senior research fellow at the Program for Leadership and…
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    Eve Ekman

    Eve Ekman, Ph.D., MSW, is a GGSC Senior Fellow. An experienced speaker, researcher, and group facilitator, she brings a unique background…
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    Fred Luskin

    Fred Luskin, Ph.D., is the director of the Stanford University Forgiveness Projects, a senior consultant in health promotion at Stanford…
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    Giacomo Bono

    Giacomo Bono, Ph.D., is an associate professor at California State University, Dominguez Hills, who studies positive youth development with…
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    Greater Good

    Greater Good magazine turns scientific research into stories, tips, and tools for a happier life and a more compassionate society.
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    Greater Good Editors

    Greater Good magazine is home to a rich array of award-winning media, including articles, videos, quizzes, and podcasts—all available for…
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    Jack Kornfield

    Jack Kornfield, Ph.D., is a world-renowned psychologist, author, and teacher. He is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness…
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    Jakada Imani

    Jakada Imani is the director of capacity building initiatives at the Center for Popular Democracy. Prior to joining CPD, Jakada was the…
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    James Doty

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    Jason Marsh

    Jason Marsh is the founding editor in chief of Greater Good and the GGSC’s executive director. He is also a co-editor of two anthologies of…
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    Jason Silva

    Jason Silva is the Emmy-nominated host of National Geographic Channel’s #1 rated and Emmy-nominated TV series Brain Games, seen in over 171…
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    Jeff Duncan-Andrade

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    Jeff Huffman

    Jeff Huffman, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is the Director of the Cardiac Psychiatry Research…
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    Jennifer Bailey

    Rev. Jennifer Bailey is an ordained minister, public theologian, and emerging national leader in the multi-faith movement for justice, named…
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    Jennifer Stellar

    Jennifer Stellar received her Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and is currently starting a faculty position in the Psychology Department at the…
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    Jeremy Hunter

    Dr. Jeremy Hunter is the great-grandson of a sumo wrestler and the founding director and associate professor of practice at the Executive…
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    Jill Ellis

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    John Gottman

    John Gottman, Ph.D., is the nation’s foremost researcher of marriages and families. World renowned for his work on marital stability and…
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    Jon Kabat-Zinn

    Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., is a professor of medicine emeritus and founding director of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program in the…
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    Joyce Dorado

    Joyce Dorado, Ph.D., is the Co-Founder and Director of UCSF Healthy Environments and Response to Trauma in Schools (HEARTS), a program that…
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    Julie Mann

    Julie Mann is an ESL and human rights teacher at Newcomers High School in Queens, New York, where she has taught new immigrants to the United…
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    Kate MacAleavey

    Kate MacAleavey, MBA, is an expert in the area of positive psychology and positive organizational psychology and utilizes a strengths-based…
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    Kelley McCabe Ruff

    Kelley McCabe Ruff is the founder and CEO of eMindful, a company offering live, webinar-style courses in applied-mindfulness to major…
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    Kristin Neff

    Kristin Neff, Ph.D., is an associate professor in educational psychology at the University of Texas, Austin. She is the author of…
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    Kyra Bobinet

    Dr. Kyra Bobinet received her Masters of Public Health at Harvard University and her medical degree at the University of California, San…
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    Lily Gordon

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    Linda Lantieri

    Linda Lantieri, MA is a Fulbright Scholar, keynote speaker, and internationally known expert in social and emotional learning. Currently she…
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    Lynette Silva

    Lynette Silva is a senior recognition strategist for Globoforce and a researcher in the WorkHuman Research Institute. She is passionate about…
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    Marc Brackett

    Marc Brackett, Ph.D., (@marcbrackett) is the director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and a professor in the Child Study Center…
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    Marc Lesser

    Marc Lesser Marc Lesser is the author of Finding Clarity: How Compassionate Accountability Builds Vibrant Relationships, Thriving…
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    Mark Higbie

    Mark Higbie is the principal at Greenfield Strategies, a strategic communications consultancy based in Detroit. Mark serves as a senior…
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    Mary Gordon

    Mary Gordon is the founder and president of Roots of Empathy and the author of Roots of Empathy: Changing the World Child by Child.
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    Maryam Abdullah

    Maryam Abdullah, Ph.D., is the Parenting Program Director of the Greater Good Science Center. She is a developmental psychologist with…
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    Matias Tarnopolsky

