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Harvesting Happiness: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Lisa Cypers Kamen
Harvesting Happiness with Lisa Cypers Kamen broadcasts consciously prepared brain food from the beaches of Malibu, California and on-location. HHTR promotes happiness, well-being and global human flourishing with a diverse and proactive collection of the greatest thought leaders and change agents who are devoting their lives to creating a better world in which to live. Each episode focuses on personal-growth, human-interest, self-improvement, healthy lifestyle and positive psycho-social education.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Yesterday31 min
The Monk Mindset: Rewiring Your Brain for Calm, Clarity & Focus
Articles about rewiring your brain seem to be everywhere these days. From mainstream media headlines to the glossy covers of supermarket magazines, brief snippets promise to teach us how to “think like a monk” through quick-fix meditation advice. However, these surface-level summaries rarely include the practical skills needed to cultivate a calm, clear mind. Without understanding the applied neuroscience behind meditation, following overly simplified advice can actually leave us more stressed. If you have ever sat down to meditate only to feel a wave of frustration after just a few moments of lost focus, you are far from alone. Ordained Buddhist monk and FitMind founder, Liam McClintock discusses the neuroscience of meditation with Harvesting Happiness host Lisa Cypers Kamen. They explore what it looks like to train for happiness the way we train for fitness without the fluff. Gain actionable insights about transforming the mind’s predictive processing to create a lasting shift toward sustainable happiness. Like what you're hearing? WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on https://harvestinghappiness.substack.com/ and https://medium.com/@HarvestingHappiness.
- 1 weeks ago39 min
The Art of Disagreeing Well: Julia Minson PhD on Conversational Receptiveness & the Psychology of Conflict
We live in a moment when disagreement has become a spectator sport — louder, faster, and more polarized than ever. But what if the goal was never to win the argument, just to be heard, and to actually hear back? In this episode, we sit down with Julia Minson, PhD, associate professor of public policy at Harvard Kennedy School and one of the leading researchers on the psychology of conflict and disagreement. Julia is best known for coining and studying “conversational receptiveness” — the measurable, learnable set of language cues that signal genuine openness to an opposing point of view, even amid deep disagreement. We explore why our brains are wired to avoid engaging with people who see the world differently, why “winning” an argument rarely changes anyone’s mind, and what the research actually shows about the words and phrases that make people feel heard rather than dismissed. Julia walks us through her studies on political polarization, workplace conflict, and closed-door negotiations, and offers practical, research-backed tools for having harder conversations — with family, colleagues, and the people we’re most tempted to write off. If you’ve ever walked away from a hard conversation wishing you’d handled it differently, this episode gives you the psychology — and the language — to do it better next time.
- 2 weeks ago42 min
Faith, Justice & Well-Being: How Religious Communities Fight for Racial Equality
The growing alignment between conservative politics and traditional religion has alienated younger Democrats and Independents, leading many to abandon faith-based activism. This retreat begs the question: can religious leaders still mobilize to address racial inequality, or have structural forces like gerrymandering permanently entrenched these divisions? To better understand the relationship between well-being and community activism, Harvesting Happiness host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author, sociologist, and Princeton professor emeritus Robert Wuthnow, PhD. In this religion and social justice podcast, Robert explores why faith-based activism and the pursuit of racial justice and racial equality have fallen out of favor in the democratic mission, and whether religious institutions are obliged to address civic ideals and politics. Like what you're hearing? WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on https://harvestinghappiness.substack.com/ and https://medium.com/@HarvestingHappiness.
- 3 weeks ago37 min
The Soul on the Scan: Neuroscience, Spirituality & The Medicine of Meaning
The burgeoning neuroscience of meditation validates soul-centered psychology by revealing tangible, measurable changes in brain structure and stress regulation. Clinical investigations into mind-body medicine for anxiety demonstrate how integrative psychiatry successfully merges conventional treatments with holistic care to alleviate psychological distress and cognitive impairment. To better understand the medical connection between spirituality and mental health, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Dr. Helen Lavretsky, a Professor of Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatrist, and Author. In her book, “Living from the Soul: The Neuroscience of Spiritual Awakening”, Helen argues that yoga, chanting, meditation, and breathing techniques heal trauma. Long dismissed as alternative or marginal practices, these modalities now have solid clinical research backing them and demonstrating tangible medical results. . Like what you're hearing? WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on https://harvestinghappiness.substack.com/ and https://medium.com/@HarvestingHappiness.
- 4 weeks ago38 min
Renewing Democracy: Civic Duty, Compromise & Collaborative Bargaining
Democracy is imperfect because ‘we the people’ are imperfect. Yet through collaborative bargaining, compromise, and a willingness to govern ourselves, we can spark democratic renewal and press forward in our pursuit of happiness. Because our politics and personal well-being are deeply intertwined, healing our civic foundations and institutions can help us build a future free of authoritarian rule. To better understand the connection between politics and personal well-being, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author and academic historian Brook Manville, PhD. Brook discusses the foundations of democracy and the Civic Bargain. He describes the active participation required by all Americans to spark a civic renewal that will strengthen our democracy and more accurately reflect the intentions of the Founding Fathers.or economic and psychological safety nets from the state to employers. Like what you're hearing? WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on https://harvestinghappiness.substack.com/ and https://medium.com/@HarvestingHappiness.
- Oct 1, 202638 min
The Hidden Psychology of Populism: How Insecurity Shapes How We Vote
Younger generations carry the burden of economic instability, often finding the milestones of homeownership and secure retirement slipping further out of reach than they were for their grandparents. As traditional social safety nets fray, many people are left navigating a profound sense of anxiety and social disconnection. This raises the question: Why do financial elites continue to achieve overwhelming success at the ballot box? How does the media manipulate voters to support outcomes that ultimately undermine their own well-being and psychological safety? To better understand the connection between well-being and political anxiety, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Lorenza Antonucci, PhD, one of Europe's leading voices on the human cost of insecurity. The discussion centers around her book, Insecurity Politics: How Unstable Lives Lead to Populist Support. In it, Lorenza addresses a troubling shift in global politics: abandoning the idea of meeting public needs, leaving individuals vulnerable and driving support for populism. She highlights the foundational, empathetic, collective solutions that shift responsibility for economic and psychological safety nets from the state to employers. Like what you're hearing? WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on https://harvestinghappiness.substack.com/ and https://medium.com/@HarvestingHappiness.
- Sep 24, 202635 min
Wired for Desire: Attachment Style, Emotional Safety & the Truth About Intimacy
Growing up, very few of us had kitchen table conversations about how vulnerability builds intimacy. Instead, most of us were handed a survival guide that taught us to "never let them see you sweat" and to "be strong." As a result, walking into adult relationships and talking intimately about our attachment styles and desires can be terrifying. Yet, finding the courage to share our true desires—free from shame or fear—transforms not just our sex lives, but deepens the connection with our partners and ourselves. *This episode explores human sexuality and is intended for mature listeners. For tips on how to bring attachment theory into the bedroom, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two emotionally focused therapists and co-authors, Laurie Watson, PhD, LMFT, and George Faller, LMFT. Laurie and George dive into what it takes to stay vulnerable and keep the spark alive for the long haul. They share expert strategies to help couples break free from the exhausting pursue-withdrawal cycle and reconnect on a deeper level. Like what you're hearing? WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on https://harvestinghappiness.substack.com/ and https://medium.com/@HarvestingHappiness.
- Sep 17, 202634 min
Elections Aren’t Enough: What Real Democracy Actually Requires
Do elected officials actually represent you? Once they take office, governance often seems to turn into a black hole where democratic accountability disappears. And, depending on your perspective, we may be living through the most frustrating political climate in U.S. history, leaving many citizens feeling unheard. Democracy thrives not on passive observation, but on everyday people’s enduring commitment to make their voices heard. Do you know what actions your generation must take to spark change? For expert insights on overcoming political anxiety, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Vermont, Minh Ly, PhD. Minh highlights the rights and responsibilities of democratic citizenship, reminding us that every historical advance in justice and inclusion has relied on mass political action. True democratic responsibility goes beyond voting; it includes adult civic education, grassroots organization, and active cooperation to keep authoritarianism from festering. Like what you're hearing? WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on https://harvestinghappiness.substack.com/ and https://medium.com/@HarvestingHappiness.
About Harvesting Happiness
Harvesting Happiness with Lisa Cypers Kamen broadcasts consciously prepared brain food from the beaches of Malibu, California and on-location. HHTR promotes happiness, well-being and global human flourishing with a diverse and proactive collection of the greatest thought leaders and change agents who are devoting their lives to creating a better world in which to live. Each episode focuses on personal-growth, human-interest, self-improvement, healthy lifestyle and positive psycho-social education.
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