Happiness Break: A Meditation For Connecting In Polarized Times

Happiness Break: A Meditation For Connecting In Polarized Times

Author: PRX and Greater Good Science Center March 5, 2026 Duration: 8:32
Having a curious approach to life can improve our mood, creativity and relationships. Scott Shigeoka leads a visualization exercise to help you approach someone you might disagree with with an open and curious mind. How To Do This Practice: Ground Yourself: Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take three slow, deep breaths, noticing the sensation of each inhale and exhale. Let your body begin to settle. Picture the Conversation: Bring to mind an upcoming interaction that may feel challenging and visualize where it’s happening and what the setting looks like. See yourself arriving there. Lead with Curiosity: Imagine yourself speaking with a calm, open tone and asking thoughtful, genuine questions. Picture your body language expressing interest and care. See It Going Well: Visualize the other person responding positively—softening, engaging, or opening up. Notice how connection feels in your body. Rehearse the Hard Moment: Imagine a tense moment arising and observe what happens inside you without reacting. See yourself choosing a curious question instead of a defensive response. Close with Intention: Picture the conversation ending with appreciation and mutual respect. Take three more slow breaths, then gently open your eyes. Scroll down for a transcription of this episode. Today’s Happiness Break Guide: SCOTT SHIGEOKA is an author and storyteller who focuses on themes of curiosity and well-being. Learn More About Scott’s work here: https://tinyurl.com/y5xyxky7 Related Happiness Break episodes: Loving Kindness Meditation: https://tinyurl.com/2kr4fjz5 Embodying Resilience: https://tinyurl.com/46383mhx A Meditation for When You Feel Uneasy: https://tinyurl.com/4utrkyh5 Related Science of Happiness episodes: Make Uncertainty Part of the Process: https://tinyurl.com/234u5ds7 How To Show Up For Yourself: https://tinyurl.com/56ktb9xc How Holding Yourself Can Reduce Stress: https://tinyurl.com/2hvhkwe6 Follow us on Instagram: @ScienceOfHappinessPod We’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod. Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap Help us share Happiness Break! Leave a 5-star review and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap Transcription: https://tinyurl.com/s5atfjm7

What if the things that make life feel worthwhile aren't just abstract ideas, but observable, measurable phenomena? That's the territory explored in The Science of Happiness. Each episode moves beyond simple self-help platitudes, grounding itself in the concrete research from psychology and neuroscience. Hosted by the insightful Dacher Keltner, a psychologist whose work often centers on these very emotions, the conversations feel both authoritative and deeply human. You'll hear from people who are actively testing out specific, research-backed practices-from cultivating compassion to finding moments of genuine awe-and then discussing the real, sometimes messy results. This isn't about a constant state of cheer; it's about understanding the building blocks of a resilient and meaningful existence. The podcast, a co-production of PRX and the Greater Good Science Center, translates academic findings into accessible stories and actionable insights. Tuning in feels less like receiving a lecture and more like sitting in on a fascinating experiment about our shared human condition, one where the data points are moments of connection, gratitude, and personal discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Science of Happiness
Podcast Episodes
Happiness Break: Holding Truth With Compassion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:26
Take a moment to connect with your body and make space for difficult emotions with compassion and care. This embodiment practice is guided by Lyla June Johnston, a Diné musician, scholar of Indigenous land management, an…
Why Revenge Feels So Good—and Why It Hurts Us [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:18
Neuroscience reveals revenge can become a powerful habit—and that forgiveness may be one of the most effective ways to break the cycle. Summary: After years of bullying led him to almost committing an act of violence, Ja…
Happiness Break: A Meditation to Move Through Anger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:25
Try a practice in accepting difficult feelings like anger or irritation to help keep your cool, feel better overall, and find calm with contemplative social scientist Eve Ekman. How To Do This Practice: Settle with your…
How Joy Helps Save the Planet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:26
Choosing joy over guilt and shame can make climate-friendly habits easier to sustain while improving your own well-being along the way. Summary: Fear may grab our attention, but research suggests joy is what helps us mak…
How To Find the Wow In Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:25
What can a singing bird, a neighborhood walk, and a pair of puppet adventurers teach us about awe? Sit down with Wowsabout! creators Dorien Davies and Halle Stanford to discuss helping kids—and grownups—find wonder where…
Happiness Break: A Compassionate Letter to Yourself [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:58
Take less than 10 minutes to write yourself a letter of care, compassion, and encouragement with psychologist Kristin Neff in this research-backed practice. How To Do This Practice: Choose an area of self-judgment: Think…
Finding Common Ground in Uncomfortable Times [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:44
Across school campuses and communities, students and educators are discovering how listening, curiosity, and everyday conversations can open pathways across differences and help restore a sense of shared humanity. Summar…
Happiness Break: A Walking Meditation With Dan Harris of 10% Happier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:00
Trouble sitting still? Learn to practice meditating by simply walking in this practice guided by 10% Happier host Dan Harris. How To Do This Practice: Start walking at a comfortable pace in a place where you can move wit…
How To Step Away from Anxiety [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:46
Do you have a hard time calming your nerves? Author Raina Telgemeier tries a practice to get out of her head, one step at a time. Summary: In this episode of The Science of Happiness, bestselling graphic novelist Raina T…