The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the emerging science of cognitive immunology and how it relates to our well-being.

In this bonus episode of More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness, Lisa continues the conversation with the Executive Director of the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Kjersti Fløgstad. Kjersti discusses the 8 core principles of the book, Those Who Listen, Change the World and she describes how the principles can be implemented to increase diplomacy, peacemaking, and relationships.

Harvesting Happiness proudly crafts consciously prepared brain food in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from around the world. This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide a non-partisan series promoting critical thinking, civic duty, and relational pleasure for a happier, healthier, and more productive society.

We’re on a mission to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world.

Listen to two Harvesting Happiness podcast productions exploring optimal lifestyle management by improving media literacy, common sense, social responsibility, physical and relational well-being, and mental health. This impacts how we think and behave and our collective well-being.

Binge-listen to More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness. This free bonus content is available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Kjersti Fløgstad — Peacemaking & Diplomacy:

• Governments exist to serve the people. {4:19}

• 8 core principles of good dialogue. {9:07}

• Tips for talking about difficult topics. {19:04}

• Forgiveness and love are acts to save relationships. {24:24}

About Lisa’s guests:

Kjersti Fløgstad is the Executive Director of the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, where she focuses on using the Nobel Peace Prize to inspire peace through dialogue, a principle central to many laureates' work. With a background spanning NGOs and business, Fløgstad was Secretary General of UNICEF Norway (2000-2011) and chair of Care Norway’s board. She later worked as a business consultant specializing in sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility before joining the Nobel Peace Center in 2020 after a role at DNB, the largest bank in Norway.

The Nobel Peace Center published a small book of significant importance about the power of dialogue entitled Those Who Listen, Change the World.

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment or indicate a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the emerging science of cognitive immunology and how it relates to our well-being.

In this bonus episode of More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness, Lisa continues the conversation with cultural anthropologist and author of Rethinking the Anthropology of Magic and Witchcraft: Inherently Human, Dr. Phillips Stevens Jr. Dr. Stevens explains the modern adaptation of scapegoating and how it relates to generations of the human belief in hocus pocus.

Harvesting Happiness proudly crafts consciously prepared brain food in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from around the world. This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide a non-partisan series promoting critical thinking, civic duty, and relational pleasure for a happier, healthier, and more productive society.

We’re on a mission to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world.

Listen to two Harvesting Happiness podcast productions exploring optimal lifestyle management by improving media literacy, common sense, social responsibility, physical and relational well-being, and mental health. This impacts how we think and behave and our collective well-being.

Binge-listen to More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness. This free bonus content is available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Phillips Stevens Jr. — Hocus Pocus & Scapegoating:

• Hope, optimism, and faith offer the illusion of control. {3:34}

• Collecting scapegoating is universal. {5:17}

• The 14 attributes of a witch that persist in the modern world. {13:20}

• Social anxiety brings forth acceptance of conspiracies. {20:29}

About Lisa’s guests:

Phillips Stevens Jr., PhD, is a cultural anthropologist whose research traces and analyzes the roots of religion and spiritualism in human culture. Phil earned his BA from Yale, served in the Peace Corps in Nigeria, and received his PhD from Northwestern. After a 48-year career in the Anthropology Department at the University of Buffalo, he retired in 2019.

Dr. Stevens is a respected author and lecturer known for his work on magic and witchcraft. His latest book is Rethinking the Anthropology of Magic and Witchcraft: Inherently Human.

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment or indicate a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the emerging science of cognitive immunology and how it relates to our well-being.

In this bonus episode of More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness, Lisa continues the conversation with the founder of the Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE), a global think-tank leading the effort to inoculate humanity against cognitive contagions.

Andy shares strategies for building mental immunity and freedom of thought through self-regulation, being our best, and active listening.

Harvesting Happiness proudly crafts consciously prepared brain food in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from around the world. This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide a non-partisan series promoting critical thinking, civic duty, and relational pleasure for a happier, healthier, and more productive society.

We’re on a mission to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world.

Listen to two Harvesting Happiness podcast productions exploring optimal lifestyle management by improving media literacy, common sense, social responsibility, physical and relational well-being, and mental health. This impacts how we think and behave and our collective well-being.

