The Rachel Hollis Podcast

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791: MASTERMIND | The Science of Happiness

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Apr 3, 2025

Join bestselling author Gretchen Rubin, Harvard's Arthur Brooks, holistic health pioneer Dr. Andrew Weil, and intimacy expert Dr. Emily Morse as they explore the fascinating science of happiness. They discuss how habits shape joy, the genetic factors influencing happiness, and the importance of physical well-being. The conversation also delves into the significance of intimacy in relationships, emphasizing communication about desires and the role of social connections in enhancing overall happiness.

43:34

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ANECDOTE

The Happiness Project Origin

Gretchen Rubin had a moment of reflection on a bus, realizing she wanted to be happier.
This led her to start a "happiness project", researching and experimenting with happiness strategies.

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ADVICE

Personalized Happiness

Don't seek a one-size-fits-all happiness solution.
Discover what truly makes you happy by understanding your values and temperament.

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INSIGHT

Act Your Way to Feeling

We often believe our actions follow our feelings, but often, our feelings follow our actions.
Act the way you want to feel to influence your emotional state.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

The Pursuit of Happiness

01:54 • 14min

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Beach Bliss and Essential Comforts

16:11 • 2min

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Genetics and the Pursuit of Happiness

17:58 • 9min

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Transforming Connectivity and Prioritizing Mental Health

27:25 • 2min

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Rethinking Mental Health: The Impact of Lifestyle and Natural Remedies

29:23 • 3min

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Integrative Approaches to Mental Health and Healing

32:41 • 3min

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Navigating Intimacy: Food, Fitness, and Relationships

36:00 • 13min

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Embracing Confidence and Spring Sports

48:43 • 2min

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#618

• Mentioned in 38 episodes

The Happiness Project

Gretchen Rubin

In 'The Happiness Project', Gretchen Rubin chronicles her year-long journey to enhance her happiness. Despite having a fulfilling life, Rubin realized she wasn’t focusing enough on her own happiness. She divided her project into twelve months, each with a different area of focus and specific goals. From boosting energy and improving her marriage to enhancing her work life and leisure activities, Rubin tested various strategies, including those from Epicurus, Thoreau, and modern scientists. The book combines historical wisdom, scientific research, and personal anecdotes to provide practical advice on how to make life happier and more fulfilling.

#2337

• Mentioned in 14 episodes

Outer Order, Inner Calm

Gretchen Rubin

In 'Outer Order, Inner Calm', Gretchen Rubin argues that an organized space significantly contributes to inner calm and overall happiness. The book offers over a hundred practical strategies for decluttering and organizing, divided into sections such as 'Make Choices', 'Create Order', 'Know Yourself–and Others', 'Cultivate Helpful Habits', and 'Add Beauty'. Rubin emphasizes the importance of understanding personal habits and emotional attachments to possessions, and provides manageable steps to create a serene and orderly environment. By getting rid of unnecessary items, readers can free their minds and shelves for what they truly value, leading to a more controlled, calm, and energetic life.

#10421

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Mind over Meds

Andrew Weil

In *Mind Over Meds*, Dr. Andrew Weil addresses the issue of overmedication in America, highlighting the risks associated with excessive reliance on pharmaceuticals. He provides integrative medicine approaches for treating common ailments like high blood pressure, allergies, depression, and the common cold, emphasizing lifestyle changes and natural remedies as viable alternatives to medication.

#755

• Mentioned in 33 episodes

Better Than Before

Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives

Gretchen Rubin

In 'Better Than Before', Gretchen Rubin explores the science and practice of habit formation. She identifies 21 strategies for making and breaking habits, emphasizing the importance of self-knowledge and tailoring habits to individual personalities. Rubin categorizes people into four tendencies—Upholders, Questioners, Obligers, and Rebels—and explains how these tendencies influence habit formation. The book is filled with practical advice, personal anecdotes, and rigorous research, making it a comprehensive and engaging guide to building happier, stronger, and more productive lives.

#133

• Mentioned in 111 episodes

From Strength to Strength

Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life

Arthur C Brooks

In 'From Strength to Strength', Arthur C. Brooks addresses the inevitable decline in abilities that comes with aging and provides a practical guide on how to transform this period into an opportunity for growth. Drawing on social science, philosophy, biography, theology, and eastern wisdom, as well as interviews with everyday men and women, Brooks advocates for refocusing on priorities such as deep wisdom, detachment from empty rewards, connection and service to others, and spiritual progress. He argues that by adapting our expectations and focusing on these areas, we can achieve increased happiness and purpose in our later years.

#6411

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

Spontaneous Happiness

Andrew Weil

In this episode of the Rachel Hollis podcast, Rachel explores the science of happiness alongside bestselling author Gretchen Rubin, Harvard professor Arthur Brooks, holistic health pioneer Dr. Andrew Weil, and intimacy expert Dr. Emily Morse. The discussion delves into how our habits, physical wellbeing, and relationships contribute to our overall happiness.

Get your copy of Rachel's New Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold!

Featured Episodes

Gretchen Rubin | 350

Arthur Brooks | 561

Dr. Andrew Weil | 658

Dr. Emily Morse | 627

02:21 Exploring the Science of Happiness

03:26 Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project

08:05 The Four Tendencies Framework

14:44 Arthur Brooks on Genetic Influence and Happiness

19:46 Pleasure, People, and Memory: The Formula for Happiness

21:44 Understanding Neuromodulators and Pleasure

21:58 The Neuroscience of Diet and Social Eating

00:00 Mental Nutrition and Lifestyle Interventions

24:35 The Safety and Efficacy of Natural Remedies

26:52 The Misuse of Pharmaceutical Drugs

27:23 Integrative Medicine and Lifestyle Changes

33:32 Exploring Sexual Relationships and Intimacy

37:34 The Importance of Pleasure and Intimacy

38:49 Communicating About Sex and Body Confidence

41:10 Final Thoughts on Sexual Health and Relationships

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