The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Christine Bolger, Associate Director at the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and coach Emilie Lazenby share insights into the high-pressure world of athletic coaching. They stress the importance of prioritizing well-being to combat burnout and enhance performance. Listeners discover how lessons from Olympic sports can apply to everyday life, embracing imperfection in self-care and valuing progress over perfection. Their discussions highlight empathy, delegation, and fostering supportive environments as keys to success for both coaches and athletes.

Georgia Bell, a talented 1500-meter runner from London, shares her inspiring journey back to competitive running after losing her passion in college. She discusses how the pandemic reignited her love for the sport, leading her to train for the Olympics. Georgia reflects on the importance of positivity, resilience, and embracing the joy in running, even amid pressure. Her insights on balancing her athletic pursuits with life's challenges offer practical advice on mindfulness and happiness, encouraging others to pursue their passions wholeheartedly.

Tamar Gendler, a Yale philosopher and cognitive scientist, joins her close friend Laurie Santos to dive into the intricacies of happiness through the lens of friendship and philosophy. They discuss the importance of open dialogue in facing emotional challenges and explore how Aristotle's view of friends as a second self can enhance joy and mitigate pain. With insights on perfectionism, the G.I. Joe fallacy, and the need for a kinder inner dialogue, their conversation emphasizes deeper connections as keys to understanding ourselves and true fulfillment.

Alua Arthur, a death doula and author of "Briefly Perfectly Human," joins to discuss how facing our mortality can enrich our lives. The conversation explores the societal discomfort surrounding death and reveals how acceptance can lead to kindness and deeper relationships. Alua shares her journey from law to supporting those at the end of life, highlighting the role of death doulas. They also reflect on how embracing gratitude and life's simple joys can alleviate the fear of death, ultimately enhancing our quality of life.

In this conversation, Oliver Burkeman, an author and journalist focused on productivity, and Cal Newport, a computer scientist advocating for intentional work, explore the paradox of modern busyness. They challenge the myth that technological advancements lead to more leisure, highlighting how we work more than ever. The duo discusses the need to redefine productivity, emphasizing quality over quantity and encouraging a mindful approach to work. They advocate for separating work from personal life to enhance fulfillment and promote a more balanced, meaningful existence.

Hal Hershfield, a UCLA professor and author of 'Your Future Self,' unpacks how our present choices often neglect the future. He discusses the disconnection people feel toward their future selves, proposing strategies like writing letters to enhance long-term planning. Virtual reality is explored as an innovative tool to visualize future selves, encouraging better financial and personal decisions. The conversation highlights the importance of balancing present joys with future goals, advocating for a compassionate approach to self-care and fulfillment.

Mike Menzel, a mission systems engineer for the James Webb Space Telescope, shares his journey of engineering this groundbreaking project. He discusses how awe can reduce stress and foster connections, with insights from actor Tony Hale on finding inspiration in everyday moments. UC Berkeley's Dacher Keltner reveals how music, art, and nature can evoke awe. The conversation highlights the telescope's ability to inspire curiosity about the universe and encourages listeners to seek out awe in their daily lives for greater well-being.

Hollywood actor Steve Guttenberg shares his poignant experience of caring for his dying father, shedding light on the emotional toll on caregivers. Dr. Elissa Epel discusses how different caregivers cope with chronic stress, revealing insights into health implications. Psychologist David Yeager explores how shifting perceptions of stress can lead to personal growth, emphasizing the benefits of viewing stress as an energizing force. Together, they highlight practical strategies to alleviate stress and enhance well-being.

Jonathan Schooler, a neuroscientist from UC Santa Barbara, joins to tackle the uncomfortable truth about boredom. He reveals how mind-wandering can actually enhance creativity and happiness. Dr. Laurie shares her personal struggles with boredom, but learns to embrace it as a powerful tool for innovation. They discuss how moments of inactivity can lead to profound insights and personal growth, challenging the modern mindset that constantly seeks stimulation. The conversation underscores the transformative potential of accepting boredom in our lives.

In this engaging discussion, Jordana Confino, a recovering perfectionist and law professor, tackles the challenge of high standards that can ruin happiness. She shares insights on the societal rise of perfectionism and its damaging impacts on mental health. Jordana highlights the importance of self-compassion and offers practical strategies to combat self-criticism. Listeners will appreciate her personal anecdotes and the emphasis on embracing 'good enough' to foster genuine connections and well-being.