THE HAPPY SCIENCE PODCAST https://www.hhs.se/en/research/centers/cwwh/ Discover the science of happiness, one episode – one study! In this podcast, host Professor Micael Dahlen explores groundbreaking research with leading experts, uncovering the science behind what truly makes us happy. Whether it's relationships, work, politics, or daily habits, The Happy Science Podcast brings insights from the field in a fun, engaging and accessible way. Tune in for thought-provoking discussions and practical takeaways on how to live a happier, more fulfilling life—backed by science! Discover the science of happiness, one episode – one study! In this podcast, host Professor Micael Dahlen explores groundbreaking research with leading experts, uncovering the science behind what truly makes us happy. Whether it's relationships, work, politics, or daily habits, The Happy Science Podcast brings insights from the field in a fun, engaging and accessible way. Tune in for thought-provoking discussions and practical takeaways on how to live a happier, more fulfilling life—backed by science!]]> en Center for Wellbeing, Welfare and Happiness Podspace.com Tue, 01 Jul 2025 06:05:00 +0000 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 20:43:00 +0000 Center for Wellbeing, Welfare and Happiness at the Stockholm School of Economics Discover the science of happiness, one episode – one study! In this podcast, host Professor Micael Dahlen explores groundbreaking research with leading experts, uncovering the science behind what truly makes us happy. Whether it's relationships, work, politics, or daily habits, The Happy Science Podcast brings insights from the field in a fun, engaging and accessible way. Tune in for thought-provoking discussions and practical takeaways on how to live a happier, more fulfilling life—backed by science!]]> -with Professor Micael Dahlen clean Munck sandra.charlez@munckstudios.com episodic https://assets.pod.space/system/shows/images/54f/c9f/65-/large/Happy.jpeg THE HAPPY SCIENCE PODCAST https://www.hhs.se/en/research/centers/cwwh/ S2:5 From Parents to Partners: How Divorces, DNA and Daily Connections Shape Our Wellbeing Tue, 01 Jul 2025 06:05:00 +0000 2970054a5cfa9c9cb8215ba406fb6306 https://pod.space/thehappysciencepodcast/s2-4-from-parents-to-partners-how-divorces-dna-and-daily-connections-shape-our-wellbeing In this fun episode, we look at how our social lives, with everything from supportive
relationships to breakups, impact our wellbeing. Is the pain of a breakup the same for
everyone? Can relationships protect our happiness over time? And what does your
DNA have to do with any of it? Professor Ragnhild Bang Nes of the Norwegian
Institute of Public Health shares fascinating findings from a study of twins. Tune in to
find out which social factors most strongly predict future happiness and how much of
our social wellbeing might be shaped before we’re even born!

Link to the study:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11136-024-03832-8

Guest:
Research Professor Ragnhild Bang Nes]]> 00:17:37 false In this fun episode, we look at how our social lives, with everything from supportiverelationships to breakups, impact our wellbeing. Is the pain o... full 2 5 S2:4 Climbing the Wrong Ladder? What Happiness Rankings Might Be Missing Tue, 01 Jul 2025 06:04:00 +0000 8d57c9b61f887cb5873663edbc112cc8 https://pod.space/thehappysciencepodcast/climbing-the-wrong-ladder-what-happiness-rankings-might-be-missing In this fun episode, we dig into a surprisingly overlooked question: What exactly are
people thinking about when they rate their happiness on global surveys? Is Finland
really the happiest country in the world or just the best at climbing metaphorical
ladders? Researcher August Nilsson joins us to explain how the metaphorical “Cantril
Ladder” works and reveal how tiny tweaks in how we ask about happiness can
dramatically change the answers we get. What happens if we ask about harmony in
life instead? Or if we ditch the ladder metaphor altogether? Tune in for a deep dive
into the psychology behind how we measure happiness and whether we're asking the
right questions at all.

