Laurie Santos

On this week’s episode of the WHOOP Podcast, WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance, Principal Scientist Dr. Kristen Holmes welcomes Happiness Expert and Yale Professor Dr. Laurie Santos to explore what makes humans happy. This science-backed conversation looks at the key mindset, habits and behaviors that drive a person’s happiness, beyond chasing achievements. Dr. Santos shares the information you need to create lasting joy and quiet negative emotions when they arise. Each practical tool shared in this episode will help to overcome stress, perfectionism and create the self-compassion needed to truly improve your everyday life. (00:35) Inside Dr. Laurie Santos’s Record-Breaking Yale Course (02:04) Differentiating Happiness and Joy (And How To Find Both) (03:33) The Importance of Finding Purpose (05:52) What Happens When You Aren’t Aligned With Your True Self (09:54) The Largest Misconception When It Comes To Happiness (11:40) Happiness in Athletes: Overcoming The Need For Achievement (15:05) Quieting A Negative Mindset (18:52) The Key Mental Shift for Fulfillment (21:36) Fighting Back Against Perfectionist Self Talk (24:50) How Social Comparison is Taking Away (29:39) Impactful Effects of Gratitude and Kindness Meditation (32:26) Creating Psychological Safety & How It Impacts Happiness (33:30) What Role of Sleep Play in Happiness? (39:19) Benefits of Scheduling Your Worry (40:30) The Overwhelming Impact of Social Connection on Health and Happiness (41:50) Social Connection For Extroverts vs Introverts (50:39) Happiness in Marriage: Finding Joy Within Yourself and Your Partner (52:25) How Ruminating In Negative Thoughts Can Hinder Growth (55:38) Attention and Intention in Mindfulness and Meditation (01:01:01) How to Dr. Santos Defines A Good Life (01:01:47) 3 Ways To Bring Happiness Into Your Life Today Follow Dr. Laurie Santos Instagram YouTube X Website Support the show Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Trial WHOOP for Free www.whoop.com Instagram TikTok YouTube X Facebook LinkedIn Follow Will Ahmed: Instagram X LinkedIn Follow Kristen Holmes: Instagram LinkedIn Follow Emily Capodilupo: LinkedIn

This is our unabridged interview with Laurie Santos. Many of us spend years chasing the things we believe will make us happy, success, recognition, the next promotion, the perfect relationship, only to discover they don’t satisfy the way we expected. Why are we so often wrong about what will make our lives better? Yale psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos, creator of the most popular course in Yale’s history, Psychology and the Good Life , joins Lee C. Camp to explore the science of well-being. Drawing from decades of research in psychology and happiness science, Santos explains why our minds often “miswant” things we think will make us happy, but won’t actually do so. We cover how social comparison continually moves the goal post of our satisfaction and why practices like gratitude, social connection, and self-compassion actually do move the needle on well-being. Key Ideas Correct Our “Miswanting” Humans consistently mispredict what will make them happy, often overvaluing achievements, money, or status while underestimating the power of relationships, gratitude, and meaningful activity. Practice the Bronze Mindset Happiness often depends on our reference point; learning to focus on what we have rather than what we narrowly missed can transform how we experience success and disappointment. Invest in Real Connection Genuine social interaction—from deep friendships to small conversations with strangers—remains one of the strongest predictors of long-term well-being. Embrace Negative Emotions as Signals Feelings like sadness, loneliness, or overwhelm are not failures of happiness but important psychological signals that guide us toward needed changes. Turn Knowledge Into Practice Knowing the science of happiness isn’t enough; lasting flourishing comes through habits—small, repeated behaviors like gratitude, rest, and time affluence. Take Baby Steps Toward Well-Being Even small practices—ten minutes of meditation, a gratitude journal entry, or a meaningful conversation—can gradually shift our lives toward greater happiness. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Show Notes, Resources and Transcript⁠⁠ for abridged episode with Laurie Santos ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join NSE+ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — our subscriber-only community — for ad-free listening , member-only bonus content , and early access to live show tickets . Your membership helps make No Small Endeavor sustainable. No Small Endeavor: An award-winning podcast that asks what it means to live a good life. Through conversations with leading thinkers across theology, philosophy, psychology, politics, and the social sciences, we explore human flourishing, meaning and purpose, faith and culture, science and religion, virtue and character, community, and the practices that help shape a good life grounded in truth, beauty, and goodness. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @nosmallendeavor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Host Lee C. Camp: Lee has worked as a professor of theology & ethics for more than 25 years, teaching and writing on topics of faith & politics, inter-religious dialog, and human flourishing at the intersection of theology, moral philosophy, and social sciences. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @leeccamp ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a h

