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The Science of Happiness

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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.
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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.
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Episodes

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Published 2019-11-21

Can You Find Wonder in the Ordinary?

17 min
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When was the last time you felt connected to something bigger than yourself? Award-winning cellist Yumi Kendall looks, and listens, for moments of awe.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/388cpjer

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When was the last time you felt connected to something bigger than yourself? Award-winning cellist Yumi Kendall looks, and listens, for moments of awe.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/388cpjer

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Published 2019-10-24

Does Your Doctor Listen to You?

21 min
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Doctors are often trained to be emotionally detached. But our guest finds greater meaning in his work as a physician when he tries to connect more deeply with his patients, co-workers, and family.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5n8h4vxs

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Doctors are often trained to be emotionally detached. But our guest finds greater meaning in his work as a physician when he tries to connect more deeply with his patients, co-workers, and family.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5n8h4vxs

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Published 2019-10-10

Finding Beauty in the Everyday

19 min
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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 anywhere —  if you just pay attention.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2w2ht55h

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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 anywhere —  if you just pay attention.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2w2ht55h

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Published 2019-09-26

How to Find Your Silver Linings

25 min
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Do you fixate on what's going wrong in your life? Poet and "recovering pessimist" Maggie Smith practices looking on the bright side.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5n8cy7fk

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Do you fixate on what's going wrong in your life? Poet and "recovering pessimist" Maggie Smith practices looking on the bright side.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5n8cy7fk

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Published 2019-08-29

Can You Humanize a Zombie?

19 min
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Should we try to find common ground with the villains in our lives? Comedian Zahra Noorbahksh tries to understand a "zombie" from her past.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3be2aszs

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Should we try to find common ground with the villains in our lives? Comedian Zahra Noorbahksh tries to understand a "zombie" from her past.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3be2aszs

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Published 2019-06-20

Who Makes You Feel Connected?

16 min
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Our Happiness Guinea Pig, the creator of Cartoon Network's We Bare Bears, finds a way to feel close to a loved one he recently lost.

Try this week’s happiness practice: Feeling Connected

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4pjw3k5a

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Our Happiness Guinea Pig, the creator of Cartoon Network's We Bare Bears, finds a way to feel close to a loved one he recently lost.

Try this week’s happiness practice: Feeling Connected

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4pjw3k5a

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Published 2019-06-06

A Better Way to Talk to Yourself

18 min
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Her husband has been in prison for 23 years. Our Happiness Guinea Pig tries a new approach to stay strong while working to get him released.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2ayervbh

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Her husband has been in prison for 23 years. Our Happiness Guinea Pig tries a new approach to stay strong while working to get him released.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2ayervbh

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Published 2019-04-11

What to Do When You Feel Like a Failure

17 min
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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 tuned down the self-critic in her head.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4vz97my7

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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 tuned down the self-critic in her head.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4vz97my7

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Published 2019-04-04

Delight in the Unexpected

20 min
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A high-five from a stranger, a hummingbird on a busy city street. Poet Ross Gay shares his own happiness practice: savoring the everyday delights in life.

~ Try one of UC Berkeley's Greater Good in Action happiness practices.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3jzdxybs

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A high-five from a stranger, a hummingbird on a busy city street. Poet Ross Gay shares his own happiness practice: savoring the everyday delights in life.

~ Try one of UC Berkeley's Greater Good in Action happiness practices.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3jzdxybs

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Published 2019-03-28

How To Let Go of Anger

15 min
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Are you still mad at someone who hurt you in the past? That can eat away at your health and well-being. Our Happiness Guinea Pig tries a new approach to giving up a grudge.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc47kjvc

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Are you still mad at someone who hurt you in the past? That can eat away at your health and well-being. Our Happiness Guinea Pig tries a new approach to giving up a grudge.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc47kjvc

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What kinds of objects, images, and words surround your home or office? Our Happiness Guinea Pig surveys her apartment for items that spark connection and kindness.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yewvyzrk

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What kinds of objects, images, and words surround your home or office? Our Happiness Guinea Pig surveys her apartment for items that spark connection and kindness.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yewvyzrk

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Published 2019-03-14

Do You Know How to Eat a Raisin?

17 min
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Do you have trouble slowing down enough to actually enjoy your life? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, comedian and radio host Luke Burbank, finds a way to break free from his over-scheduled lifestyle.

Try this week’s happiness practice: Raisin Meditation

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/m2nceh36

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Do you have trouble slowing down enough to actually enjoy your life? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, comedian and radio host Luke Burbank, finds a way to break free from his over-scheduled lifestyle.

Try this week’s happiness practice: Raisin Meditation

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/m2nceh36

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Published 2019-03-07

Finding Awe in Every Step

21 min
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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.

Try this episode’s happiness practice: Awe Walk

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yt2t2wr6

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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.