Binge-listen to More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness. This free bonus content is available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Andy Norman — Building Mental Immunity:

• Self-regulation during times of chaos. {3:12}

• Be a role model for freedom. {6:04}

• Happiness is a by-product of being your best. {9:31}

• Strategies for creating and maintaining freedom of thought. {15:26}

• How active listening can heal the world. {18:52}

About Lisa’s guests:

Andy Norman, PhD, is the award-winning author of Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind-Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think. His research illuminates the evolutionary origins of human reasoning, the norms that make dialogue fruitful, and the workings of the mind’s immune system.

Andy champions the emerging science of mental immunity as the antidote to disinformation, propaganda, hate, and division. He founded the Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE), a global think-tank leading the effort to inoculate humanity against cognitive contagions.

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment or indicate a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the emerging science of cognitive immunology and how it relates to our well-being.

In this bonus episode of More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness, Lisa continues the conversation with geropsychologist, and founder of the Center for Mental Health & Aging, Dr. Regina Koepp.

Regina shares the three aspects of self-compassion, the beauty of sexuality during aging, and how adult children navigate sexuality and dementia.

Harvesting Happiness proudly crafts consciously prepared brain food in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from around the world. This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide a non-partisan series promoting critical thinking, civic duty, and relational pleasure for a happier, healthier, and more productive society.

We’re on a mission to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world.

Listen to two Harvesting Happiness podcast productions exploring optimal lifestyle management by improving media literacy, common sense, social responsibility, physical and relational well-being, and mental health. This impacts how we think and behave and our collective well-being.

Binge-listen to More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness. This free bonus content is available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Dr. Regina Koepp — Boomers Pursuing Love:

• Sex and intimacy in long-term care facilities. {3:31}

• Navigating sexuality in dementia: The adult child's role {12:48}

• Aging and the dynamics of dementia with other medical interventions. {20:36}

• The benefits of self-compassion during aging. {27:50}

About Lisa’s guests:

Dr. Regina Koepp is a board-certified clinical psychologist, clinical geropsychologist, and founder of the Center for Mental Health & Aging. She developed the only Dementia and Sexual Health Certification Course in the United States, spotlighting the intersection of cognitive decline and intimacy.

A sought-after speaker, she contributes regularly to Psychology Today and Psychotherapy Networker. Her insights on aging, mental health, and sexual health have been featured in The New York Times, NPR, the Chicago Tribune, AARP, and more.

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment or indicate a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the emerging science of cognitive immunology and how it relates to our well-being.

In this bonus episode of More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness, Lisa continues the conversation with civics expert and founder of Street Civics Dan Jasper about good governance through engaged citizens and common sense civic action. Dan shares examples of how citizens can drive change, tips for presenting a concise case to an official, and what to do when disillusioned or disappointed with the government.

Harvesting Happiness proudly crafts consciously prepared brain food in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from around the world. This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide a non-partisan series promoting critical thinking, civic duty, and relational pleasure for a happier, healthier, and more productive society.

We’re on a mission to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world.

Listen to two Harvesting Happiness podcast productions exploring optimal lifestyle management by improving media literacy, common sense, social responsibility, physical and relational well-being, and mental health. This impacts how we think and behave and our collective well-being.

Binge-listen to More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness. This free bonus content is available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Dan Jasper — Civic Engagement:

• Educating citizens for civic engagement with elected officials. {2:55}

• Tips for presenting a case to a government representative. {7:40}

• Avoid advocacy burn-out by adopting slow-burn civic goals. {12:53}

• What to do when disappointed, disillusioned, or worried about the political landscape. {14:49}

• Deconstruct news stories before accepting them as fact. {17:21}

About Lisa’s guests:

Dan Jasper founded Street Civics — a practical resource for citizen advocates after noticing an information gap in civic education. Dan has worked at local, state, national, and international levels for decades and has nonprofit experience working with organizations focused on issues such as international affairs, sustainable development, social justice, climate change, and peacebuilding.

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment or indicate a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the emerging science of cognitive immunology and how it relates to our well-being.

In this bonus episode of More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness, Lisa continues the conversation with Dr. Allison Pugh, a Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University and the 2024-25 VP of the American Sociological Association. Dr. Pugh breaks down the loneliness crisis into its core components and offers a human connection model that inspires well-being.