As a psychology professor at Yale University, Dr. Laurie Santos witnessed a severe mental health crisis among her students. One in four were too depressed to function on most days, and over 60% felt overwhelmingly anxious. This experience inspired her to create Yale’s most popular course, Psychology and the Good Life , which teaches evidence-based strategies to rewire one’s mindset and find true fulfillment. In this episode, Dr. Laurie dives into the science of happiness and shares practical, research-based techniques to break free from common happiness myths and mental traps that keep us from experiencing true joy. In this episode, Hala and Dr. Laurie will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (02:10) The College Mental Health Crisis (05:37) The Scientific Definitions of Happiness (07:34) How Culture and Mindset Shape Happiness (12:13) Debunking Common Happiness Myths (25:25) Savoring Relationships and Valuing Health (29:08) Turning What We Know Into Everyday Positivity (38:20) Overcoming the Social Comparison Bias Trap (41:43) Rewiring Your Mindset for Lasting Fulfillment (49:24) Expert Takes on Modern Happiness Concepts Dr. Laurie Santos is a cognitive scientist, psychology professor at Yale University, and host of The Happiness Lab podcast. Her Yale course, Psychology and the Good Life , became the most popular class in the university’s history and has reached millions worldwide. As a leading expert in the science of happiness, Dr. Laurie helps people understand why our brains mislead us and how to rewire our minds for overall wellness and genuine joy. Sponsored By: Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting . Mercury streamlines your banking and finances in one place. Learn more at mercury.com/profiting . Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC. Quo - Get 20% off your first 6 months at Quo.com/PROFITING Revolve - Head to REVOLVE.com/PROFITING and take 15% off your first order with code PROFITING Framer - Go to Framer.com and use code PROFITING to launch your site for free. Merit Beauty - Go to meritbeauty.com to get your free signature makeup bag with your first order. Pipedrive - Get a 30-day free trial at pipedrive.com/profiting Airbnb - Find yourself a cohost at airbnb.com/host Resources Mentioned: Dr. Laurie's Podcast, The Happiness Lab : bit.ly/THL-apple Dr. Laurie's Website: drlauriesantos.com/ YAP E197 with Scott Galloway: youngandprofiting.co/StrugglngGen YAP E247 with Arthur Brooks: youngandprofiting.co/Happiness YAP E342 with Mark Manson: youngandprofiting.co/HardTruth YAP E29 with Gretchen Rubin:

Yale happiness expert Dr. Laurie Santos reveals why everything you think about happiness is wrong - and what actually works. In this live conversation from SXSW Austin 2025, psychology professor and Happiness Lab podcast host Laurie Santos breaks down the biggest myths keeping you miserable: 1) Why money stops making you happier at $100k (not $10 million) 2) How spending on others beats spending on yourself 3) Why rumination and worrying actually make problems worse 4) How your phone is stealing 30% of your social connections 5) The counterintuitive way thinking about death improves your life Dr. Laurie Santos is a Yale psychology professor, host of The Happiness Lab podcast, and researcher specialising in human happiness and wellbeing. Santos shares research-backed strategies that actually move the happiness needle, from her "junior faculty lasagna" last meal choice to practical tips for breaking phone addiction. Key Topics: * Happiness science and psychology * Money and materialism myths * Social connection and loneliness * Technology's impact on wellbeing * Mortality and meaning *Evidence-based happiness strategies Follow Laurie: https://www.instagram.com/lauriesantosofficial/ Follow Tom: https://www.instagram.com/djhookie/ Chapters: 0:00 Introduction at SXSW 5:10 Laurie's Last Meal choice 8:12 Death anxiety and happiness 15:30 Money can buy happiness (Kinda) 22:00 How phones can make us miserable 29:00 The biggest happiness myths 37:00 Why rumination fails 45:00 Personal Deep Dive #HappinessScience #Yale #Psychology #SXSW #LastMeal #WellbeingResearch