    Matías Tarnopolsky is the executive and artistic director of Cal Performances.
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    Meena Srinivasan

    Meena Srinivasan is the Executive Director of Transformative Educational Leadership. Prior to this, she spent five and a half years working…
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    Megan Cowan

    Megan Cowan is a co-founder and co-director of the Mindful Schools program, based in Oakland, California.
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    Michelle Lani Shiota

    Michelle “Lani” Shiota completed her Ph.D. in Social/Personality Psychology at University of California, Berkeley, in 2003, and then received…
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    Mike Robbins

    Mike Robbins is a professional organizational consultant, sought-after speaker, and the author of four books, including his latest, Bring…
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    Mónica Guzmán

    Mónica Guzmán is a bridge builder, journalist, and entrepreneur who lives for great conversations sparked by curious questions. She’s…
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    Nancy Bardacke

    Nancy Bardacke is a midwife, mindfulness teacher, and the founding director of the Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) Program.…
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    Nancy McGirr

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    NationSwell and the Greater Good Science Center

    NationSwell and the Greater Good Science Center have partnered to produce videos as part of the Bridging Differences initiative, which mixes…
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    Nipun Mehta

    Nipun Mehta is the founder of ServiceSpace (formerly CharityFocus), an incubator of projects that works at the intersection of volunteerism,…
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    Pamela Weiss

    Pamela Weiss is an executive coach, meditation teacher, and the founder of Appropriate Response, an organization dedicated to bringing…
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    Paul Ekman

    Paul Ekman, Ph.D., is the world’s foremost expert on facial expressions and a professor emeritus of psychology at the University of…
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    Paul Gilbert

    Paul Gilbert, Ph.D., is head of the Mental Health Research Unit as well as Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Derby. He…
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    Paul Piff

    Paul K. Piff, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of psychology and social behavior at Irvine, where he also directs the Social Inequality and…
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    Peter Bostelmann

    Peter Bostelmann serves as the Director of Mindfulness Programs at SAP, the world’s largest provider of business software, with over…
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    Phil Watkins

    Philip Watkins is a professor of psychology at Eastern Washington University. He received his B.S. in psychology from the University of…
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    Philip Zimbardo

    Philip Zimbardo, Ph.D., is a professor emeritus of psychology at Stanford University, a professor at Palo Alto University, a two-time past…
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    Rasmus Hougaard

    Rasmus Hougaard is an internationally acknowledged expert in training the mind to be focused and clear at work. He is the founder of The…
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    Rhonda Magee

    Rhonda Magee, JD, is Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco. She is also Chair of the Board of the Center for Contemplative Mind…
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    Richard Fernandez

    Dr. Rich Fernandez is co-founder of Wisdom Labs, a company that focuses on science and data to promote mindfulness, resilience, and…
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    Richard J. Davidson

    Richard J. Davidson is the William James and Vilas Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, Director of the Waisman Laboratory for Brain…
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    Rick Hanson

    Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is a psychologist, senior fellow at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and New York Times best-selling author.…
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    Robert Emmons

    Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., is the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude. He is a professor of psychology at the University of…
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    Robert Hass

    Robert Hass is one of contemporary American poetry’s most celebrated and widely-read voices. He served as U.S. Poet Laureate from 1995-1997…
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    Robert M. Sapolsky

    Robert M. Sapolsky, Ph.D., is the John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn Professor of Biological Sciences and a professor of neurology and neurological…
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    Robert McClure

    Robert McClure is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Employee Assistance Professional, and Manager for the Sharp HealthCare…
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    Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton

    Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton is an associate professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and the co-editor of the Greater…
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    Ryan Fehr

    Ryan Fehr, Ph.D., is an associate professor of management at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. His research…
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    Sara Algoe

    Sara Algoe is an assistant professor in the department of psychology and neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.…
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    Shabnam Aggarwal

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    Shauna Shapiro

    Shauna Shapiro, Ph.D., is a professor, author, and internationally recognized expert in mindfulness and compassion. Dr. Shapiro has…
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    Sonja Lyubomirsky

    Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., is professor of psychology at UC Riverside and the author of the best-selling books The How of Happiness and The…
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    Stacy Bare

    Stacy Bare is the director of the Sierra Club Outdoors program. A climber, mountaineer, and skier, climbing helped Stacy recover from PTS and…
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    Stephen Leeper

