The Science of Happiness

Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2p8wnyx6 Episode summary: Emanuel Hahn has never been great at asking for help. He didn’t live with his parents after age 12, and consequently, he says he learned to only rely on himself. But now that he’s launching his first book and juggling a freelance career, he knows he can’t do it all on his own. He tried our Ask for Help at Work practice, which challenges you to make a direct request when you need a hand from someone.  Emanuel had to pack 800 pre-ordered books into boxes for shipping. It’s a laborious task, and he knew he couldn’t handle it all on his own. It was a Sunday, and people probably already had plans. He took a beat, and then he sent the texts out anyway. Before long, he had eight people packing books. ** ** Vanessa Bohns of Cornell University has studied exactly what Emanuel experienced: When it comes to asking for help, we underestimate how likely others are to say “yes” to our request. But when we put ourselves in the shoes of a person being asked for help, it’s hard to imagine saying “no.” “People do get this warm glow from helping,” Bohns says. “People enjoy being helpful.” This Happiness Practice might benefit you as much as the person you ask. Try this week’s practice, Ask for Help at Work at GGIA.berkeley.edu Today’s guests: Emanuel Hahn is a freelance photographer and director in Los Angeles. He just released his first book, Koreatown Dreaming, which documents 40 small businesses in LA’s Koreatown as they weather the pandemic and encroaching gentrification. He joins us today after trying a practice where he makes a commitment to ask for help whenever he needs it. Follow Emanuel on Twitter and Instagram. Vanessa Bohns is an associate professor of social psychology at Cornell University and the author of the book You Have More Influence Than You Think. She did an experiment to see why it’s so hard for people to ask for help. Follow Vanessa Bohns on Twitter. More resources from The Greater Good Science Center: How Love and Connection Exist in Micro-Moments Is Stress Making You Withdraw from People? Try Our One-Month Pathway to Happiness Program Tell us about your experiences and struggles with asking for help by emailing us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or using the hashtag #happinesspod. Help us share The Science of Happiness! Copy and share this link: pod.link/1340505607

Fear is a normal part of our lives — but there are ways we can safely challenge and conquer it. Our guest tries a research-backed way to tackle a fear she's had since elementary school. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/58npxmer **Vote for The Science of Happiness in The Webby’s!** https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2022/podcasts/limited-series-specials/health-science-education\ You’ll have to make an account, but we promise it takes less time than it does to say “The Science of Happiness.” Don’t forget to verify your account! CLICK HERE to make an account and vote. Or, go to webbyawards.com. Click "Start Voting." Click "categories," then select "Podcasts," then "Limited Series & Specials" at the bottom. Click "Health, Science and Education" and click The Science of Happiness and Music to make an account and vote!

Comedian Marilyn Pittman takes stock of what she really wants in life – and makes a plan to get it. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5n7dya5t

High expectations can lead to disappointment, but expecting the worst doesn't feel great, either. This week we explore how to find the balance. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/27s3x7n7

Part of life is experiencing pain and loss. And sometimes, finding meaning in it. We explore a writing practice shown to help us come out stronger after difficult times. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4ufxpwaa

A NYT restaurant critic puts down her pen and grabs her camera to capture the beauty of the outdoors. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc66tdhb

What happens when we feel compassion for the things that scare us? Shabazz Larkin shares what it's like to face some of his deepest fears. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yp7r8fwu

What does your best possible self look like? Our guest tries a practice in optimism by imagining her brightest future. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2s4hbkrt

Feeling burned out? Our guest, a nurse, explores how cultivating gratitude helps people in high stress jobs. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/th82bwp2

Can taking a few photos really make you happier? Afghan rocker Sulyman Qardash tries a practice to find meaning through snapping photos of daily life. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/a2x9vkve

Thank you. Gracias. Merci. Every language has a word for gratitude. But why do we feel it? How can we experience more of it? We revisit some of our favorite episodes about the science of gratitude. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3y7m2nmk

What happens when we share our time? Our guest, chef and author Bryant Terry, pauses to be present with the ones who matter most. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3n3tftbw

Comedian Paula Poundstone tries to take on a messy and daunting task, one small step at a time. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mv2hstcp

Anna Sale, host of Death, Sex, and Money, practices awe as an antidote to her anxiety. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5n82n9w2

They were childhood best friends until one came out as queer. Now, two college students reconnect and try to see the world through one another's eyes. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/44pbbj48

For our 100th episode, host Dacher Keltner sits in the guest chair and tries one of the most popular happiness practices. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mv46juba

When was the last time you went down a slide? Our guest tries a practice to bring more play into his life and explores what that means as a Black man in the U.S. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/ysc3h82b

What would life be like without the people you care most about? Our guest tries a practice to help appreciate loved ones. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2p877x8x

Our guest uses her breath to find calm in some of Los Angeles' noisiest neighborhoods. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc7ccv7x

What happens when we suppress our anger? And what if we tried to work with it instead? Our guest tries a practice to harness her inner fierceness to care for herself. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3ekjzcwn