The Science of Happiness podcast

The Science of Happiness

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.] (https://www.instagram.com/scienceofhappinesspod/#)

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.] (https://www.instagram.com/scienceofhappinesspod/#)

 

#310

Happiness Break: How Connecting With Ancestors Deepens Belonging

Through a gentle ancestral meditation, discover how grounding in your roots can open the d... more

11 Dec 2025

10 MINS

10:07

11 Dec 2025


#309

How to Feel Better About Yourself

Self-compassion reduces our feelings of shame and self-doubt. We explore a practice to hel... more

04 Dec 2025

19 MINS

19:21

04 Dec 2025


#308

A Meditation for When Gratitude Feels Hard

When gratitude feels distant, gently notice what’s here now— creating space for both heavi... more

27 Nov 2025

05 MINS

05:00

27 Nov 2025


#307

Being Kind Is Good for Your Health

Doing good for others benefits our own minds and bodies, as well. We explore the science o... more

20 Nov 2025

16 MINS

16:37

20 Nov 2025


#306

Happiness Break: Finding Peace Through Forgiveness

Explore a gentle practice for releasing resentment and finding freedom through forgiveness... more

13 Nov 2025

06 MINS

06:47

13 Nov 2025


#305

The Science of Letting Go

Discover how forgiveness reshapes the brain, eases the body, and helps us move forward wit... more

06 Nov 2025

18 MINS

18:05

06 Nov 2025


#304

How Rituals Keep Us Connected

We explore Día de los Muertos as a ritual that nurtures community, imbues loss with meanin... more

31 Oct 2025

26 MINS

26:48

31 Oct 2025


#303

Happiness Break: How to Be Your Own Best Friend

Show yourself real self-kindness in less than 10 minutes with this self-compassion break g... more

30 Oct 2025

08 MINS

08:17

30 Oct 2025


#302

Why Our Brains Find Meaning in Random Patterns

What happens when imagination meets perception, and ordinary objects come alive? We explor... more

23 Oct 2025

20 MINS

20:57

23 Oct 2025


#301

Happiness Break: Six Minutes to Connect with Your Body, with Dacher

Dedicating a little time to tune into your body fortifies you to better handle the stresse... more

16 Oct 2025

06 MINS

06:50

16 Oct 2025


#300

The Case for Hope, With Rebecca Solnit

We explore how embracing uncertainty enables us to move beyond climate anxiety and despair... more

09 Oct 2025

21 MINS

21:45

09 Oct 2025


#299

Happiness Break: Finding Yourself in Silence

Zen and mindfulness teacher Henry Shukman guides us in a meditation that invites us to lis... more

02 Oct 2025

06 MINS

06:26

02 Oct 2025


#298

What to Do When Stress Takes Over

Learn why uncertainty fuels anxiety and how noticing our body’s stress signals can help us... more

25 Sep 2025

23 MINS

23:07

25 Sep 2025


#297

Happiness Break: A Meditation to Connect to Your Roots, with Yuria Celidwen

When was the last time you thought about your ancestors? This guided meditation by Indigen... more

18 Sep 2025

10 MINS

10:07

18 Sep 2025


#296

What Happens When Caregivers Dance

Even just a few minutes of dancing can shift energy, release emotions, and remind us to ca... more

11 Sep 2025

22 MINS

22:05

11 Sep 2025


#295

Happiness Break: A Science-Backed Path to Self-Forgiveness

Through breath, compassion, and kind words to yourself, this guided meditation helps you f... more

04 Sep 2025

04 MINS

04:17

04 Sep 2025


#294

How Gentle Touch Builds Connection

Research shows that simple practices such as self-hugs, soothing touch, and hand-to-heart ... more

28 Aug 2025

19 MINS

19:45

28 Aug 2025


#293

Happiness Break: A Meditation for When You Feel Uneasy

In this guided meditation with poet and teacher Henry Shukman, learn how allowing discomfo... more

21 Aug 2025

08 MINS

08:11

21 Aug 2025


#292

How To Tap Your Way to Calm and Clarity

There’s a tapping practice shown to ease stress, balance emotions, and support healing. We... more

14 Aug 2025

18 MINS

18:54

14 Aug 2025


#291

Happiness Break: A Meditation for When Others Are Suffering

Witnessing the suffering of others can be deeply painful. In this guided meditation, Anush... more

07 Aug 2025

08 MINS

08:55

07 Aug 2025


#290

David Byrne on How Music Connects Us

Music helped former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne come out of his shell and connect w... more

31 Jul 2025

24 MINS

24:38

31 Jul 2025


#289

Happiness Break: How to Awaken Joy, with Spring Washam

Cultivate more joy in your life with this practice led by meditation teacher and author Sp... more

24 Jul 2025

10 MINS

10:07

24 Jul 2025


#288

Bonus: Zakiya Used to Be So Fun (Proxy podcast)

The case of the people person who fell out of love with people.  Scroll down for a transcr... more

18 Jul 2025

38 MINS

38:34

18 Jul 2025


#287

The Science of Trusting Your Intuition

What if burnout isn’t a breaking point, but an invitation to slow down, tune in, and hear ... more

17 Jul 2025

17 MINS

17:51

17 Jul 2025


#286

Happiness Break: Smiling From The Inside Out

Just a soft smile and a few minutes of breath can shift your mood, lower stress, and deepe... more

10 Jul 2025

05 MINS

05:31

10 Jul 2025


#285

How Parks Keep Us Connected

From childhood adventures to post-trauma recovery, explore how our parks support our well-... more

03 Jul 2025

17 MINS

17:06

03 Jul 2025


#284

Happiness Break: Embodying Resilience, With Prentis Hemphill

What if you could tap into your inherent resilience at any time? Prentis Hemphill guides a... more

26 Jun 2025

09 MINS

09:19

26 Jun 2025


#283

How to Feel More Hopeful

How can we build a sense of hope when the future feels uncertain? Poet Tomás Morín tries a... more

19 Jun 2025

20 MINS

20:06

19 Jun 2025


#282

Happiness Break: A Meditation For When You Have Too Much To Do

Does your to-do list feel endless? Try this short, guided practice to help you reflect, re... more

12 Jun 2025

05 MINS

05:23

12 Jun 2025


#281

How To Do Hard Things

What happens when the world sees you as a hero, but you feel lost inside? Abby Wambach, a ... more

05 Jun 2025

18 MINS

18:49

05 Jun 2025