    Stephen Leeper is an educator, writer, and abolitionist living, dismantling, and creating in the San Francisco Bay Area. Currently, he…
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    Susan Harris

    Susan Harris is the founder and creative director of Fluent Studios. Susan has been working in multimedia since 1995. She studied design and…
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    Tenelle Porter

    Tenelle Porter, Ph.D. is a postdoctoral researcher in the department of Human Development at the University of California, Davis. Her…
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    Tim Ryan

    Congressman Tim Ryan was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002 and is currently serving his fifth term representing Ohio’s…
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    Tom Gilovich

    Tom Gilovich is a professor of psychology at Cornell University. His research deals with how people evaluate the evidence of their everyday…
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    Tom Rockwell

    Tom Rockwell is director of exhibits and media at the Exploratorium, San Francisco’s museum of science, art, and human perception. During…
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    Vanessa Inn

    Vanessa Inn is a self-confessed Awe Junkie. For more then 30 years she has provided strategic advice to the entertainment art industry’s…
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    Vicki Zakrzewski

    Vicki Zakrzewski (zahk-shef-skee), Ph.D., is the education director of the Greater Good Science Center. In her role as education director,…
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    Wendy Berry Mendes

    Wendy Berry Mendes, Ph.D., is the Sarlo/Ekman Associate Professor of Emotion at UC San Francisco. Her research questions sit at the…
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    Wendy Quan

    Wendy Quan is a certified organizational change manager who works as the change manager for Pacific Blue Cross in Vancouver, British…
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    Wu Man

    Recognized as the world’s premier player of the pipa, a Chinese stringed instrument, and leading ambassador of Chinese music, Grammy…
Greater Good Books

Greater Good Books

August 12, 2021

We share children's books that you can use to nurture character strengths in kids.

Dear Greater Good

Dear Greater Good

January 13, 2021

Greater Good's video advice column for kinder, happier kids.

Bridging Differences

Bridging Differences

March 10, 2020

Insights for reducing polarization and promoting more constructive dialogue.

Proof Positive

Proof Positive

November 3, 2019

Lessons and insights from leaders in the field of positive psychology.

Parenting Videos

Parenting Videos

July 11, 2019

Research-based insights to guide your kids toward making choices that serve the greater good

The Art & Science of Awe

The Art & Science of Awe

June 23, 2016

Clips and full-session videos from The Art & Science of Awe, a day of cutting-edge research and awe-inspiring performances.

Mindfulness & Well-Being at Work

Mindfulness & Well-Being at Work

January 29, 2016

Clips and full-session videos from Mindfulness & Well-Being at Work, a day-long event that featured top scientists, workplace leaders, and…

Greater Good Gratitude Summit

Greater Good Gratitude Summit

September 11, 2014

Clips and full-session videos from the Greater Good Gratitude Summit, a day-long event featuring research funded by the GGSC's "Expanding the…

Education Videos

Education Videos

March 15, 2010

Videos exploring how to teach compassion, gratitude, mindfulness, and other keys to a meaningful life, including videos from our…

Greater Good Event Videos

Greater Good Event Videos

March 1, 2010

Greater Good events have featured talks and discussions with some of the world's greatest minds, including Jonathan Kozol, Robert Reich, and…

How to Clear Your Head

How to Clear Your Head

Do you dwell on the negative and let moments of joy just pass you by? Discover how Pixar's Pete Docter got out of his head and savored the…

Being Kinder to Yourself

Being Kinder to Yourself

When you're caring so much for other people, how do you deal with your own stress? Psychiatrist Elizabeth Guinto tries a practice to be…

Train Your Brain to Be Kinder

Train Your Brain to Be Kinder

Boost your kindness by sending kind thoughts to someone you love—and to someone you don't get along with—with a little guidance from…

What Teens Are Thankful For

What Teens Are Thankful For

A first-grade teacher, a best friend, a parent—high schoolers share their gratitude letters with their recipients.

Awe is Everywhere

Awe is Everywhere

Full-length video for GGSC members: Jennifer Stellar, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto,…

Can Awe Combat Narcissism?

Can Awe Combat Narcissism?

Paul Piff, an assistant professor of psychology and social behavior at UC Irvine, explores his research linking awe to kind, generous behavior.

