Humans are driven to seek pleasure and avoid pain. It is a tendency deeply embedded in our biological makeup. However, there are times when this pursuit can lead to excess. Due to societal stigma, many individuals delay seeking help until their quest for pleasure turns into a source of pain and their lives begin to unravel. To explore the driving force behind constant cravings and the contemporary solutions that can turn lives around, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen...

Individuals who embrace positivity are more likely to approach challenges with resilience and adaptability, thus enhancing their ability to overcome adversity and thrive. Research shows that a positive attitude serves as a powerful catalyst for not only extending lifespan but also enhancing quality of life, and in certain cases is a better predictor of longevity than genetics, or life choices. To explore the timeless wisdom behind longevity, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers...

Children of immigrants must navigate multiple cultures. The culture they know predominantly from their parents and the culture in which they live. Finding a sense of belonging and identity can be especially challenging for Asian Americans, who tend to be the group that is the least likely to talk about their feelings and seek out mental health services. To explore a path for healing cultural identity hurdles, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two licensed...

Studies indicate that listening to music not only reduces anxiety and enhances overall well-being but also triggers activity in ten distinct brain centers. And, among the twelve cranial nerves connecting our brain to our sensory systems, ten are linked to auditory perception, making the ears a gateway to the brain. Learn how to fine-tune and revitalize brain function through sound. Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with the co-developer of a home-based Sound Therapy...

Have you ever been frustrated while driving? There was no major accident, and no one walked out in front of you, but the driver ahead of you kept changing speed for no reason, and you wonder why this has to happen every day. Agh! Research shows that these chronic irritations or tiny traumas can build up in our system and cause more disruption than a major life trauma. To discover how to recover and repair from chronic stressors, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with...

What some people consider small stressors can trigger and overwhelm those whose biological and psychological makeup is foundationally built upon intergenerational traumas. Those with intergenerational traumas can be predisposed to heightened emotions that may not be widely understood by their societal circles. If you have witnessed someone’s reaction to a circumstance that didn’t appear to warrant it, it could be based on the person’s unique heritage and ancestry without them being aware of...

The bells and whistles of modern life take a toll on humans mentally, physically, and emotionally. These burdens are exacerbated by the compulsion to resist and control the chaos because self-protection and the protection of our children are key motivators. But how do we create a sustainable, lasting transformation to quell modern turbulence? To more deeply understand how we can realize zen in the chaos, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Oren Jay Sofer, a...

Understanding and navigating interpersonal dynamics is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships. As an example, in a family where one or both parents are narcissists, it can be difficult for children to achieve a sense of self. Children growing up in this unhealthy environment tend to take on particular roles that fit within the confines of the narcissist’s point of view. To discover best practices for navigating relationships with self-absorbed personalities, Harvesting Happiness...

With access to mental health care in the United States out of reach or ineffective for some people, alternative treatments and medicines that alleviate symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD are sought after. Treatment seekers are more and more often finding ceremonies that feature doses of psychedelic medicine valuable in shifting their mental state. To gain more information with a healthy dose of skepticism, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author,...

Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. In the last 20 years, humans have developed a set of mental challenges for themselves unlike any other in human history. The internet age has created a vast array of complications that our minds have...

Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. As the 2024 election cycle begins, the amount of memes for and against political candidates in social media feeds will increase exponentially. Most of which will have been created by AI and will...

Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. Mind viruses spread in the same manner as viruses in the body. Something is passed from one person to another. The person's belief system or mental immune system processes the content of the...

Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. The reliability of the information we ingest is paramount in today’s world of misinformation. Because once we decide that we believe something our minds become much less malleable when it comes to...

Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. In the US, as the election season approaches many people will have the opportunity to have conversations at home, work, or on social media where their beliefs differ vastly. Without curiosity,...

Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. Fear and doubt serve as powerful tools in the political landscape, allowing politicians to manipulate public perception and sow confusion. By labeling legitimate investigations or criticisms as "witch...

Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. The primary goal of most media sources is to make money by pushing an agenda. They may create false stories designed to increase advertising revenue, influence opinion, or in the case of the 2016...

Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. Social isolation, technology, and environmental changes are responsible for many of today’s mental health problems including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Historical research suggests...

Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE). This episode is part of a series exploring disinformation, media literacy, and the emerging science of cognitive immunology. The media has already begun priming the pump for the 2024 election cycle in the US. Swaying the average American to believe one thing over another will be the target of billions of dollars of...

When you look around your space, what do you see? Is there a corner that seems a bit overcrowded? Is there a pile you’ve been meaning to tackle but can’t find the right time? Would you perhaps enjoy parking your car in the garage for extra comfort on cold, rainy days? To discover how we can all make space for joy, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with declutter queen, Tracy McCubbin. Tracy is the founder of dClutterly, a business that helps people find joy in...

What drives some people to take on circumstances they wouldn't choose for themselves to help those in need, speak for those who don't have a voice, or follow integrity toward the righteous path? Where does the spark of courage come from? To illuminate what gives us inner grit, grace, and the power of courage, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with the bishop and spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C., Mariann Edgar Budde. Bishop Mariann...

The fast pace of today’s world can make us feel frantic and disconnected from our experiences. It has become too easy to focus on the expectations of others and succumb to fear-based motivations. Do simple tools exist to bring us back to peace-of-mind? Or, does everything have to be a struggle? To understand how we can reclaim calm in this tumultuous world, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with meditation teacher and award-winning writer and journalist, Dr. Danny...

Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today”. But, for some people, it is not that easy. Despite their best intentions, projects and tasks may have a perpetual completion date. Is it a lack of motivation, or sheer laziness that keeps some in a state of inaction? Neither. It is something much deeper. To better understand what lies at the core of procrastination and how to overcome it, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with...

Study after study suggests that human brain development is greatly diminished by the use of digital media. One such study shows that for every hour of media a child consumes per day under the age of three, the risk of ADHD at age seven goes up by 10%. As new technologies, including AI, emerge, what can be done to protect mental health and brain development against them? For insights about the effect of technology on neurodynamics, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks...

The practice of meditation was developed in Asia by monks over two and a half thousand years ago. Their practices offered them an understanding of their own consciousness en route to enlightenment. Today amidst a barrage of technological distractions and uncertainty about the practice, meditation is elusive for many. If there was a streamlined process for the practice of meditation that took people out of their mind maps could we better understand our personal experiences? For tips on how...