Harvesting Happiness Podcasts

Many people in the US have grown weary of the non-stop political discord that permeates every aspect of their lives. Some of the information is so polarized that it begs to be agreed with or opposed to, often leading to online fighting and further fracturing societal cohesion. Managing this pervasive tension requires understanding the underlying frameworks that shape our sense of morality.

For tips on engaging in amicabl...

We live with a symphony of inner voices. Some are critics, and others are cheerleaders. The chatter in our minds is not adversarial, even though it might feel that way at times. The diverse aspects of our personality equip us with compassion in times of need and offer different perspectives for problem-solving. Achieving internal harmony hinges on peacemaking within our minds and soothing the inner critical voices. But, how do we t...

To effectively unwind from the demands of modern life, we can tap into our body's internal chemistry. Overcoming the fatigue induced by constant technological stimulation is achievable by recognizing our need for rebalancing and actively changing our habits. The solution lies in getting a daily dose of nature, whole foods, physical exercise, and minimizing screen time.

To introduce practices that activate and boost our nat...

A lack of emotional literacy often lessens our ability to face life's storms. As a result, many women resort to self-medicating behaviors to cope. In a more compassionate world, addiction recovery would nurture human needs and prioritize genuine healing. As many global strategies are evolving beyond abstinence, in the US, it is time to recognize that harm reduction programs offer a safe alternative to crisis care.

To high...

Feeling purposeful is a fundamental driver of self-worth and a powerful antidote to despair at any age. To increase a sense of purpose, children and adults can leverage strength-based interventions to significantly reshape learning behaviors in a variety of situations. And, considering the pervasive mental health challenges in the United States today, social-emotional learning (SEL) emerges as a critical tool for fostering emotiona...

At some stage in life, most people will be charged with caring for someone else. During a health crisis, caregivers, especially those with children, face intense demands on time and personal resources. If you are tasked with a caregiving role, prioritizing self-care is vital for your well-being and ability to provide care. If someone you love is a caregiver there are simple ways to support their journey including offering practical...

In 2025, the United States is experiencing a troubling downward trend in its ranking on The World Happiness Report. This is a significant departure from its usual position within the top 20 globally. The exact causes are complex, but emerging evidence suggests that various psychosocial stressors are leading to a decrease in life satisfaction among US citizens, a trend that should concern us all.

Harvesting Happiness Podcas...

The United States ranked 43rd out of 146 countries for gender equality in the World Economic Forum's 2024 Global Gender Gap Report. In addition to that staggering result, the current administration is eliminating DEI efforts to further erode progress toward social justice for women. How can we empower girls and women to ensure their voices are heard and their contributions are valued at all levels of society?

To explore ge...

Navigating the emotional challenges of modern secular living can be eased by cultivating inner peace of mind. Mindfulness practices, though sometimes challenging to adopt, can ground us in gratitude. How can we actively seek out the everyday magic and truly appreciate each mindful moment as a source of relief?

To explore strategies that increase our capacity to deal, and heal, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers ...

Nature offers a profound secular and sacred sanctuary that presents a landscape of opportunities for spiritual awakening beyond traditional walls. The divine exists within the cathedral of the earth, sea, and sky. It is at the core of every human soul. It is not confined to the walls of a physical structure, nor does it exist under the guise of any specific religion. The divine is everywhere—around us and within us. Spending time i...

Benjamin Franklin's "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today" sounds simple, yet for many, it's a monumental challenge. Well-intentioned individuals often find their to-do lists perpetually lingering, not from laziness or a lack of motivation, but from a more complex, underlying struggle. This persistent inaction isn't a matter of willpower; it often stems from deeper issues like fear of failure, perfectionism, or an ove...

Humans inherently have a negativity bias. Our brains prioritize negative stimuli as compared to positive stimuli. And while it may have served us well in the past, today, it only serves to increase anxiety and worry. Research shows that we can rewire our brains to acknowledge the negative and change our perception of it, but it takes practice.

To guide us through the practice of positively changing our minds, Harvesting H...

Sometimes, navigating our next steps can be complicated, and discernment is not always easy. Approaching problems from a different perspective can help us to gain clarity on a situation and when done so with intention, can become a sacred journey of self-discovery. Through discernment, we listen to the desires of the soul, allowing them to guide us toward choices that resonate with our authentic selves. This inner listening is cruc...

The weight of mounting tasks and looming responsibilities of modern life often leave us feeling overwhelmed and under-equipped. Many of us put burdensome chores on the back burner and choose instead to do nothing because the task seems so big that we don’t know where to begin. This avoidance, however, only serves to amplify the feelings of overwhelm, creating a vicious cycle of procrastination and stress.

To help us decod...

Healing the loneliness epidemic requires much more than bringing humans together. It is likely that you have felt disconnected from others even when in a crowded place. That disconnection comes from within ourselves. By nurturing our inner world we can create a strong foundation for building meaningful connections with others, and help us find contentment and love within ourselves.

To discover a clear pathway to love yours...

In our increasingly isolated world, online dating has become a prevalent avenue for finding romance. While self-confident individuals often leverage these platforms to strategically navigate potential partnerships, others may use them, and related platforms such as cam sites, as a means to develop the emotional and social skills necessary for offline relationships and well-being.

* This episode explores human sexuality an...

Consider that everything you’ve been told about happiness is wrong. Happiness isn’t a new car, changing an insurance provider, or a crystal clear cellphone connection. Those are marketing messages designed to make us feel the choices we’ve made aren’t good enough. There is no one-size-fits-all for happiness. Happiness is about living our truth and accepting ourselves as we are.

Happiness is available to us regardless of e...

Magic and witchcraft are integral aspects of the human nature. Cultural beliefs are rooted in human cognition and psychology and shape our social behaviors. By acknowledging the inherent power of nature and seeking similarities within it, humans attempt to gain a sense of control and meaning in an unpredictable world.

For a clearer understanding of how magical thinking shapes human culture and impacts everything including...

Listening to diverse perspectives offers a medium for us to learn from each other and work towards a more inclusive and harmonious world. From a young age, many people are frustrated because they feel their voices are not seen, heard, or understood. It has become a common practice to defend a position before truly understanding another’s point of view. How can we use listening to enhance our relationships?

For insights on ...