How Awe Makes You a Better Person

How Awe Makes You a Better Person

Full-length video for GGSC members: Paul Piff, an assistant professor of psychology and social behavior at UC Irvine, and Jakada Imani,…

How Poetry Captivates Us

How Poetry Captivates Us

Former US poet laureate Robert Hass demonstrates the awe-inspiring power of poetry, in a series of readings that will make you say, "Whoa!"

How Art Evokes Awe

How Art Evokes Awe

Full-length video for GGSC members: A panel of creators discuss the power of art to inspire and uplift us. Featuring Vanessa Inn and Ben…

The Three Great Forces Behind Art

The Three Great Forces Behind Art

Vanessa Inn, chief strategy officer at Illuminate the Arts, shares what she has learned about life from working with thousands of artists…

How to Check In with Yourself

How to Check In with Yourself

Pamela Weiss, founder of Appropriate Response, leads the audience through a mindful check-in from her company's award-winning Personal…

How to Be an Emotional Jedi

How to Be an Emotional Jedi

Marc Lesser of the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute explains the seven keys to a successful mindfulness practice (and how to share…

Bringing Mindfulness to Aetna

Bringing Mindfulness to Aetna

Kyra Bobinet of engagedIN explains how she spearheaded a mindfulness program at Aetna and the three lessons she learned.

Why Modern Workers Need Mindfulness

Why Modern Workers Need Mindfulness

Dr. Richard Fernandez, co-founder of Wisdom Labs, explains how mindfulness can increase attention and engagement at work--precious resources…

Why Bring Mindfulness to Work?

Why Bring Mindfulness to Work?

Full-length video for GGSC members: Dr. Richard Fernandez (Wisdom Labs) and Mark Higbie (Ford) discuss the motivations, needs, and incentives…

Well-Being Is a Skill

Well-Being Is a Skill

Full-length video for GGSC members: Dr. Richard Davidson, founder of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison,…

Making Gratitude Viral

Making Gratitude Viral

At the Greater Good Gratitude Summit, Nipun Mehta explores how we can help more people to embrace giving and gratitude.

Gratitude in Your Brain

Gratitude in Your Brain

In a presentation at the Greater Good Gratitude Summit, Dr. Christina M. Karns of the University of Oregon describes her research into the…

Why Does Gratitude Matter?

Why Does Gratitude Matter?

The author of Thanks! introduces the science of gratitude at the Greater Good Gratitude Summit in June 2014.

Prayer and Gratitude

Prayer and Gratitude

In a conversation at the Greater Good Gratitude Summit, Jack Kornfield explores how prayer helps cultivate gratitude with Benedictine monk…

Joy and Grace

Joy and Grace

In a conversation at the Greater Good Gratitude Summit, author and Buddhist teacher Jack Kornfield discusses how to find grace and joy…

Facing Difficulty with Gratitude

Facing Difficulty with Gratitude

In a conversation from the Greater Good Gratitude Summit, Jack Kornfield talks with Brother David Steindl-Rast about how to cultivate…

Death and Gratitude

Death and Gratitude

In a conversation at the Greater Good Gratitude Summit, authors and teachers David Steindl-Rast and Jack Kornfield explore the surprising…

What is Love? What is Trust?

What is Love? What is Trust?

In a conversation at the Greater Good Gratitude Summit, Jack Kornfield and Brother David explore the definitions and relationship of love and trust.

Why Teens Seek Novelty and Danger

Why Teens Seek Novelty and Danger

Best-selling author and renowned neuropsychiatrist Daniel Siegel explains how adolescence remodels the brain, increasing a willingness to…

The IAA Model of Mindfulness

The IAA Model of Mindfulness

Psychologist and author Shauna Shapiro explains what she sees as the three core components to mindfulness: intention, attention, and attitude.

The Gratitude Effect

The Gratitude Effect

The GGSC's science director leads a session at the Greater Good Gratitude Summit about the physical, social, and mental health benefits of…

How to Cultivate Gratitude

How to Cultivate Gratitude

At the Greater Good Gratitude Summit, three leading researchers--and one advocate--describe their cutting-edge insights into how to cultivate…

How Attention Helps Us To Succeed

How Attention Helps Us To Succeed

The bestselling author of "Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence" explores how attention and cognitive control contributes to success in life.