This is part two on this subject and a special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…

Harvesting Happiness proudly crafts consciously prepared brain food in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from around the world. This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide a non-partisan series promoting critical thinking, civic duty, and relational pleasure for a happier, healthier, and more productive society.

We’re on a mission to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world.

Listen to two Harvesting Happiness podcast productions exploring optimal lifestyle management by improving media literacy, common sense, social responsibility, physical and relational well-being, and mental health. This impacts how we think and behave and our collective well-being.

Binge-listen to More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness. This free bonus content is available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Dr. Allison Pugh — The Soul of Our Social Architecture:

• Allison shares a poignant example of the dilemmas faced by a connected labor practitioner. {2:26}

• A doctor-patient relationship inspires healthier decision-making that increases all forms of well-being. {9:22}

• The secret ingredients of a nourishing model that promotes human connection in a digital age. {16:48}

• The loneliness crisis is a lack of in-person connection. {22:54}

About Lisa’s guests:

Allison Pugh, PhD, is a Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University and the 2024-25 Vice President of the American Sociological Association. She writes about how people forge connections and find meaning and dignity at work and home. Allison’s work has been widely published in The New Yorker, Time magazine, The New Republic, Aeon, The Harvard Business Review, and more.

Professor Pugh builds a compelling case for preserving human work in an increasingly automated and mechanical world.

Book: The Last Human Job: The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World

Allison Pugh

Allison J Pugh on Facebook

@allisonpughtoo on Instagram

@allison_pugh on Threads

Allison Pugh on LinkedIn

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment or indicate a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide over at More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness available on Substack and Medium.

In this bonus episode of More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness, Lisa continues the conversation with Dr. Myeisha Price, an Associate Research Scientist with the Kinsey Institute. Based on her research, Dr. Price offers suggestions for creating an atmosphere of inclusion, safety, and well-being that enables all members of society to flourish. 

This is part two on this subject and a special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…

Harvesting Happiness proudly crafts consciously prepared brain food in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from around the world.  This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide a non-partisan series promoting critical thinking, civic duty, and relational pleasure for a happier, healthier, and more productive society.

We’re on a mission to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world.

Listen to two Harvesting Happiness podcast productions exploring optimal lifestyle management by improving media literacy, common sense, social responsibility, physical and relational well-being, and mental health. This impacts how we think and behave and our collective well-being.

Binge-listen to More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness. This free bonus content is available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Dr. Myeshia Price PhD — Gender Identity:

• LGTBQ+ young people and health outcomes. {2:39}

• How to prevent poor mental health factors in young people. {6:55}

• What LGTBQ+ young people want from public and educational environments. {17:41}

• Creating safe and inclusive spaces for all of society. {25:33}

About Lisa’s guests:

Dr. Myeshia Price, PhD, is an Associate Research Scientist with the Kinsey Institute and an Associate Professor in the Human Development program within the Department of Counseling & Educational Psychology at Indiana University. Their unique perspective and current area of research focuses on the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people related to sexuality, gender identity, and mental health.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment nor is it indicative of a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide over at More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness available on Substack and Medium.

In this bonus episode of More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness, Lisa continues the conversation with Anthony Fowler, professor at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, where he conducts quantitative research on elections and politics. Anthony explains how he deconstructs political data from his book, Thinking Clearly with Data: A Guide to Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis.

This is part two on this subject and a special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…

Harvesting Happiness proudly crafts consciously prepared brain food in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from around the world.  This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide a non-partisan series promoting critical thinking, civic duty, and relational pleasure for a happier, healthier, and more productive society.

We’re on a mission to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world.

Listen to two Harvesting Happiness podcast productions exploring optimal lifestyle management by improving media literacy, common sense, social responsibility, physical and relational well-being, and mental health. This impacts how we think and behave and our collective well-being.

Binge-listen to More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness. This free bonus content is available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Anthony Fowler PhD — Quantitative Analysis:

• A quantitative analysis of causal relationships. {2:21}

• Deconstructing the mystery of voter turnout. {5:56}

• Making sense of doubt in the election process. {12:55}

• Is a democracy dependent on civic education? {18:34}

About Lisa’s guests:

Anthony Fowler PhD, is a professor at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago. He conducts quantitative research on elections and politics.

