Podcast Summary: Ologies with Alie Ward – Eudemonology (Happiness) Encore with Dr. Laurie Santos

Release Date: December 31, 2024

In this enlightening encore episode of Ologies with Alie Ward, host Alie Ward delves deep into the science of happiness with renowned cognitive scientist and Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos. Drawing from Dr. Santos' extensive background in psychology and her groundbreaking work on the Happiness Lab podcast, this episode unpacks the complexities of happiness, dispels common myths, and offers evidence-based strategies to cultivate lasting well-being.

1. Introduction to Eudaimonology

Alie Ward opens the episode by highlighting Dr. Laurie Santos' impressive credentials, including her education from Harvard and her role at Yale. She emphasizes the episode's focus on "Eudaimonology," the scientific study of happiness.

Notable Quote:

Alie Ward [05:56]: "This ologist is someone I've had in my sights for a few years... essentially interrogating her now to shake her for brain science."

2. Defining Happiness

Dr. Santos clarifies the scientific definitions of happiness, distinguishing between "being happy in your life" (experiencing positive emotions) and "being happy with your life" (overall life satisfaction).

Notable Quote:

Dr. Laurie Santos [09:52]: "Most social scientists think about happiness as sort of being happy in your life and with your life... being happy in your life is just having lots of positive emotions."

3. Misconceptions About Happiness and Wealth

The conversation addresses the common belief that money and changing circumstances are primary drivers of happiness. Dr. Santos references studies on lottery winners and vacationers to illustrate that beyond a certain point, increased wealth has diminishing returns on happiness.

Notable Quote:

Dr. Laurie Santos [10:28]: "Our minds are lying to us about the sorts of things that will make us happy... we think it's money and changing our circumstances... but those things seem not to work."

4. Strategies for Enhancing Happiness

Dr. Santos outlines several evidence-based practices to boost happiness:

• Social Connections: Emphasizing the importance of being around others and engaging in acts of kindness.

  Quote:

  Dr. Laurie Santos [19:28]: "Connecting with other people is considered a necessary condition for high happiness in a lot of studies."

• Mindset and Gratitude: Focusing on positive aspects of life and practicing gratitude can significantly enhance well-being.

  Quote:

  Dr. Laurie Santos [20:45]: "A wandering mind is an unhappy mind... being present can be really powerful for happiness."

• Physical Health: Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and having free time contribute to mental well-being.

  Quote:

  Dr. Laurie Santos [22:02]: "Time affluence, the subjective sense that you have some free time, is much more critical for happiness than we realize."

5. The Disconnect Between Wanting and Liking

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the brain's flawed system where what we want doesn’t always align with what we like, leading to behaviors that don’t enhance happiness.

Notable Quote:

Dr. Laurie Santos [22:49]: "There's a whole different brain system that codes for what we like versus what we want... we spend a lot of time craving and going after things we won't really like."

6. Overcoming Evolutionary Barriers to Happiness

Dr. Santos explores evolutionary psychology to explain why it’s challenging to pursue happiness. She offers practical methods to align our actions with scientifically supported happiness practices despite our brain’s innate tendencies.

Notable Quote:

Dr. Laurie Santos [24:49]: "Force yourself to notice what you like... this can start to update your craving system at least a little bit."

7. Technology's Impact on Happiness

The episode scrutinizes how modern technology, especially social media, can detract from genuine happiness by fostering unhealthy comparisons and reducing face-to-face interactions.

Notable Quote:

Dr. Laurie Santos [61:43]: "Often we're not using our technology in ways that boost happiness... it's built to make it harder for us to use it."

8. Happiness Across the Lifespan

Dr. Santos discusses how happiness evolves with age, noting that while happiness may dip during middle age—often due to stresses like parenting—it generally increases in later years as individuals find more contentment and satisfaction.

Notable Quote:

Dr. Laurie Santos [58:14]: "On average, older people tend to be happier... after the kids go off to college, the slope of happiness kind of goes back up."

9. Addressing Listener Questions

The episode concludes with a series of listener-submitted questions, where Dr. Santos provides insightful answers:

• Animals and Happiness: While it's challenging to measure happiness in animals, physiological indicators suggest similar states to humans.

  Quote:

  Dr. Laurie Santos [49:43]: "It's really hard to know for sure if those physiological states correlate with this subjective state."

• Anxious People and Happiness: Anxiety doesn't preclude happiness; strategies exist to manage anxiety while cultivating joy.

  Quote:

  Dr. Laurie Santos [50:41]: "I think there are a lot of strategies we can use to regulate and allow our anxiety."

• Smiling and Fake It Till You Make It: Acting happy can indeed foster genuine happiness through emotional contagion.

  Quote:

  Dr. Laurie Santos [51:41]: "Pretending you're happy... can often put you in a happy state."

• Balancing Personal Happiness with Worldly Suffering: Prioritizing personal well-being equips individuals to better contribute to societal improvements.

  Quote:

  Dr. Laurie Santos [71:34]: "If I want the world to be a better place, I can't afford to be down in the dumps... I need to put energy into these practices for myself."

10. Practical Takeaways

Dr. Santos emphasizes actionable steps listeners can take to enhance their happiness:

• Start Small: Implement simple practices like jotting down three things you're grateful for daily or dedicating ten minutes to meditation.

  Quote:

  Dr. Laurie Santos [35:18]: "Sometimes it takes less than you really expect... just scribbling down three things that you're grateful for every day..."

• Consistency Over Intensity: Gradual and consistent efforts yield better long-term results than overwhelming commitments.

  Quote:

  Dr. Laurie Santos [36:29]: "What it takes is some consistency... just start really small."

• Self-Compassion: Being kind to oneself facilitates habit formation and reduces procrastination.

  Quote:

  Dr. Laurie Santos [36:57]: "Self compassion can actually allow you to engage in new habits better and more effectively."

11. Final Thoughts

Alie Ward wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude towards Dr. Santos and encouraging listeners to explore her courses and podcast for further insights into happiness science. The episode underscores that happiness is a multifaceted construct influenced by social connections, mindset, and consistent, small efforts rather than solely by external circumstances or wealth.

Notable Closing Quote:

Dr. Laurie Santos [74:54]: "I have a whole host of students and podcast listeners who, if I'm not doing the right thing, will probably call me out."

Conclusion

This episode of Ologies with Alie Ward offers a comprehensive exploration of happiness from a scientific perspective. Dr. Laurie Santos adeptly combines research findings with practical advice, empowering listeners to take actionable steps towards a more fulfilling and joyful life. Whether you're grappling with daily stresses or seeking to understand the deeper mechanisms of happiness, this conversation provides valuable tools and insights grounded in positive psychology.

Additional Resources:

• Dr. Laurie Santos' Podcast: The Happiness Lab
• Authentic Happiness Test by Dr. Martin Seligman: Authentic Happiness
• Dr. Laurie Santos' Course on Coursera: Psychology and the Good Life
• Ross Gay’s Book: The Book of Delights