Harvesting Happiness Podcasts

What comes to mind when you think of retirement? Do you picture yourself lounging in a hammock on an island surrounded by aqua-blue water? Or, are you considering a job you can do to fill your time? To discover how we can best design our wisdom years, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with long-time Los Angeles Times columnist, four-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, and best-selling author, Steve Lopez. Steve shares essential takeaways from his book, Independence Day: What I've Learned About Retirement from Some Who‘ve Done it and Some Who Never Will. This conversation is rich with stories of research and interviews about individual retirement dreams and how people plan for an ever-changing landscape. Steve Lopez — Retirement or Reinvention?: ● Steve spent a year interviewing retired people to create a roadmap for his own retirement and to add to his book. [2:15] ● A sense of purpose and identity and feeling like we matter in life is the key to planning a healthy retirement. [8:15] ● S

When you look around your space, what do you see? Is there a corner that seems a bit overcrowded? Is there a pile you’ve been meaning to tackle but can’t find the right time? Would you perhaps enjoy parking your car in the garage for extra comfort on cold or rainy days? To discover the art of lightening the load to uncover happiness, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with declutter queen, Tracy McCubbin. Tracy is the founder of dClutterly, a business that helps people find joy in removing all the ‘stuff’ that no longer brings them joy. She shares the 5-minute decluttering challenge and how she helps people save money, organize, and flourish. Tracy McCubbin — Making Space for Joy: ● Tracy describes our habits, acquisition cycle, and what we are seeking through the stuff we buy and collect. [3:38] ● In her book, Make Space for Happiness: How to Stop Attracting Clutter and Start Magnetizing the Life You Want, Tracy highlights the human connections and actions that can get us closer t

Did you know that 80% of heart disease and 70% of cancers can be prevented through diet and lifestyle changes? And that starting some monthly supplements before allergy season can keep you breathing freely? For an in-depth look at the environmental toxins that impact our health, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Aaron Hartmann MD, the founder of Richmond Integrative and Functional Medicine. Aaron offers tips for maintaining a healthy immune system and shares statistics and insights to help people take control of their health, eliminate toxins, and stave off chronic illness.  Aaron Hartman MD — Achieve Overall Health & Wellbeing: ● Andrew describes the impact of the environment and the water we drink on human health. [2:06] ● The air quality of indoor environments can dramatically affect health. [6:59] ● How to support overall health through the GI tract and if eating organic is worth it. [11:06] ● How the gut, sinuses, and lungs all support the immune system. [20:39] ●

A medical doctor often diagnoses physical ailments through a series of lab tests, x-rays, observations, and data analysis. There are multiple proven guidelines and resources in place for the treatment of disease, fractures, organ failure, and other physical illnesses. But, for mental health diagnoses, one book, currently in its fifth revision, is the go-to manual for all mental health professionals. To explore how the manual was created, its major flaws, and the consequential misdiagnoses that come from it, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author and activist Sarah Fay about her investigation and dissection of the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , or DSM . In her book, Pathological: The True Story of Six Misdiagnoses, Sarah shares the personal mental health journey that led to her writing the book and why she created a public awareness campaign to identify the dangers of the DSM. Sarah Fay — Mental Health Diagnosis: ● Most of the conditions included in t

For those who suffer from chronic pain, depression, or burn-out many physicians turn to pharmaceuticals as treatment. While pharmaceuticals may offer the temporary relief of symptoms, most have unpleasant side effects and never treat the root cause of an illness. Researchers are discovering that mindfulness and meditation practices are important factors in improving physical and mental health for complete wellness. To explore the awe-mazing possibilities of new treatment methods, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author, physician, and awe researcher, Michael Amster about the benefits of micro-dosing mindfulness. Michael’s book, The Power of AWE: Overcoming Burnout & Anxiety, Ease Chronic Pain, Find Clarity & Purpose — In Less Than 1 Minute Per Day , contains a quick and easy method for tapping into awe. Michael shares his research on the impact of experiencing awe, and details studies that prove that awe is a prosocial emotion that offers mental and physical benefits to t

The inability to focus on the task at hand plagues all of us, sometimes. But there are times when distractions such as our phones, long to-do lists, and multiple people wanting our attention can be more mentally taxing than others. So, what can we do to build our mental resilience, improve memory, reduce stress, and live longer happier lives? To help clear out the cognition clutter, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks to doctor and author Marc Milstein about a blueprint we can use to age-proof our brains for better living. Dr. Milstein shares excerpts from his book, The Age-Proof Brain: New Strategies to Improve Memory, Improve Immunity, and Fight Off Dementia, and cites examples of how a healthy diet, sufficient sleep, and physical movement can boost our immune system and stave off dementia. Marc Milstein PhD — Age-Proofing the Brain: ●Marc reminds us that the brain is like a battery that needs recharging. [1:52] ●Marc offers tips to optimize our brain function to improve memory, fo

