Harvesting Happiness

Well-being science reveals that, despite signs of economic growth during the post-COVID recovery, a widespread "vibecession" phenomenon of U.S. consumer pessimism persists. This challenges the traditional economic assumption that increased discretionary income automatically translates into higher national happiness.

To explore well-being science, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Dr. Carol Graham, a senior scientist at Gallup, an author, and a senior fellow in the Economic Studies program at Brookings.

Carol discusses the lack of civic and economic education in the US and how that affects vulnerable populations. She also presents statistics on the decline of mental health and wellness among US teens and how a loss of hope contributes to consumer pessimism.

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Misinformation is aggressively injected into the information ecosystem, and it is readily consumed and adopted by those who are too busy to fully pay attention, leveraging cognitive bias in a distracted society. This media manipulation is often fueled by financial incentives, rewarding so-called experts who deliver false narratives in entertaining and engaging ways. This weighs the heaviest on society when politicians can’t agree on policy because they can’t agree on facts.

To search for the tools of truth, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Dr. Adam Berinsky, author and the Mitsui Professor of Political Science at MIT.

Adam dissects the psychology of misinformation, by examining those who create it with malicious intent, the villains who disseminate it for profit, and the audience most likely to adopt it without question.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Signos—Offers the world’s first FDA-cleared AI-driven app and CGM for weight management and wellness that turns data into lasting habits for better health. Visit Signos.com and use promo code HHTR to get $10 off select plans.

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Many people liken recalling memories to accessing mental filing cabinets, but our memories are actually more disjointed. Memory science defines how memory works as a dynamic form of complex information processing, which relies on active reconstruction rather than simple retrieval. This reality means human recall is intrinsically malleable, making memories susceptible to suggestion, challenging its role in defining personal identity, and underscoring the necessity of protecting against the science of misinformation.

To discover ways to use memories to cultivate a happy life, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Dr. Gillian Murphy, leader of the Everyday Cognition Lab at the School of Applied Psychology at University College Cork.

Gillian explains how memory works, the science of information processing, recall, and the risks and benefits associated with trauma therapy. Her book, Memory Lane: The Perfectly Imperfect Ways We Remember, describes the malleability and vulnerability of human memory.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Nature's Sunshine—Offers modern herbal supplements backed by science and harvested from the earth. Visit https://www.naturessunshine.com/ and use promo code HHTR to get 20% off + free shipping on your 1st order.

and

Calm—Offers the #1 app for sleep and meditation. Download Calm and find a place made just for you to rest. Visit Calm.com/HHTR Listeners get 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription.

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WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

In the journey toward healing, survivors often find that intentional practices like sober sex foster a deeper emotional and physical intimacy, essential for their trauma recovery. This emphasis on connection stands in stark contrast to much mainstream sexual messaging, which frequently excludes the necessary emotional components for true sexual well-being. Development of safe relationships is threatened when media and politics overstep their bounds, making autonomous sexual expression and recovery a constant social and personal endeavor.

*This episode explores human sexuality and is intended for mature listeners.

To lay the foundation for how intimacy is the cornerstone of sexual wellbeing, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors and experts in trauma and sexuality, Dr. Stephanie Covington and Dr. Vanessa Carlisle.

Discussing their co-authored book, Awaken Your Sexuality: A Guide to Connection and Intimacy after Addiction and Trauma, Dr. Covington and Dr. Carlisle explore its core principles from various viewpoints. In the book, they examine the diverse facets of human sexuality, including the issues of entitlement and control that frequently surround it.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

CB Distillery—Offers natural and convenient CBD gummies and other plant-powered remedies. Visit www.cbdistillery.com/ and use promo code HHTR to get 25% off your order.

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When we agree to practice joy through community, connection, and belonging in its own powerful way, it is an act of defiance to what's going on around us. We must ask ourselves, particularly in these difficult times, what we are fighting for? We fight for a meaningful world that yields joy. This commitment to fostering shared happiness becomes the ultimate evidence of resilience and a deeply healing public force.

When we agree to practice joy through community, connection, and belonging in its own powerful way, it is an act of defiance to what's going on around us. We must ask ourselves, particularly in these difficult times, what we are fighting for? We fight for a meaningful world that yields joy. This commitment to fostering shared happiness becomes the ultimate evidence of resilience and a deeply healing public force.

Roger shares his intentions for the JOY: Loving the World in Dark Times conference, which are rooted in Hannah Arendt's philosophy that freedom is not a private endeavor but is best found in the public sphere.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Drink Wholesome—Offers registered dietician-approved protein powders for sensitive stomachs made with simple, real food ingredients. Visit http://drinkwholesome.com/ to learn more

and

LEAN—Offers clinically formulated weight management blended with ingredients that support metabolism, appetite control, and healthy fat utilization. Visit http://takelean.com/ and use promo code HHTR to get 20% off your order.

Like what you're hearing?

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Current research indicates that despite unprecedented levels of global connectivity, societies are experiencing an unparalleled state of metaphysical loneliness. This condition is a potent catalyst for political instability, making populations vulnerable to authoritarian and separatist movements. Political theorists explore the implications for democratic governance and social cohesion through Hannah Arendt’s freedom theory.

To discover how to recover joy in a loving world, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Roger Berkowitz, Founder and Academic Director of the Hannah Arendt Center at Bard College.

Roger shares what led him to Bard College and Hannah Arendt. And how one of the most read political thinkers of the twentieth century might interpret freedom in today’s political landscape. His forthcoming book, A World We Share: The Power of Friendship in a Time Without Truth, is scheduled for release in 2026.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Drink Wholesome—offers registered dietician-approved protein powders for sensitive stomachs made with simple, real food ingredients. Visit DrinkWholesome.com to learn more.

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Tired of feeling tossed around by your thoughts and emotions? By embracing the impermanence of all things, including anxious thoughts, and accepting that suffering is a part of life, difficult emotions can be navigated with wisdom and grace. This is the freedom the study of Buddhist philosophy offers.

To further understand how liberation from worry can become happiness, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Brendan Barca, a mindfulness entrepreneur, author, keynote speaker, and longtime practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism.

Brendan reveals the central tenets of Buddhism that teach us that suffering is an inherent part of life. He explains how we can find freedom from suffering through practices like meditation and mindfulness.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

CBDistillery—Offers natural and convenient CBD gummies and other plant-powered remedies. Visit http://cbdistillery.com/ and use promo code HHTR to get 25% off your order.

and

Nature's Sunshine—Offers modern herbal supplements backed by science and harvested from the earth. Visit https://www.naturessunshine.com/ and use promo code HHTR to get 20% off + free shipping on your 1st order.

Like what you're hearing?

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Humans are perpetual seekers, as contentment is not part of our evolutionary design. We can move toward happiness by actively planning for fulfillment, leading us toward purposeful and satiated lives. By creating a blueprint that includes embracing all of our emotions and engaging in social interactions, we leverage our emotions to heal ourselves and society, rather than just creating more coping mechanisms.

To uncover the blueprint basics of joy, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Mark Fabian, a leading expert in well-being research and Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Warwick.

Mark reveals the central tenets of his book Beyond Happy: How to Rethink Happiness and Find Fulfillment and shares the personal examples that inspired him to promote well-being and create his blueprint.

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A diverse world is a happy world. It may seem that neurodivergent people are more common now, but the increase in diagnoses is attributed to awareness and diagnostic tools, not a rise in the population. Neurodivergence is a distinct way of experiencing the world, with many neurodivergent individuals successfully thriving in a society traditionally designed for neurotypicals. This shift in perspective celebrates the full spectrum of humanity and recognizes that a world that accommodates and celebrates all types of minds is a richer and happier one.

A diverse world is a happy world. It may seem that neurodivergent people are more common now, but the increase in diagnoses is attributed to awareness and diagnostic tools, not a rise in the population. Neurodivergence is a distinct way of experiencing the world, with many neurodivergent individuals successfully thriving in a society traditionally designed for neurotypicals. This shift in perspective celebrates the full spectrum of humanity and recognizes that a world that accommodates and celebrates all types of minds is a richer and happier one.

Sol, drawing from his personal experience as a diagnosed autistic adult, wrote The Autistic's Guide to Self-Discovery: Flourishing as a Neurodivergent Adult to raise awareness about the differences between neurodivergent and neurotypical people. His book shares how he has successfully navigated and thrived in a neurotypical world.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

BetterHelp—Offers convenient and affordable professional therapy made simple. Listeners get 10% off their 1st month at BetterHelp.com/HarvestingHappiness

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Most people who practice rational thinking are susceptible to bias, a key concept of behavioral economics. Beliefs can be swayed by our social environments—from our online networks to our family gatherings. This vulnerability arises from factors like stress, the fear of social exclusion, and our innate desire to create compelling narratives.

To discover the elements that form the funnel of misbelief and rebuild trust, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Dan Ariely, James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University..

From his book, Misbelief: What Makes Rational People Believe Irrational Things, Dan explains the core reasons why we believe things that aren't true and why we often have an excessive and unfounded confidence in our knowledge..

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