Link to the study:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-52939-y

Guest:
Researcher August Nilsson]]> 00:17:34 false In this fun episode, we dig into a surprisingly overlooked question: What exactly arepeople thinking about when they rate their happiness on global... full 2 4 S2:3 The Urban Happiness Gap: Are City Dwellers Destined to Be Less Happy? Tue, 01 Jul 2025 06:03:00 +0000 ad9d0f4ed8f4f2b1c542d6085d5a2d04 https://pod.space/thehappysciencepodcast/s2-5-the-urban-happiness-gap-are-city-dwellers-destined-to-be-less-happy In this fun episode, we ask whether city life is secretly dragging down our happiness.
More people than ever are living in cities, but does urban life come at the cost of
happiness? Associate Professor Jens Fyhn Lykke Sørensen from the University of
Southern Denmark shares insights from his research on Denmark’s urban–rural
happiness gap. From the power of green spaces to the strength of local friendships,
we explore why rural residents often report greater life satisfaction, and what city
dwellers might do to catch up. Could a palm tree on your balcony make a difference?
Tune in and find out.

Link to the study:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384554929_Why_are_City_Residents_Less
_Happy_than_the_Rest_of_the_Population_in_Developed_Countries_Studying_the_
Urban-Rural_Happiness_Gap_in_Denmark_Using_Blinder-Oaxaca_Decomposition

Guest:
Associate Professor Jens Fyhn Lykke Sørensen]]> 00:19:02 false In this fun episode, we ask whether city life is secretly dragging down our happiness.More people than ever are living in cities, but does urban li... full 2 3 S2:2 Born to Worry? How Genes and Life Events Shape Our Wellbeing Tue, 01 Jul 2025 06:02:00 +0000 69896feed177da28c4cc4fbccc48f306 https://pod.space/thehappysciencepodcast/s2-2-born-to-worry-how-genes-and-life-events-shape-our-wellbeing In this fun episode, we explore how stressful life events like financial strain or
relationship conflicts can affect your life satisfaction and whether these life events are
just a matter of bad luck, or partly your parents’ fault? Professor Ragnhild Bang Nes
of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health shares insights from a unique twin study
that untangles life experiences from biology. Tune in to discover how genes and
environment work together to shape how we feel, and why not all bad life events
impacts us the same way!

Link to the study:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-025-07758-3

Guest:
Research Professor Ragnhild Bang Nes]]> 00:15:53 false In this fun episode, we explore how stressful life events like financial strain orrelationship conflicts can affect your life satisfaction and whet... full 2 2 S2:1 Can Winning The Lottery Buy Lasting Happiness? Tue, 01 Jul 2025 06:01:00 +0000 1dca9bd6986950e4305dbf557befe34b https://pod.space/thehappysciencepodcast/s2-3-can-winning-the-lottery-buy-lasting-happiness In this fun episode, we explore what happens when people hit the jackpot. Many of
us often dream of the big win, but does life really change when it happens? Will
wellbeing improve? Does the rush wear off or can the wellbeing be boosted for years,
or even decades? Tune in to hear economist Robert Östling from the Stockholm
School of Economics shares his insights from studying thousands of Swedish lottery
players to see what really changes when money arrives out of the blue, and what
stays surprisingly the same.

Link to the study:
https://www.nber.org/papers/w24667

Guest:
Professor Robert Östling]]> 00:18:48 false In this fun episode, we explore what happens when people hit the jackpot. Many ofus often dream of the big win, but does life really change when it... full 2 1 11. Happiness or Good Looks: Which Comes First? - with Professor Delin Sun Mon, 02 Dec 2024 04:11:00 +0000 80cfbc54d8052ca22ef846a105ccd78d https://pod.space/thehappysciencepodcast/happiness-or-good-looks-which-comes-first Does happiness make you more attractive, or does being attractive make you happier? In this episode, we explore the intriguing connection between how we feel and how we’re perceived. Professor Delin Sun of Duke University has conducted a brain study to uncover the secrets behind happiness and how attractive we are to others. Which comes first—being happy or being desirable? Tune in to find out, and see if a smile really is your best asset!]]> 00:14:58 false Does happiness make you more attractive, or does being attractive make you happier? In this episode, we explore the intriguing connection between h... full 1 11 10. Cheating and Happiness: What’s the Real Connection? - with Professor Olga Stavrova Mon, 25 Nov 2024 04:10:00 +0000 a9f5caf435ebf6e082592b6de363d4e3 https://pod.space/thehappysciencepodcast/cheating-and-happiness-what-s-the-real-connection In this episode, we dive into a big no-no in relationships: infidelity. What’s the link between happiness and cheating? Does infidelity make couples less happy, or is unhappiness what drives them to cheat? Professor Olga Stavrova of University of Lübeck shares her research on why this connection matters and what it reveals about relationship dynamics. Tune in to explore how happiness and betrayal are more intertwined than you might think!]]> 00:14:17 false In this episode, we dive into a big no-no in relationships: infidelity. What’s the link between happiness and cheating? Does infidelity make couple... full 1 10 9. How Much Does the Government Really Impact Your Happiness? (Spoiler alert: The answer is pretty surprising…) - with Professor Peter Esaiasson Mon, 18 Nov 2024 04:09:00 +0000 59541f4e4dbb69b1c1a0fadd4b07b366 https://pod.space/thehappysciencepodcast/how-much-does-the-government-really-impact-your-happiness-spoiler-alert-the-answer-is-pretty-surprising In this fun episode, we find out how people associate their happiness with politics and the government. Could a breakup with your partner make you want to dump the government too? In this episode, Professor Peter Esaiasson of University of Gothenburg shares insights from his multi-country research on how happiness impacts support for the government, and even good citizen behaviors as paying taxes and abiding laws. Tune in to explore how happiness, love, and politics are more connected than you might think!