He is a co-author of Thinking Clearly with Data, an editor of the Quarterly Journal of Political Science, and a host of Not Another Politics Podcast — launched and produced through the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, providing a fresh perspective on the biggest political stories by focusing on research and data, not pundits and politicians.

Book: Thinking Clearly with Data: A Guide to Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment nor is it indicative of a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide over at More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness available on Substack and Medium.

In this bonus episode of More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness, Lisa continues the conversation with philosopher and author Samir Chopra. Samir offers a philosophical perspective on the current political discourse in the US and how it will shape democracy in the future.

This is part two on this subject and a special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…

Harvesting Happiness proudly crafts consciously prepared brain food in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from around the world.  This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide a non-partisan series promoting critical thinking, civic duty, and relational pleasure for a happier, healthier, and more productive society.

We’re on a mission to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world.

Listen to two Harvesting Happiness podcast productions exploring optimal lifestyle management by improving media literacy, common sense, social responsibility, physical and relational well-being, and mental health. This impacts how we think and behave and our collective well-being.

Binge-listen to More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness. This free bonus content is available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Samir Chopra PhD — Philosophical Discourse on Disappointment:

• How to access critical thinking when emotionally charged. {2:44}

• Democracy and political action discourse is multi-faceted. {8:12}

• Vulnerability opens the door to life's transformation. {17:14}

• The US is a testament to the power of diversity. {25:14}

About Lisa’s guests:

Samir Chopra, PhD, is a philosophical counselor and professor emeritus of philosophy at Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. He has authored and co-authored several books, including works on film, artificial intelligence, and sports. Samir is a proponent of critical thinking who assists others in managing anxiety and mental health through a philosophical approach.

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment nor is it indicative of a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide over at More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness available on Substack and Medium.

In this bonus episode of More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness, Lisa continues the conversation with a leading authority on mental flexibility and self-development, Shai Tubali. Shai shares the foundational building blocks to create a united world through the existential flexibility of the mind.

This is part two on this subject and a special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…

Harvesting Happiness proudly crafts consciously prepared brain food in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from around the world.  This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide a non-partisan series promoting critical thinking, civic duty, and relational pleasure for a happier, healthier, and more productive society.

We’re on a mission to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world.

Listen to two Harvesting Happiness podcast productions exploring optimal lifestyle management by improving media literacy, common sense, social responsibility, physical and relational well-being, and mental health. This impacts how we think and behave and our collective well-being.

Binge-listen to More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness. This free bonus content is available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Shai Tubali PhD — Existential Flexibility:

• Question and negation is a type of spring cleaning for the mind. {2:32}

• Existential questions are the greatest challenge for humanity. {7:11}

• The perils of exposure to divisiveness to a healthy mind. {13:36}

• Mental flexibility is the key to creating a resilient new world. {18:11}

About Lisa’s guests:

Shai Tubali, PhD is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Leeds and a leading authority on mental flexibility and self-development. His work combines psychology, philosophy, Yogic traditions, and Eastern thought and practices. Shai is an award-winning author who has written 20 books published in more than 13 languages, the most recent of which are Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Meditation and The Transformative Philosophical Dialogue.

Shai blends intellectual rigor and spiritual insight, inviting us to examine existential questions and explore profound dimensions of the human experience.

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment nor is it indicative of a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide over at More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness available on Substack and Medium.

In this episode, Lisa speaks with the New York Times best-selling author of Nutrivore: The Radical New Science for Getting the Nutrients You Need from the Food You Eat, Dr. Sarah Ballantyne. Dr. Ballantyne makes stress management and restorative sleep practices easy with practical tips for adding nutrients and regulating the immune system.

This episode is a bonus special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…

Harvesting Happiness proudly crafts consciously prepared brain food in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from around the world.  This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide a non-partisan series promoting critical thinking, civic duty, and relational pleasure for a happier, healthier, and more productive society.

We’re on a mission to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world.

Listen to two Harvesting Happiness podcast productions exploring optimal lifestyle management by improving media literacy, common sense, social responsibility, physical and relational well-being, and mental health. This impacts how we think and behave and our collective well-being.

