Dr. Laurie Santos: The Truth About Happiness Nobody Told You

What if everything you've been taught about happiness… is wrong? Yale psychology professor and host of The Happiness Lab, Dr. Laurie Santos, joins Darin to dismantle the biggest myths we believe about fulfillment—and reveal what actually works. From social comparison and toxic positivity to hedonic adaptation and brain rewiring, this episode offers science-backed, soul-refreshing insights that just might change your life. What You'll Learn in This Episode: 00:00 – Welcome to the show + sponsor message (Thera Sage) 02:00 – What sparked Laurie's lifelong study of happiness 04:00 – The crisis of mental health in students—and why it matters for everyone 06:00 – Why getting into Yale didn't make students happier 08:00 – The "arrival fallacy" and the myth of circumstantial happiness 10:00 – Why our culture is confused—and our brains are wired backwards 12:00 – Hedonic adaptation: why nothing stays good for long 14:00 – How dopamine, comparison, and fear cycles keep us stuck 16:00 – Natural selection didn't design you to be happy 18:00 – Why living in the present moment is harder than ever 20:00 – The devastating impact of tech on joy, connection, and presence 22:00 – Why even small social gestures create massive emotional shifts 24:00 – The toxic trap of "Good Vibes Only" 26:00 – What negative emotions are really trying to tell you 28:00 – Gratitude for the signal: rethinking anger, frustration, and overwhelm 30:00 – Curiosity over judgment: why your emotion isn't the problem 32:00 – How to begin shifting when you feel stuck and disconnected 34:00 – The misunderstood power of self-compassion 36:00 – "Go gentle": the science of slow, sustainable success 38:00 – Reclaiming your values in a noisy, comparison-driven world 40:00 – The science of time affluence and behavioral change 42:00 – Mindset, mindfulness, and the daily rituals that shift perspective 44:00 – How awe rewires the brain and inspires action 46:00 – Finding wonder in nature, stillness, and even YouTube 48:00 – What dogs can teach us about presence 50:00 – How to train happiness in kids (and ourselves) 52:00 – The #1 truth about happiness most people ignore 54:00 – Why knowing the science isn't enough—you have to live it 56:00 – From Aristotle to modern science: the path to the "good life" 58:00 – Final insights + how to pursue lasting fulfillment Thank You to Our Sponsors: Thera Sage – Premium red light, PEMF & infrared tools for total-body wellness 🌿 Get 15% off at therasage.com with code DARIN Shakeology – Darin's daily superfood shake with botanicals, fiber, prebiotics & more 🧠 Visit shakeology.com and use code SUPERLIFE for 15% off, free shipping, and a free shaker cup! Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Use code DARIN for 10% off at fromourplace.com . Follow Dr. Laurie Santos: Podcast: The Happiness Lab Yale Course: Psychology and the Good Life Instagram: @lauriesantosofficial Connect with Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences SuperLife Platform: superlife.com Key Takeaway: "Your brain wasn't built to make you happy—it was built to keep you alive. But you get to decide how to live." – Dr. Laurie Santos