Harvesting Happiness

The Art of Disagreeing Well: Julia Minson PhD on Conversational Receptiveness & the Psychology of Conflict

We live in a moment when disagreement has become a spectator sport — louder, faster, and more polarized than ever. But what if the goal was never to win the argument, jus

Faith, Justice & Well-Being: How Religious Communities Fight for Racial Equality

The growing alignment between conservative politics and traditional religion has alienated younger Democrats and Independents, leading many to abandon faith-based activis

The Soul on the Scan: Neuroscience, Spirituality & The Medicine of Meaning

The burgeoning neuroscience of meditation validates soul-centered psychology by revealing tangible, measurable changes in brain structure and stress regulation. Clinical

Renewing Democracy: Civic Duty, Compromise & Collaborative Bargaining

Democracy is imperfect because ‘we the people’ are imperfect. Yet through collaborative bargaining, compromise, and a willingness to govern ourselves, we can spark democr

The Hidden Psychology of Populism: How Insecurity Shapes How We Vote

Younger generations carry the burden of economic instability, often finding the milestones of homeownership and secure retirement slipping further out of reach than they

Wired for Desire: Attachment Style, Emotional Safety & the Truth About Intimacy

Growing up, very few of us had kitchen table conversations about how vulnerability builds intimacy. Instead, most of us were handed a survival guide that taught us to "ne

Elections Aren’t Enough: What Real Democracy Actually Requires

Do elected officials actually represent you? Once they take office, governance often seems to turn into a black hole where democratic accountability disappears. And, depe

An Anthropologist Rethinks Addiction, Community, and the Cult of Self-Control

Reflect on the judgments your culture holds regarding addictive behaviors. Do you proudly broadcast your intense gym workouts while quietly judging those on a smoke break

Cognitive Hygiene 101: Protecting Your Mind From Conspiracy Theories

Individual beliefs empower us. They embolden us with confidence and assuredness about issues we deem important. But what if some of our beliefs aren’t really ours? What i

Sex Talk: Why Men and Women Communicate So Differently

Do you wish your partner communicated better? Have you considered that they may not be wired to do so? Biology and chemistry play important roles in how we communicate. T

Narcissistic Abuse: Healing, Navigating, and Ending the Drama

Understanding and navigating complex interpersonal dynamics is essential for building healthy relationships. In environments characterized by narcissistic abuse, with one

Procrastination: Skills to Overcome Fear of Failure and Anxiety

Do you have a chronic procrastinator in your life that just can’t seem to finish their task list? It’s easy to write it off as pure laziness or a lack of drive, but procr

LGBTQ+ Kids: Gender Identity and Well-Being

*This episode explores human sexuality and is intended for mature listeners. As the percentage of young people openly identifying as LGBTQ+ continues to rise, social medi

Humanity: Why AI Will Never Replace Connective Human Labor

Many have come to believe that AI is a universal solution for managing repetitive tasks and improving productivity. But, is it realistic to think that machines can replac

Changing Minds: The Neuroscience of Storytelling & Connection

When Aging Gets Hard: A Physician’s Guide to Navigating the Journey with Dr. Surah Grumet, MD, MPH

Navigating the changing needs of an aging parent can feel like a sobering wake-up call, especially as you balance respecting their role in their own care decisions with t

Why Smart People Struggle with Money: The Emotional Side of Finance with Tari K. Vickery

The interplay between money stress and mental health shapes how we perceive security, frequently trapping families in silent, inherited cycles of fiscal anxiety. Breaking

Strong Enough to Feel and Heal: Mental Health, Resilience, and the Stories We Survive with Dr. Suzan Song, MD

Chronic fear and anxiety are destabilizing to the human nervous system. Healing stories can help calm and balance us, serving as vital mental health wellness strategies.

From Trauma to Healing: How Medical Science is Resetting the Biology of PTSD with Dr. Eugene Lipov, MD

Stigmas and a lack of hope afflict many who live through unimaginable traumas. PTSD is a common diagnosis, but it doesn’t quite fit the bill. By reframing the condition a

Unlimited Love Part II: Sustaining Compassion in Difficult Times with Dr. Stephen G. Post, PhD

Sustaining compassion during difficult times requires tapping into what compassion science reveals as pure, unlimited love. The science of altruism tells us that unlimite