Episodes

Connection to others is our emotional lifeblood. The quality of our earliest connection determines how safe we feel in our bodies and how safe and secure we feel in the world. Healing emotional baggage is a crucial first step in fostering a secure attachment and achieving relationship healing, but we can not do it alone. It is only in relationship that we can heal relationship trauma. How do we hold compassionate space for people when we are also suffering? To explore how to heal imposed emotio...

To explore the exercise of finding calm without religion, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with bestselling author and award-winning professor, Dr. Diane Dreher. Diane presents statistics detailing the overwhelming anxiety of modern life, then reveals the accessible, ancient methods for comfort and renewal found within her book, Pathways to Inner Peace: Finding Connection, Inspiration, and Renewal in Challenging Times. This episode is proudly sponsored by: Aura Fram...

Achievable contentment isn't found by relentlessly chasing some massive, shimmering happiness jackpot; it's a series of practical keys you turn every day. A proven factor in unlocking a satisfying life is to prioritize experiences that warm the soul and provide comfort, whether it’s savoring small positive moments or a rich life encounter, which beautifully illustrates that true wealth is found in connection and meaning, rather than buying a better widget. To explore the happiness factor, Harve...

Feeling alone in a crowded room is a hallmark of today's loneliness epidemic, proving that company alone isn't the answer. Healing loneliness starts by looking inward rather than outward. By cultivating self-love, you nurture the most important relationship of all—the one with yourself—which naturally leads to genuine contentment and stronger bonds with the people around you. To explore the deep-rooted aspects of the loneliness epidemic, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen spea...

Cultural differences profoundly impact our ability to communicate in relationships, often leading to misunderstandings when interpreting nonverbal cues, directness of speech, or emotional expression. To have better conversations and foster a happy life, it's crucial to cultivate strong communication skills. To explore communication strategies to cultivate deeper relationships, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Patricia Timerman Barbosa da Silva, aka Dr. T, a psycho...

Research studies reveal there are neurological, emotional, and physical rewards to acts of altruism. We experience awe, most often, when we witness acts of human kindness, no matter how small. Volunteering offers a powerful antidote to modern societal chaos by redirecting focus toward a shared, positive purpose, thereby strengthening the bonds of community. To explore the ways self-care can become other-care, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Nicole Karlis, a member...

Well-being science reveals that, despite signs of economic growth during the post-COVID recovery, a widespread "vibecession" phenomenon of U.S. consumer pessimism persists. This challenges the traditional economic assumption that increased discretionary income automatically translates into higher national happiness. To explore well-being science, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Dr. Carol Graham, a senior scientist at Gallup, an author, and a senior fellow in the E...

Misinformation is aggressively injected into the information ecosystem, and it is readily consumed and adopted by those who are too busy to fully pay attention, leveraging cognitive bias in a distracted society. This media manipulation is often fueled by financial incentives, rewarding so-called experts who deliver false narratives in entertaining and engaging ways. This weighs the heaviest on society when politicians can’t agree on policy because they can’t agree on facts. To search for the too...

Many people liken recalling memories to accessing mental filing cabinets, but our memories are actually more disjointed. Memory science defines how memory works as a dynamic form of complex information processing, which relies on active reconstruction rather than simple retrieval. This reality means human recall is intrinsically malleable, making memories susceptible to suggestion, challenging its role in defining personal identity, and underscoring the necessity of protecting against the scienc...

In the journey toward healing, survivors often find that intentional practices like sober sex foster a deeper emotional and physical intimacy, essential for their trauma recovery. This emphasis on connection stands in stark contrast to much mainstream sexual messaging, which frequently excludes the necessary emotional components for true sexual well-being. Development of safe relationships is threatened when media and politics overstep their bounds, making autonomous sexual expression and recove...

When we agree to practice joy through community, connection, and belonging in its own powerful way, it is an act of defiance to what's going on around us. We must ask ourselves, particularly in these difficult times, what we are fighting for? We fight for a meaningful world that yields joy. This commitment to fostering shared happiness becomes the ultimate evidence of resilience and a deeply healing public force. When we agree to practice joy through community, connection, and belonging in its o...

Current research indicates that despite unprecedented levels of global connectivity, societies are experiencing an unparalleled state of metaphysical loneliness. This condition is a potent catalyst for political instability, making populations vulnerable to authoritarian and separatist movements. Political theorists explore the implications for democratic governance and social cohesion through Hannah Arendt’s freedom theory. To discover how to recover joy in a loving world, Harvesting Happiness ...

