Well-Being and Post-COVID Recovery: Exploring U.S. Consumer Pessimism Amid Economic Growth with Carol Graham PhD

Well-being science reveals that, despite signs of economic growth during the post-COVID recovery, a widespread “vibecession” phenomenon of U.S. consumer pessimism persists. This challenges the traditional economic assumption that increased discretionary income automatically translates into higher national happiness.

To explore well-being science, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Dr. Carol Graham, a senior scientist at Gallup, an author, and a senior fellow in the Economic Studies program at Brookings.

Carol discusses the lack of civic and economic education in the US and how that affects vulnerable populations. She also presents statistics on the decline of mental health and wellness among US teens and how a loss of hope contributes to consumer pessimism.

Original Air Date Wednesday, October 29, 2025

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Meet Our Guest:

Carol Graham, PhD, is a leading voice in the field of well-being economics. She serves as a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, a College Park Professor at the University of Maryland, and a senior scientist at Gallup.

Her work explores the connection between emotional health, inequality, and economic opportunity. 

Book:  The Power of Hope: How the Science of Well-Being Can Save Us from Despair

Carol Graham, PhD—Well-Being Science About Consumer Pessimism:

  • The US post-COVID recovery is economically strong, but emotionally weak. {2:23}
  • There is no measurement of prosperity in the U.S. {12:55}
  • The Vibecession signals extreme consumer pessimism. {22:16}
  • US citizens lack adequate civic and economic education. {29:03}
  • Media shifts influence society’s most vulnerable. {30:30}

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Shareables:

“We don’t teach civic engagement in schools.” @LisaKamen on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “In the past, when the news was presented the opposing position was also given a fair amount of time for rebuttal." @LisaKamen on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “How people experience the economy and what the indicators say are very different.” — Carol Graham, PhD on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “It’s not wasteful to keep your society healthy both mentally and objectively.” — Carol Graham, PhD on @HHTalkRadio Share on X

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