Laurie Santos is one of the world’s leading voices on the science of happiness and well-being. She’s a psychology professor at Yale University, where her course Psychology and the Good Life became the most popular class in Yale’s 300-year history. So many students enrolled that the university had to move it to a concert hall to accommodate the crowds. Building on that success, Laurie created the online version— The Science of Well-Being —which has now been taken by millions worldwide, making her one of the most influential teachers on happiness anywhere. But Laurie’s work reaches far beyond the classroom. She hosts The Happiness Lab podcast, downloaded tens of millions of times, where she translates the latest scientific discoveries about human flourishing into insights anyone can use. Her ability to take rigorous research—whether from psychology, behavioral science, or neuroscience—and make it deeply practical is what has made her a global thought leader. What she’s uncovered challenges some of our most deeply held assumptions. Laurie shows that the things we chase—money, promotions, material success—aren’t nearly as powerful as we think. Instead, small intentional practices like gratitude, social connection, exercise, and sleep have profound effects on our happiness and resilience. These findings are not just personally transformative; they have enormous implications for leaders and workplaces. At a time when stress, burnout, and disconnection are at record highs, Laurie’s research is a wake-up call. She helps leaders see the blind spots that keep employees from thriving, and she offers evidence-based strategies for creating cultures of well-being that fuel both human and organizational performance. Her insights cut through outdated engagement metrics and show what really makes people flourish at work and in life. This is a remarkable and powerfully insightful conversation that no leader, manager, or professional should miss. Laurie brings both the science and the practical wisdom to help us understand what truly drives human happiness—and why supporting employee well-being is one of the most important investments any organization can make. The post Laurie Santos: Yale’s Star Professor Brings the Science of Happiness & Well-Being to Work appeared first on Mark C. Crowley .

It is our pleasure to welcome, Dr. Laurie Santos to The Hamilton Review Podcast! Dr. Santos is an expert on human cognition and happiness, a renowned Yale Professor (Her Yale course "Psychology and the Good Life" became Yale's most popular course in over 300 years) and the host of The Happiness Lab Podcast. We are very honored to have Dr. Santos on The Hamilton Review Podcast! Please enjoy this special conversation and share with your friends - everyone needs happiness in their lives! Laurie is the Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon Professor of Psychology at Yale University. In addition to her work on the evolutionary origins of human cognition, Laurie is an expert on the science of happiness and the ways in which our minds lie to us about what makes us happy. Her Yale course, "Psychology and the Good Life," teaches students how the science of psychology can provide important hints about how to make wiser choices and live a life that's happier and more fulfilling. The class became Yale's most popular course in over 300 years, with almost one out of four students enrolled. Her course has been featured in the New York Times, NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, GQ Magazine, Slate and O! Magazine. The online version of the class— The Science of Well-Being on Coursera.org—has attracted more than 4 million learners from around the world. A winner of numerous awards both for her science and teaching, she was recently voted as one of Popular Science Magazine's "Brilliant 10" young minds, and was named in Time Magazine as a "Leading Campus Celebrity." Her podcast, The Happiness Lab , is a top-3 Apple podcast which has attracted 100+ million downloads since its launch. How to contact Dr. Laurie Santos: Dr. Laurie Santos Website Dr. Laurie Santos on Instagram Dr. Laurie Santos on YouTube How to contact Dr. Bob: Dr. Bob on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChztMVtPCLJkiXvv7H5tpDQ Dr. Bob on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drroberthamilton/ Dr. Bob on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bob.hamilton.1656 Dr. Bob's Seven Secrets Of The Newborn website: https://7secretsofthenewborn.com/ Dr. Bob's website: https://roberthamiltonmd.com/ Pacific Ocean Pediatrics: http://www.pacificoceanpediatrics.com/

