DiscoverWisdom and PracticeThe Surprising Science Behind Compassion with Laurie Santos
The Surprising Science Behind Compassion with Laurie Santos

The Surprising Science Behind Compassion with Laurie Santos

Update: 2025-07-03
Share

Description

What if good and evil aren’t as clear-cut as we think?

This week, Simran sits down with Laurie Santos, a Yale professor and the mind behind the Science of Wellbeing course, to unpack the messy, complicated nature of human behavior. 

Together, they talk about small but powerful tools like ritual objects and cognitive reappraisal that help us manage our emotions and reshape our habits, rooting us more firmly in what truly matters. They explore how these visible, everyday practices create space for our values to live and breathe, both individually and in community.

In a world that pushes us to constantly hustle, Simran and Laurie offer a refreshing invitation to slow down, rewire our habits, and choose connection and wellbeing over productivity. 

Resources:


Wisdom & Practice is produced in partnership with PRX and the Aspen Institute, with support from the John Templeton Foundation. 


Music by Raj Kanwal Singh.


This episode was produced by associate producer, Serena Chow, producer, Rithu Jagannath and senior producer, Morgan Flannery. Our project manager is Edwin Ochoa, our show is mixed by Tommy Bazarian and the executive producer of PRX Productions is Jocelyn Gonzales.



Comments 
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

The Surprising Science Behind Compassion with Laurie Santos

The Surprising Science Behind Compassion with Laurie Santos

Aspen Institute