There are 40.4 million unpaid caregivers of adults ages 65 and older in the United States today. A high percentage of those caregivers are female adult children who have children of their own and are managing households and careers. There are few guidebooks on how to deal with the tender strain of the changing family dynamics. To discover how taxing the emotional, mental, and physical strain can be, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks candidly with author Maya Shanbhag Lang about love, legacy, and relational role-shifting. In Maya’s book, What We Carry: A Memoir, Maya shares the deeply personal story of the relationship changes that take place as we grow and age. She also touches on the expected role of women in certain families and how making self-honoring decisions changed her life, her daughter's, and her mother’s lives for the better. Maya Shanbhag Lang PhD — Relational Role-Shifting: ● Maya describes the predicaments caregivers often find themselves in when they are thrown into th

A sense of belonging is essential to human existence. Our ancestors needed to be part of a social group to be safe and provided for. Our need for acceptance still drives us. As an example, being ostracized in today’s ‘cancel’ culture has been referred to as a type of death. To better understand how the human mind has evolved to deal with the pressures of 24-hour access to social media and more, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with the Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto, Paul Bloom. Paul shares the key concepts from his latest book, PSYCH: The Story of the Human Mind, and provides answers about how social interactions, or the lack of them, might stave off human happiness.

Yoga studios have become ubiquitous in cities all over the US, and sales of yoga clothes and accessories are projected to grow by over 8% by 2029. But what does yoga’s popularity have to do with a personal yoga practice? To illuminate the real impacts of yoga beyond the mat, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Deepak Chopra’s private instructor and co-founder of ISHTA Yoga, Sarah Platt-Finger. Sarah shares core learnings from her book, Living in the Light: Yoga for Self-Realization, and tells how the practice of yoga is a personal journey into changing our senses, perceptions, and realities.

Age-related memory loss is a natural part of the aging process. Some people experience a more deeply-rooted memory issue, such as Alzheimer’s, and become deeply forgetful. Deeply forgetful people often need caregivers for what used to be normal activities. While every case is different, there are some general guidelines on how to restore dignity and selfhood to those afflicted with dementia. To dig deeper Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with physician, speaker, and author, Dr. Stephen G. Post about the latest findings about how to care for loved ones. Dr. Post shares common questions of caregivers and patients, how caregivers can respect the wishes of those they care for, and the proven positive psychological aspects of treatment. All from his book, Dignity for Deeply Forgetful People: How Caregivers Can Meet the Challenges of Alzheimer's Disease.

Socrates is credited with saying, “the unexamined life is not worth living”. Yet, our contemporary world of results-driven work leaves us very little time for ponderance. To unearth the benefits of growing our inner worlds through examination and contemplation,Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author and founder of the Catherine Project, Zena Hitz. Zena shares examples of individuals, real and imagined, who enrich themselves with life-long learning to discover the pleasures of intellectual development. She also shares key elements of her book, Lost in thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life

Can you remember the last time you woke up feeling completely refreshed and ready to start the new day with bright eyes? If not, you may be like the millions of other people around the world who suffer from some form of sleep deprivation. To discover the keys to more restful sleep and how to eliminate the distractions that keep us from fading into all stages of sleep, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with a sleep medicine specialist about how to get high-quality rest that can change your life for the better. Dr. Pedram Navab is a board-certified neurologist and author of Sleep Reimagined: The Fast Track to a Revitalized Life. He works with patients with insomnia and sleep disorders that mimic insomnia. During this conversation, he shares the four physiological stages of sleep and tips for creating an environment where we can sleep well. Millions of Americans experience thinning hair. Nutrafol is 100% drug-free, physician-prescribed health and hair care. Achieve hair growth naturally

Every person’s experience in life is different. From a very young age, we learn what actions help us get what we need to survive and thrive. All of these learnings eventually form our belief system, our story. When our beliefs are challenged we are hard-wired to defend ourselves or flee. To find out if these early evolutionary patterns help us in modern-day society or are an outdated response we have yet to shed,Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author Lisa Cron. Lisa shares key components from her book, Wired for Story, and the neuroscience behind human connection and communication.

n western cultures, many people have been led to believe that if we consume, share, or do the right things, happiness is right around the corner. But, how many of us have turned the corner only to find boredom or loneliness? To unpack the secret to finding joy in everyday activities, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with organizational psychologist and behavioral scientist, Mike Rucker about the connection between, fun, health, and time management. He describes the SAVOR and hedonic adaptation concepts from his book, The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life. And, he shares the secret sauce to escaping the perceived pursuit of happiness and toxic positivity.