https://ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1475-6765.12335 ]]> 00:15:11 false In this fun episode, we find out how people associate their happiness with politics and the government. Could a breakup with your partner make you ... full 1 9 8. Does Having Almost Nothing Make You More or Less Happy? - with Professor Eric Galbraith Mon, 11 Nov 2024 04:08:00 +0000 a3809b91bc82d8fcc837d5a92e4c4163 https://pod.space/thehappysciencepodcast/does-having-almost-nothing-make-you-more-or-less-happy-comparing-people-in-19-small-and-remote-villages-and-tribes-across-the-world-with-the-rest-of-us In this fun episode, we tackle the age-old question: Do money and material things really buy happiness? Or could you find just as much (or even more) happiness living deep in the Amazon rainforest, in the mountains of Nepal, or in a desert village? Professor Eric Galbraith from McGill University shares insights from his unique research, where he compares the happiness of people in 19 small, remote villages and tribes around the world with those living in WEIRD society’s – Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich Democracies. Tune in to discover what his research reveals about the universal secrets to happiness!

https://www.pnas.org/doi/pdf/10.1073/pnas.2311703121 ]]> 00:15:29 false In this fun episode, we tackle the age-old question: Do money and material things really buy happiness? Or could you find just as much (or even mor... full 1 8 7. Does Air Quality Affect Your Happiness? - with Professor Paul Dolan Mon, 04 Nov 2024 04:07:00 +0000 8eed18a765cb31f5954f8edbc51f57aa https://pod.space/thehappysciencepodcast/does-air-quality-affect-your-happiness Is the air you’re breathing making you happy, or unhappy? In this episode, we explore how the quality of air can impact your mood, and even your overall happiness. Professor Paul Dolan of London School of Economics shares his surprising findings on how air quality influences well-being, to an extent that can even be comparable to making thousands of extra dollars or not. Tune in to discover how those good or bad “air days" might be affecting more than just your lungs!

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-benefit-cost-analysis/article/abs/bad-air-days-the-effects-of-air-quality-on-different-measures-of-subjective-wellbeing/E9967A81411253654AC3D934CDEE8FE0 ]]> 00:16:17 false Is the air you’re breathing making you happy, or unhappy? In this episode, we explore how the quality of air can impact your mood, and even your ov... full 1 7 6. Does Your Partner's Happiness (or Unhappiness) Rub Off on You? - with Professor Olga Stavrova Mon, 28 Oct 2024 04:06:00 +0000 2fc1ed181e1bcf33fd9d5174d62fbe18 https://pod.space/thehappysciencepodcast/does-your-partner-s-happiness-or-unhappiness-rub-off-on-you In this fun episode, we explore how happiness - or unhappiness - spreads between couples. Does the happier partner rub off more, or is the other way around? Professor Olga Stavrova of University of Lübeck shares insights from her research on emotional contagion, revealing how partners affect each other's happiness and well-being in unexpected ways. Tune in to discover who holds the most influence in this happiness crossover and how these dynamics can even extend beyond couples to larger groups, like work teams!

