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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Greater Good Science Center Podcasts
Christine Eartheart, Founder of the Center for Thriving Relationships, interviews some of the most inspiring luminaries, thought leaders, and researchers of our time to gain their unique insights on every imaginable aspect of how to experience more love, healing, and understanding in all our relationships. Each episode will open your heart and give you incredible a-ha's, concrete takeaways, revelatory ways of seeing yourself and others, and an opportunity to experience a more joyful, ease-fi ...
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Join us on the Compassionate Leaders Circle Podcast, where we dive into the hearts and minds of leaders who harness the timeless power of compassion to enrich their communities and enterprises. Hosted by Laurel Donnellan and Darryl Brown, this podcast brings you intimate conversations with trailblazers who demonstrate that compassion is more than a virtue—it's an effective strategy for fostering healthy workplaces and vibrant communities. Discover how these leaders blend traditional wisdom w ...
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76: Kind Leaders DO Win! with UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center's Leaders
43:12
43:12
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Over the last two decades, a multitude of scientific studies by leading researchers have empirically demonstrated what we intuitively knew to be true: The benefits of prosocial behaviors and motivations in the workplace are vast and undeniable, including significant improvements in employee well-being, innovation capability, employee retention, and…
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When gratitude feels distant, gently notice what’s here now— creating space for both heaviness and small moments of appreciation. How To Do This Practice: Get Comfortable: Sit upright or lie down. Whatever feels most supportive. Then soften your gaze or close your eyes. Take Three Slow Breaths: Let your body begin to settle. Feel the tension releas…
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77: How To Find Your Business Soulmate with Floor-Fix Pro Partners
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We know plenty of stories related to how people find their romantic partner, but how do you find your perfect business partner? Find out in this episode as we chat with Paul Lanzarotti and Gabriel Sauma. Seven years ago, Paul founded a unique consumer goods company, Floor-Fix Pro, launched after solving a problem he needed to fix in his own home. H…
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Doing good for others benefits our own minds and bodies, as well. We explore the science of kindness. Summary: On this episode of The Science of Happiness we explore how everyday acts of kindness strengthen our sense of connection and belonging, and why our brains are built to feel good when we support others. Drawing from both research and lived e…
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Happiness Break: Finding Peace Through Forgiveness
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6:47
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Explore a gentle practice for releasing resentment and finding freedom through forgiveness. How To Do This Practice: Prepare Your Space and Body: Find a quiet, safe place to sit and take slow, grounding breaths. Notice any tension in your body and gently release it with each exhale. Identify Who You’re Ready to Forgive: Bring to mind two or three p…
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Discover how forgiveness reshapes the brain, eases the body, and helps us move forward with greater compassion and freedom. Summary: Forgiveness isn’t about forgetting or excusing—it’s about releasing the grip of resentment so we can make room for peace. Research shows it also engages empathy, strengthens emotional regulation, and helps us reconnec…
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We explore Día de los Muertos as a ritual that nurtures community, imbues loss with meaning, and helps us process grief while also connecting through shared joy. Summary: We investigate how Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, rituals strengthen family ties and cultural identity, and learn about its evolution from a 3,000 year old practice to a …
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Happiness Break: How to Be Your Own Best Friend
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8:17
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Show yourself real self-kindness in less than 10 minutes with this self-compassion break guided by psychologist Kristin Neff. How To Do This Practice: Identify what’s hard right now: Bring to mind a real situation that’s causing you stress, sadness, or self-criticism, something that’s currently difficult. It could be a mistake, a relationship chall…
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Why Our Brains Find Meaning in Random Patterns
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What happens when imagination meets perception, and ordinary objects come alive? We explore the science of pareidolia. Summary: Our minds are wired to find meaning, even in randomness— which is why sometimes we can see faces and patterns in everyday objects. In this episode of The Science of Happiness, we explore how this phenomenon, called pareido…
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Happiness Break: Six Minutes to Connect with Your Body, with Dacher
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Dedicating a little time to tune into your body fortifies you to better handle the stresses of daily life. How To Do This Practice: Find your space: Choose a quiet place where you feel safe and comfortable. You can sit, stand, or lie down, whatever helps you relax. If sitting, rest your hands on your thighs; if standing, let them hang by your sides…
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We explore how embracing uncertainty enables us to move beyond climate anxiety and despair to hope and action, with author and activist Rebecca Solnit. Summary: When you think about climate change, do you feel hope? In this episode of The Science of Happiness, we examine what it means to feel hopeful for the future of our planet. Renowned writer an…
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Happiness Break: Finding Yourself in Silence
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Zen and mindfulness teacher Henry Shukman guides us in a meditation that invites us to listen deeply and find clarity in quiet. How To Do This Practice: Find Stillness: Sit comfortably in a quiet space. Close your eyes if you’d like, and allow your body to settle. Bring Your Attention to the Present: Take a few deep breaths. Let go of to-do lists o…
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75: Redefining Education: Gunjan Agarwal on Global Learning & the Future of AI
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In this episode of the Compassionate Leaders Circle Podcast, Founder & CEO Laurel Donnellan reconnects with her dear friend and colleague Gunjan Agarwal, Founder & CEO of Learn With Leaders. Gunjan shares her extraordinary journey from investment banking to becoming a global education innovator. She reflects on how her passion for democratizing Ivy…