These days, more often than not, financial market headlines include the terms ‘market crash’, ‘bubble bursting’, ‘inflation’, or ‘downturn’. What do these terms mean for long-term investors or for those who don’t invest but are impacted by job loss or economic hardship? How can everyday Americans attain enough financial security to be happy? To get expert advice about staying financially healthy, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two economic experts who talk about the psychology of money and how to achieve financial security. Michelle Singletary is a well-known financial advisor and a syndicated columnist for the Washington Post and other high- profile news outlets. She discusses tips for creating a savings cushion in the event of an emergency and how financial security means paying for basic needs first. The information is from her book, What to Do with Your Money When Crisis Hits: A Survival Guide . Scott Nations is the president of a financial firm and a regular contributor to

The widely-used adage ‘ you can’t pick your family ’ generally translates into making the best of what you have when you have no choice in the matter. People rarely have the option to choose who provides their mental and physical nourishment, especially children. How we handle relationships with relatives once we reach adulthood is up to us. But, if we have been subject to years of gaslighting or mental manipulation, it can be difficult to discern between what we believe is good for us and what we truly need to thrive. To dissect the cycle of both gaslighting and estrangement , Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with a therapist and a researcher about the complex relationships we engage in and disconnect from. Doctor of Psychology, Deborah Vinall offers an in-depth look at gaslighting, describes the key takeaways from her book, Gaslighting: A Step-by-Step Recovery Guide to Heal from Emotional Abuse and Build Healthy Relationships , and shares the steps people can take to set self- honor

Think about all the times you felt angry today. Were you in traffic and someone using their phone cut you off? Did your teenager shout at you because you told them they couldn’t do something after school? How did you respond? Calmly or did you get defensive? To gain a better understanding of some specific tools we can use to de-escalate tense situations and have better communication with our friends and loved ones, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two legal professionals turned peacekeeping, conflict negotiators. The practice of Tai Chi helped Douglas Noll transform from lawyer to peacemaker. He explains a three-step process to peace, based on empathetic listening and emotional de-escalation from his book, De-Escalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less . Conflict resolution expert, Jim Tamm describes how to negotiate through conversations that are not easy to have and the reason people use defensiveness as a communication style from his book, Radical Collaboration

A study by the National Institute of Health found an estimated 21 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in 2020. Beyond the sheer number of people affected, what makes these findings astounding is the limited number of treatment options available for those who reach out for help. To gain perspective into the issue and discover why many suffering from clinical depression don’t reach out for help, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors experts about advanced mental health and alternatives to the medical merry-go-round. Integrative Psychiatrist Dr. Gregory S. Brown shares the Five Pillars of Self-Care from his book, The Self-Healing Mind: An Essential Five-Step Practice for Overcoming Anxiety and Depression and Revitalizing Your Life . The founding director of the UCSD Adult ADHD program, the UCSD Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) program, and the Center for Advanced Treatment of Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Dr. David Feifel shares

What is true is not always what some choose to believe. There are some people who subscribe to the ignorance is bliss philosophy and others have difficulty discerning which information is born in conspiracy or in science. To gain a better understanding of those who wish to remain passionately ignorant and willfully disinformed, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors who specialize in the science of the mind. In Andy Norman’s book, Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think, he examines what makes some groups more susceptible to mind ‘bugs’ and mental hijacking. His cognitive hygiene concept offers mental immunity to those who prefer to think rationally and want to protect themselves from conspiracy theories. Sociologist Renata Salecl shares the core theme of her book, Passion for Ignorance: What We Choose Not to Know and Why. Her research studies why in this modern age of big data, genetics, and neuroscience people still choo

A staggering statistic of today’s medical care is that in the average doctor-patient interaction, the doctor interrupts the patient within 18 seconds. This quick interruption offers very little time for a connection to be formed between a doctor and their patient. This transactional approach hinders the clinicians’ ability to provide solutions to patients who may not feel as if they were unable to express their true needs. To discover the steps being taken to raise the bedside manner bar, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors about medical journeys, kinder doctors, and resilient patients. Dr. Adam Stern is a psychiatrist and author of Committed: Dispatches from a Psychiatrist in Training . He is back on the program to share how he teaches the softer side of medicine to doctors in training and the therapeutic power of listening. David Richman is an author, public speaker, and endurance athlete who interviewed hundreds of people about their medical journey and the impact of