Applying Mindfulness to Workplaces

Applying Mindfulness to Workplaces

In this talk from the "Practicing Mindfulness & Compassion" conference on March 8, 2013, Magee explores how to apply contemplative practices…

How to Change Your Brain

How to Change Your Brain

Rick Hanson explains how mindfulness meditation can strengthen our brains and help us focus our attention.

Mindful Childbirth

Mindful Childbirth

In this video from "Practicing Mindfulness & Compassion" conference on March 8, 2013, nurse-midwife Nancy Bardacke explains why mindfulness…

Listening Is an Act of Love

Listening Is an Act of Love

Bestselling author and teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn explores how mindfulness-based stress reduction can help you to go beyond the self, to identify…

How to Deal with Misbehavior

How to Deal with Misbehavior

I find it annoying to play referee. Here’s how I keep my time breaking up fights and enforcing the rules to a minimum.

Siblings: Friends or Rivals?

Siblings: Friends or Rivals?

Summer is upon us, and this means that our children are likely to spend a lot more time with their siblings, if they've got them. Here are 3…

Rep. Tim Ryan on A Mindful Nation

Rep. Tim Ryan on A Mindful Nation

Representative Tim Ryan (D-OH) discusses how mindfulness can offer an effective--and bipartisan--remedy for problems plaguing our schools,…

Why Your Happiness Matters

Why Your Happiness Matters

What will it take for you to lead a happy life? The case for not always spending more time with your kids.

Meditating with Kids

Meditating with Kids

Want to teach kids a simple meditation? Here's how I do "loving kindness" meditation.

Gratitude 365

Gratitude 365

Even though Thanksgiving is quickly becoming a distant memory, giving thanks can still be a significant part of our daily family lives. Here…

Managing Stress

Managing Stress

Our crazy busy lives -- especially at this time of year! -- can be stressful. Here are three tips for managing your stress year-round.

Surviving the Holidays

Surviving the Holidays

If you are starting to feel over-whelmed by the December holidays, you aren't alone! In this quick video, I give three tips for making the…

Holiday Gratitude Traditions

Holiday Gratitude Traditions

With Thanksgiving approaching, Christine Carter offers three ways to help adults and kids truly make the holidays a time for gratitude.

Is Happiness Learnable?

Is Happiness Learnable?

Greater Good Science Center parenting expert Christine Carter explains how happiness isn't only determined by genetics. It's a skill we can…

Raising Kind Kids

Raising Kind Kids

Greater Good Science Center parenting expert Christine Carter explains how to foster kindness in children--a key to their happiness.

Secrets of the Vagus Nerve

Secrets of the Vagus Nerve

Dacher Keltner shares his research on the vagus nerve, a key nexus of mind and body and a biological building block of human compassion.

The Importance of Trust

The Importance of Trust

John Gottman explains how trust may be the most vital ingredient to a successful relationship.

How to Build Trust

How to Build Trust

John Gottman explains that couples build trust the small moments of a relationship, when we're emotionally attuned to our partner.

Trust and Inequality

Trust and Inequality

John Gottman explains that trust is found in stronger, healthier, and more just communities.

Less Busyness, More Flow

Less Busyness, More Flow

Christine Carter, Ph.D., and Lindsay Reed Maines discuss how parents and families can overcome feeling overstressed. Part of a video series…

Why Parental Happiness Comes First

Why Parental Happiness Comes First

Christine Carter, Ph.D., and Lindsay Reed Maines discuss why kids benefit when parents prioritize their own happiness. Part of a video series…

Rick Hanson on Taking in the Good

Rick Hanson on Taking in the Good

The best-selling author and trailblazing psychologist explains how we can use our brains to boost positive emotions and positive experiences.

What Forgiveness Means

What Forgiveness Means

The acclaimed teacher and author explains that forgiveness isn't quick, easy, or sentimental. But it's invaluable for your own well-being.

Forgive for You

Forgive for You

Jack Kornfield explains that we should forgive for the sake of our own dignity and fulfillment.

Forgiveness Meditation

Forgiveness Meditation

The acclaimed author and teacher leads a meditation to practice forgiveness of others and of oneself, and to seek forgiveness.

12 Principles of Forgiveness

12 Principles of Forgiveness

The acclaimed author and teacher explains the principles that are integral to the process of forgiving, according to Buddhist philosophy.

