Harvesting Happiness Podcasts

The widespread adoption of smartphones over the past two decades has created new avenues for remote influence and manipulation, reducing freedoms many took for granted. The extent of the emotional chaos this causes may only be partially understood. Is it possible to restore equanimity during chaos? For tips on finding inner peace and calm amidst turmoil and disorder, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author, researcher, and founder of the Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE), Dr. Andy Norman. Andy offers his experienced insights on consumer culture, the goal of those who dehumanize others, and the benefits of emotional self-regulation for achieving sanity and mental immunity. This episode is a special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world… WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Subst

The fast pace of today’s world can make people feel frantic and disconnected from experiences. It has become too easy to focus on the expectations of others and succumb to fear-based motivations. Do simple tools exist to make us feel grounded and bring us back to peace-of-mind? Or, does everything have to be a struggle?To understand how people can reclaim calm in this tumultuous world, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with meditation teacher and award-winning writer and journalist, Dr. Danny Penman.Danny shares the latest neuroscience research findings and the meditations in his latest book, Deeper Mindfulness: The New Way to Rediscover Calm in a Chaotic World, which he co-authored with Dr. Mark Williams. He describes Feeling Tone tools that help reduce stress, anger, and depression and increase our peacemaking abilities.*This show originally aired in December 2023.Like what you're hearing?WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happines

What some people consider minor stressors can trigger and overwhelm those whose biological and psychological makeup is foundationally built upon intergenerational traumas. These are familial events inherited by generations, affecting their descendants like second-hand smoke. Those with intergenerational traumas can be predisposed to heightened emotions that may not be widely understood by their societal circles. If you have witnessed someone’s reaction to a circumstance that didn’t appear to warrant it, their response could be based on the person’s unique heritage and ancestry without them being aware of the factors at play. To discover ways to break the transcending cycle of intergenerational trauma and begin the healing process, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Columbia University-trained Psychologist and intergenerational trauma expert Dr. Mariel Buqué.Like what you're hearing?WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bon

With the elimination of civics courses in schools and the rise of fear-driven political campaigns, many U.S. citizens may be left in a constant state of anxiety about the nation's direction. This anxiety can lead to impulsive decision-making and focusing on short-term solutions, undermining the pursuit of meaningful, long-term change. Advocacy and civic engagement are crucial for overcoming these challenges.For tips on how to drive change through civic engagement, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with the founder of Street Civics, Dan Jasper.Dan explores the civic transformation of the U.S. in recent decades, highlighting how these shifts influence the political landscape, citizen advocacy, and the importance of self-care in civic engagement. 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.

The media paints AI as a universal solution,but the spark of human connection,our life force or soul,defies machine replication.As we navigate this new era,the question of human-machine coexistence looms.For a deeper dive into the soul of our social architecture,Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with a Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University and the 2024-25 Vice President of the American Sociological Association,Dr.Allison Pugh.Allison discusses the research that led to her latest book,The Last Human Job,and the dilemma of human connective labor when data collection is prioritized.This episode is a bonus special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…This episode is proudly sponsored by:Nutrafol— Offers a drug-free whole-body health approach to hair wellness and growth.Get $10 off any order and free shipping when you subscribe at nutrafol.com with promo code HAPPINESS GIFT. Like what you'

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to understanding our individual attachment styles. However, becoming self-aware of what is at the core of our disconnection can provide us with valuable insights into relationship patterns and help us build healthier connections and more satisfying relationships.For deeper insights into the psychology of attachment, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author and licensed psychologist, Ann Kelley.Ann discusses the fundamental learnings about attachment and self-regulation gleaned from the book she co-authored, Secure Relating: Holding Your Own in an Insecure World, and offers tools for building awareness of individual attachment styles.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.

The type of love we receive in childhood is imprinted in our brains. Early feelings and emotions color every single action we take in our adult lives unless we rewire our neural pathways. The way we communicate and the quality of our relationships can be improved. When we understand that we deserve love, we can be our fully vulnerable, beautiful selves with our partners to create long-lasting, happy, fulfilling relationships. To discover how to transform relationships through love and connection, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with a couple who have done the work toward creating better relationships for themselves and others, Doctors Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt. Harville and Helen met 42 years ago and have since created Imago Relationship Therapy and written the eternal book, Get the Love You Want. They serve as guides for those who want to heal and transform their relationships through love and communication.This episode is proudly sponsored by:OUAI— Offers beauty-boos

While statistics about young people identifying as LGBTQ+ are increasing, social media may be a catalyst in empowering those who previously couldn't safely express their identity. How can society shift from bullying to allyship?*This episode explores human sexuality and is intended for mature listeners. To glean guidance from a researcher studying real-world experiences, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Associate Research Scientist with the Kinsey Institute, Dr. Mayeshia Price.Dr. Price describes the stages of identity development throughout the human life cycle with a focus on adolescence and offers guidance on how parents can accept and support the well-being of young people. This episode is a bonus special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…This episode is proudly sponsored by:Nutrafol— Offers a drug-free whole-body health approach to hair wellness and growth. Get $10 off any order and

The whole world knows the outcome of the recent US election. Many are shocked that Americans chose the leader they chose. What data offered a glimpse into the concerns of everyday Americans that could have predicted the outcome? And, was the data that political scientists studied selective or transparent?To better understand what drives public opinion and political reasoning, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Anthony Fowler, a professor at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago where he conducts quantitative research on elections and politics. Anthony deconstructs public opinion and political data to offer a quantitative analysis on the reasoning behind why people think, and vote, the way they do.This episode is a special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…Like what you're hearing?WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting

As major elections unfold globally, uncertainty grips the world. Family members, neighbors, and friends who may have previously tolerated differences of opinion have become increasingly divisive and less accepting of alternative perspectives. Contests of this magnitude ensure that certain groups must grapple with disappointment. How can we unburden ourselves and others during these significant events?For a bit of philosophical discourse about disappointment, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author, philosophical counselor, and professor emeritus of philosophy at Brooklyn College, Samir Chopra. Samir shares insights about how acting in service to others can reduce the sting of our disappointment, how life is an exercise of peaks and valleys, and how self-care can ease anxiety and restore sanity.This episode is a special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…Like what you're hearing?WANT MORE S

Compared to the chronological aging of our physical bodies, our minds can remain ageless. With enough healthy servings of brain food, the mind continues its existential flexibility and resiliency. But what happens when we allow our minds to become rigid and there is no additional room for more data?For a healthy serving of brain food, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Shai Tubali, an award-winning author and leading authority on mental flexibility and self-development. Shai shares his insights about how we can cultivate critical thinking by truly listening to others during conversations, and how we can maintain flexible and resilient minds.This episode is a special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…This episode is proudly sponsored by:Ouai — Offers beauty-boosting head-to-toe self-care rituals. Visit theouai.com and use code HH to get 15% off any product.Like what you're hearing?WANT MORE

This just in … you won't go to diet jail if you eat soul-soothing ice cream. And, what a shame it would be if you judged yourself nibbling on a slice of decadent chocolate cake. Food for thought: Studies show that as long as you nourish yourself with high-quality food rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, you can feed your cravings and build resilience against the never-ending supply of daily stressors To gain some food for thought, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, PhD. Sarah founded Nutrivore.com and is the New York Times best-selling author of Nutrivore: The Radical New Science for Getting the Nutrients You Need from the Food You Eat. Dr. Sarah Ballantyne studies the effects of nutrients on our body chemistry and which foods contain the highest levels of nutrients relative to the daily value per calorie. Her Nutrivore scoring system focuses on the joy of eating as much as it does creating healthier meals. This episode is a bonus special edit

The primary goal of most media sources is to make money by pushing a political agenda and influencing the psychology of those who ingest the content. In order to achieve their goals, people use data, misinformation, and deliberate disinformation as weapons, creating what is often called Infowar. This can lead to groupthink, which causes public fear, doubt, and cognitive bias. False stories are exaggerated to make more money from advertising, influence people's beliefs, or disrupt democratic institutions, as was seen in the 2016 election cycle. To discover how to build resiliency against disinformation and groupthink, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with cognitive scientist and CIRCE researcher Dr. Stephan Lewandowsky. Stephan shares his research on how alternative facts gain acceptance, how technology and Infowars can undermine the democratic process, and tips on discerning fact from fiction when consuming media. This episode is a bonus special edition of the Good Citizens Electi

Social responsibility is an ethical concept that endorses civil engagement for the good of all. Civic engagement, in all its forms, strengthens communities by involving citizens in the democratic process. No act is more significant in emboldening democracy than exercising one’s right to vote. With the spread of misinformation and disinformation in this election cycle, it is paramount to have access to correct and trusted information. To learn how to fulfill your social responsibility, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with the Chief of Staff for the League of Women Voters of the United States, Kelly McFarland Stratman. Kelly offers information about the history of the League of Women Voters, its mission, its partnerships, and how to access resources that help constituents directly connect to their government representatives. This episode is a bonus special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…

