The Science of Happiness

Hosted by Dacher Keltner, an award-winning psychologist at UC Berkeley, this show comes straight out of the Greater Good Science Center and it shows. Each biweekly episode pairs real research on compassion, gratitude, awe, and mindfulness with actual exercises you can try yourself. What makes it stand apart is the "Happiness Break" segments scattered throughout the catalog. These are short, guided practices (think breathing exercises, gratitude reflections, or body scans) that give you something concrete to walk away with rather than just abstract ideas. Keltner has a warm, curious interview style that puts his guests at ease, and the show regularly features researchers and practitioners who are doing original work on what makes life feel meaningful. Recent seasons have explored the science of love from every angle: romantic partnerships, friendships, grief, and even our connection to the natural world. With 321 episodes and a solid 4.5 rating from over 1,800 reviews, it has built a loyal audience. The production, co-handled by PRX, is clean and professional without feeling overproduced. Episodes typically run 20 to 35 minutes, which makes them easy to fit into a lunch break or commute. This is a great pick if you want practical takeaways backed by peer-reviewed studies, not just feel-good advice.