Meet Baby Mei

Meet Baby Mei

Mary Gordon shows a Roots of Empathy classroom and baby in action, explaining how together they help break cycles of intergenerational violence.

Emotional Literacy

Emotional Literacy

Mary Gordon shares inspiring stories about children performing remarkable acts of compassion.

Our Common Humanity

Our Common Humanity

Mary Gordon discusses how caring for a baby helps children find the humanity in themselves and others.

Tiny Teachers

Tiny Teachers

Mary Gordon describes how babies can foster emotional connection and emotional literacy in the classroom.

Roots of Empathy’s Impact

Roots of Empathy’s Impact

Mary Gordon discusses the research showing that Roots of Empathy reduces aggression, boosts emotional literacy, and creates more caring children.

Mary Gordon on the Roots of Empathy

Mary Gordon on the Roots of Empathy

The founder and president of Roots of Empathy, a program that brings babies into classrooms to teach children compassion, shares stories and…

Positive Emotions Open Our Mind

Positive Emotions Open Our Mind

Barbara Fredrickson discusses how positive emotions broaden our awareness of the world, allowing us to become more in tune with the needs of others.

The Positivity Ratio

The Positivity Ratio

Barbara Fredrickson shares her research on the ideal ratio of positive to negative emotions, and offers suggestions for how to flourish in life.

Positive Emotions Transform Us

Positive Emotions Transform Us

Barbara Fredrickson suggests that positive emotions make us more resilient to setbacks, improve our relationships, and may even change our…

Can People Change?

Can People Change?

Barbara Fredrickson describes how people can change on a fundamental level by changing how they interpret their lot in life.

Barbara Fredrickson on Positivity

Barbara Fredrickson on Positivity

One of the world's leading researchers on positive emotions discusses how cultivating positivity can change our relationships, our cells, and…

What Makes A Hero?

What Makes A Hero?

Philip Zimbardo explores what research knows about who becomes a hero--and why they act heroically.

The Milgram Experiment

The Milgram Experiment

Philip Zimbardo describes the classic and controversial study suggesting how ordinary, decent people can commit heinous acts.

A Study of Evil

A Study of Evil

Philip Zimbardo explains how his infamous Stanford Prison Experiment illuminates the horrors of Abu Ghraib and the psychology of evil.

What Good is Gratitude?

What Good is Gratitude?

Robert Emmons discusses why practicing gratitude has transformative effects on our social and emotional well-being.

The Power of Gratitude

The Power of Gratitude

Robert Emmons explains how gratitude has the ability to heal, energize, and change our lives.

The Benefits of Gratitude

The Benefits of Gratitude

Robert Emmons shares the results of his research on gratitude: better health, more happiness, and stronger connections to others.

Challenges to Gratitude

Challenges to Gratitude

Gratitude may be good, Robert Emmons explains, but it isn't always easy. He considers some of the myths around gratitude and obstacles to…

Awe and Gratitude

Awe and Gratitude

Robert Emmons explains why he believes awe and gratitude are intertwined.

What is Mindsight?

What is Mindsight?

Daniel Siegel explains the idea of "mindsight" and how it can promote mental health.

Teaching Mindsight

Teaching Mindsight

Daniel Siegel explains how mindsight can be taught to almost anyone, from young children to people in their 90s.

The Triangle of Well-Being

The Triangle of Well-Being

Daniel Siegel discusses how the interplay between our minds, our brains, and our relationships contribute to well-being.

Dacher Keltner on Touch

Dacher Keltner on Touch

Dacher Keltner shares insights from the new science of touch: compassionate communication, touch therapies, and proof that "to touch is to give life."

The Choice to Forgive

The Choice to Forgive

Fred Luskin argues that forgiveness boils down to a simple choice: whether to dwell over past hurts or try to see the good in others.

Constructive Anger

Constructive Anger

Fred Luskin explains the difference between constructive and destructive anger, and argues that constructive anger carries important benefits…

Fred Luskin on Forgiveness

Fred Luskin on Forgiveness

Drawing on two decades of studying and teaching forgiveness, Fred Luskin shares what he has learned about its benefits and how to cultivate it.

What Determines Happiness?

What Determines Happiness?

Sonja Lyubomirsky sheds light on how much of our happiness is determined by our genes, and how much is within our power to control.

