In today’s episode Yale professor and The Happiness Lab host Dr. Laurie Santos breaks down the science of happiness, sharing what research actually shows boosts our wellbeing—and what doesn’t. We explore the difference between feeling good in your life and feeling good about your life, and how strategies like social connection, movement, sleep, time affluence, and self-compassion can make a measurable impact. We also dive into helpful insights for parents, explaining how well-intentioned efforts to help can sometimes backfire, and what we can do instead to foster happiness in our children.

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Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

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Pelvic health is often ignored until something goes wrong—but it’s essential at every stage of a woman’s life. In this episode, Dr. Sara Reardon, also known as the Vagina Whisperer, breaks down what every woman needs to know about her pelvic floor. From painful sex and postpartum recovery to perimenopause, proper toilet habits, and how we talk to our kids about their bodies.

Purchase her book HERE

I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL

Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com

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Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this powerful and refreshingly playful conversation, Dr. Tina Payne Bryson returns to talk about The Way of Play—her newest book and a much-needed reminder that play isn't just fun, it's foundational. We dive into the science and soul of play—from its impact on brain development and emotional intelligence to how it builds lifelong connection and resilience. We also discuss why roughhousing isn’t risky, how to play when you’re too tired to try, and why letting kids lead the way in play is so important.

Purchase her book HERE

I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL

Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com

Follow me on Instagram for more:

@raisinggoodhumanspodcast

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Meta: Check out Instagram Teen Accounts

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Vionic: Use code HUMANS at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com when you log into your account. 1 time use only

Ground News: Go to https://groundnews.com/HUMANS to get 40% off the unlimited access Vantage plan–the same plan that I use to stay informed

Bobbie: Bobbie is offering an additional 10% of your purchase with the code HUMANS at hibobbie.com

Beam: Shop beam.com/HUMANS and use code HUMANS for up to 35% off

Iris & Romeo: Go to irisandromeo.com and use the code HUMANS for 20% off your first order.

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today’s episode I sit down with Dr. Blaise Aguirre, renowned Harvard psychiatrist to explore the roots of self-hatred and how it differs from everyday self-criticism. We unpack how early experiences—often subtle and unintentional—can shape a child’s sense of worth, and what it takes to unlearn those damaging lessons. We talk about how to respond when your child says “I hate myself,” why curiosity matters more than reassurance, and how to help sensitive kids build emotional resilience. Plus: the problem with well-meaning praise, how temperament plays a role, and the metaphor of the “emotional peanut” that every parent should know.

I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL

Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com

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Outschool: That’s outschool.com/HUMANS and use code HUMANS for up to $20 off your child’s first class or tutoring session on Outschool!

Ground News: Go to https://groundnews.com/HUMANS to get 40% off the unlimited access Vantage plan–the same plan that I use to stay informed

Molly Sud's: For 20% off, go to mollyssuds.com/HUMANS and use code HUMANS at checkout

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today’s episode I sit down with with Dr. Tom Hildebrandt, clinical psychologist and director at Mount Sinai’s Center for Excellence in Eating and Weight Disorders, to unpack the difference between disordered eating and eating disorders—and why that distinction matters. We dive into how to foster healthy food environments at home, when (and how) to talk to your kids about food and body image, and why regular family meals might be your best defense against future struggles. Plus: the impact of food delivery culture, what to do when kids self-soothe with snacks, and how to respond if you suspect something deeper is going on.

Link to Mount Sinai's Center for Excellence in Eating and Weight Disorders, HERE

I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL

Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com

Follow me on Instagram for more:

@raisinggoodhumanspodcast

Sponsors:

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Gabb: Sign up to Gabb today– no contract required– at GABB.com/HUMANS

Fast Growing Trees: Get an ADDITIONAL FIFTEEN PERCENT OFF at FastGrowingTrees.com using the code HUMANS at checkout

Quince: Go to Quince.com/humans for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order

Beam: Shop beam.com/HUMANS and use code HUMANS for up to 35% off

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I’m so excited to welcome back Dr. Ethan Kross, psychologist, neuroscientist, and author of Chatter, for a fascinating conversation about the inner voice we all live with—and how it can help or hurt us. We talk about how to support our kids (and ourselves) when that voice gets loud, critical, or overwhelming. Ethan shares incredibly helpful, science-backed tools for calming the chatter, building resilience, and knowing when support turns into co-rumination.

I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL

Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com

Follow me on Instagram for more:

@raisinggoodhumanspodcast

Sponsors:

Great Wolf Lodge: Learn more at GreatWolf.com

Saks.com: SHOP SAKS.COM

Vionic: Use code HUMANS at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com when you log into your account. 1 time use only

Active Skin Repair: Visit https://www.ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and to get 20% off your order, use code: HUMANS.

Wayfair: Head over to Wayfair.com and find something that’s just your style today

Kiwico: Get up to 50% off your first crate at kiwico.com, promo code RGH

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How can doodling and daydreaming - when your child might otherwise be paying attention - be a good thing? How does art support our child's health? What skills do our kids acquire in art class that help them later in life? This week, join me in conversation with Susan Magsamen, author of Your Brain On Art. She serves as executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab, part of the Brain Science Institute at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She also co-directs the Aspen Institute's NeuroArts BluePrint.

This episode originally aired June 2023.

I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL

Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com

Follow me on Instagram for more:

@raisinggoodhumanspodcast

Sponsors:

Sakara: Head to Sakara.com and check out The Essentials Bundle. And donʼt forget to tell them how you heard about them at checkout (podcast - Raising Good Humans)

Great Wolf Lodge: Learn more at GreatWolf.com

BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/HUMANS today to get 10% off your first month.

Saks.com: SHOP SAKS.COM

Vionic: Use code HUMANS at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com when you log into your account. 1 time use only

Outschool: Get up to $20 off your child's first class or tutoring session on Outschool for a limited time when you use my link: https://outschool.com/HUMANS and use code HUMANS at checkout

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by clinical neuropsychologist Dr. William Stixrud, co-author of The Self-Driven Child and the brand new Seven Principles for Raising a Self-Driven Child workbook. We talk about how to nurture internal motivation, what it really means to be autonomy-supportive, and how to step back without checking out. We also explore the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, how to support kids with executive function challenges, and why doing less as a parent can sometimes mean giving more.

I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL

Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com

Follow me on Instagram for more:

@raisinggoodhumanspodcast

Sponsors:

Sakara: Head to Sakara.com and check out The Essentials Bundle. And donʼt forget to tell them how you heard about them at checkout (podcast - Raising Good Humans)

Great Wolf Lodge: Learn more at GreatWolf.com

YNAB: Listeners of Raising Good Humans can claim an exclusive three-month free trial, with no credit card required at www.YNAB.com/humans

Wayfair: Head over to Wayfair.com and find something that’s just your style today.

iRestore: Reverse hair loss with @iRestorelaser and get $625 off with the code RGH at https://www.irestorelaser.com/RGH! #irestorepod

Gabb: For the best deals, sign up to Gabb today–no contract required–at GABB.com/HUMANS

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.