Binge-listen to More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness. This free bonus content is available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Dr. Sarah Ballantyne PhD — Food for Thought:

• Sufficient sleep is fundamental for mental health and stress management. {2:24}

• Simple ways to destress and increase restorative sleep. {8:04}

• Some ultra-processed foods increase anxiety and mental health risk. {13:18}

• Food for thought: Buying organic vs. conventional foods and canned vs. frozen. {18:21}

About Lisa’s guests:

Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, PhD is the New York Times best-selling author of Nutrivore: The Radical New Science for Getting the Nutrients You Need from the Food You Eat. She creates educational resources to help people improve their diet and lifestyle choices, empowered and informed by the most current evidence-based scientific research.

With Nutrivore, Dr. Sarah has created a positive and inclusive approach to dietary guidance, based on science and devoid of dogma, using nutrient density and sufficiency as its basic principles: Nourishment, not judgment.

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment nor is it indicative of a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide over at More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness available on Substack and Medium.

In this episode, Lisa speaks with cognitive scientist Professor Stephan Lewandowsky about the psychology behind political groupthink, how we can inoculate ourselves from misinformation, and weed out the truth in an onslaught of infowar.

This episode is a bonus special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world… Harvesting Happiness proudly crafts consciously prepared brain food in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from around the world.  This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide a non-partisan series promoting critical thinking, civic duty, and relational pleasure for a happier, healthier, and more productive society.

We’re on a mission to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world.

Listen to two Harvesting Happiness podcast productions exploring optimal lifestyle management by improving media literacy, common sense, social responsibility, physical and relational well-being, and mental health. This impacts how we think and behave and our collective well-being.

Binge-listen to More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness. This free bonus content is available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Stephan Lewandowsky PhD — The Psychology of Political Groupthink:

• What is the true cost of misinformation? {2:45}

• Disinformation is spread by media and technology outlets to affect groupthink psychology and the political realm. {4:40}

• Professor Lewandowsky’s Inoculation Project aims to arm people with tools to recognize intentional political bias. {6:53}

• The connection between misinformation in society and the potential to undermine democracy. {17:30}

• The goal of propaganda is to promote groupthink. {20:01}

About Lisa’s guests:

Professor Stephan Lewandowsky, PhD, is a cognitive scientist at the University of Bristol, UK. His research focuses on human memory, decision-making, and how misinformation affects public beliefs and behaviors. Stephan’s work primarily explores how false information spreads, why people believe in conspiracy theories, and how to debunk misinformation effectively. 

Professor Lewandosdky has published hundreds of scholarly articles, chapters, and books and is often cited for his subject matter expertise. His research regularly appears in journals such as Nature Human Behaviour, Nature Communications, and Psychological Review.

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment nor is it indicative of a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide over at More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness available on Substack and Medium.

In this episode, Lisa speaks with the Chief of Staff for the League of Women Voters of the United States, Kelly McFarland Stratman. Kelly endorses civic engagement in learning about local issues and getting to know locally elected officials, and underscores the importance of making our voices heard through voter turnout. 

This episode is a bonus special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world… Harvesting Happiness proudly crafts consciously prepared brain food in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from around the world.  This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide a non-partisan series promoting critical thinking, civic duty, and relational pleasure for a happier, healthier, and more productive society.

We’re on a mission to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world.

Listen to two Harvesting Happiness podcast productions exploring optimal lifestyle management by improving media literacy, common sense, social responsibility, physical and relational well-being, and mental health. This impacts how we think and behave and our collective well-being.

Binge-listen to More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness. This free bonus content is available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Kelly McFarland Stratman — Socially Responsible Civic Engagement:

• Casting a ballot in local elections directly impacts your community. {3:08}

• The League of Women Voters offers resources for individuals who want to participate in local elections. {8:30} 

• Proof that every vote counts. {12:33}

• How local governments influence the federal government. {16:26}

About Lisa’s guests:

Kelly McFarland Stratman is the Chief of Staff for the League of Women Voters of the United States, with over 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience driving innovation and transformative change. She has spearheaded significant initiatives throughout her 21-year tenure at the League’s national office, including the Membership and Leadership Development (MLD) program and organization-wide culture change efforts focused on governance, strategic planning, and DEI.

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment nor is it indicative of a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide over at More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness available on Substack and Medium.

