Image description: Author Neil Pasricha has written several books diving into the science of gratitude and happiness. He is wearing a blue button up shirt and is looking off camera, with an orange starburst graphic behind him. Via: www.facebook.com/NeilPasricha

Gratitude: what’s the deal? Does it really make us happier? Even when the world seems terrible? Or is being appreciative a bunch of hokey flim-flam? Author Neil Pasricha started a blog of 1000 Awesome Things in 2008 and it led him down rabbit holes looking into the science of gratitude and how to better survive some really tough times. Learn about your new morning ritual, how much of happiness is genetically determined, why you should sniff a tree, honeymoon drama, simple appreciation, singing while making dinner, the gambles you take while scrolling, and how your brain means well -- but can make you miserable on purpose. Also, buy one more cactus.

Listen via Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get podcasts.

Transcript

Follow Neil Pasricha on Twitter and Instagram

Visit Neil’s website and 3 Books Podcast

A donation went to Performance Space New York

More info you may enjoy:

The game Neil plays over dinner is: Rose, Rose, Thorn, Bud.

His 2-minute morning practice: I will let go of, I am grateful for, and I will focus on.

Track your happiness and help some scientists

Institute for Global Happiness

“The Happiness Equation” book

“How do I love thee? Let me count the words: the social effects of expressive writing”