The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

The Happiness Lab is serving up scientifically-backed takes this summer that are so hot, even your SPF 50 won’t protect you. With the help of behavioral scientists, historians, and cultural critics, Yale psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos challenges some of our biggest assumptions about what it takes to live a good life. Dr. Laurie explores topics like why we should forget about TMI and lean into oversharing, how dumping small talk makes for better conversations, why the kids these days are actually doing just fine, and how men can establish strong bromances. Each episode unpacks a bold, counterintuitive claim — using research, data, and expert insight to question the conventional wisdom around happiness and wellbeing.

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Every guest on The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

57 guests, ranked by how many people never want them back.

1. —
   Mel Robbins

   The Two Words That Saved Mel Robbins (From A Slight Change of Plans) · Jun 2025

   0 votes

   Never again
2. —
   Sonja Lyubomirsky

   How to Feel Truly Loved (with Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky and Dr. Harry Reis) · Feb 2026

   0 votes

   Never again
3. —
   Arthur Brooks

   Build the Life You Want... Advice from Arthur Brooks and Oprah · Sep 2023

   0 votes

   Never again
4. —
   Dave Evans

   How to Design a More Meaningful Life (with Dave Evans and Bill Burnett) · Feb 2026

   0 votes

   Never again
5. —
   Paul Eastwick

   Why Algorithms Can’t Predict Your Love Life with Dr. Paul Eastwick · Feb 2026

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6. —
   Ryan Holiday

   The Joy of Not Being Dead (with Ryan Holiday on The Daily Stoic) · Aug 2025

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7. —
   Ethan Kross

   Harnessing People Around us to Feel Happier (Live with Ethan Kross) · Mar 2025

   0 votes

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8. —
   Rangan Chatterjee

   Simple Ways to Feel Great Every Day - with Dr Rangan Chatterjee · Apr 2024

   0 votes

   Never again
9. —
   Adam Grant

   Unlock Your Hidden Potential with Adam Grant and Maya Shankar · May 2024

   0 votes

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10. —
    David Brooks

    Why Chasing Success Can Leave You Feeling Stuck (with David Brooks) · Jan 2026

    0 votes

    Never again
11. —
    Rich Roll

    "Human Minds Are Stupid!" (with Rich Roll) · Aug 2025

    0 votes

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12. —
    Jean Twenge

    What is Social Media Doing to Kids? with Dr. Jean Twenge · Mar 2026

    0 votes

    Never again
13. —
    Rob Lowe
    0 votes

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14. —
    Molly Ringwald

    An 80s nostalgia-fest with Molly Ringwald and Rob Lowe · Oct 2021

    0 votes

    Never again
15. —
    Lili Taylor

    "Birds Are Like My Afternoon Martini" (Birding with Lili Taylor) · Jun 2025

    0 votes

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16. —
    Katie Couric

    Do We Need a New Word for 'Happiness'? Katie Couric talks to Dr Laurie Santos · Apr 2023

    0 votes

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17. —
    Abby Wambach
    0 votes

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18. —
    Michael Pollan

    Awe and Psychedelics with Michael Pollan · Dec 2023

    0 votes

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19. —
    Sunita Sah

    Why Having the Courage to Defy Makes us Happier (with Dr Sunita Sah) · Sep 2025

    0 votes

    Never again
20. —
    Angela Duckworth

    Stop Doing Things the Hard Way with Dr. Angela Duckworth · Sep 2026

    0 votes

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21. —
    Becky Kennedy

    How to Tackle Bad Behaviour (with Dr Becky Kennedy) · May 2025

    0 votes

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22. —
    Vivek Murthy

    Reducing the Stress of Parenting with Dr Vivek Murthy · May 2025

    0 votes

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23. —
    Maya Shankar

    How to Bounce Back from Life’s Curveballs (with Dr. Maya Shankar) · Jan 2026

    0 votes

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24. —
    Glennon Doyle

    How Not to Repeat Your Parents' Mistakes (with Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach) · May 2025

    0 votes

    Never again
25. —
    Rainn Wilson

    Holiday Survival Guide II: Perfect Gifts and Fighting Fatigue (with Rainn Wilson) · 2 episodes

    0 votes

    Never again
26. —
    Michelle Obama

    How to Stay Hopeful (Live from SXSW with Michelle Obama) · Apr 2025

    0 votes

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27. —
    Richard Thaler

    How to Spend Your Time and Money Better (with Nobel Prize Winner Richard Thaler) · Sep 2025

    0 votes

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28. —
    Arianna Huffington

    Sleep When You're Dead Tired (LIVE with Arianna Huffington) · Jan 2020

    0 votes

    Never again
29. —
    Cass Sunstein

    Why You're Still Using Social Media (Even If You Want to Stop) with Dr. Cass Sunstein · Mar 2026

    0 votes

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30. —
    Dan Harris

    How to be Happier at Work (with Dan Harris) · Nov 2021

    0 votes

    Never again
31. —
    David Yeager

    How to Think Like a Child (with David Yeager) · May 2025

    0 votes

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32. —
    John Green

    How to Confront the Things that Suck (Live with John Green) · 2 episodes

    0 votes

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33. —
    Richard Davidson

    A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Changing Your Brain with Dr. Richard Davidson · Sep 2026

    0 votes

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34. —
    Bill Burnett
    0 votes

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35. —
    Bruce Hood

    Stop Caring What Other People Think of You (Bruce Hood on 10% Happier with Dan Harris) · Aug 2025

    0 votes

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36. —
    Dan Buettner

    Eat Like the People Who Live Happily to 100 (with Dan Buettner) · Sep 2025

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37. —
    Fred Luskin

    Why It Hurts to Hold a Grudge — and How to Let Go with Dr. Fred Luskin · Apr 2026

    0 votes

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38. —
    Harry Reis
    0 votes

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39. —
    Leidy Klotz

    Your Environment Affects Your Happiness More Than You Think with Dr. Leidy Klotz · Apr 2026

    0 votes

    Never again
40. —
    Manoush Zomorodi

    What Screen Time Is Really Doing to Your Body with Manoush Zomorodi · May 2026

    0 votes

    Never again