In this episode, Lisa speaks with civics expert and founder of Street Civics, Dan Jasper about good governance through engaged citizens and common sense civic action. Dan shares examples of how citizens can drive change, tips for presenting a concise case to an official, and what to do when disillusioned or disappointed with the government.

This episode is a bonus special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world… Harvesting Happiness proudly crafts consciously prepared brain food in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from around the world.  This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide a non-partisan series promoting critical thinking, civic duty, and relational pleasure for a happier, healthier, and more productive society.

We’re on a mission to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world.

Listen to two Harvesting Happiness podcast productions exploring optimal lifestyle management by improving media literacy, common sense, social responsibility, physical and relational well-being, and mental health. This impacts how we think and behave and our collective well-being.

Binge-listen to More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness. This free bonus content is available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Dan Jasper — Civic Engagement:

• Educating citizens for civic engagement with elected officials. {2:58}

• Tips for presenting a case to a government representative. {7:53}.

• Avoid advocacy burn-out by adopting slow-burn civic goals. {13:28}

• What to do when disappointed, disillusioned, or worried about the political landscape. {15:58}

• Deconstruct news stories before accepting them as fact. {18:45}

About Lisa’s guests:

Dan Jasper founded Street Civics, a practical and leading resource for activists, organizers, and citizen advocates when he noticed an information gap in civic education. 

Dan has worked at the local, state, national, and international levels for decades and has nonprofit experience working with organizations focused on global affairs, sustainable development, social justice, poverty alleviation, climate change, and peace-building issues. Dan empowers us with his gift of teaching civics in a user-friendly way that calls people to action.

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment nor is it indicative of a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide over at More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness available on Substack and Medium.

Harvesting Happiness proudly crafts consciously prepared brain food in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from around the world.  This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide a non-partisan series promoting critical thinking, civic duty, and relational pleasure for a happier, healthier, and more productive society.

We’re on a mission to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world.

Listen to two Harvesting Happiness podcast productions exploring optimal lifestyle management by improving media literacy, common sense, social responsibility, physical and relational well-being, and mental health. This impacts how we think and behave and our collective well-being.

Binge-listen to More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness. This free bonus content is available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

*This episode explores human sexuality and is intended for mature listeners.

In this episode, Lisa speaks with a senior scientist at the Kinsey Institute and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Sex Research, Dr. Cynthia Graham about condoms and the rise of sexually transmitted infections within the mature population as they embark on building intimacy in new relationships.

Cynthia Graham shares data from the multiple Kinsey Institute’s Condom Use Research Team (KI-CURT) studies.

This episode is a bonus special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…

Cynthia Graham PhD — How Min Sense:

• Condom use for older adults is key in preventing STIs. {2:06}

• Results from Kinsey Institute’s Condom Use Research Team questionnaire and intervention that focused on condom use. {4:57}

• A Fit Kit helped users find the perfect size and style condom. {13:09}

• Women weigh in on condom attributes and sexuality. {17:26}

• Curable and incurable sexually transmitted infections. {28:54}

• The surprising findings, common errors, and confirmed stereotypes found in the Kinsey studies. {30:37}

About Lisa’s guests:

Dr. Cynthia Graham, PhD is a renowned clinical psychologist, a senior scientist at the Kinsey Institute, and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Sex Research. With her extensive experience and numerous accolades, including the Masters & Johnson Award from the Society for Sex Therapy and Research, Dr. Graham is a leading figure in the field of human sexuality research.

Cynthia is a Fellow of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexology and is a past President of the International Academy for Sex Research. In 2023, she received the Masters & Johnson Award from the Society for Sex Therapy and Research.

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment nor is it indicative of a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide over at More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness available on Substack and Medium.

Harvesting Happiness proudly crafts consciously prepared brain food in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from around the world.  This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide a non-partisan series promoting critical thinking, civic duty, and relational pleasure for a happier, healthier, and more productive society.

We’re on a mission to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world.

Listen to two Harvesting Happiness podcast productions exploring optimal lifestyle management by improving media literacy, common sense, social responsibility, physical and relational well-being, and mental health. This impacts how we think and behave and our collective well-being.

