Dr Laurie Santos: What Actually Makes Us Happy
WHY YOU SHOULD LISTEN:
If you want to understand why your brain is wired to get in the way of your own happiness and exactly what to do about it, this is the episode for you.
JACK’S TAKE
I started listening to this podcast during the Covid-19 pandemic and it really hit home for me. When the world was shutting down, Laurie Santos was a really clear voice that helped me think of the small daily behaviours I could do to build more happiness in my life.
I knew I would love what she shared when she said: all of the best happiness strategies that psychologists are uncovering today were used by the Ancient Greeks.
Laurie is a Yale professor who has spent her career studying why we're so bad at predicting what will make us happy, and more importantly, what actually works. Her episodes are short, punchy, and backed by research. I particularly loved this episode (linked above), where she talks about buying experiences over things and how that leads to lasting memories rather than the fleeting buzz we get from stuff. What I love most about her podcast is that she doesn't just leave you with the problem. She gives you what she calls "rewirable" tools: habits backed by decades of research that you can start using today.
I recommend starting with her own show for a focused hit, or head to Rich Roll for a longer conversation (listen on spotify / listen on apple podcasts) that covers the full breadth of her work.
KEY IDEAS
① There are two types of happiness and you need both. Being happy in your life (moment-to-moment joy) and happy with your life (deep satisfaction) are different things. Laurie gives you the tools to build both.
② Your brain is a terrible happiness forecaster. We all believe we'll be the exception: that the pay rise or the promotion will finally do it. But hedonic adaptation means we get used to almost everything, and fast. This is the trap of the arrival fallacy.
③ We compare up, never down and it's making us miserable. Our brains don't measure happiness objectively; they measure it relatively, almost always against the person right next to us. The antidote is gratitude, practised consistently and deliberately.
④ Your inner critic is the enemy of daily joy and positive self-talk is the antidote. Most of us speak to ourselves in ways we would never speak to a friend. Laurie's research shows that one of the simplest ways to quieten that inner critic is to switch your self-talk to the third person: instead of saying "I can't do this," try "Jack, you've got this."
⑤ Giving to others is one of the most reliable happiness boosts we have. Nothing generates more in-the-moment happiness than generosity. It builds an abundance mindset, deepens social connection, and the good deeds ripple outward to others in ways we rarely anticipate.
LISTEN TO THIS IF…
You want to experience more joy in your life
You want to understand what typically gets in the way of your happiness
You need tips and not inspiration
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