Episodes

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...

How open are you to new experiences? Have you found that with age comes a fear of learning new things? Research finds that being willing to admit that we may be wrong about truths we previously held while maintaining confidence is a central tenet of resilience. The inherent capacity for neuroplasticity within our brains means that even with age, our minds remain capable of forming new connections and adapting. This fosters mental agility, allowing us to pivot from outdated notions and integrate ...

Listening is a fundamental tool for learning from one another and fostering a more inclusive and harmonious world. By truly hearing and understanding others, we lay the groundwork for effective communication and peacemaking. When we actively listen, we validate others' experiences and perspectives, which builds trust and empathy. This creates an environment where differences can be explored constructively rather than defensively. For insights on how to hone our peacemaking abilities, Harvesting ...

Are people with more discretionary income happier than those who live paycheck to paycheck? Maybe some, but not all. As it turns out, more is not always better or the prescription for a happy life. Ultimately, it seems that attainable dreams and hope are the true keys to long-term well-being and happiness, regardless of income level, because it's the belief in a better future that truly fuels contentment. To explore the science of well-being, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen s...

Attempting to gain dominance over others rarely benefits everyone involved. Instead, embracing diversity as a superpower — not as a tool to enforce artificial equity, but as a genuine celebration of varied strengths and perspectives — can unlock a quiet joy. This joy comes from the natural harmony that arises when differences are valued for their unique contributions, fostering an environment where collaboration thrives organically, leading to an increase for all. To connect with an Indigenous p...

The demanding nature of their work often puts the well-being of caregivers at risk. Just as it offers healing, therapy can be a vital medicine for professional healthcare providers and direct caregivers, providing them with a safe space to process their experiences and maintain a healthy mind. Medical training often minimizes self-care, but prioritizing one's well-being is essential for professionals to effectively help others. For a dose of mental health medicine for mental health professionals...

The demanding nature of their work often puts the well-being of caregivers at risk. Just as it offers healing, therapy can be a vital medicine for professional healthcare providers and direct caregivers, providing them with a safe space to process their experiences and maintain a healthy mind. Medical training often minimizes self-care, but prioritizing one's well-being is essential for professionals to effectively help others. For a dose of mental health medicine for mental health professionals...

There are many misconceptions and overblown promises when it comes to AI. The reality is that Artificial Intelligence is a useful tool that’s here to stay. When it’s done right, AI seamlessly becomes part of our everyday life systems but when poorly programmed or intentionally misused by human intelligence, it easily becomes the ‘snake oil’ of our time. How do we decipher fact from fiction when it comes to AI and how do we protect children from possible long-term adverse impacts? To glean strate...

There are many misconceptions and overblown promises when it comes to AI. The reality is that Artificial Intelligence is a useful tool that’s here to stay. When it’s done right, AI seamlessly becomes part of our everyday life systems but when poorly programmed or intentionally misused by human intelligence, it easily becomes the ‘snake oil’ of our time. How do we decipher fact from fiction when it comes to AI and how do we protect children from possible long-term adverse impacts? To glean strate...

Many people in the US have grown weary of the non-stop political discord that permeates every aspect of their lives. Some of the information is so polarized that it begs to be agreed with or opposed to, often leading to online fighting and further fracturing societal cohesion. Managing this pervasive tension requires understanding the underlying frameworks that shape our sense of morality. For tips on engaging in amicable civil discourse, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speak...

We live with a symphony of inner voices. Some are critics, and others are cheerleaders. The chatter in our minds is not adversarial, even though it might feel that way at times. The diverse aspects of our personality equip us with compassion in times of need and offer different perspectives for problem-solving. Achieving internal harmony hinges on peacemaking within our minds and soothing the inner critical voices. But, how do we take the reins and slow down the overwhelm when it takes over? To ...

To effectively unwind from the demands of modern life, we can tap into our body's internal chemistry. Overcoming the fatigue induced by constant technological stimulation is achievable by recognizing our need for rebalancing and actively changing our habits. The solution lies in getting a daily dose of nature, whole foods, physical exercise, and minimizing screen time. To introduce practices that activate and boost our natural stress defence, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen s...

A lack of emotional literacy often lessens our ability to face life's storms. As a result, many women resort to self-medicating behaviors to cope. In a more compassionate world, addiction recovery would nurture human needs and prioritize genuine healing. As many global strategies are evolving beyond abstinence, in the US, it is time to recognize that harm reduction programs offer a safe alternative to crisis care. To highlight some more humanistic and lesser-known strategies of harm reduction an...

Feeling purposeful is a fundamental driver of self-worth and a powerful antidote to despair at any age. To increase a sense of purpose, children and adults can leverage strength-based interventions to significantly reshape learning behaviors in a variety of situations. And, considering the pervasive mental health challenges in the United States today, social-emotional learning (SEL) emerges as a critical tool for fostering emotional intelligence, resilience, and positive relationships. For compe...

At some stage in life, most people will be charged with caring for someone else. During a health crisis, caregivers, especially those with children, face intense demands on time and personal resources. If you are tasked with a caregiving role, prioritizing self-care is vital for your well-being and ability to provide care. If someone you love is a caregiver there are simple ways to support their journey including offering practical help and emotional understanding. To better understand self-supp...

In 2025, the United States is experiencing a troubling downward trend in its ranking on The World Happiness Report. This is a significant departure from its usual position within the top 20 globally. The exact causes are complex, but emerging evidence suggests that various psychosocial stressors are leading to a decrease in life satisfaction among US citizens, a trend that should concern us all. Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with social psychologist and co-editor of ...

The United States ranked 43rd out of 146 countries for gender equality in the World Economic Forum's 2024 Global Gender Gap Report. In addition to that staggering result, the current administration is eliminating DEI efforts to further erode progress toward social justice for women. How can we empower girls and women to ensure their voices are heard and their contributions are valued at all levels of society? To explore gender bias and the generational transmission of sexism, Harvesting Happines...

Navigating the emotional challenges of modern secular living can be eased by cultivating inner peace of mind. Mindfulness practices, though sometimes challenging to adopt, can ground us in gratitude. How can we actively seek out the everyday magic and truly appreciate each mindful moment as a source of relief? To explore strategies that increase our capacity to deal, and heal, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author and mindfulness educator Susan Kaiser Greenland. ...

Nature offers a profound secular and sacred sanctuary that presents a landscape of opportunities for spiritual awakening beyond traditional walls. The divine exists within the cathedral of the earth, sea, and sky. It is at the core of every human soul. It is not confined to the walls of a physical structure, nor does it exist under the guise of any specific religion. The divine is everywhere—around us and within us. Spending time in nature offers a sacred path to individual and collective healin...

Benjamin Franklin's "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today" sounds simple, yet for many, it's a monumental challenge. Well-intentioned individuals often find their to-do lists perpetually lingering, not from laziness or a lack of motivation, but from a more complex, underlying struggle. This persistent inaction isn't a matter of willpower; it often stems from deeper issues like fear of failure, perfectionism, or an overwhelming sense of responsibility. To better understand what lies...

Humans inherently have a negativity bias. Our brains prioritize negative stimuli as compared to positive stimuli. And while it may have served us well in the past, today, it only serves to increase anxiety and worry. Research shows that we can rewire our brains to acknowledge the negative and change our perception of it, but it takes practice. To guide us through the practice of positively changing our minds, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Neuroscientist and orga...

Sometimes, navigating our next steps can be complicated, and discernment is not always easy. Approaching problems from a different perspective can help us to gain clarity on a situation and when done so with intention, can become a sacred journey of self-discovery. Through discernment, we listen to the desires of the soul, allowing them to guide us toward choices that resonate with our authentic selves. This inner listening is crucial for identifying our true needs and values, ensuring that our ...

The weight of mounting tasks and looming responsibilities of modern life often leave us feeling overwhelmed and under-equipped. Many of us put burdensome chores on the back burner and choose instead to do nothing because the task seems so big that we don’t know where to begin. This avoidance, however, only serves to amplify the feelings of overwhelm, creating a vicious cycle of procrastination and stress. To help us decode the fear of procrastination and apply the science of productivity, Harves...