Small Steps to Happiness: The Science of Mindful Living with Laurie Santos | From The One You Feed

Small Steps to Happiness: The Science of Mindful Living with Laurie Santos | From The One You Feed

Author: Pushkin Industries September 25, 2026 Duration: 1:06:58

Today we're sharing author Eric Zimmer’s interview with Dr. Laurie on The One You Feed podcast. 

In this episode, Dr. Laurie Santos discusses the importance of taking small steps to happiness and the science of mindful living. She reminds us that happiness is not a destination, but a practice. By understanding the science behind well-being and implementing small, consistent changes, we can learn how to apply these insights to our own lives to find greater joy and fulfillment.

Key Takeaways:

  • Embrace the power of small, consistent actions in shaping our happiness
  • Understand how our environment and social connections influence our behavior
  • Learn the common misconceptions about what truly makes us happy
  • Discover strategies for overcoming loneliness and building meaningful connections

If you like what you hear, find The One You Feed wherever you get podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


We often chase after things we believe will bring us joy-the next promotion, a perfect vacation photo, a bigger house-only to find the feeling is fleeting. The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos digs into the surprising psychology behind why our instincts about happiness are so frequently wrong. Dr. Santos, a Yale professor, doesn't just offer vague self-help advice; she translates the rigorous research from her record-breaking university course into practical, actionable science. Each episode feels like a personal conversation, where she breaks down complex studies and shares stories from people who've applied these lessons, revealing how counterintuitive changes in our daily routines and mindset can have a profound impact. This Pushkin Industries podcast moves beyond the surface of wellness trends, offering a grounded look at what genuinely improves our well-being across our social lives, personal health, and cultural expectations. Tuning in, you'll hear not just theory, but the tangible steps you can take to rewire your habits, backed by evidence that often contradicts our modern chase for more. It’s a refreshing take that makes the science of a better life accessible and genuinely useful, episode by episode.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
Podcast Episodes
Why Smaller Goals Can Lead to Bigger Changes with Eric Zimmer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:54
Most of us are familiar with this frustrating pattern: you set a goal, start off strong, but then lose motivation and end up right back at square one. Why does it seem so hard to change — even when you have a plan in pla…
Stop Doing Things the Hard Way with Dr. Angela Duckworth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:13
When we’re struggling to reach a goal, most of us assume the answer is to buckle down and try harder. But what if all that white-knuckling is actually making things more difficult than they need to be? Dr. Laurie speaks…
The Life-Changing Power of a Sabbatical [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:31
It’s hard to focus on wellbeing when we’re expected to work nonstop until retirement. Taking a break from time to time should be a given, not a privilege. Dr. Laurie works in one of the few industries that recognizes the…
You're Actually Not Bothering People Enough [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:05
Most of us hate asking for favors. We worry about being a burden, coming across as needy, or facing rejection for asking too much. But what if our fear of bothering people is stopping us, and the people around us, from b…
Why Being Alone Might Be Better Than You Think [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:05
In recent years, we've heard a lot of unsettling news about the loneliness epidemic and the dangers of social isolation. But could all this talk about loneliness paradoxically be making the problem... worse? Dr. Laurie u…
Winning the Lottery Could Ruin Your Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:48
What would it take to make you happier? A raise? A promotion? Getting into your dream school? Winning the lottery? It turns out that we’re surprisingly bad at predicting how these events will actually make us feel. When…
Men Don’t Just Need Friends. They Need Bromance. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:49
Men today are spending less time with friends, and many have no close friendships at all. Research shows that this lack of social connection can lead to serious long-term consequences for men's mental and physical health…
Forget Small Talk: Go Deep Instead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:37
Most of us default to small talk. It's polite, familiar, and feels like the safest way to start a conversation. But it may also be one of the biggest barriers to genuine connection. Dr. Laurie speaks with author and meta…