What if everything you’ve been taught about happiness… is wrong?

Yale psychology professor and host of The Happiness Lab, Dr. Laurie Santos, joins Darin to dismantle the biggest myths we believe about fulfillment—and reveal what actually works. From social comparison and toxic positivity to hedonic adaptation and brain rewiring, this episode offers science-backed, soul-refreshing insights that just might change your life.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

00:00 – Welcome to the show + sponsor message (Thera Sage)
02:00 – What sparked Laurie’s lifelong study of happiness
04:00 – The crisis of mental health in students—and why it matters for everyone
06:00 – Why getting into Yale didn’t make students happier
08:00 – The "arrival fallacy" and the myth of circumstantial happiness
10:00 – Why our culture is confused—and our brains are wired backwards
12:00 – Hedonic adaptation: why nothing stays good for long
14:00 – How dopamine, comparison, and fear cycles keep us stuck
16:00 – Natural selection didn’t design you to be happy
18:00 – Why living in the present moment is harder than ever
20:00 – The devastating impact of tech on joy, connection, and presence
22:00 – Why even small social gestures create massive emotional shifts
24:00 – The toxic trap of “Good Vibes Only”
26:00 – What negative emotions are really trying to tell you
28:00 – Gratitude for the signal: rethinking anger, frustration, and overwhelm
30:00 – Curiosity over judgment: why your emotion isn’t the problem
32:00 – How to begin shifting when you feel stuck and disconnected
34:00 – The misunderstood power of self-compassion
36:00 – “Go gentle”: the science of slow, sustainable success
38:00 – Reclaiming your values in a noisy, comparison-driven world
40:00 – The science of time affluence and behavioral change
42:00 – Mindset, mindfulness, and the daily rituals that shift perspective
44:00 – How awe rewires the brain and inspires action
46:00 – Finding wonder in nature, stillness, and even YouTube
48:00 – What dogs can teach us about presence
50:00 – How to train happiness in kids (and ourselves)
52:00 – The #1 truth about happiness most people ignore
54:00 – Why knowing the science isn’t enough—you have to live it
56:00 – From Aristotle to modern science: the path to the “good life”
58:00 – Final insights + how to pursue lasting fulfillment

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

Thera Sage – Premium red light, PEMF & infrared tools for total-body wellness 🌿 Get 15% off at therasage.com with code DARIN
Shakeology – Darin’s daily superfood shake with botanicals, fiber, prebiotics & more 🧠 Visit shakeology.com and use code SUPERLIFE for 15% off, free shipping, and a free shaker cup!
Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Use code DARIN for 10% off at fromourplace.com.

Follow Dr. Laurie Santos:

Connect with Darin Olien:

Website: darinolien.com
Instagram: @darinolien
Book: Fatal Conveniences
SuperLife Platform: superlife.com

Key Takeaway:

"Your brain wasn’t built to make you happy—it was built to keep you alive. But you get to decide how to live." – Dr. Laurie Santos

Card Names & Flavor Text with James Pianka | #64