Happiness Reflected

Mahnoor, Olivia and Youngjin reflect on this season, and how the experience has shaped their understanding of happiness.

Host Olivia and guest artist Jon Lai talk about his piece, “When Ugly Crying Becomes Beautiful Crying”. They talk about the impact that major life changes can have on happiness and the restoration of happiness in reconciling with loss and grief.

Host Youngjin and guest artist Vivica Addo about her poem “When the Party is Over”. They discuss what to do when the excitement and celebrations end, routines return, and we’re left with quieter, sometimes sad, emotions.

Host Mahnoor talks to AJ Mannarino, this episode’s guest artist, about his photo “La Bandiera”. They explore making decisions about your future where gaining one thing means sacrificing something else.

Host Mahnoor and artist guest Vanishta Tancoo talk about Vanishta’s piece “Almosts, No Quites and Not Yets” and reflect on what happiness looks like in the face of failure and adversity. 

Host Youngjin and artist guest Gihan Wijelath talking about his piece “Joy in Every Grain”, and the practice of slowing down to notice how meaning can be found in simple moments and sustain us across distance and time.

 Olivia talks with guest artist Amy Bacon about her poem “The Methodology of Bliss” and living in the moment. See more of Amy's work in the first three volumes of "Happiness Reflected".

In this episode the hosts for this season introduce themselves and talk about how they understand happiness.

The hosts of Happiness Reflected Season 3, Maria, Youngjin, Olivia (Xander) and Kasia gather for one last happy conversation to reflect on what they have taken away from their conversations with this season's guest artists. 

Host Youngjin and guest artist Ellie talk about ways to cultivate meaning and purpose in life, especially student lives, in relation to her short story The Push.