Harvesting Happiness

Some people grimace when talking about their job in the

corporate world. Common complaints are they must comply with

orders, they feel their voice isn’t being heard, or they must

conform to the status quo. And, then there are some who buck

the system and break the rules to innovate and drive positive

change. How can organizations change an employee's experience

to create constructive disruption? What new tools are available to

retain creative, rebellionist talent? To discover how we can regain

personal agency and reduce the amount of control industry-

focused cultures have over us, Positive Psychology Podcast Host

Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two thought leaders about their

books that can transform industries. Francesca Gino is the author

of

Rebel Talent: Why it Pays to Break the Rules at Work and in

Life

. She shares her findings about why rebellious people create

more and have deeper relationships. Aaron Dignan describes the

principles of his book,

Brave New Work: Are You Ready to

Reinvent Your Organization?

and shares how he guides notable

Fortune 500 companies through leadership techniques that

encourage heart-nourishing, human-focused decisions.

During the 2000s, the number of people who say they are lonely

has doubled and the number of suicides has gone up by 33% in

the US. The recent COVID pandemic has only served to

exacerbate these conditions. The one group that has fared better

in terms of happiness and well-being is the elderly. To discover

why maturity brings resilience and wisdom, Positive Psychology

Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors about

unearthing the innate goodness in all of us and why it should be

shared with younger generations. Dr. Dilip Jeste describes the key

tenets of his book, Wiser: The Scientific Roots of Wisdom,

Compassion, and What Makes Us Good and describes the

importance of multi-generational families. Lama Palden Drolma

shares principles from her book and meditation, Love on Every

Breath: Tonglen Meditation for Transforming Pain Into Joy, and

ways we can be compassionate even to those who challenge us.

Most people want to be happy. Yet, the moral fabric of society lays

prey to degradation caused by our evolutionary need to tribalize.

The reduction of our critical thinking abilities allows for mind

parasites to take hold and inhibit well-being. Is it possible to

inoculate our minds and make them immune to untruths and bad

ideas that spread through social media? To unveil mental methods

that keep our minds happy and healthy amidst the barrage of

media input we receive, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa

Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors about their books on the

subject. Andy Norman created a new spin on aged philosophy to

vaccinate minds. He shares key takeaways from his book, Mental

Immunity. Allen Buchanan recounts key chapters from his book,

Our Moral Fate: Evolution and the Escape from Tribalism and

discusses the shaky ground on which democracy sit

Throughout our existence, humans have dipped our proverbial

toes into the how and the why of our thoughts and actions. But as

curious as we are, there is still a wide gap in our understanding of

what is fact and what is fictitious. To discover how to thwart

misinformation and move closer to understanding our psyches,

Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with

a scientist and a philosopher about their thoughts and

perspectives regarding the capabilities and limitations of the

human mind. Climate Scientist John Cook designed a cartoon and

game based on a ‘Cranky Uncle’ amalgam to teach our minds how

to have conversations with people who think differently than we

do. Simon Critchley shares philosophical takeaways from his book,

Bald: 35 Philosophical Short Cuts, and what he thinks humans

gained and lost during the pandemic, philosophically speaking.

The quality of information we intake and the meaningful conversations we have directly equate to how productive and meaningful we consider our lives to be. When we add digital devices into the mix we add distractions that keep us from focusing on the task at hand. The distractions plus the frustration of being unable to focus our attention can lead to stress which wreaks havoc on our bodies. To find out how we can take a much-needed digital detox and focus to make the most out of every moment, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors about their work in the realm of evolved brain function, emotions, and productivity. Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett is a neuroscientist, psychologist, and author who dispels some popular brain myths and discusses the content of her book, Seven and A Half Lessons About the Brain. Chris Bailey has studied stimulation statistics and shares what lies at the core of what it means to be productive and how intention and focus can increase productivity.

Taking time away from our digital devices and engaging in the

present moment is becoming more difficult with each new social

media app. Each bell and ding is designed to hook us and keep us

engaged. When we are conscious and thoughtful about our screen

time, we put ourselves back in control of our human experience.

To find out how we can take a much-needed digital detox and re-

engage with society authentically, Positive Psychology Podcast

Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors about their work

in the realm of consciously curated digital self-mastery. Dr. Ravi

Chandra shares his insights about how social media can be toxic

to our relationships and Jordan Reid, shares excerpts from her

family life that enticed her to write The Big Activity Book for

Digital Detox

Human beings require interpersonal relationships to be fulfilled in

life. But many who suffer from bouts of depression find it difficult

to take the necessary steps to get motivated or to communicate

their needs with others. Researchers are studying how to create

mindfulness techniques that can break cycles of depression for

willing participants. To find out more about the mindfulness-

healthy mind connection, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa

Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors who promote being in the

present moment and who practice mindful mental healthcare

management. Dr. Stuart Eisendrath describes his alternative

method to mindfully manage depression. And, Dr. Ronald Frey,

whose book, Feeling Better: Beat Depression and Improve Your

Relationships with Interpersonal Psychotherapy, shares his

externally referenced relationship-based approach to overcoming

depression.

Dr. Stuart

Social connection is fundamental to the human experience. Our minds are incentivized to connect with other humans by the release of warm and fuzzy pleasure-inducing chemicals that encourage us to communicate with and touch other humans. Mimicking this strategy is how technology companies commandeer our bodies and minds to keep us transfixed on their product. Unfortunately, their products only feed us half of the normal biological reward and it can negatively impact our mental health. To decode the intense draw technology has for humans, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with three experts in emotional and social learning skills about how to create and maintain a healthy mind in a digital world. Rachael Katz and Helen Hadani describe the theory of mind and other findings from the book they co-authored, The Emotionally Intelligent Child: Effective Strategies for Parenting Self-Aware, Cooperative, and Well-Balanced Kids. And, the co-founder of the non-profit Healthy Screen Habits, Amy Adams, shares how technology hooks us, why teenagers are the most susceptible to the draw, and how a family tech plan can maintain balance in the home.

Many humans are unaware of the depths of their physical and mental strength. When confronted with a task they fear, some use substances to mentally dull themselves while others say they are unable to take action. If the tools for reaching our next level of performance are all straightforward and free, why aren’t more of us shifting to become more resilient and tougher? To reveal the secrets of high-performing individuals, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two experts in performance consulting about how we all can get tougher with a few smart moves for resiliency and performance. Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Dr. Daya Grant shares the neuroscience of yoga and why we all should be motivated to meditate. Then, Podcast Host and performance expert, Steve Magness, discusses the central tenet of resilience and key principles from his book, Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and A Surprising Science of Real Toughness.

Today’s job market is a stark contrast to the job market of 20-

years ago. Millennials and Gen Z’ers who are entering the

workforce have different ideas about what makes a successful

career and a happy work life. Young adults who are empowered

with the right tools to problem solve for themselves will be major

assets for the organizations they join. How long they maintain a

position will be up to the organization to foster their talent and

the ability of the young adult professional to rise to find different

opportunities within the same organization. To discover how

young adults entering the workforce can build a foundation of

trust and commitment to achieve work/life success, Positive

Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two

authors about how young adult professionals can stand-up, stand-

out, and succeed. Julie Lythcott-Haims is a New York Times

bestselling author and former Stanford Dean of Freshman. She

explores the role parents can play in raising empowered young

adults and other reflections from her book, Your Turn: How to Be

an Adult. Mark Zides is the CEO of CoreAxis Consulting and a

serial entrepreneur. He discusses the core concepts he provides to

young adults in his book, The #PACE Process for Early Career

Success.