The Shawn Ryan Show
Shawn Ryan
Society & Culture
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
by Pushkin Industries
Today: #84 in Society & Culture on our combined chart.
Chart positions today
If you like The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos, try…
The Ezra Klein Show
New York Times Opinion
This American Life
This American Life
Stuff You Should Know
iHeartPodcasts
Modern Wisdom
Chris Williamson
Behind the Bastards
Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
Ranking history
History builds daily. We started tracking this show on the Society & Culture chart recently, so the trend line appears after a second day of data.
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| Date | Apple Podcasts |
|---|---|
| Oct 1 | #65 |
About the show
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
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Want More Joy? Try Taking Yourself Less Seriously with Comedian Chris Duffy
September 28, 2026 · 46 minWhen we’re exhausted, overworked, or just going through a difficult time, our instinct is often to put our heads down and simply focus on getting through it. But those serious moments may actually be when we benefit from a little silliness…
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Small Steps to Happiness: The Science of Mindful Living with Laurie Santos | From The One You Feed
September 25, 2026 · 1 hr 7 minToday we're sharing author Eric Zimmer’s interview with Dr. Laurie on The One You Feed podcast. In this episode, Dr. Laurie Santos discusses the importance of taking small steps to happiness and the science of mindful living. She reminds…
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Why Smaller Goals Can Lead to Bigger Changes with Eric Zimmer
September 21, 2026 · 48 minMost of us are familiar with this frustrating pattern: you set a goal, start off strong, but then lose motivation and end up right back at square one. Why does it seem so hard to change — even when you have a plan in place? Turns out, you…
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A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Changing Your Brain with Dr. Richard Davidson
September 14, 2026 · 36 minYour 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 you make sure it’s changing in ways that actually serve you? Laurie…
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Stop Doing Things the Hard Way with Dr. Angela Duckworth
September 7, 2026 · 58 minWhen 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 difficult than they need to be? Dr. Laurie speaks with psychologist…
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The Life-Changing Power of a Sabbatical
August 17, 2026 · 49 minIt’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 works in one of the few industries that recognizes the importance of…
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You're Actually Not Bothering People Enough
August 10, 2026 · 26 minMost 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 people is stopping us, and the people around us, from becoming happier?…
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Why Being Alone Might Be Better Than You Think
August 3, 2026 · 46 minIn 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 paradoxically be making the problem... worse? Dr. Laurie unpacks what we get…