Episodes

<![CDATA[ In the US, people are exposed to hundreds of product advertisements each day. Advertisers know how to trigger us into buying things we don’t need using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs model. With many houses already bursting with clutter, how can we get rid of what no longer serves us and curb our buying of things we don’t need? To discover how to declutter the nooks and crannies of our lives, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with declutter queen, Tracy McCubbin...

<![CDATA[ *This conversation includes mature content that may not be suitable for all audiences. It is a common misconception that older adults are no longer interested in or capable of having sex. But sexual activity is a primary drive that offers connection and intimacy to those of any age. Sex can offer older adults comfort and enhance well-being, so why isn’t everyone talking about it? To discover how to shift our sex-pectations and enjoy this important aspect of the human experience, Har...

<![CDATA[ In the world today, happiness is more elusive than ever. It may be that our understanding of happiness is based on the belief that happiness is sustainable, but it is not. Happiness is a fleeting emotion. Our ability to bounce back after adversity and to complete mundane tasks may be the true measure of contentment. To discover the secrets to achieving life satisfaction, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Dr. Jennifer Guttman ,a clinical psychologist who c...

<![CDATA[ Unexpected events can seem insurmountable at the onset, but as time passes those events may change our lives for the better. Maintaining an understanding that what happens to us is out of our control may help us appreciate the love, and humor, hiding under the surface of a situation. To discover how one family adapted to one of life’s unexpected curveballs, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with psychotherapist and author Emma Nadler. Emma Nadler Emma discus...

<![CDATA[ The extraordinary amount of control we have over our well-being is proven again and again in mindfulness research. Studies that include placebos are a prime example of this phenomenon. Why do some people experience pain relief after taking placebo medication? What is truly at play when people have the will to live? To delve deeper into the mind-body connection, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with a professor in Harvard’s Psychology department about our abi...

<![CDATA[ For many people, life can be a bit overwhelming at times. Yet, isn’t it surprising how many people seem to have it all together? With depression and suicide rates rising in almost every age group, it may be that more people are hiding their mental health issues behind a mask of perfection. To identify the connection between perfectionism and depression, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with a clinical psychologist and author who has made it her life’s work t...

<![CDATA[ Trauma is defined as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. When we are unable to meet a difficult situation effectively we create protective strategies to keep ourselves separated from our wounded places. But in doing so, we are actually holding on to our trauma as part of our identity. And while it’s a normal part of the human condition to experience trauma, how we process trauma can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or addictions long after the causal event occurred. T...

<![CDATA[ When we put down our digital devices and engage with others through personal interactions and conversations, our brains sync up, we build rapport and form relationships. The human voice transmits a plethora of information, including our emotional state, which assists the people interested in our well-being to respond accordingly. To explore how we can become more conversationally connected, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with an author who shares ways to r...

<![CDATA[ The human brain contains multiple systems designed to protect us and aid in our survival. When we experience trauma the event is stored in our memory as a way to maintain vigilance when we are confronted with future similar situations. Recent studies in cognitive neuroscience have uncovered new approaches that update the emotional content of our memories to reduce or negate the charge of previously traumatic experiences.. To explore the science of updating memories, Harvesting Happin...

<![CDATA[ As universal consciousness awakens in us all, how will our relationship with God transform? Will we allow God, the Divine, Source, or the Universe to speak to us in a way that lights the way toward compassion and love for all? Or, will we be headstrong, believing that only the God depicted by our religious beliefs will lead us to our individual holy land?. To seek out guidance on how we can redefine our spiritual practice, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks wi...

<![CDATA[ The research on women’s health issues is an underserved area of study. Many women resort to becoming citizen scientists to sort out their symptoms in an effort to put the puzzle pieces together to achieve wellness. Conventional medicine rarely uses natural methods or plants to help women achieve proper wellness, opting instead for pharmaceuticals, which normally only serve to hide symptoms. To discover ways to put the art back into the medical arts, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host...

<![CDATA[ In Western society, the way we handle the death of a loved one is largely outsourced. No longer do we sit in our homes with a loved one who has departed, as we did in the past. This modification changes the way our brain processes our grief and may inhibit the realization that our loved one will not return to us. To discover ways to restore ourselves to a meaningful life after a loss, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with the director of the Grief, Loss and ...

<![CDATA[ Yoga is an ancient practice designed to increase well-being. It integrates physical movements, breathwork, and mental relaxation techniques to calm the nervous system and relieve stress. In addition to added physical flexibility, yoga also increases mental muscle tone and resilience. To discover how practicing yoga changes the brain structurally and functionally, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Dr. Daya Grant. ...

<![CDATA[ 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. To discover some practical tips for keeping mental arthritis at bay, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen talks with Elaine Fox about the role of intellectual humility and psychological agility. Elaine is the H...

<![CDATA[ The lack of intimate, face to face human contact is causing record levels of depression and loneliness. Yet, it seems people, especially young adults, continually choose screen time over the opportunity to physically and emotionally connect with others. Is this a phenomenon of human evolution, or is this the objective of device and software corporations to increase advertising revenue? To seek out the antidote for the increase of device addiction and the decline of human connection, ...

<![CDATA[ Listening is a gift we give to ourselves and the person speaking. When we are curious and engaged with each other, our relationships become more satisfying and productive. But when was the last time you felt truly listened to and understood, in the workplace, or at home? To discover practices that enhance our daily experiences in this mysterious and sacred world, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen talks with speaker, mindfulness practitioner, and former Zen monk, Mar...

<![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...

What if it was possible to have a roadmap to optimize the health trajectory of your body? Wearables and AI can utilize set parameters based on personal genetic and historical data and help mitigate risk by suggesting preventative practices, decreasing the chance of suffering chronic illness. How much control will we have over our health in the future? To discover new scientific wellness techniques, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Dr. Nathan Price about putting hea...

<![CDATA[ The effects of trauma for those who endure it vary widely from person to person. Why are some able to use their traumatic experiences as a springboard for personal growth to lead fulfilling lives, and others become trapped by the injustice and are unable to escape the emotional, physical, and spiritual weight of it? To discover more about the aspects of post-traumatic growth and how it can offer a greater appreciation for life, improved relationships, and spiritual awakenings, Harves...

<![CDATA[ From birth, our self is created by other people. We inherently carry intergenerational baggage from our ancestors, then the process of constructing our ‘self’ comes from feedback about who we are from the time, culture, and society we grow up in. Do we truly have any control over who we are and who we will become? To discover the social construction behind what we consider our sense of self, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with social psychologist, and the ...

<![CDATA[ How do you feel on Mother’s Day? Is it a day when you turn away from social media because you don’t have a flattering Mother’s Day meme you want to share? Do you spend time reflecting on your relationship with your mother and wish it would have been or will be different? Many people, including mothers, have a mother wound. To uncover ways we can heal our primal mother wound and be our true authentic selves, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with writer, coach...

<![CDATA[ Look around your home. Notice what catches your eye that causes you stress and what things make you happy. More often than not, a pet or a photo of a family outing brings a moment of happiness, a new appliance or pair of shoes probably not as much. As the old adage says, money can’t buy happiness. So what can be done in and around the home to provide small bits of day-to-day joy? To find out, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with the CEO of the Happiness Ins...

<![CDATA[ Do you wish your partner understood you better? Have you considered that they may not be wired to? Biology and chemistry are important factors in why we communicate the way we do. Testosterone and Estrogen play a major role in social behaviors from a very young age. To empathetically examine what places men and women on opposite sides of the communication spectrum, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with sex and biology expert, Dr. Stephen Furlich He shares s...

<![CDATA[ How would you define the American Dream? For some, it means hard work pays off, and for others, it represents a period of time in their lives. Some believe that time has come to a close. What makes different groups perceive things differently? To find out how culture impacts people’s perception of success and what hope has to do with it, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Leo Pasvolsky Senior Fellow at Brookings, College Park Professor at the University of...