With the elimination of civics courses in schools and the rise of fear-driven political campaigns, many U.S. citizens may be left in a constant state of anxiety about the nation's direction. This anxiety can lead to impulsive decision-making and focusing on short-term solutions, undermining the pursuit of meaningful, long-term change. Advocacy and civic engagement are crucial for overcoming these challenges. For tips on how to drive change through civic engagement, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with the founder of Street Civics, Dan Jasper. Dan explores the civic transformation of the U.S. in recent decades, highlighting how these shifts influence the political landscape, citizen advocacy, and the importance of self-care in civic engagement. This episode is a special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world… This episode is proudly sponsored by:Ouai — Offers beauty-boosting head-to-toe self-ca

Lifelong stigmas and myths abound about human sexual expression have been as we age. Cultural differences notwithstanding, older males and females are more likely to rate communication as the highest form of arousal in their relationships. Why then does the media portray sexuality and intimacy after mid-life as a less than pleasurable experience? *This episode explores human sexuality and is intended for mature listeners. To discover how we can improve intimacy, sexuality, and relationships for a lifetime, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with the renowned clinical psychologist, and senior scientist at the Kinsey Institute, Dr. Cynthia Graham. Cynthia shares fascinating data from decades of the Kinsey Institute’s research about the differences, and more often than not, the similarities between male and female sexual arousal, expression, and satisfaction. This special episode aims to enlighten you about maintaining relationships that last a lifetime. This episode is a special editi

Fear and doubt serve as powerful tools in the political landscape, and disinformation is used by politicians to manipulate public perception and sow confusion. By labeling legitimate investigations or criticisms as witch hunts, these leaders attempt to delegitimize the concerns raised against them. This tactic not only deflects attention from the actual issues at hand but also erodes trust in the democratic process. Using common sense when evaluating information can help counteract these manipulative strategies. To discover how we can inoculate ourselves against fear and cultural viruses, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with a lecturer of cultural history at the Department of History and Art History at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, Steije Hofhuis PhD. Steije shares historical information about how witch hunts spread and how ideas about witchcraft adapted in new ways that stimulated more witch prosecutions. His research shows that cultural viruses, or mindbugs, adapted and

Maintaining a philosophical approach rooted in critical thinking can help us make sense of the barrage of information we experience during election cycles. Our natural anxieties are often preyed upon by masters of persuasion. We must enlist our powers of discernment to protect our mental health during this important election season. br /> To discover how to protect our mental health with a philosophical approach, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen welcomes author, counselor, and professor Samir Chopra back to the podcast. Samir discusses the central tenet of his book, Anxiety: A Philosophical Guide, and relates it to the election cycle and how we can manage anxiety, fear, and uncertainty in relationship to others. He offers tips for reality testing what we will see and hear during this unique period of time. This episode is proudly sponsored by:BIOptimizers — Offers health and fitness supplements for optimal well-being and performance. Visit bioptimizers.com/happiness and use code HAPPINE

Large media outlets often highlight the extreme sides of our nation, amplifying polarized perspectives that distort the bigger picture. This coverage can create a sense of isolation, especially when reality doesn't align with our expectations. It is only when we perform our civic duty and get involved in our local communities that we feel a sense of control over our lives and the personal pursuit of happiness. To discover how we can better fulfill our civic duty, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks to the President of the National Civic League, Doug Linkhart. Doug describes how decisions made at the local level of government are foundational for the pursuit of happiness in America. And how citizens who express their needs are at the intersection of personal civic duty and government effectiveness.This episode is a special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide which is designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world… Remember, civic duty plays a

When we experience fear, we often instinctively push things away, which only amplifies that fear and tests our resilience. However, by embracing awareness and leaning into our relationships, we create a pathway for personal growth. By staying fully present and avoiding the urge to build emotional walls, we enhance our well-being and lay the foundation for spreading love and positivity in the world, thereby strengthening our resilience. To discover the secret to building better relationships with ourselves and others, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author, poet, and storyteller, Mark Nepo . Mark Nepo discusses how to build well-being by reducing the impact of fear on our lives, how resilience can be enhanced by reaching out to others, and explains the personal growth that occurs when we are in service to others. Mark’s book, The Book of Soul: 52 Paths to Living What Matters, can be used as a guide to enhance relationships.This episode is proudly sponsored by:Ouai — Offers b