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/19485506231207673 ]]> 00:13:32 false In this fun episode, we explore how happiness - or unhappiness - spreads between couples. Does the happier partner rub off more, or is the other wa... full 1 6 5. Fine Art or Not-So-Fine Art: Which Brings Happiness? - with Professor Kathleen Vohs Mon, 21 Oct 2024 03:05:00 +0000 aee484af4694fafd73afe094b714c3db https://pod.space/thehappysciencepodcast/fine-art-or-not-so-fine-art-which-brings-happiness In this fun episode, we explore how looking at art can not only
impact happiness but also meaning in life. Professor Kathleen Vohs of University
of Minnesota shares insights from her research on how people feel when looking
at fine and not so fine art. Surprisingly, both can have positive, but very different, effects. Tune in to discover what kinds of art might elevate your happiness or deepen your life’s meaning!
]]> 00:15:25 false In this fun episode, we explore how looking at art can not onlyimpact happiness but also meaning in life. Professor Kathleen Vohs of Universityof M... full 1 5 4. Is opposite or Same Sex Siblings Better for Parents’ Happiness? - with Professor Paul Dolan Mon, 14 Oct 2024 03:04:00 +0000 b318b5d00ea77388ab8c62bf1f0fcb9a https://pod.space/thehappysciencepodcast/is-opposite-or-same-sex-siblings-better-for-parents-happiness In this fun episode, we dive into the surprising impact on parental happiness when having one more kid of the same versus opposite sex. Professor Paul Dolan of London School of Economics shares insights from his research on how the dynamics of raising boys versus girls can influence parent wellbeing, over a
whopping 20-year time span. Tune in to discover whether and how having
opposite or same sex kids really matters when it comes to parenting happiness!

]]> 00:15:05 false In this fun episode, we dive into the surprising impact on parental happiness when having one more kid of the same versus opposite sex. Professor P... full 1 4 3. Focus or Variety, Which Increases Daily Happiness the Most? - with Professor Jordan Etkin Mon, 07 Oct 2024 03:03:00 +0000 8918ee8e61cd6982aba18703c2c7e0ae https://pod.space/thehappysciencepodcast/focus-or-variety-which-increases-daily-happiness-the-most In this fun episode, we explore how your daily activities — whether you focus on
a few things or vary between more — impact happiness. Professor Jordan Etkin of
Duke University shares insights from her research on how what you do can
affect happiness on a daily basis (or even by the hours and minutes!) Tune in to
discover how and why structuring your time is more important than you think!
]]> 00:13:25 false In this fun episode, we explore how your daily activities — whether you focus ona few things or vary between more — impact happiness. Professor Jor... full 1 3 2. Do Price Tags Impact Your Happiness, Even When You Don’t Want the Stuff? - with Professor Helge Thorbjørnsen Mon, 07 Oct 2024 03:02:00 +0000 d2f04c21e262a7555ad7c24521237155 https://pod.space/thehappysciencepodcast/do-price-tags-impact-your-happiness-even-when-you-don-t-want-the-stuff In this fun episode, we explore how expensive or cheap prices
impact your happiness, even for stuff you don’t want. Professor Helge
Thorbjørnsen of Norwegian School of Economics shares insights from his
research on the surprising effects of advertised prices on happiness, friendliness
and even helpfulness. Tune in to discover how price tags can impact our feelings

]]> 00:13:54 false In this fun episode, we explore how expensive or cheap pricesimpact your happiness, even for stuff you don’t want. Professor HelgeThorbjørnsen of N... full 1 2 1. Does the World Happiness Ranking Impact the Actual Happiness in a Country? (Spoiler Alert: It Does…) - with Professor Kristina Heinonen Mon, 07 Oct 2024 03:01:00 +0000 61df9310b0e47473845616f38810e0b1 https://pod.space/thehappysciencepodcast/does-the-world-happiness-ranking-impact-the-actual-happiness-in-a-country-spoiler-alert-it-does In this fun episode, we dive into what happens to happiness when your country is ranked the happiest in the world. How did Finland’s top spot affect its citizens' happiness, and how did Swedes feel about being ranked fourth? Professor Kristina Heinonen of Hanken School of Economics shares fascinating insights from her research on the impact of these rankings. Tune in to discover how national happiness rankings reflect – but also impact - how happy people feel!]]> 00:14:44 false In this fun episode, we dive into what happens to happiness when your country is ranked the happiest in the world. How did Finland’s top spot affec... full 1 1 Trailer Mon, 30 Sep 2024 12:52:51 +0000 6acda3b942c6bb57794d8425a054926e https://pod.space/thehappysciencepodcast/trailer Discover the science of happiness, one episode – one study! ]]> 00:00:52 false Discover the science of happiness, one episode – one study!  trailer