Little Bits of Happiness: With Guests Sally Millington & Ellen Evers

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Jun 2, 2025

Ellen Evers, an Associate Professor of Marketing at UC Berkeley, shares intriguing insights on how categorizing experiences can enhance our happiness. The discussion dives into the concept of hedonic editing—strategically pacing joyful moments to boost well-being. Listeners will learn about the benefits of spreading fun throughout the year instead of saving it all for special occasions. Additionally, Sally Millington's journey to try 52 new things showcases how embracing challenges can transform self-doubt into personal growth and confidence.

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ANECDOTE

Sally's Confidence Boost Climbing

Sally Millington overcame fear at a climbing gym, feeling alive and accomplished.
This new experience boosted her confidence and inspired her to try more new things.

ANECDOTE

52 New Experiences in a Year

Sally challenged herself to try 52 new things in a year, from small to daring activities.
This habit spread joy throughout her year, giving life more meaning and memorable moments.

INSIGHT

Hedonic Editing Maximizes Happiness

Spreading out enjoyable experiences maximizes happiness, unlike bundling them on vacations.
Grouping bad events reduces their psychological impact, a process called hedonic editing.

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Were you the kind of kid who devoured all your Halloween candy in one sitting—or savored it daily until, somehow, it was Easter? And when it comes to bad news, do you prefer it all at once or with some time in between? Turns out, the way we bundle or separate life's highs and lows can influence our happiness.

In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we consider a mental accounting trick that can help maximize joy and minimize pain.

You'll hear from Sally Millington of York, U.K., who set out to try 52 new things in a year. From the silly to the daring, Sally shares how shifting from saving fun for vacations to spreading it throughout the year transformed her outlook—and boosted her well-being. Her story shows the power of intentionally pacing pleasure—and why we might want to do the opposite with unpleasant experiences.

Then, Katy speaks with Ellen Evers, Associate Professor of Marketing at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, whose research touches on how the way we categorize experiences can make everyday life feel a little better.

Choiceology is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the show, visit schwab.com/podcast.

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The book How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be isnot affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.). Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.) has not reviewed the books and makes no representations about its content.

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