Binge-listen to More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness. This free bonus content is available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

In this episode, Lisa speaks with Steije Hofhuis, a lecturer in cultural history at the Department of History and Art History at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, to continue the conversation about the use of fear, doubt, and disinformation throughout history as a means of societal manipulation. 

Dr Hofhuis’ research shows that cultural viruses, or mindbugs, have adapted and evolved in a Darwinian manner through the spread of negative information contagions that manipulate and propagandize data for the benefit of one group over another.

This episode is a bonus special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…

Steije Hofhuis PhD — How Mind Bugs Undermined Common Sense:

• The evolution of misbeliefs and how they adapt culturally. {2:29}

• Belief systems during the Holocaust and witch hunts contained similar components. {5:56}

• In contemporary society, fear-based conspiracy theories are cultural viruses. {9:06}

• Steije became eager to collaborate with others at CIRCE after reading Andy Norman’s book, Mental Immunity. {17:21}

• During early witch hunts, skeptics did try to communicate with believers using the concept of love. {20:53}

About Lisa’s guests:

Steije Hofhuis, PhD is a cultural historian at Utrecht University in the Netherlands and a postdoctoral researcher at the Berlin Social Science Center (WZB). His work primarily focuses on European witch-hunting, Darwinian theory, and migration history. His research offers a compelling perspective on one of history's most persistent and insidious cultural memes.

STHofhuis

@HofhuisSteije on X

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment nor is it indicative of a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide over at More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness available on Substack and Medium.

Harvesting Happiness proudly crafts consciously prepared brain food in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from around the world.  This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide a non-partisan series promoting critical thinking, civic duty, and relational pleasure for a happier, healthier, and more productive society.

We’re on a mission to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world.

Listen to two Harvesting Happiness podcast productions exploring optimal lifestyle management by improving media literacy, common sense, social responsibility, physical and relational well-being, and mental health. This impacts how we think and behave and our collective well-being.

Binge-listen to More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness. This free bonus content is available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

If you watch a fair share of TV news, it may seem hard to believe that the quality of life in America is better today than it was in the past, but statistics from the National Civic League show that opportunities for women, children, and people of color have improved since the 1950s.

To find out how the civic actions people have taken have led to a better society, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks to the President of the National Civic League, Doug Linkhart.

Doug offers hope and facts to show that things are not as bad as they may seem.

This episode is a bonus special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide which is designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world…

Doug Linkhart — Civic Duty & the Pursuit of Happiness:

• How to bolster civic muscle tone. [2:06]

• The pursuit of happiness may be easier today than it was yesterday. [5:51]

• Contributing to society is a civic duty. [13:59]

• Unpacking the phrase ‘Nothing about us, without us’. [15:55]

• Actions at a local level make more of an impact. [18:04]

About Lisa’s guests:

Doug Linkhart is the president of the National Civic League, which is devoted to advancing civic engagement and creating equitable and thriving communities. Previously, he served 18 years in elected office, including as a Denver City Councilman, Colorado State Representative, Senator, and Executive Director of Denver's Department of Public Health and Environment. Doug’s career also includes federal government work as a Presidential Management Intern, founder of a nonprofit for neighborhood associations, and running his own consulting business. Doug seamlessly weaves civic duty with hope, optimism, and the pursuit of happiness.

National Civic League

@nationalcivic on X

@NationalCivicLeague on Facebook

@nationalcivic on Instagram

Doug Linkhart on LinkedIn

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment nor is it indicative of a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the emerging science of cognitive immunology and how it relates to our well-being.

Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE).

Listen to two separate 9-part Harvesting Happiness podcast productions that explore the emerging science of cognitive immunology. Both unique series examine how and why disinformation, conspiracy theories, and media propaganda are used to undermine critical thinking and common sense. This impacts how we think and behave as well as our collective well-being.

This is the final episode of 9 in this series that can be binge-listened on More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

In this episode, Lisa speaks with the founder of the Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE) and author of Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind-Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think, Dr. Andy Norman about the science of mental immunity and the brilliant minds behind the CIRCE project.