Try this episode’s happiness practice: Awe Walk

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yt2t2wr6

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Published 2019-02-28

Finding Your Strengths

14 min
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Do you fixate on your flaws and shortcomings? Our happiness guinea pig tries the opposite: focusing on her personal strengths.

~ Try this episode’s happiness practice: Use Your Strengths

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mj38w54k

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Do you fixate on your flaws and shortcomings? Our happiness guinea pig tries the opposite: focusing on her personal strengths.

~ Try this episode’s happiness practice: Use Your Strengths

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mj38w54k

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Published 2019-02-21

Trying Compassion on Capitol Hill

15 min
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Can you extend compassion toward a difficult person in your life? Congressman Tim Ryan tries a practice to help him reach across the aisle.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yp2tec4c

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Can you extend compassion toward a difficult person in your life? Congressman Tim Ryan tries a practice to help him reach across the aisle.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yp2tec4c

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Published 2019-02-14

A Lesson in Thanks and Vulnerability

20 min
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A junior high school teacher spent his life defying stereotypes about how men should express their emotions. Here he takes on a new challenge: getting his students to express gratitude.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/46w7cd2v

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A junior high school teacher spent his life defying stereotypes about how men should express their emotions. Here he takes on a new challenge: getting his students to express gratitude.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/46w7cd2v

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Published 2019-02-07

Notice the Good in Your Life

18 min
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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.

Try this episodes happiness practice: Three Good Things

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/9kzjcvf3

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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.

Try this episodes happiness practice: Three Good Things

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/9kzjcvf3

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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: writing about his emotions.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2uzh3r67

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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: writing about his emotions.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2uzh3r67

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Published 2018-12-06

Being Kinder to Yourself

19 min
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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 to herself.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yer2c25p

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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 to herself.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yer2c25p

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Comedian W. Kamau Bell discusses the challenges of finding common ground, even with people in your own family.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/ys466txk

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Comedian W. Kamau Bell discusses the challenges of finding common ground, even with people in your own family.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/ys466txk

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Published 2018-11-15

These Words Cause Happiness

16 min
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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 she spread happiness across her campus, equipped with just her iPhone and some compliments.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc5vp9es

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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 she spread happiness across her campus, equipped with just her iPhone and some compliments.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc5vp9es

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Published 2018-11-08

A Simple Recipe for Happiness

21 min
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Our Happiness Guinea Pig, children's author Joanne Rocklin, shares her happiness practice: bringing people together to share a meal. It took on a deeper meaning for her after a recent tragedy.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3m5b4sw8

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Our Happiness Guinea Pig, children's author Joanne Rocklin, shares her happiness practice: bringing people together to share a meal. It took on a deeper meaning for her after a recent tragedy.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3m5b4sw8

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Published 2018-11-01

Can’t Relax? This Will Help

16 min
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Why does a bath or swim feel so relaxing? Our guest shares her own happiness practice--spending time in water--which science is finding can make us happier and healthier.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5n8uyznd

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Why does a bath or swim feel so relaxing? Our guest shares her own happiness practice--spending time in water--which science is finding can make us happier and healthier.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5n8uyznd

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Published 2018-10-25

How to Make a Real Apology

23 min
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"I'm sorry you feel that way."

Some apologies can actually make things worse. Our Happiness Guinea Pigs, Jolenta Greenburg and Kristin Meinzer of the By the Book podcast, try a more effective way of saying sorry.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/br9c86s7

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"I'm sorry you feel that way."

Some apologies can actually make things worse. Our Happiness Guinea Pigs, Jolenta Greenburg and Kristin Meinzer of the By the Book podcast, try a more effective way of saying sorry.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/br9c86s7

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Published 2018-10-18

How to Deal with Uncertainty

19 min
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How do you respond when you feel threatened or defensive? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, writer Wajahat Ali, discovers a way to keep himself centered amidst the challenges and chaos of life.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc5msv7x

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How do you respond when you feel threatened or defensive? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, writer Wajahat Ali, discovers a way to keep himself centered amidst the challenges and chaos of life.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc5msv7x

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Published 2018-10-11

BONUS: The Science of Happiness at Work

57 min
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What would make you happier at work? Featuring some of our happiness guinea pigs, we share the latest insights and research on well-being and happiness in the workplace.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3uhb58b8

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What would make you happier at work? Featuring some of our happiness guinea pigs, we share the latest insights and research on well-being and happiness in the workplace.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3uhb58b8

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Published 2018-08-09

What if You Had Never Met?