The Benefits of Happiness

The Benefits of Happiness

Sonja Lyubomirsky discusses research linking happiness to other positive things in life, including health, creativity, and better relationships.

Finding the Right Fit

Finding the Right Fit

Happiness activities aren't one-size-fits-all, explains Sonja Lyubomirsky: Different exercises are right for different people.

Does Money Bring Happiness?

Does Money Bring Happiness?

Research from around the world suggests that low expectations and good people are more likely to make us happy than material possessions,…

What is Happiness?

What is Happiness?

Sonja Lyubomirsky explains how researchers define happiness, and how different cultures define it differently.

Happiness Takes Work

Happiness Takes Work

Lasting boosts in happiness require long-term commitment, argues Sonja Lyubomirsky, but the right habits can help us get there.

Pessimism about Happiness

Pessimism about Happiness

Sonja Lyubomirsky offers three reasons to suspect that people actually can't become happier than they already are.

Global Compassion

Global Compassion

Paul Ekman discusses the importance of extending compassion to people of different nations, and even to all living beings.

The Dalai Lama is a Darwinian

The Dalai Lama is a Darwinian

Paul Ekman explains that Darwin and the Dalai Lama share a similar view on humanity's highest moral virtue: to extend compassion to "all…

Vicki Zakrzewski on Awe (SIE14)

Vicki Zakrzewski on Awe (SIE14)

A presentation by GGSC Education Director Vicki Zakrzewski on awe and its applications in the classroom, given July 1, 2014, at the Greater…

Teach Compassion: Dacher Keltner

Teach Compassion: Dacher Keltner

The founding director of the Greater Good Science Center explains how humans are wired for compassion.
Presented as part of the…

Teach Compassion: Mary Gordon

Teach Compassion: Mary Gordon

The founder of Roots of Empathy explains the severe importance of empathy in a child's development. Presented as part of the TEDxGoldenGateED…

Teach Compassion: Daniel Siegel

Teach Compassion: Daniel Siegel

Dan Siegel emphasizes compassion as a key component of a healthy mind. Presented as part of the TEDxGoldenGateED event on June 11, 2011.

Teach Compassion: Christine Carter

Teach Compassion: Christine Carter

Christine Carter emphasizes compassion as the fundamental skill for happiness in children. Presented as part of the TEDxGoldenGateED event on…

Teach Compassion: Nipun Mehta

Teach Compassion: Nipun Mehta

Nipun Mehta, the founder of ServiceSpace, speaks about the contagiousness of compassion. Presented as part of the TEDxGoldenGateED event on…

Teach Compassion: Jill Ellis

Teach Compassion: Jill Ellis

Jill Ellis is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Center for Early Intervention on Deafness (CEID). She speaks about compassion and…

Teach Compassion: Nancy McGirr

Teach Compassion: Nancy McGirr

Nancy McGirr, founder of Fotokids, speaks about the power of cultivating creativity in a neighborhood of fear and violence. Presented as part…

Teach Compassion: Marc Brackett

Teach Compassion: Marc Brackett

Marc Brackett emphasizes the significant role emotion plays in learning. Presented as part of the TEDxGoldenGateED event on June 11, 2011.

Teach Compassion: Ashok Gadgil

Teach Compassion: Ashok Gadgil

Ashok Gadgil speaks about educational pursuits of compassion, specifically, UC Berkeley Engineers working to provide clean drinking water on…

Teach Compassion: Brian Bordainick

Teach Compassion: Brian Bordainick

Brian Bordainick is the founder and executive director of the "9th Ward Field of Dreams". This project is aimed at getting kids involved with…

Teach Compassion: James Doty

Teach Compassion: James Doty

James Doty emphasizes the role of compassion as part of a meaningful life. Presented as part of the TEDxGoldenGateED event on June 11, 2011.

Teach Compassion: Lily Gordon

Teach Compassion: Lily Gordon

High School student, Lily Gordon, speaks of compassion and the work Prospect Sierra has done in Tanzania. Presented as part of the…

Teach Compassion: Shabnam Aggarwal

Teach Compassion: Shabnam Aggarwal

Shabnam Aggarwal speaks about the importance of failure in the learning process and how it can be incorporated in education. Presented as…

Teach Compassion: Elle McDougald

Teach Compassion: Elle McDougald

Elle McDougald describes how she has come to learn what compassion means and how to go about teaching compassion to kids her age. Presented…