My Latest Favourite Podcast – The Happiness Lab

Years ago, I can’t remember when (I think maybe 2019?), I did an amazing course online (on Coursera) called The Science of Wellbeing, which is the online version of Yale Psychology Professor Dr Laurie Santos’ popular course – in fact, her classroom version of the course which is called Psychology and the Good Life that she started in 2018, is the most popular course at Yale ever. Ever. In it’s 300+ year history. And that says something.

People were obviously ready and willing to learn about Happiness and Positive Psychology and how to cultivate more happiness in their lives, as, especially over the last 4+ years that have been challenging for a whole host of reasons (not the least being the Covid pandemic!), people’s mental health has been in a big spiral. People’s mental wellbeing has plummeted in recent years, so now there’s a lot more focus on improving wellbeing, on flourishing, on self care, on happiness. With practices like gratitude. And mindfulness - being in the present moment.

So Dr Santos’ course arrived right at the right time. Right when we all needed to learn more about the Science of Wellbeing. I highly recommend her course on Coursera – it’s free!

Since taking the Science of Wellbeing course, I became very interested in Positive Psychology and have Since taken multiple courses in the subject.

TL:DR, I’d known about Dr Laurie for a few years. And had heard her as a guest on various podcasts I listen to (like 10% Happier with Dan Harris, and The Rich Roll Podcast and The Huberman Lab and other motivational, self help, self improvement-esque podcasts.

And because of this, I’d heard about her own podcast, The Happiness Lab, mentioned whenever I heard her talk on these shows. And I always thought “I should check it out.”

But, for some reason, I never did. Until now.

And man, I don’t know why I waited so long! I’m loving it! It’s my new fave podcast. Laurie is a great podcast host – engaging and entertaining and every episode is insightful and interesting. And they’re all a decent length – on average around half an hour (but some episodes bump up to around an hour) – so they’re great to listen to when you don’t have a lot of time, and you don’t like breaking up your podcasts – like those multiple hour-long ones (I listen to a few that are regularly around 2 hours, so often have to break those use into multiple listening sessions)!

Here’s the blurb from her podcast, to entice you (though I don’t think you’ll need any enticing!) to check out her podcast:

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’s300-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.

So if that doesn’t inspire you to go check out The Happiness Lab and give it a listen…I don’t know what will!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on what you think of it, if you do check it out – or if you’re already a long time listener! Since it started in the summer of 2019, I have a lot of catching up to do – but it’s something I’m really happy about!

And don’t forget to live with a dose of wonder!

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