15 min
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Do you take your partner for granted? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, cartoonist Gene Luen Yang, imagines a life in which he never met his wife.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3rp4nycn

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Do you take your partner for granted? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, cartoonist Gene Luen Yang, imagines a life in which he never met his wife.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3rp4nycn

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Published 2018-08-02

Give Yourself Some Distance

16 min
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Are you stuck ruminating about the past? Legendary skater Tommy Guerrero tries looking at negative events from a different perspective.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/bddb9eaj

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Are you stuck ruminating about the past? Legendary skater Tommy Guerrero tries looking at negative events from a different perspective.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/bddb9eaj

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Published 2018-07-26

Listen Like It's Your First Date

12 min
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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 Vega trades in her technology for some old school listening.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4a98pmzc

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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 Vega trades in her technology for some old school listening.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4a98pmzc

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Published 2018-07-19

Why You Shouldn't Hate Small Talk

13 min
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Many of us avoid chatting with strangers – isn't small talk tedious and dull? Listen as our happiness guinea pig discovers its surprising benefits.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mr29zv9u

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Many of us avoid chatting with strangers – isn't small talk tedious and dull? Listen as our happiness guinea pig discovers its surprising benefits.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mr29zv9u

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Published 2018-07-12

How to Change Your Mind

20 min
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Author Michael Pollan, shares his experiences on being a guinea pig for his new book, How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/bddxewwm

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Author Michael Pollan, shares his experiences on being a guinea pig for his new book, How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/bddxewwm

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Published 2018-06-28

What Are You Afraid Of?

19 min
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Would you rather swim with sharks or give a speech before thousands of people? Discover how our happiness guinea pig tackled one of his many fears--and lived to talk about it.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3zstem4a

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Would you rather swim with sharks or give a speech before thousands of people? Discover how our happiness guinea pig tackled one of his many fears--and lived to talk about it.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3zstem4a

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Published 2018-06-14

Feeling Angry? Try This

19 min
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For years, Dan Harris of ABC News was plagued by anxiety, depression, and streaks of anger. Here's how he learned to tame the voices in his head and get 10 percent happier.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5d625bjp

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For years, Dan Harris of ABC News was plagued by anxiety, depression, and streaks of anger. Here's how he learned to tame the voices in his head and get 10 percent happier.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5d625bjp

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Published 2018-06-07

Let People Help You

18 min
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In hard times, do you seek comfort from others or turn inwards? Find out how our Happiness Guinea Pig emerged from trauma by accepting others' support.

Thank you for your emails, calls, and letters! We think your stories will inspire others and we’ll be sharing some of them on the show. So call us at (510) 519-4903 and let us know how doing the Feeling Supported practice went for you!

Support for this podcast comes from Sun Basket. We all know that every part of our life is enhanced when we eat nourishing, healthy meals but always eating right can be hard to do. Sun Basket makes it easy. Go to SunBasket.com/SOH today to learn more and get $35 off your first order!

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5xtzbzj2

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In hard times, do you seek comfort from others or turn inwards? Find out how our Happiness Guinea Pig emerged from trauma by accepting others' support.

Thank you for your emails, calls, and letters! We think your stories will inspire others and we’ll be sharing some of them on the show. So call us at (510) 519-4903 and let us know how doing the Feeling Supported practice went for you!

Support for this podcast comes from Sun Basket. We all know that every part of our life is enhanced when we eat nourishing, healthy meals but always eating right can be hard to do. Sun Basket makes it easy. Go to SunBasket.com/SOH today to learn more and get $35 off your first order!

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5xtzbzj2

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Published 2018-04-02

Is There Someone You Need to Thank?

22 min
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Is there someone important you've never properly thanked? Award-winning children's book author, Yuyi Morales, discovers the power of writing a "gratitude letter" to the librarian who changed her life.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yzbnp9v6

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Is there someone important you've never properly thanked? Award-winning children's book author, Yuyi Morales, discovers the power of writing a "gratitude letter" to the librarian who changed her life.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yzbnp9v6

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Published 2018-03-26

Can You Predict What Will Make You Happy?

20 min
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Do memories of your past affect your happiness today? Susannah Cahalan was young and healthy when she was stricken with a mysterious illness. Learn how writing about her “month of madness” in the bestselling book Brain on Fire helped her reclaim her life.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/xeyehswt

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Do memories of your past affect your happiness today? Susannah Cahalan was young and healthy when she was stricken with a mysterious illness. Learn how writing about her “month of madness” in the bestselling book Brain on Fire helped her reclaim her life.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/xeyehswt

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Published 2018-03-19

Find Your Best Possible Self

22 min
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Does imagining your future make you more happy--or more anxious?  Our happiness guinea pig looks ahead for inspiration to improve her life now.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/265b34pj

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Does imagining your future make you more happy--or more anxious?  Our happiness guinea pig looks ahead for inspiration to improve her life now.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/265b34pj

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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 mind and body.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/29wdtvkj

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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 mind and body.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/29wdtvkj

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Published 2018-02-26

Why a Walk Works Wonders

22 min
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Do you dwell on the negative and let moments of joy just pass you by? Discover how the Academy Award-winning director of Inside Out got out of his head and savored the good in his life.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/bury2hu9

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Do you dwell on the negative and let moments of joy just pass you by? Discover how the Academy Award-winning director of Inside Out got out of his head and savored the good in his life.

Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/bury2hu9

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