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74: Leading with Compassion: Stories from Sarah Feely & Meryl Eriksen
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In this episode of the Compassionate Leaders Circle Podcast, Founder & CEO Laurel Donnellan sits down with two of CLC’s core leaders: Chief Learning Officer Sarah Feely and Chief Compassion Officer Meryl Eriksen. Together, they share their personal journeys—from hospitality and executive recruiting to purpose-driven leadership—and how their pivots …
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Learn why uncertainty fuels anxiety and how noticing our body’s stress signals can help us find calm. Summary: One in five adults in the U.S. report living with anxiety, and many of us struggle to control or avoid the feelings that come with it. Science shows that tuning into the body, rather than resisting discomfort, can actually reduce anxiety a…
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Happiness Break: A Meditation to Connect to Your Roots, with Yuria Celidwen
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When was the last time you thought about your ancestors? This guided meditation by Indigenous scholar Yuria Celidwen will help you connect to your heritage and reap the potent benefits of remembering your roots. How To Do This Practice: Arrive and Center: Find a comfortable position. Close your eyes if you’d like. Place your attention at the center…
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Even just a few minutes of dancing can shift energy, release emotions, and remind us to care for ourselves while we care for others. Summary: Dance isn’t just fun—it’s scientifically shown to make us happier, ease stress, and strengthen social bonds. From swaying in the kitchen to joining a community class, movement helps us regulate our nervous sy…
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73: Celebrating Kindness: Highlights from the 5th Annual CLC Awards
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In this special episode of the Compassionate Leaders Circle Podcast, we bring you inside the 5th annual Compassionate Leaders Circle Awards ceremony, hosted by Founder & CEO Laurel Donnellan and Chief Compassion Officer Meryl Eriksen. This year’s theme was Kindness, and honorees from diverse organizations shared how one small act can spark big chan…
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Happiness Break: A Science-Backed Path to Self-Forgiveness
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Through breath, compassion, and kind words to yourself, this guided meditation helps you forgive yourself, let go, and move forward with love. How To Do This Practice: Get Comfortable: Sit upright but relaxed. Close your eyes or soften your gaze, and take a few slow, deep breaths. Inhale gently through your nose and slowly, twice as long, through y…
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Research shows that simple practices such as self-hugs, soothing touch, and hand-to-heart can calm the nervous system, supporting caregivers and the children in their care. Summary: From parents to teachers, caregiving can be overwhelming and exhausting. This episode of The Science of Happiness dives into simple touch-based strategies that promote …
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72: Future of Hospitality: Lessons from University of Denver’s Fritz Knoebel School
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In this episode of the Compassionate Leaders Circle Podcast, we continue our annual tradition of partnering with Dr. David Corsun, Director of the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management at the University of Denver, and his students Arianna Rojas-Ortega, Copey Fuller, Maite Montes Gonzalez, and Stephanie Vancleve. Together, they share how Fr…
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Happiness Break: A Meditation for When You Feel Uneasy
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In this guided meditation with poet and teacher Henry Shukman, learn how allowing discomfort, rather than resisting it, can open the door to greater calm and self-compassion. How To Do This Practice: Find a Comfortable Position: Sit comfortably, either upright with your head balanced or reclining, and relax your jaw, shoulders, and hands. Invite Wa…
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There’s a tapping practice shown to ease stress, balance emotions, and support healing. We explore the science behind Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT. Summary: Emerging research shows that a body-tapping technique called Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT, can help calm the nervous system, improve emotional awareness, and support healing from …
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Happiness Break: A Meditation for When Others Are Suffering
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Witnessing the suffering of others can be deeply painful. In this guided meditation, Anushka Fernandopulle helps you cultivate both compassion and the ability to soothe yourself in the face of that pain. How to Do This Practice: Find somewhere peaceful, sit down and get comfortable. Once you’re ready, gently close or soften your eyes. Start taking …
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Music helped former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne come out of his shell and connect with others—and research shows he's not alone. We explore the science behind how music shapes our social lives. Summary: Musician and artist David Byrne reflects on how music opened his world as a shy kid, offering both an outlet and a sense of belonging. We de…
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Happiness Break: How to Awaken Joy, with Spring Washam
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Cultivate more joy in your life with this practice led by meditation teacher and author Spring Washam. How to Do This Practice: Reflect on an area of your life that brings you joy—whether it’s a small moment, an activity, or a connection. Imagine experiencing that joyful moment. Feel the smiles, peace, and lightness it brings. Let yourself fully co…
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Bonus: Zakiya Used to Be So Fun (Proxy podcast)
38:34
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The case of the people person who fell out of love with people. Scroll down for a transcription of this episode. Summary: On this episode of The Science of Happiness, we’re featuring an episode from the Proxy podcast, hosted by Yowei Shaw. The episode follows Zakiya Gibbons, who also appeared on our show recently to explore science-based ways of co…
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What if burnout isn’t a breaking point, but an invitation to slow down, tune in, and hear the intuition you have been trying to say all along? Summary: When we’re deep in burnout, even the simplest decisions can feel overwhelming. This episode of The Science of Happiness explores the difference between urgency and intuition, and what it takes to re…
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