Harvesting Happiness

Mythology of Otherness: Building Resilience, Forgiveness, and Connection with John Crowley PhD & Wendy Sanford MFA

When we take a moment to go through the thought experiment of putting ourselves in the shoes of another, the perceived lines of differences begin to fade and we gain a better understanding of the other person and ourselves. Being mindful of our feelings and emotions allows us to decenter and observe the mind’s automatic responses so we can preserve our well-being and make better choices. To discover the daily practices that help us open our minds to healing, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen, speaks with two guests who study the brain’s socio-evolutionary abilities and limitations. John Crowley promotes mindful meditation to reduce stress and overcome automaticity. Wendy Sanford shares the personal journey that inspired her to write, These Walls Between Us: A Memoir of Friendship Across Race and Class, about stepping out of her white privileged upbringing.

Human Healing: Restorative Practices for Real People and a Better World with Elena Mustakova EdD & Jason Gots

o get in touch with our spiritual side we must clear out, bypass,
cleanse, and filter through all of the programming that has told us
to be strong, get over it, and feel shame. For humanity to heal, we
need to gather quiet moments, reflect on our experiences, and
work together in a compassionate, understanding, and principled
way. We have the unique opportunity to make the most of our
one shot at this conscious life. To gather the tools needed to help
us on our healing journey, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa
Cypers Kamen, speaks with two authors who observe and report
on how to heal the human experience. Elena Mustakova
summarizes the highlights of her book, Global Unitive Healing:
Integral Skills for Personal and Collective Transformation and
reminds us that it is OK to reclaim our spirituality. Jason Gots
shares the inspiration behind the writing of his book, Humanity Is
Trying: Experiments in Living with Grief, Finding Connection, and
Resisting Easy Answers, and describes how suffering can be a
gateway to healing.

More than Words: Interpersonal Communication and Well-Being with Kory Floyd PhD & Valerie Manusov PhD

As we begin to emerge from the pandemic-induced lockdown,
many people are starved for human connection. Online social
gatherings may not have been enough to regulate our emotions
the way that pure, screen-free human touch does. It may feel
uncomfortable to be in close proximity to others, shake hands, or
embrace friends and family. And, when we do reach out, what do
we say to those who are grieving the loss of social connection or
the loss of a loved one? To delve deeper into how we can be
better communicators, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa
Cypers Kamen, speaks with two professors whose work revolves
around the many aspects of human communication and social
well-being. Kory Floyd studies interpersonal communication and
its effects on mental and physical health. He describes the
impacts of the COVID pandemic and the loneliness pandemic on
our mental state and how we can create connection through
communication. Valerie Manusov studies how behavior is
interpreted and the meaning we give to other nonverbal
communication cues. She reveals the insights about conflict
resolution, the effective communication attributes of trustworthy
leaders, and the importance of listening

Exercise the Wonder Drug: Move the Body, Heal The Brain with Dr. Jennifer Heisz & Caroline Williams

Plenty of information exists about how exercise can boost our
immune system and add years to our lives. Emerging research
shows that physical movement can also ward off dementia,
increase creativity, and help us manage stress. To work out how
movement and exercise may be the wonder drug to heal our
brains and reduce the need for pharmaceuticals, Positive
Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen, speaks with two
authors whose work focuses on the connection between how
moving the body can heal the brain. Dr. Jennifer Heisz describes
the research that inspired her book, Move The Body, Heal The
Mind: Overcome Anxiety, Depression, and Dementia and Improve
Focus, Creativity, and Sleep. During the conversation, she shares
the physiology behind why the brain makes it hard for some of us
to get moving and how moving more improves our mental health.
Journalist Caroline Williams details the evidence behind the
findings included in her book, Move: How the New Science Can
Set Your Mind Free, and shares the neuroscience of how dance
and movement can increase human connection and help us
manage stress.

Psychologically Speaking: Activating Empathy and Other Reward Winning Skills with Dr Adam Stern & Colter Ray PhD

A cancer or other life-threatening disease diagnosis is a difficult blow to the patient receiving the news. The next steps for the patient include sharing the weight of the news with friends and loved ones. For some, certain expectations of support accompany the disclosure. A response can be difficult because the right thing to say differs from person to person. Is it better in some cases not to say anything and just listen? Our individual personality traits make it difficult to apply a one-size-fits-all communication style to all situations. But, to explore how we can show up for loved ones as better humans, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen, speaks with two doctors who research the human condition and communication. Dr. Adam Stern shares his journey of seeing the doctor-patient relationship change when he received his cancer diagnosis as detailed in his book, Committed: Dispatches from a Psychiatrist in Training. Dr. Colter Ray studies how human beings support each other during difficult times and the metrics of an emotional scorecard. He shares his findings and offers guidance for those on the receiving end of hard news.