What if good and evil aren’t as clear-cut as we think? This week, Simran sits down with Laurie Santos, a Yale professor and the mind behind the Science of Wellbeing course, to unpack the messy, complicated nature of human behavior. Together, they talk about small but powerful tools like ritual objects and cognitive reappraisal that help us manage our emotions and reshape our habits, rooting us more firmly in what truly matters. They explore how these visible, everyday practices create space for our values to live and breathe, both individually and in community. In a world that pushes us to constantly hustle, Simran and Laurie offer a refreshing invitation to slow down, rewire our habits, and choose connection and wellbeing over productivity. Resources: Check out Simran’s work on his website at simranjeetsingh.org . Visit Laurie Santos’ website here . The Happiness Lab with Laurie Santos Wisdom & Practice is produced in partnership with PRX and the Aspen Institute, with support from the John Templeton Foundation. Music by Raj Kanwal Singh. This episode was produced by associate producer, Serena Chow, producer, Rithu Jagannath and senior producer, Morgan Flannery. Our project manager is Edwin Ochoa, our show is mixed by Tommy Bazarian and the executive producer of PRX Productions is Jocelyn Gonzales.

This week, we're joined by Dr. Laurie Santos, the Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon Professor of Psychology and Head of Silliman College at Yale University. Dr. Santos offers valuable insights into why modern parenting can feel more overwhelming than ever—and what we can do about it. Drawing on evidence-based research, she shares practical strategies to help parents reduce stress and boost their well-being. From tackling parent guilt to navigating the ever-elusive concept of "time," we explore the mental health challenges and everyday decisions that come with raising kids today. Tune in for a thoughtful, informative conversation every parent can relate to. Instagram: @lauriesantosofficial FaceBook: DrLaurieSantos Threads: @lauriesantosofficial TikTok: @drlauriesantos Twitter: @lauriesantos LinkedIn: laurie-santos YouTube: @DrLaurieSantos Website: https://www.drlauriesantos.com/ Resources for Parents: drlauriesantos.com/parents The Happiness Lab Podcast: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos Newsletter: https://www.drlauriesantos.com/newsletter-signup/ The Science of Well-Being for Parents: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being-for-parents The Science of Well-Being for Teens: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being-for-teens The Science of Well-Being: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle are joined by Yale professor and host of The Happiness Lab podcast, Dr. Laurie Santos, to talk about the small ways you can find more meaning in your job, and the adjustments that help increase our happiness and well being at work. 00:00 Intro 00:44 Dr. Laurie Santos Intro 01:47 How much does your work factor into your overall happiness? 03:33 Dr. Santos’ take on the difference between how millennials and how Gen Z approach work 07:50 “Job crafting” 09:33 Remote vs in-office 12:30 How office perks impact happiness 14:46 How we can alter our relationship with time to increase our happiness 18:09 How “job crafting” is different from toxic positivity 22:47 The “GI Joe Fallacy” 25:50 Advice for working parents 30:05 Dr. Laurie Santos’s personal happiness habits Want to get all of Kaila & Kyle’s career resources? Subscribe to Per My Last Email: https://www.permylastemailshow.com/ Watch Per My Last Email on YouTube: @PerMYLastEmailShow Follow Per My Last Email Instagram: @permylastemailshow TikTok: @permylastemailshow Twitter: @permylast_email Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to permylastemail@morningbrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Each week on Per My Last Email, Morning Brew’s resident career experts Kaila and Kyle – whose careers have collectively spanned the corporate, government, nonprofit and startup sectors – debate the trickiest challenges in work life, and share tactics on how to overcome them. Share the show with a friend, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast app! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles welcomes Dr. Laurie Santos, a renowned psychologist and professor at Yale University, to discuss the importance of mattering in our increasingly busy and disconnected world. Dr. Santos shares insights from her popular Yale course, "Psychology and the Good Life," and her podcast, "The Happiness Lab," exploring how social connections, intrinsic motivation, and the act of helping others can enhance our sense of belonging and overall happiness.Link to the full show notes: https://passionstruck.com/laurie-santos-on-how-to-matter-in-a-busy-world/ Key takeaways: The Importance of Mattering: Mattering is crucial for our psychological well-being. It involves feeling valued and connected to others, which is essential for happiness. Cultural Pressures: Many students today, especially in high-pressure environments like Ivy League schools, are focused on individual achievements, leading to feelings of disconnection and anxiety. Social Connection: Happy people tend to have strong social ties. Engaging with others and helping them can significantly boost our own happiness. Technology's Role: While technology can connect us, it can also lead to disconnection. The convenience of digital communication often lacks the depth of face-to-face interactions. The Work of Happiness: Achieving happiness requires effort and intentionality. Simple acts of kindness and social engagement can enhance our sense of mattering. Connect with Dr. Laurie Santos: https://www.instagram.com/lauriesantosofficial/?hl=en Sponsors: Factor Meals: http://factormeals.com/factormeals50off and use code “FACTOR MEALS 50 OFF Rosetta Stone: Unlock 25 languages for life at “ROSETTASTONE.com/passionstruck .” Prolon: Reset your health with 15% off at “ProlonLife.com/passionstruck .” Mint Mobile: Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at “ MINT MOBILE dot com slash PASSION. ” Hims: Start your journey to regrowing hair with Hims. Visit hims.com/PASSIONSTRUCK for your free online visit. Quince: Discover luxury at affordable prices with Quince. Enjoy free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/PASSION Next on Passion Struck: In the next episode of Passion Struck, John sits down with Dr Samuel Wilkinson, YALE professor and author of the book "Purpose.". In this discussion, we go over why, for generations, we've been told that evolution suggests that life has no deeper meaning, that we're simply the result of molecular accidents.For more information on advertisers and promo codes, visit Passion Struck Deals .Join the Passion Struck Community! Sign up for the Live Intentionally newsletter, where I share exclusive content, actionable advice, and insights to help you ignite your purpose and live your most intentional life. Get access to practical exercises, inspiring stories, and tools designed to help you grow. Learn more and sign up here. Speaking Engagements & Workshops Are you looking to inspire your team, organization, or audience to take intentional action in their l

