Episodes

<![CDATA[ The bells and whistles of modern life take a toll on humans mentally, physically, and emotionally. These burdens are exacerbated by the compulsion to resist and control the chaos because self-protection and the protection of our children are key motivators. But how do we create a sustainable, lasting transformation to quell modern turbulence? To more deeply understand how we can realize zen in the chaos, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Oren Jay Sofer, ...

<![CDATA[ Understanding and navigating interpersonal dynamics is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships. As an example, in a family where one or both parents are narcissists, it can be difficult for children to achieve a sense of self. Children growing up in this unhealthy environment tend to take on particular roles that fit within the confines of the narcissist’s point of view. To discover best practices for navigating relationships with self-absorbed personalities, Harvesting Happine...

<![CDATA[ With access to mental health care in the United States out of reach or ineffective for some people, alternative treatments and medicines that alleviate symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD are sought after. Treatment seekers are more and more often finding ceremonies that feature doses of psychedelic medicine valuable in shifting their mental state. To gain more information with a healthy dose of skepticism, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with au...

<![CDATA[ Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. In the last 20 years, humans have developed a set of mental challenges for themselves unlike any other in human history. The internet age has created a vast array of complications that our mind...

<![CDATA[ Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. As the 2024 election cycle begins, the amount of memes for and against political candidates in social media feeds will increase exponentially. Most of which will have been created by AI and wil...

<![CDATA[ Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. Mind viruses spread in the same manner as viruses in the body. Something is passed from one person to another. The person's belief system or mental immune system processes the content of the in...

<![CDATA[ Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. The reliability of the information we ingest is paramount in today’s world of misinformation. Because once we decide that we believe something our minds become much less malleable when it comes...

<![CDATA[ Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. In the US, as the election season approaches many people will have the opportunity to have conversations at home, work, or on social media where their beliefs differ vastly. Without curiosity, ...

<![CDATA[ Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. Fear and doubt serve as powerful tools in the political landscape, allowing politicians to manipulate public perception and sow confusion. By labeling legitimate investigations or criticisms as...

<![CDATA[ Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. The primary goal of most media sources is to make money by pushing an agenda. They may create false stories designed to increase advertising revenue, influence opinion, or in the case of the 20...

<![CDATA[ Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. Social isolation, technology, and environmental changes are responsible for many of today’s mental health problems including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Historical research sugg...

<![CDATA[ Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. The media has already begun priming the pump for the 2024 election cycle in the US. Swaying the average American to believe one thing over another will be the target of billions of dollars of a...

<![CDATA[ When you look around your space, what do you see? Is there a corner that seems a bit overcrowded? Is there a pile you’ve been meaning to tackle but can’t find the right time? Would you perhaps enjoy parking your car in the garage for extra comfort on cold, rainy days? To discover how we can all make space for joy, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with declutter queen, Tracy McCubbin. Tracy is the founder of dClutterly, a business that helps people find joy in...

<![CDATA[ What drives some people to take on circumstances they wouldn't choose for themselves to help those in need, speak for those who don't have a voice, or follow integrity toward the righteous path? Where does the spark of courage come from? To illuminate what gives us inner grit, grace, and the power of courage, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with the bishop and spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C., Mariann Edgar Budde. Bishop Marian...

<![CDATA[ The fast pace of today’s world can make us feel frantic and disconnected from our experiences. It has become too easy to focus on the expectations of others and succumb to fear-based motivations. Do simple tools exist to bring us back to peace-of-mind? Or, does everything have to be a struggle? To understand how we can reclaim calm in this tumultuous world, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with meditation teacher and award-winning writer and journalist, Dr. ...

Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today”. But, for some people, it is not that easy. Despite their best intentions, projects and tasks may have a perpetual completion date. Is it a lack of motivation, or sheer laziness that keeps some in a state of inaction? Neither. It is something much deeper. To better understand what lies at the core of procrastination and how to overcome it, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with psychol...

<![CDATA[ Study after study suggests that human brain development is greatly diminished by the use of digital media. One such study shows that for every hour of media a child consumes per day under the age of three, the risk of ADHD at age seven goes up by 10%. As new technologies, including AI, emerge, what can be done to protect mental health and brain development against them? For insights about the effect of technology on neurodynamics, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen s...

<![CDATA[ The practice of meditation was developed in Asia by monks over two and a half thousand years ago. Their practices offered them an understanding of their own consciousness en route to enlightenment. Today amidst a barrage of technological distractions and uncertainty about the practice, meditation is elusive for many. If there was a streamlined process for the practice of meditation that took people out of their mind maps could we better understand our personal experiences? For tips o...

<![CDATA[ Long-term partnerships can be one of life’s greatest achievements. But couples who have been together for many years, may succumb to bad habits that inhibit the growth of a healthy relationship. These bad habits, with some awareness and problem resolution skills, can alter the trajectory of a relationship and increase the joy derived from it for both partners. To discover the do’s and don’ts of mentally muscular couples, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with ...

<![CDATA[ Psychedelic compounds have been used for thousands of years in spiritual and healing rituals. Today, the experiences induced by the compounds produce an opportunity for modern healers to guide patients into releasing trauma and building a new mindset. But how qualified are the current shamans and guides to lead trauma therapy sessions with non-regulated psychedelic drugs? And are the drugs essential to healing trauma, or can healing be achieved solely through enlightenment? To gather...

<![CDATA[ Happiness is a by-product of our life journey, not a destination. When we are able to acknowledge happiness in simple moments, we release life’s pressure valve and allow ourselves to be the best we can be without self-judgment. But how much of our true nature gets lost as we fabricate our amalgamated identities?Our value lies not in our ability to achieve goals or quotas. Our value is inherent. We wake up every day worthy of living the life we want. To hear from someone who has capit...

<![CDATA[ When we are truly curious about why things happen and why others do what they do, our judgment is suspended. We begin to gain empathy for the plight of others which opens our own lives up to deeper experiences, textured understandings, and richer lives. But paying attention in a world full of distractions is becoming a lost art. To discover the many ways expanding our observation can serve humanity, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with the co-founder of the...

<![CDATA[ Many women have succumbed to the belief that they need to be everything to everybody. Being the best parent, the best spouse and the best corporate employee is how many of us keep score with ourselves. But how much of our true nature gets lost as we fabricate our amalgamated identities? How much of our self-worth depends on the approval and judgment of others? To get an honest take from someone who has tackled both sides of the equation, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers ...

<![CDATA[ We are all vulnerable to the irrational beliefs or misbeliefs that permeate social networks, our social circles, and family dinner tables. Even the most level-headed skeptics can get drawn into baseless claims and alternative facts due to compounded stress, fear of not belonging, and the human need to tell a good story. To discover the social and cultural elements that form the funnel of misbelief and how to rebuild trust after a breach, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers ...