We explore the science of happiness with Georgetown University researcher Dr. Kostadin Kushlev, including the surprising importance of everyday social connection and how our increasingly digital lives may be quietly pulling us away from the very things that help us thrive.

Drawing from global happiness research spanning more than 1.5 million people across 161 countries, Dr. Kushlev shares why strong relationships, community, and even small moments with strangers have profound effects on wellbeing. He also dives into the growing body of research surrounding smartphones, notifications, fragmented attention, and how constant digital stimulation impacts your nervous system, focus, stress levels, and emotional health.

You will come away with practical, research-backed insights on reducing digital overwhelm, reclaiming your attention, creating healthier technology habits, and rebuilding the kinds of real-world connection that support both happiness and longevity.

Warm, accessible, and deeply relevant to modern life, this conversation offers a hopeful reminder that wellbeing is often found not in doing more, but in reconnecting with yourself, with others, and with the simple practices that make you feel most alive.