You might think etiquette is outdated. Who really needs a dinner with nice napkins and four different forks? Etiquette expert William Hanson disagrees. By observing good manners we show others we respect and care about them - deepening our bonds. 

William (author of Just Good Manners and host of the podcast Help I Sexted My Boss) explains the origins of many formal behaviours and how they can make us happier. 

You might think etiquette is outdated. Who really needs a dinner with nice napkins and four different forks? Etiquette expert William Hanson disagrees. By observing good manners we show others we respect and care about them - deepening our bonds.&nbsp;
William (author of <a href="https://www.williamhanson.co.uk/books">Just Good Manners</a> and host of the podcast <a href="https://sextedmyboss.com/">Help I Sexted My Boss</a>)&nbsp;explains the origins of many formal behaviours and how they can make us happier.&nbsp;

You might think you know what it takes to lead a happier life… more money, a better job, or Instagram-worthy vacations. You’re dead wrong. Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better. Based on the psychology course she teaches at Yale -- the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history -- Laurie will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness.

You might think you know what it takes to lead a happier life… more money, a better job, or Instagram-worthy vacations. You’re dead wrong. Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better. Based on the psychology course she teaches at Yale -- the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history -- Laurie will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness.

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

How Good Manners Made Me Happier (with Etiquette Expert William Hanson) 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0e3efbe3-96a3-447a-96da-b2eb0107b435/transcript

What stresses you out over the festive season? Happiness Lab listeners sent in their holiday woes so Dr Laurie and guest Rainn Wilson (The Office star and host of Soul Boom) could weigh in with some science-backed advice. 

In the first part of our Holiday Survival Guide, Dr Laurie and Rainn discuss ways to defuse family arguments, why it's ok to feel sad at Christmas, and how to beat festive FOMO. 

And find Nick Epley's "deep questions" conversation guide at drlauriesantos.com/deepquestions.

What stresses you out over the festive season? Happiness Lab listeners sent in their holiday woes so Dr Laurie and guest Rainn Wilson (The Office star and host of <a href="https://www.soulboom.com/">Soul Boom</a>) could weigh in with some science-backed advice.&nbsp;
In the first part of our Holiday Survival Guide, Dr Laurie and Rainn discuss ways to defuse family arguments, why it's ok to feel sad at Christmas, and how to beat festive FOMO.&nbsp;
And find Nick Epley's "deep questions" conversation guide at <a href="https://www.drlauriesantos.com/deepquestions">drlauriesantos.com/deepquestions</a>.

Holiday Survival Guide I: Ending Family Arguments (with Rainn Wilson)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5ec8a419-0ca1-4328-89a0-b3a701273582/transcript

According to the science, it really is better to give than receive. Donating a dollar; sharing a kind word or lending someone a hand changes lives, but can also hugely boost your happiness. So we're teaming up with other podcasts from Hidden Brain to Revisionist History to ask you to give to a charity helping some of the poorest people around. We're calling it #PodsFightPoverty.     

Go to givedirectly.org/happinesslab right now and give whatever you can. And the first $500,000 we donate will be matched thanks to our friends at Giving Multiplier!

Even a small donation will make you feel good and have a much larger impact on the world than you thought possible. To help inspire you, this special episode examines the science of giving and shares stories of heartwarming and impactful acts of kindness.   

According to the science, it really is better to give than receive. Donating a dollar; sharing a kind word or lending someone a hand changes lives, but can also hugely boost your happiness. So we're teaming up with other podcasts from Hidden Brain to Revisionist History to ask you to give to a charity helping some of the poorest people around. We're calling it #PodsFightPoverty.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Go to <a href="https://www.givedirectly.org/happinesslab2025/">givedirectly.org/happinesslab</a> right now and give whatever you can. And the first $500,000 we donate will be matched thanks to our friends at&nbsp;<a href="https://givingmultiplier.org/">Giving Multiplier</a>!
Even a small donation will make you feel good and have a much larger impact on the world than you thought possible. To help inspire you, this special episode examines the science of giving and shares stories of heartwarming and impactful acts of kindness.&nbsp; &nbsp;

How to Experience the Joy of Giving Right Now

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6b9f998d-346c-4ecb-b3d7-b3a000b0b731/transcript

It's Thanksgiving - a good time to think about gratitude and being selfless. Concentrating on the things we have to be grateful for is a great way to boost your happiness. So thank the people who've done good things for you, and think of ways you can help others too.  

This circle of gratitude – the science suggests – will also make you a better friend to one of the most important people in your life… your future self.

In a re-run of a 2020 episode, Dr Laurie investigates this effect with Northeastern University’s Professor David DeSteno – author of “Emotional Success: The Power of Gratitude, Compassion and Pride.”

It's Thanksgiving - a good time to think about gratitude and being selfless. Concentrating on the things we have to be grateful for is a great way to boost your happiness. So thank the people who've done good things for you, and think of ways you can help others too.&nbsp;&nbsp;
This circle of gratitude &ndash; the science suggests &ndash; will also make you a better friend to one of the most important people in your life&hellip; your future self.
In a re-run of a 2020 episode, Dr Laurie investigates this effect with Northeastern University&rsquo;s Professor David DeSteno &ndash; author of &ldquo;Emotional Success: The Power of Gratitude, Compassion and Pride.&rdquo;

Why Being Grateful Makes Us Feel Great (A Thanksgiving Re-run) 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3fbd1ec1-17ab-45d9-b1dc-b39f00fbe81f/transcript

How Good Manners Made Me Happier (with Etiquette Expert William Hanson)

In 1 playlist(s)

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips