Our ability to form strong emotional bonds with one another is arguably one of the most defining traits of our species. 

Back in the day, strong ties provided us with safety in numbers - helping us to protect our feeble, bipedal young from predators. Nowadays they simply just make us feel good. So good in fact, that feeling included by our peers is not only great for our mental well being but for our physical health too.

In this series-concluding episode, Rick and Brian get to the bottom of why our relationships are so important and wrap up proceedings by looking back on each topic covered - Awareness, Focus, Positivity and Connection - and how they interlink. 

Featuring: Prof. David Clark

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Positivity - a tricky concept to define. For some, it’s a state that comes naturally, for others it might well seem fictitious. 

But now that positive mood states have been directly linked to improvements in cognitive function, Rick and Brian are on a mission to fill that glass half full and get to the bottom of whether there really is a science to achieving happiness.  

Featuring: Tal Ben-Shahar

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The 21st century is a distracting place. If it’s not external stimuli like our phones or a chatty colleague it’s internal stimuli like our thoughts and worries that hog our attention.

In this episode Rick and Brian explore all things focus. Including what distracts us, the surprising ways in which these distractions can affect our mood and, most importantly, what we can do to keep chronic procrastination at bay!

Featuring: Prof Ed Watkins

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Chastised by Plato, shirked during the enlightenment, and still buried deep by many, love them or hate them, our emotions have a bit of a bad rep. Quite unfair considering they’ve helped us not only survive but thrive as the dominant species we are today.

In this episode Rick and Brian tackle the topic of awareness. Specifically self awareness, and how understanding the impact our emotions have on our behaviour can improve our wellbeing.

Featuring Dr. Christine Padesky

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Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices