The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos podcast

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

You might think you know what it takes to lead a happier life… more money, a better job, or Instagram-worthy vacations. You’re dead wrong. Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better. Based on the psychology course she teaches at Yale -- the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history -- Laurie will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness.

You might think you know what it takes to lead a happier life… more money, a better job, or Instagram-worthy vacations. You’re dead wrong. Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better. Based on the psychology course she teaches at Yale -- the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history -- Laurie will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness.

 

#252

Why You're Still Using Social Media (Even If You Want to Stop) with Dr. Cass Sunstein

Why is social media so hard to quit? We waste hours scrolling, feel worse when we log off,... more

23 Mar 2026

32 MINS

32:50

23 Mar 2026


#251

What is Social Media Doing to Kids? with Dr. Jean Twenge

Over the past decade,ratesofdepression and loneliness have surged among young people. Many... more

20 Mar 2026

34 MINS

34:46

20 Mar 2026


#250

How to Stop Work From Taking Over Your Life

Work doesn’t end when the workday does. Even after we close our laptops, our minds k... more

16 Mar 2026

43 MINS

43:18

16 Mar 2026


#249

Inside the Love Lab with Drs. John & Julie Gottman (Part 2)

In Part 2 of Dr. Laurie’s conversation with researchers Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Jul... more

09 Mar 2026

35 MINS

35:43

09 Mar 2026


#248

Inside the Love Lab with Drs. John & Julie Gottman (Part 1)

In this classic episode, Dr. Laurie speaks with two of the world’s most influential ... more

02 Mar 2026

47 MINS

47:04

02 Mar 2026


#247

Why Algorithms Can’t Predict Your Love Life with Dr. Paul Eastwick

Modern dating can feel like a marketplace. We’re told we all have a “mate valu... more

23 Feb 2026

41 MINS

41:11

23 Feb 2026


#246

How to Find "The One": The Science of Dating with Tim Molnar

Modern dating can feel exhausting. On one hand, there’s the seemingly endless swipin... more

16 Feb 2026

45 MINS

45:01

16 Feb 2026


#245

How to Feel Truly Loved (with Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky and Dr. Harry Reis)

Most of us have people in our lives who love us — partners, friends, family — ... more

09 Feb 2026

42 MINS

42:09

09 Feb 2026


#244

How to Design a More Meaningful Life (with Dave Evans and Bill Burnett)

What does it mean to live a meaningful life? How do you find direction when you feel stuck... more

02 Feb 2026

46 MINS

46:30

02 Feb 2026


#243

The Surprising Science of Creativity (with Dr. George Newman)

We often think creativity comes from sudden flashes of genius within us. But what if ideas... more

26 Jan 2026

30 MINS

30:34

26 Jan 2026


#242

Why Chasing Success Can Leave You Feeling Stuck (with David Brooks)

It’s easy to fixate on the usual markers of success — your resume, your net wo... more

19 Jan 2026

36 MINS

36:48

19 Jan 2026


#241

How to Bounce Back from Life’s Curveballs (with Dr. Maya Shankar)

Life has a way of upending even our best-laid plans. Breakups, job losses, scary health di... more

12 Jan 2026

39 MINS

39:32

12 Jan 2026