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
What Happens in the Brain When We Improvise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:54
Explore the neuroscience behind musical improvisation—and what it reveals about our natural capacity for creativity. Summary: Creativity may be more natural than we think. Research on musicians and children improvising a…
Happiness Break: A Meditation For Connecting In Polarized Times [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
How to Make Work More Satisfying [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:25
Finding ways to bend tasks toward your strengths and passions can make you happier, more productive and find more meaning in your life—no matter your job. Summary: On this episode of The Science of Happiness, we explore…
Happiness Break: How to Feel More Connected to Others [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:36
Research shows that reflecting on our shared humanity can increase self-compassion and life satisfaction while reducing feelings of isolation. In this practice, Dacher Keltner guides us to look beneath our differences an…
The Science of Love (Episode 3) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:04
Guest host Geena Davis guides us through the research on love that stretches beyond romance and friendship, showing up in our bonds with objects, nature, grief, and the collective moments that connect us to something lar…
The Science of Love (Episode 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:53
Guest host Geena Davis helps us explore how the love we feel —for our partners, friends, family, even our four legged companions—shapes our brains, bodies, and lives. Summary: On this episode of The Science of Love with…
The Science of Love (Episode 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:16
In a culture that often reduces love to romance, Geena Davis helps us explore the science of love across the lifespan—revealing how our bonds with parents, friends, partners, and communities shape our health, happiness,…
How to Keep Your Humanity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:17
Discover what happens to our well-being when we respond to suffering with compassion, collective action, and why choosing to care can help us hold on to our shared humanity. Summary: In the face of widespread suffering,…
Happiness Break: Finding Calm in Uncertainty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:58
Psychologist and stress expert Elissa Epel leads us in a gentle, science-backed practice to calm our nervous systems and meet uncertainty with greater ease and acceptance. We want to hear from you! Take our quick 5-minut…
How Qigong Can Calm Your Mind and Body [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:09
Studies show qigong can strengthen your body and mind, and reduce cortisol levels. We explore this Chinese meditative movement practice that dates back over 4,000 years. Summary: After a period of intense stress, loss, a…