The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos podcast

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

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.

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.

 

#272

The Life-Changing Power of a Sabbatical

It’s hard to focus on wellbeing when we’re expected to work nonstop until reti... more

17 Aug 2026

48 MINS

48:31

17 Aug 2026


#271

You're Actually Not Bothering People Enough

Most of us hate asking for favors. We worry about being a burden, coming across as needy, ... more

10 Aug 2026

26 MINS

26:05

10 Aug 2026


#270

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 th... more

03 Aug 2026

46 MINS

46:05

03 Aug 2026


#269

Winning the Lottery Could Ruin Your Life

What would it take to make you happier? A raise? A promotion? Getting into your dream scho... more

27 Jul 2026

41 MINS

41:48

27 Jul 2026


#268

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. ... more

20 Jul 2026

43 MINS

43:49

20 Jul 2026


#267

Forget Small Talk: Go Deep Instead

Most of us default to small talk. It's polite, familiar, and feels like the safest way to ... more

13 Jul 2026

37 MINS

37:37

13 Jul 2026


#266

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 conver... more

06 Jul 2026

50 MINS

50:11

06 Jul 2026


#265

Why the “Pursuit of Happiness” Is a Bad Idea

The “pursuit of happiness” is one of America’s founding ideals. But what... more

29 Jun 2026

46 MINS

46:36

29 Jun 2026


#264

Why “No Regrets” Is Bad Advice

We’ve all had moments we wish we could do over: the relationship we stayed in too lo... more

22 Jun 2026

30 MINS

30:57

22 Jun 2026


#263

Are Kids Today Really Worse Off?

We hear a lot about rising rates of anxiety, depression, and fragility among kids today. B... more

15 Jun 2026

43 MINS

43:08

15 Jun 2026


#262

The Surprising Case for Oversharing

We’re kicking off a new season of The Happiness Lab with some happiness hot takes &m... more

08 Jun 2026

39 MINS

39:01

08 Jun 2026


#261

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 ... more

01 Jun 2026

34 MINS

34:46

01 Jun 2026