In this episode of SuperPsyched, hosted by Dr. Adam Dorsay, listeners are introduced to Dr. Laurie Santos, a professor of psychology at Yale and a leading voice in positive psychology. The discussion covers the mental health crises among college students, the impact of social media, and the pressures of modern life. Dr. Santos shares insights from her popular course, 'The Science of Wellbeing,' and her podcast, 'The Happiness Lab.' They explore topics such as the importance of social connections, the benefits of focusing on happiness, and practical strategies for improving mental health. Dr. Santos also talks about her experiences with comparative psychology and shares anecdotes from interactions with celebrities like Rob Lowe and Sesame Street characters. The episode concludes with reflections on fun, time management, and the power of changing our mindsets and behaviors to enhance happiness. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 The Evolution of Positive Psychology 01:07 Introducing Dr. Laurie Santos 02:21 The Mental Health Crisis in College Students 05:15 Factors Contributing to Mental Health Issues 07:49 The Power of Social Connection 10:53 Laurie's Celebrity Encounters 15:02 Lessons from Mammals on Happiness 19:44 The Importance of Protecting Your Time 24:24 Simulating Future Commitments 24:57 The Science of Fun 27:10 Fun Audit: Discovering Your Joy 35:35 The Importance of Time Affluence 41:54 Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science 44:40 Final Thoughts and Insights Helpful Links: https://www.drlauriesantos.com/

A double definition of happiness — and how to cultivate both parts. The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways to enhance our lives through better communication, deeper connections, and more meaningful choices. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to happiness, but according to Laurie Santos , everyone needs the two key components of contentment and fulfillment — or as she puts it, being happy in your life and happy with your life. “Being happy in your life [means] your life is filled with joy,” explains Santos, a Yale psychology professor and host of The Happiness Lab podcast. This felt sense of happiness — enjoying where we are, what we do, and who we’re with — is essential, but it’s not the only piece of the puzzle. Being happy with your life, she says, is the belief that “your life is going well. Being happy with your life gets closer to things like fulfillment and purpose.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart , Santos joins Matt Abrahams to explore how to cultivate both sides of her happiness equation, from building deeper connections with others to transforming the ways we communicate with ourselves. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/ThinkFast and get ten percent off your first month . Episode Reference Links: Laurie Santos The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos | Podcast Connect: Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn , Instagram , YouTube Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (02:08) - Defining Happiness (03:21) - The Role of Negative Emotions (04:54) - Balancing Negative and Positive Emotions (05:45) - Positive Communication (07:18) - Improving Self-Talk (09:50) - Deepening Conversations (11:04) - Navigating Difficult Conversations (12:39) - The Power of Gratitude (15:15) - Technology and Wellbeing (18:33) - The Final Three Questions (22:35) - Conclusion ******** Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium . Take advantage of our Sponsor offer from BetterHelp