How and Why Optimism Works & Why a Little Def...

Why do we say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Christmas? The phrase has a surprisingly rich past, shaped by culture, language, and holiday tradition. This episode begins with where “merry” came from and why it stuck. https://time.com/6240140/why-we-say-merry-christmas-traditions ...  Show more

Every December, millions of people around the world track Santa’s journey in real time using the NORAD Santa Tracker. But why is a military defense organization keeping tabs on Santa Claus in the first place? This bonus holiday episode begins with the surprisingly charming and ac ...  Show more

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This Stanford psychologist has evidence that being a cynic is bad for your health, and offers a non-corny alternative. 

Dr. ...

Why do arrogant or selfish people often seem to succeed while kind, caring people struggle to get ahead? It's a frustrating paradox we see all around us—but the truth is, it's not about morality. It comes down to alignment and self-worth. On today's show, I'll explain why the wor ...  Show more

There are many benefits to being an optimist - particularly when things go wrong in our lives. But we aren't all naturally optimistic, so can we learn to adopt the best and most positive behaviours of born optimists? Through treating New Yorkers caught up in the 9/11 attacks, psy ...  Show more

It's hard to stay hopeful sometimes. Things can look pretty bleak and divided, especially around election time. But if you're losing hope in your fellow humans, stop and listen to the science. Other people are kinder, friendlier and more co-operative than you might think.    Usin ...  Show more