S2:5 From Parents to Partners: How Divorces, DNA and Daily Connections Shape Our Wellbeing
In this fun episode, we look at how our social lives, with everything from supportive
relationships to breakups, impact our wellbeing. Is the pain of a breakup the same for
everyone? Can relationships protect our happiness over time? And what does your
DNA have to do with any of it? Professor Ragnhild Bang Nes of the Norwegian
Institute of Public Health shares fascinating findings from a study of twins. Tune in to
find out which social factors most strongly predict future happiness and how much of
our social wellbeing might be shaped before we’re even born!
Link to the study:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11136-024-03832-8
Guest:
Research Professor Ragnhild Bang Nes
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17:37
S2:4 Climbing the Wrong Ladder? What Happiness Rankings Might Be Missing
In this fun episode, we dig into a surprisingly overlooked question: What exactly are
people thinking about when they rate their happiness on global surveys? Is Finland
really the happiest country in the world or just the best at climbing metaphorical
ladders? Researcher August Nilsson joins us to explain how the metaphorical “Cantril
Ladder” works and reveal how tiny tweaks in how we ask about happiness can
dramatically change the answers we get. What happens if we ask about harmony in
life instead? Or if we ditch the ladder metaphor altogether? Tune in for a deep dive
into the psychology behind how we measure happiness and whether we're asking the
right questions at all.
Link to the study:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-52939-y
Guest:
Researcher August Nilsson
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17:34
S2:3 The Urban Happiness Gap: Are City Dwellers Destined to Be Less Happy?
In this fun episode, we ask whether city life is secretly dragging down our happiness.
More people than ever are living in cities, but does urban life come at the cost of
happiness? Associate Professor Jens Fyhn Lykke Sørensen from the University of
Southern Denmark shares insights from his research on Denmark’s urban–rural
happiness gap. From the power of green spaces to the strength of local friendships,
we explore why rural residents often report greater life satisfaction, and what city
dwellers might do to catch up. Could a palm tree on your balcony make a difference?
Tune in and find out.
Link to the study:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384554929_Why_are_City_Residents_Less
_Happy_than_the_Rest_of_the_Population_in_Developed_Countries_Studying_the_
Urban-Rural_Happiness_Gap_in_Denmark_Using_Blinder-Oaxaca_Decomposition
Guest:
Associate Professor Jens Fyhn Lykke Sørensen
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19:02
S2:2 Born to Worry? How Genes and Life Events Shape Our Wellbeing
In this fun episode, we explore how stressful life events like financial strain or
relationship conflicts can affect your life satisfaction and whether these life events are
just a matter of bad luck, or partly your parents’ fault? Professor Ragnhild Bang Nes
of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health shares insights from a unique twin study
that untangles life experiences from biology. Tune in to discover how genes and
environment work together to shape how we feel, and why not all bad life events
impacts us the same way!
Link to the study:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-025-07758-3
Guest:
Research Professor Ragnhild Bang Nes
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15:53
S2:1 Can Winning The Lottery Buy Lasting Happiness?
In this fun episode, we explore what happens when people hit the jackpot. Many of
us often dream of the big win, but does life really change when it happens? Will
wellbeing improve? Does the rush wear off or can the wellbeing be boosted for years,
or even decades? Tune in to hear economist Robert Östling from the Stockholm
School of Economics shares his insights from studying thousands of Swedish lottery
players to see what really changes when money arrives out of the blue, and what
stays surprisingly the same.
Link to the study:
https://www.nber.org/papers/w24667
Guest:
Professor Robert Östling
Discover the science of happiness, one episode – one study! In this podcast, host Professor Micael Dahlen explores groundbreaking research with leading experts, uncovering the science behind what truly makes us happy. Whether it's relationships, work, politics, or daily habits, The Happy Science Podcast brings insights from the field in a fun, engaging and accessible way. Tune in for thought-provoking discussions and practical takeaways on how to live a happier, more fulfilling life—backed by science!
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