Against the Rules with Michael Lewis cover image

Against the Rules with Michael Lewis

Get Happier, Help Others: Some Good Ideas About Giving

Dec 2, 2024
Laurie Santos, a Yale psychologist and host of The Happiness Lab, and Elie Hassenfeld, co-founder of GiveWell, dive into the transformative power of giving. They reveal that spending on others often brings more happiness than spending on ourselves. Listeners learn about impactful charities that use donations effectively, and how simplifying the act of giving can make it a habit. The conversation also touches on the psychology behind altruism and the ethical considerations in philanthropy, encouraging a thoughtful approach to charitable contributions.
51:09

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Acts of generosity not only benefit recipients but also significantly enhance the givers' happiness, often exceeding their expectations.
  • Choosing effective charities based on data-driven insights, like those provided by GiveWell, maximizes the impact of donations on critical issues.

Deep dives

The Impact of Giving

Giving money away can lead to feelings of happiness that often exceed our expectations. Research indicates that when individuals engage in acts of generosity, such as donating to charity or helping others, they experience a significant boost in their overall well-being. Psychological studies have shown that people often underestimate the joy derived from giving, primarily focusing on personal gratification instead. This disconnect highlights the need for a deeper understanding of how acts of kindness not only benefit recipients but also enhance the givers' happiness.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode