podcast about world happiness and life satisfaction

Kamen works as a lifestyle management consultant who explores the art and science of happiness as a speaker, author, and positive psychology expert. Through her globally syndicated podcast, books, media appearances, and documentary film, Lisa has impacted millions of people around the world.

LISA CYPERS KAMEN

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World Happiness: Reporting on Life Satisfaction and Well-Being with Lara Aknin, PhD

In 2025, the United States is experiencing a troubling downward trend in its ranking on The World Happiness Report. This is a significant departure from its usual position within the top 20 globally. The exact causes are complex, but emerging evidence suggests that various psychosocial stressors are leading to a decrease in life satisfaction among US citizens, a trend that should concern us all.

Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with social psychologist and co-editor of The World Happiness Report, Lara Aknin, PhD, to explore what manifests as happiness and life satisfaction in the US and worldwide. Dr. Lara Aknin shares specific findings from The World Happiness Report and provides valuable insights into the global cultural factors that contribute to life satisfaction. She particularly emphasizes the role of generosity, volunteerism, and donations as significant sources of happiness, shedding light on these often overlooked contributors to our well-being.

Original Air Date Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

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Meet Our Guest:

Lara Aknin, PhD, is a distinguished professor of social psychology at Simon Fraser University and a co-editor of The World Happiness Report. Her research interests lie at the intersection of social psychology, positive psychology, economics, and judgment and decision-making.

Her research studies what makes people happy, the emotional consequences of kind or generous behavior, and the well-being outcomes of specific spending choices.

Lara Aknin, PhD. — World Happiness & Well-being:

The 2025 World Happiness Report reveals a drastic drop in life satisfaction for youth in much of the Western world. {2:05}
Unpacking 2025 happiness rankings around the world. {7:54}
Social conditioning may alter empathy and compassion instincts in males. {10:25}
Generosity toward others increases happiness and well-being. {10:30}
Simple ways to get the ‘helper’s high’. {21:50}

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Check out the Harvesting Happiness podcast episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

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“As women, it seems like many of us find the need to constantly apologize for our attitudes, opinions, and actions.” @LisaKamen on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “The trauma of being a girl is being treated differently, being treated less than, being treated as not as smart gets passed down epi-genetically.” @joannfinkelstein.phd on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “I think there are men and boys out there who might be the feelers and the empathy if we allowed that. If we didn’t make it so emasculating.” @joannfinkelstein.phd on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “There is a narrow range of acceptable girl voices that straitjackets girls and undermines how they are regarded.” @joannfinkelstein.phd on @HHTalkRadio Share on X

Grab More Joy Below:

Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now?

H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day.