In this engaging conversation, Ethan Kross, a professor of psychology and business at the University of Michigan, explores how our social interactions can affect happiness. He reveals social hacks for enhancing emotional wellness and discusses the impact of emotional contagion—how feelings can spread among people. Kross emphasizes the importance of mirroring in relationships and how an individual’s emotional advisory board can bolster well-being. Listeners learn actionable strategies to create more positive environments in their everyday lives.
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insights INSIGHT
The Double-Edged Sword of Social Interaction
Other people can be great allies or terrible enemies regarding our emotional well-being.
We lack a guide for navigating these interactions effectively.
insights INSIGHT
Emotional Contagion
Emotional contagion means we unintentionally "catch" feelings from others.
This can be adaptive, but also makes us vulnerable to negative emotions.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Screen Time Showdown
Ethan Kross's daughter cleverly pointed out his hypocrisy regarding social comparisons.
This highlights the difficulty of avoiding comparing ourselves to others.
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The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Katy Milkman
In this ground-breaking book, Katy Milkman reveals a proven path to help readers move from where they are to where they want to be. Drawing on her original research and the work of her world-renowned scientific collaborators, Milkman shares strategic methods for identifying and overcoming common barriers to change, such as impulsivity, procrastination, and forgetfulness. The book offers innovative approaches like 'temptation bundling,' using timely reminders, and creating 'set-it-and-forget-it systems' to make change more achievable. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring solutions to specific roadblocks and using science to stack the deck in favor of successful change.
Chatter
The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It
Ethan Kross
In *Chatter*, Ethan Kross delves into the silent conversations we have with ourselves, examining how these internal dialogues shape our lives, work, and relationships. Kross, drawing from his own lab research and real-world case studies, explains how negative self-talk (referred to as 'chatter') can have detrimental effects on our health, mood, and social connections. However, he also provides tools and strategies to manage and harness this inner voice positively. These tools include techniques such as zooming out to gain perspective, using the second person to increase psychological distance, and leveraging the power of nature and placebos. The book is a comprehensive guide on how to transform negative self-talk into a constructive and supportive inner voice.
Shift: Managing Your Emotions So They Don't Manage You
Ethan Kross
In 'Shift: Managing Your Emotions So They Don't Manage You', Dr. Ethan Kross presents a comprehensive approach to emotional management. Drawing from his extensive research, Kross offers practical strategies to help individuals control their emotions rather than being controlled by them. The book addresses common myths and provides evidence-based techniques to enhance emotional well-being.
The Grandest Game
Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Welcome to the Grandest Game, an annual competition designed to give anyone a shot at fame and fortune. Run by billionaire Avery Grambs and the four infamous Hawthorne brothers, whose family fortune she inherited, this year’s game requires one of seven golden tickets to enter. With millions on the line, the seven players will do whatever it takes to win. Each player has their own secrets and motivations, and as tensions rise and the mind-bending challenges push them to their limits—physically, mentally, and emotionally—it becomes clear that not everyone is playing by the rules. The game involves puzzles, danger, romance, and riches, set a year after the events of the Inheritance Games saga.
Hell is other people. They can upset us, depress us and infuriate us. Their bad moods can bring us down. And their achievements can make us feel like failures. But it doesn't have to be this way.
Psychologist Ethan Kross says there are simple things we can do to make our daily interactions a source of fulfilment and joy.
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos 