Tired of feeling tossed around by your thoughts and emotions? By embracing the impermanence of all things, including anxious thoughts, and accepting that suffering is a part of life, difficult emotions can be navigated with wisdom and grace. This is the freedom the study of Buddhist philosophy offers. To further understand how liberation from worry can become happiness, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Brendan Barca, a mindfulness entrepreneur, author, keynote spe...

Humans are perpetual seekers, as contentment is not part of our evolutionary design. We can move toward happiness by actively planning for fulfillment, leading us toward purposeful and satiated lives. By creating a blueprint that includes embracing all of our emotions and engaging in social interactions, we leverage our emotions to heal ourselves and society, rather than just creating more coping mechanisms. To uncover the blueprint basics of joy, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Ka...

A diverse world is a happy world. It may seem that neurodivergent people are more common now, but the increase in diagnoses is attributed to awareness and diagnostic tools, not a rise in the population. Neurodivergence is a distinct way of experiencing the world, with many neurodivergent individuals successfully thriving in a society traditionally designed for neurotypicals. This shift in perspective celebrates the full spectrum of humanity and recognizes that a world that accommodates and celeb...

Most people who practice rational thinking are susceptible to bias, a key concept of behavioral economics. Beliefs can be swayed by our social environments—from our online networks to our family gatherings. This vulnerability arises from factors like stress, the fear of social exclusion, and our innate desire to create compelling narratives. To discover the elements that form the funnel of misbelief and rebuild trust, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Dan Ariely, Ja...

Most people who practice rational thinking are susceptible to bias, a key concept of behavioral economics. Beliefs can be swayed by our social environments—from our online networks to our family gatherings. This vulnerability arises from factors like stress, the fear of social exclusion, and our innate desire to create compelling narratives. To discover the elements that form the funnel of misbelief and rebuild trust, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Dan Ariely, Ja...

In long-term relationships, maintaining a healthy connection is one of life's most fulfilling achievements. However, even the happiest couples can fall into bad habits that hinder growth. A commitment to open, honest communication can increase the likelihood of a healthy and happy relationship. By proactively addressing issues and rediscovering what makes their bond special, couples can cultivate a love that lasts. For expert tips on how to maintain a happy relationship, Positive Psychology Podc...

A philosophical approach to overcoming disappointment involves accepting that setbacks are a normal part of life. This strategy allows us to navigate challenges with greater resilience. Philosophical inquiry invites us to examine depression, anxiety, and disappointment through a broad perspective. We can learn to explore life’s challenges as opportunities for meaning-making rather than battles to be won or lost. By cultivating perspective, self-inquiry, and acceptance, we can transform emotional...

Prioritizing brain health in children is crucial, as their brains continue to mature until around age 20, making them particularly susceptible to manipulation before reaching full cognitive development. In our present technology, a digital detox has been shown to provide effective coping mechanisms for our neural networks, enabling us to better regulate our emotions and adapt to real-life situations.. To seek the antidote for the rise of device addiction and the decline of human connection, Harv...

From the blush of first loves to the mature sexuality of later years, intimacy adapts to our changing bodies, shifting priorities, and the various life stages we traverse. Whether it's rediscovering a partner in a long-term relationship or embracing new experiences, sexual expression should be unrestricted by judgment and has no expiration date. Note: This episode explores human sexuality and is intended for mature audiences. To learn more about sexuality and aging and sexual health, Harvesting ...

The pervasive nature of social media can undermine the democratic process by facilitating the widespread dissemination of political misinformation and a decline in critical thinking. This phenomenon can be exacerbated by groupthink, where individuals conform to the prevailing opinions of their social circles, and various forms of cognitive bias that lead people to favor information confirming their existing beliefs, even in the absence of evidence.. To better understand the power of groupthink a...

Many have come to believe that AI is a universal solution for managing repetitive tasks and a panacea for improving productivity. But is it realistic to think that machines can replace humans in a world built on connection and belonging? Our soul, or life force, is the essence of who we are and cannot be replicated by a machine; instead, it relies on human connectivity and interdependence to thrive and flourish. As we navigate this new era, the question of human-machine coexistence looms. We are...