The Science Of Happiness

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

She's one of the most accomplished comedians of her generation. But Margaret Cho wants to find a different kind of happiness. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2p9yjvks

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

We gave our Happiness Guinea Pig a mission: Do five random acts of kindness in one day. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/36zrcd2p

Heights. Public speaking. Death. Our Happiness Guinea Pig explains how she overcomes her fears, one small step at a time. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mr2pyunc

How can you unearth humor in everyday life? Best-selling author Michael Lewis goes looking for laughs. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3kebr688

After more than a decade together, our Happiness Guinea Pig tries to bring the spark back into her marriage. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/27vwc6bb

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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