Why Work Feels Better Together

Why Work Feels Better Together

Author: PRX and Greater Good Science Center March 26, 2026 Duration: 25:48
From a worker-owned restaurant in Oakland to a nonprofit built on shared leadership, we explore how collective work models can help people feel heard, valued, and more invested in their work. Summary: In this episode of The Science of Happiness, we examine how people can build cultures of care, accountability, and belonging together. Through stories from a worker-owned restaurant and insights from a leader in collective nonprofits, we share what research reveals about why collective decision-making can help teams thrive and organizations succeed. Scroll down for a transcription of this episode. Today’s Guests: NINO SERRANO AND JENABI PAREJA are the co-founders of Understory, a worker-owned and community-built restaurant in Oakland. Learn more about Understory here: https://understoryoakland.com/ NILOUFAR KHONSARI is the co-founder of Pangea Legal Services, a nonprofit that defends immigrants facing deportation and the author of the book, Future is Collective: Effective Workplace Strategies for Building a Culture of Care.  Read the book here: https://www.niloukhonsari.com/thebook Related The Science of Happiness episodes:   How to Talk to People You Disagree With: https://tinyurl.com/4cpm8m3a When It’s Hard to Connect, Try Being Curious: https://tinyurl.com/bde6wyu7 Why Compassion Requires Vulnerability: https://tinyurl.com/yxw4uhpf Related Happiness Breaks: A Self-Compassion Meditation For Burnout: https://tinyurl.com/485y3b4y 5 Minutes of Gratitude: https://tinyurl.com/r6pkw2xx Making Space For You: https://tinyurl.com/yk6nfnfv Message us or leave a comment on Instagram @scienceofhappinesspod. E-mail us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod. Help us share The Science of Happiness! Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap Transcription: https://tinyurl.com/ya9vuy4n

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: A Meditation on the Uniqueness of Your Voice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:07
In celebration of Latinx Heritage Month, embrace the beauty of your accent in this self-compassion meditation. Mindfulness and meditation teacher Criss Cuervo invites you to reflect on your history, heritage, and connect…
How to Protect Your Brain as You Age [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:48
What if getting older doesn’t have to mean losing your memory? Learn how neuroplasticity, healthy habits, and simple memory exercises can help keep your brain strong at any age. Summary: We often assume that getting olde…
Happiness Break: Tap into the Joy That Surrounds You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:55
Buddhist meditation teacher, Anushka Fernandopulle, guides us through a practice of Mudita, or appreciative joy, to help us share in the happiness of others. How To Do This Practice: Get comfortable and ground yourself:…
Sidedoor: Writing on the Wall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:36
Scroll down for a transcription of this episode. From the time we are old enough to hold a crayon, it feels instinctive to draw on the wall. But for MISS CHELOVE—also known as Cita Sadeli—this instinct became a calling.…
Talk To A Stranger—It’s Good For You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:11
We often underestimate how much small talk can impact our wellbeing. Research shows that even brief conversations with strangers can boost our happiness and sense of connection, but fear and anxiety often keep us from re…
Happiness Break: A Practice In Moving Through Stress [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:51
Join yoga and meditation teacher Jonathan Relucio for a trauma-informed practice combining mindful movement and breathing to reduce tension and build resilience to stress. How To Do This Practice: Get comfortable: Sit or…
Where To Look For Joy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:08
How can we feel more moments of joy? Explore how joy is rooted in connection, gratitude, and paying attention to the people and moments that bring meaning to our lives. Summary: Did you know that joy isn’t just something…
Happiness Break: A Body Scan for Calm and Ease [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:54
Meditation teacher Spring Washam guides us in a practice of embodied awareness, helping us use the body as an anchor during stressful or overwhelming moments. How To Do This Practice: Find a comfortable position: Sit upr…
Ear Hustle Podcast: Corny-Ass Episode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:36
Scroll down for a transcription of this episode. Nigel says no matter where you are, everyone has a story to tell about a hug: good, bad, or awkward. Earlonne isn’t buying it. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia,…
Why You Can’t Do It Alone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:03
Can anyone truly succeed alone? We explore how role models, mentors, and strong social support make upward mobility far more possible than grit alone. Summary: What role do the people around us play in shaping our succes…