Sparking Possibilities: Reigniting Purpose and Meaning with Darrin Tulley & Michael Clinton

The term retirement planning is often used by financial institutions to describe the means necessary to sustain a quality of life after a person’s primary career has ended. This antiquated way of thinking worked for a while, but times are changing. Longer life spans afford people new opportunities to recreate their lives and careers to be more aligned with their authentic selves and to nurture their desires. Healthy 50-year-olds often live into their 90s, so why would one career be enough if there are 40 more productive years in store? To find out more about opportunities available during a second or third phase of life, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen, speaks with two authors who embrace new possibilities to reignite purpose and meaning in life. Darrin Tulley left his CPA practice to practice connecting with people to help them find their joy. Darrin describes the pillars of his book, Live Your Possible: Ignite Your Happy Authentic Self and Live a Fulfilling Life Rooted in Joy, Inclusion, and Love of Possibilities!, and shares the secret sauce of the path to possible. Former president and publishing director of Hearst Magazines, Michael Clinton shares statistics gleaned from his research while writing his inspirational book, Roar: into the second half of your life (before it's too late). Micheal contends that life after 50 is the perfect time to expand horizons and nurture and develop what is important to us.

Get Smart: Intellectual Humility and Critical Thinking with Mark Leary, PhD & Lee McIntyre, PhD

Research shows that most people believe themselves to be above average when it comes to most things. And, for some, being right has become less of a virtue and more of a defensive stance. Standing our ground on trivial issues may damage our relationships and make us more susceptible to disinformation campaigns. To discover the strategies that help us to increase our critical thinking skills and our intellectual humility, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen, speaks with two experts about their work in what motivates humans to think critically. Mark Leary, a professor emeritus at Duke, describes the three benefits to being intellectually humble, the history of the study of intellectual humility, and strategies to increase connection and creativity by increasing intellectual humility. Author and Research Fellow, Lee McIntyre, shares excerpts from his book, How to Talk to a Science Denier: Conversations with Flat Earthers, Climate Deniers, and Others Who Defy Reason and describes how to practice inclusion with those who absorb the information provided by disinformation campaigns.

Trust-Falling into the Universe: A Transformational Adventure with Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati

If the cells that make up our bodies regenerate completely every seven to ten years why is it that we hold on to and perpetuate trauma? And, if in every moment of our lives we have a choice about how to feel and how to react, why do some choose to be a victim? Suffering based on someone else’s actions is living amid that person's karmic drama. It disempowers us and eliminates our agency. To discover the transformational practice of spirituality and how we are able to consciously create our lives, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with returning guest Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati. Sadhvi shares her story that is the basis of her book, Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation. She reminds us that we have the choice to create our reality, and that forgiveness and compassion for others empower us to have compassion for ourselves.

Lives of Relationship: Field Notes from the Journey with Mark Nepo & Dan Millman

Many believe that embarking on a spiritual journey requires leaving a previous life behind and setting off to a monastery for years until enlightenment is revealed in the wind. And, while it is true nature can offer powerful inspiration, our daily lives and relationships are more efficient conduits for fulfillment than major life upheavals. Being in service to others and offering our full presence are keys to spreading love in the world. To discover how to become aware and start a spiritual quest, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors and spiritual mentors about their journeys. Mark Nepo discusses how reducing the impact of fear on our lives can be accomplished by reaching out to each other and the beauty of being in service to others. Mark’s book, The Book of Soul: 52 Paths to Living What Matters, can be used as a guide to enhance relationship. Dan Millman describes his lifelong spiritual journey and the mentors who influenced his daily life through his book, Peaceful Heart, Warrior Spirit: A Memoir. Dan reminds us that daily life is the best place to look for those seeking a peaceful heart.

Deconstructing Discord: The Rewards of Effective Communication with Amy Herman & Ed Tronick PhD

Have you given any thought to your problem-solving abilities? When discord arises in personal relationships or business affairs, what strategies do you employ to bring about amicable resolutions? Communication issues can be overcome and in many cases, the resolution can solve problems and reward those involved by building deeper, more intimate relationships. To deconstruct how to build better relationships through effective communication, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors about the fine points of solving problems and discord in relationships. Amy Herman discusses some structural strategies for solving communications problems through the lens of fine art taken from her book, Fixed: How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem Solving, and shares examples of how she assists her highly-sensitive clientele. Ed Tronick is a developmental and clinical psychologist who explains the essential elements of the book he co-authored, The Power of Discord: Why the Ups and Downs of Relationships Are the Secret to Building Intimacy, Resilience, and Trust.