Harvesting Happiness

In long-term relationships, maintaining a healthy connection is one of life's most fulfilling achievements. However, even the happiest couples can fall into bad habits that hinder growth. A commitment to open, honest communication can increase the likelihood of a healthy and happy relationship. By proactively addressing issues and rediscovering what makes their bond special, couples can cultivate a love that lasts.

For expert tips on how to maintain a happy relationship, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with psychotherapist and international bestselling author of six books on mental strength, Amy Morin.

Amy offers insights gleaned from her book, 13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't Do: Fix What's Broken, Develop Healthier Patterns, and Grow Stronger Together, and shares important dos and don’ts for couples who desire a love that lasts.

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A philosophical approach to overcoming disappointment involves accepting that setbacks are a normal part of life. This strategy allows us to navigate challenges with greater resilience. Philosophical inquiry invites us to examine depression, anxiety, and disappointment through a broad perspective. We can learn to explore life’s challenges as opportunities for meaning-making rather than battles to be won or lost. By cultivating perspective, self-inquiry, and acceptance, we can transform emotional turbulence into a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world.

Prioritizing brain health in children is crucial, as their brains continue to mature until around age 20, making them particularly susceptible to manipulation before reaching full cognitive development. In our present technology, a digital detox has been shown to provide effective coping mechanisms for our neural networks, enabling us to better regulate our emotions and adapt to real-life situations..

To seek the antidote for the rise of device addiction and the decline of human connection, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen talks with Dr. Carl D. Marci, a leader in the field of social and consumer neuroscience, about the impact of digital technology on brain health.

Dr. Marci talks about how our devices can cause addiction and who is most susceptible. He also shares tips on how to consciously complete a digital detox and prepare ourselves and our children for the next wave of AI technology, as well as concrete findings from his book, REWIRED: Protecting Your Brain in the Digital Age.

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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From the blush of first loves to the mature sexuality of later years, intimacy adapts to our changing bodies, shifting priorities, and the various life stages we traverse. Whether it's rediscovering a partner in a long-term relationship or embracing new experiences, sexual expression should be unrestricted by judgment and has no expiration date.


To learn more about sexuality and aging and sexual health, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Dr. Justin Garcia, the Executive Director of The Kinsey Institute and award-winning researcher and educator about the joys of mature sexuality in our wisdom years.

The pervasive nature of social media can undermine the democratic process by facilitating the widespread dissemination of political misinformation and a decline in critical thinking. This phenomenon can be exacerbated by groupthink, where individuals conform to the prevailing opinions of their social circles, and various forms of cognitive bias that lead people to favor information confirming their existing beliefs, even in the absence of evidence..

To better understand the power of groupthink and cognitive bias, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with cognitive scientist and Cognitive Immunity Research Collaborative (CIRCE) researcher Dr. Stephan Lewandowsky.

Stephan shares his research on how alternative facts gain acceptance, how technology can undermine the democratic process, and tips on how to discern truth from fiction when consuming media.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Function Health— Offers a revolutionary platform putting healthcare technology in our hands to live 100 healthy years. Get $100 off membership. Visit functionhealth/HH or use gift code HH100

and

Quince— Offers high-quality essentials, home decor, and furnishings at radically low prices. Visit quince.com/hhpod for free shipping on your order and a 365-day return policy. Like what you're hearing?

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Many have come to believe that AI is a universal solution for managing repetitive tasks and a panacea for improving productivity. But is it realistic to think that machines can replace humans in a world built on connection and belonging? Our soul, or life force, is the essence of who we are and cannot be replicated by a machine; instead, it relies on human connectivity and interdependence to thrive and flourish. As we navigate this new era, the question of human-machine coexistence looms. We are living in rapidly changing times in which AI is altering the way we learn and work, but it cannot replace the magic of human-to-human relational engagement.

To explore the boundaries of machine learning and achieve emotional intimacy, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen interviews Dr. Allison Pugh, a professor of sociology at Johns Hopkins University and the 2024-25 vice president of the American Sociological Association.

Allison discusses the research that led to her latest book, The Last Human Job, including the dilemma at the crossroads of AI and mental health, the impact of prioritizing data collection on human connective labor, and what is lost in artificial intelligence versus human interaction.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Function Health— Offers a revolutionary platform putting healthcare technology in our hands to live 100 healthy years. Get $100 off membership. Visit functionhealth/HH or use gift code HH100

and

Buffy Bedding— Offers a new standard of rest and nightly self-care ritual. Visit buffy.co to get 20% off your first order using promo code HHTR 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.

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. The inherent capacity for neuroplasticity within our brains means that even with age, our minds remain capable of forming new connections and adapting. This fosters mental agility, allowing us to pivot from outdated notions and integrate fresh perspectives without feeling threatened.

For insights on how to keep our mindset flexible, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with cognitive psychologist and author, Dr. Elaine Fox.

Dr. Fox shares her research about the psychological talents, or tools, required to boost neuroplasticity and promote a growth mindset from her book, Switch Craft: The Hidden Power of Mental Agility. She also explores the concept of intellectual humility and emotional intelligence.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

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

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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.

Listening is a fundamental tool for learning from one another and fostering a more inclusive and harmonious world. By truly hearing and understanding others, we lay the groundwork for effective communication and peacemaking. When we actively listen, we validate others' experiences and perspectives, which builds trust and empathy. This creates an environment where differences can be explored constructively rather than defensively.

For insights on how to hone our peacemaking abilities, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with the Executive Director of the Nobel Peace Center, Kjersti Fløgstad.

Kjersti shares the inspiration behind the “Power of Dialogue Project” and the book that was born from it, Those Who Listen, Change the World. Kjersti also offers timely tips on how to convert discourse into dialogue.

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Are people with more discretionary income happier than those who live paycheck to paycheck? Maybe some, but not all. As it turns out, more is not always better or the prescription for a happy life. Ultimately, it seems that attainable dreams and hope are the true keys to long-term well-being and happiness, regardless of income level, because it's the belief in a better future that truly fuels contentment.

To explore the science of well-being, 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 analyzes income disparities between the affluent and impoverished, examining their happiness levels through the lens of what she terms 'the happy peasant and the miserable millionaire paradox.' She also presents statistics on the decline of mental well-being

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Attempting to gain dominance over others rarely benefits everyone involved. Instead, embracing diversity as a superpower — not as a tool to enforce artificial equity, but as a genuine celebration of varied strengths and perspectives — can unlock a quiet joy. This joy comes from the natural harmony that arises when differences are valued for their unique contributions, fostering an environment where collaboration thrives organically, leading to an increase for all.

To connect with an Indigenous perspective, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with researcher, senior lecturer, and author Tyson Yunkaporta.

Tyson shares wisdom gleaned from his research of indigenous cultures, perspectives, and ways of life. His humanistic approach to fearless conversations solidifies connections and aims to change the world by moving away from individualism and toward communal ideologies. In his book, Right Story, Wrong Story: How to Have Fearless Conversations in Hell, he lays the groundwork for a universal understanding and adherence to the 'law of the land’.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Quince— Offers high-quality essentials, home decor, and furnishings at radically low prices. Visit quince.com/hhpod for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five-day returns.

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.