Your Brain Is Lying to You About Happiness | Dr. Laurie Santos episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 7, 2026 · 45 MIN

Your Brain Is Lying to You About Happiness | Dr. Laurie Santos

from The Midlife Chrysalis · host Chip Conley

We've been chasing happiness the wrong way. Dr. Laurie Santos explains what actually works.Join Chip Conley and Dr. Laurie Santos, Yale's renowned happiness professor and creator of the university's most popular course, for a thought-provoking conversation on the science of happiness, the opportunities of midlife, and the habits that lead to a more fulfilling life.In this episode, you'll discover:Why your brain often pushes you toward the wrong definition of successThe habits that matter more than money, achievement, or statusHow your mindset can shape your happiness, health, and even longevityWhy midlife is the perfect time to rethink your priorities and invest in what truly mattersThe simple piece of advice Laurie wishes she'd learned much earlier in lifeIf you've ever wondered whether you're spending your time on the things that really matter, this conversation will change the way you think about happiness, purpose, and the second half of life.If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could use a fresh perspective on living well.Timestamps:(02:10) Meet Dr. Laurie Santos(03:13) Growing Up and Finding Purpose(05:19) Studying Monkeys at Harvard(07:23) What Monkeys Teach Us About Human Thinking(09:08) The Most Popular Class at Yale(12:24) The Science of Happiness(16:40) How Mindset Shapes Longevity(18:47) Turning 50 and Rethinking Midlife(21:51) The Power of Midlife Rituals(25:00) Why Everyone Needs a Sabbatical(30:44) Giving Back and Building Strong Relationships(32:50) The Future of Higher Education(37:04) It Doesn't Matter as Much as You Think(38:24) Final ThoughtsLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#LaurieSantos #ChipConley #HappinessScience #PsychologyOfHappiness #PositivePsychology #Midlife #MidlifeChrysalis #Mindset #HealthyAging #Longevity #SocialConnection #PurposeInLife #Yale #HappinessResearch #LiveWell

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Your Brain Is Lying to You About Happiness | Dr. Laurie Santos

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