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The Decision Education Podcast

Episode 030: The Happiness Blueprint with Dr. Laurie Santos

Nov 13, 2024
Dr. Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor and host of The Happiness Lab podcast, joins Annie Duke to discuss the science of happiness. They explore how happiness can be cultivated as a skill through intentional practices like gratitude and mindfulness. Santos highlights the impact of time affluence versus famine on mental well-being. They also discuss the rise of anxiety among youth and the importance of meaningful social connections in combating it. The conversation delves into counterfactual thinking, offering insights on its potential for enhancing creativity and gratitude.
56:41

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Happiness can be cultivated as a skill through intentional decision-making and practical strategies derived from psychological research.
  • Genuine social connections significantly enhance well-being, often overlooked due to the distractions of modern technology and digital interactions.

Deep dives

Happiness as a Skill

Happiness can be learned as a skill, with intentional decision-making being a key component. Dr. Laurie Santos emphasizes that younger individuals are increasingly struggling with mental health issues due to social comparisons and digital distractions. Her popular Yale course, 'Psychology and the Good Life', provides students with evidence-based strategies to improve their well-being. This course has garnered immense interest because it equips students with practical approaches for enhancing happiness, which is especially crucial in today's challenging environment.

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