The Happiness Lab is serving up scientifically-backed takes this summer that are so hot, even your SPF 50 won’t protect you.
With the help of behavioral scientists, historians, and cultural critics, Yale psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos challenges some of our biggest assumptions about what it takes to live a good life. Dr. Laurie explores topics like why we should forget about TMI and lean into oversharing, how dumping small talk makes for better conversations, why the kids these days are actually doing just fine, and how men can establish strong bromances. Each episode unpacks a bold, counterintuitive claim — using research, data, and expert insight to question the conventional wisdom around happiness and wellbeing.
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Changing Your Brain with Dr. Richard Davidson
Your brain is changing all the time, whether you realize it or not. Everything from your hobbies and chores to the media you consume can physically shape it. So how can y
Sep 14 36 min
Stop Doing Things the Hard Way with Dr. Angela Duckworth
When we’re struggling to reach a goal, most of us assume the answer is to buckle down and try harder. But what if all that white-knuckling is actually making things more
Sep 7 58 min
The Life-Changing Power of a Sabbatical
It’s hard to focus on wellbeing when we’re expected to work nonstop until retirement. Taking a break from time to time should be a given, not a privilege.
Dr. Laurie wo
Aug 17 48 min
You're Actually Not Bothering People Enough
Most of us hate asking for favors. We worry about being a burden, coming across as needy, or facing rejection for asking too much. But what if our fear of bothering peopl
Aug 10 26 min
Why Being Alone Might Be Better Than You Think
In recent years, we've heard a lot of unsettling news about the loneliness epidemic and the dangers of social isolation. But could all this talk about loneliness paradoxi
Aug 3 46 min
Winning the Lottery Could Ruin Your Life
What would it take to make you happier? A raise? A promotion? Getting into your dream school? Winning the lottery? It turns out that we’re surprisingly bad at predicting
Jul 27 41 min
Men Don’t Just Need Friends. They Need Bromance.
Men today are spending less time with friends, and many have no close friendships at all. Research shows that this lack of social connection can lead to serious long-term
Jul 20 43 min
Forget Small Talk: Go Deep Instead
Most of us default to small talk. It's polite, familiar, and feels like the safest way to start a conversation. But it may also be one of the biggest barriers to genuine
Jul 13 37 min
What We Still Get Wrong About Happiness (Live at Dartmouth)
In this special live episode, Dr. Laurie takes the stage at Dartmouth College for a conversation with happiness historian Darrin McMahon.
Together, they break down some
Jul 6 50 min
Why the “Pursuit of Happiness” Is a Bad Idea
The “pursuit of happiness” is one of America’s founding ideals. But what if chasing happiness is actually making us feel worse?
In honor of the 250th anniversary of Ame
Jun 29 46 min
Why “No Regrets” Is Bad Advice
We’ve all had moments we wish we could do over: the relationship we stayed in too long, the opportunity we didn’t take, the thing we said that we can’t unsay. Regret can
Jun 22 30 min
Are Kids Today Really Worse Off?
We hear a lot about rising rates of anxiety, depression, and fragility among kids today. But when Harvard researcher Alexis Redding uncovered a forgotten trove of intervi
Jun 15 43 min
The Surprising Case for Oversharing
We’re kicking off a new season of The Happiness Lab with some happiness hot takes — bold claims that challenge conventional wisdom about what it really takes to feel happ
Jun 8 39 min
How to Feel Happier in Your Body with Jessamyn Stanley
As summer begins, many of us are bombarded with messages about how our bodies aren't good enough. But what if we embraced movement not out of self-criticism or shame, but
Jun 1 34 min
What Your Negative Emotions Are Trying to Tell You
Negative emotions like sadness, anger, guilt, and anxiety can feel overwhelming. But what if those uncomfortable feelings aren’t problems to fix, but signals worth listen
May 25 45 min
The Hidden Beliefs That Shape Your Happiness with Shawn Achor
Our beliefs shape more than we realize. They influence what we notice, how we respond to setbacks, how connected we feel to others, and whether we take action to improve
May 18 43 min
The Art of Doing Nothing
Struggling to find free time? Feeling constantly busy or burned out? This episode is for you. Dr. Laurie explores the science behind “time famine,” the nagging sense that
May 11 35 min
What Screen Time Is Really Doing to Your Body with Manoush Zomorodi
We hear a lot about how screens affect our mental health, but time spent on computers and smartphones is having just as much of an impact on our physical health — from br
May 4 45 min
Why More Stuff Doesn’t Make You Happier
Buying something new can trigger a rush of dopamine, leading to a momentary boost in happiness. But the rush is fleeting, and over time, our possessions can end up weighi
Apr 27 26 min
Your Environment Affects Your Happiness More Than You Think with Dr. Leidy Klotz
Our surroundings affect our happiness in ways we often don’t notice. The layout of a room, the amount of clutter in our home, and even small changes to lighting can shape
Apr 20 37 min
Chart trend
Position in the Society & Culture chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#57#112JunJulAugSep
#5
all-time peak
15
days in the top 10 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 20, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
She has a pleasant voice and the content is always thorough, interesting, informative and entertaining.
Kdiddlz · Jul 2026
I’ve been listening for a little over 4 years now, and I do really love this podcast. I have gained a lot of very useful knowledge and insight from listening to these episodes, and it has also been a huge help and source of reinforcement and reassurance while on the road to recovery.
The episode I just listened to about if “kids are worse-off today” imo is one of the best episodes of this podcast. I’ve had so many thoughts and questions of my own on this subject, and the discussions as well as the insight on this subject is fascinating. Thank you Dr. Laurie for doing that episode and those interviews! I found the whole thing to be quite refreshing and even uplifting for many reasons.
And I do have to say after reading several reviews that on my iPhone I am able to just hit that little 15 second jump forward button a few times when the ads start and BHAM, no more ads. But then there will also be nothing to complain about which can be an even bigger problem for some people. So choose wisely as it is a big, life affecting decision on hiw to handle adversity.
MT-phunk · Jun 2026
This week‘s episode with Jessica Pan on how to be an extrovert made me feel so connected. I am an introvert by nature and started forcing myself in college to do the like getting up in front of people and delivering a report. And she’s right. You won’t die even if you get embarrassed. I still need my me time to recharge. I married an extreme extrovert who forces me into social situation normally put myself into, but I always feel great after I participated. I’ve also presented to tens of thousands of employees over the last few decades at my company. And I really enjoy the connections. Thank you, Jessica for doing this work and sharing it with us.
4frantz · Nov 2024
I love the sharing of what this scholar has learned from her research and teaching supplemented by sharing her own experience. It’s so fun to dip into the psychology research as an outsider without worrying that the research will be distorted or misinterpreted by journalists. Has also really helped me personally to grow and think about what happiness is. What a great course she has developed, and so valuable for her students’ happiness.
NSJFost · Jun 2024
I used to listen to this podcast more a couple years ago. I came back to it recently and was disappointed by the amount of ads. In one 50 min episode within the first 17 minutes there was approximately 7 minutes of ads. I turned it off since I didn’t want to waste my time listening to something that is about 40% ads.
Deutsca · Aug 2026
The content is usually pretty interesting albeit fairly shallow, especially when coming from a highly regarded professor, but my real issue is all the ads. So many ads. It’s like a long commercial with bits of podcast sprinkled in instead of the opposite. To hear the ‘psychology expert’ shilling for all kinds of junk really diminishes the experience for me.
GigiTheWonderDog · Jun 2026
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
More podcasts like The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
Popular shows in Society & Culture, for your next listen.
About The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos on Reason.fm
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