Andy Norman — Think & Behave Better:

• The CIRCE coalition is a mix of educators and researchers from various professions with a common goal of protecting and preserving humanity through better thinking. [4:32]

• Andy shares the names and fields of study of the brain trust of CIRCE members. [9:09]

• What drives humans' desire to learn and know more? [17:47]

• How ideas can hijack minds. [21:17]

About Lisa’s guests:

Andy Norman is the award-winning author of Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind-Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think. His work has appeared in Scientific American, Psychology Today, Psychiatric Times, Skeptic, Free Inquiry, and The Humanist. He has appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience, NPR, and The BBC’s Naked Scientist. His research illuminates the evolutionary origins of human reasoning, the norms that make dialogue fruitful, and the workings of the mind’s immune system. He champions the emerging science of mental immunity as the antidote to disinformation, propaganda, hate, and division. He is the founder of the Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE), a global think-tank leading the effort to inoculate humanity against cognitive contagion.

Book: Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind-Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think

Andy Norman

Cognitive Immunology

Mental Immunity Project

@DrAndyNo on X

Andy Norman Author on Facebook

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the emerging science of cognitive immunology and how it relates to our well-being.

Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE).

Listen to two separate 9-part Harvesting Happiness podcast productions that explore the emerging science of cognitive immunology. Both unique series examine how and why disinformation, conspiracy theories, and media propaganda are used to undermine critical thinking and common sense. This impacts how we think and behave as well as our collective well-being.

This episode is #8 of 9 of More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

In this episode, Lisa speaks with a Research Fellow at the Center for Philosophy and History of Science at Boston University and History of Science at Boston University and an Instructor in Ethics at Harvard Extension School, Lee McIntyre about how to fight for truth and protect democracy. 

Lee McIntyre — Truth Be Told:

• Examples of how prebunking works and how it differs from debunking. [4:51]

• Practical steps for recognizing disinformation and how to increase mental immunity. [11:02]

• Social media, algorithms, and amplification are all marketing tools that can sell dangerous products and ideas. [14:55]

This episode of Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio is sponsored by: 

Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — Is a boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now?

H-Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day.

About Lisa’s guests:

Lee McIntyre is a Research Fellow at the Center for Philosophy and History of Science at Boston University and History of Science at Boston University and an Instructor in Ethics at Harvard Extension School. He holds a BA from Wesleyan University and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Michigan. Formerly, Executive Director of the Institute for Quantitative Social Science at Harvard University, he has also served as a policy advisor to the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard and as Associate Editor in the Research Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

Book: On Disinformation: How to Fight for Truth and Protect Democracy

Lee McIntyre Books

@LeeCMcIntyre on X

LeeCameronMcIntyre on Facebook

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

The conversation continues as we dive deeper into the emerging science of cognitive immunology and how it relates to our well-being.

Harvesting Happiness is proud to partner with the researchers and scholars at the Mental Immunity Project (MIP) and Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (CIRCE).

Listen to two separate 9-part Harvesting Happiness podcast productions that explore the emerging science of cognitive immunology. Both unique series examine how and why disinformation, conspiracy theories, and media propaganda are used to undermine critical thinking and common sense. This impacts how we think and behave as well as our collective well-being.

This episode is #7 of 9 of More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

In this episode, Lisa speaks with an associate professor of English at the University of Central Florida and the author of Deadly Delusions: Right-Wing Death Cult and The Cognitive Immune System: The Mind’s Ability to Dispel Pathological Beliefs, Barry Mauer about the history of mental immunity, the four most dangerous beliefs, and how cult leaders gain followers. 

Barry Mauer — Vaccination Against Multi-Media Nonsense:

• Gatekeepers wield a large amount of power, even if they are not experts in the subject they are gatekeeping. [3:16]

• Moral panic and the reasons behind it in society today. [6:30]

• Groups with hi-jacked immune systems are cults. [13:23]

• Inoculation methods cult leaders use to train their followers. [18:57]

• Barry shares Kant’s view of judgment and how it ties into mental immunity. [23:42]

About Lisa’s guests:

Barry Mauer, PhD, is on the cutting edge of research into cognitive immunity and the threats posed to it by the intersection of illiberal forces and electronic media. Barry is an associate professor of English at the University of Central Florida and is the author of Deadly Delusions: Right-Wing Death Cult and The Cognitive Immune System: The Mind’s Ability to Dispel Pathological Beliefs. Barry collaborated on the DARPA-funded project, “Deep Agent: A Framework for Information Spread and Evolution in Social Networks.” Barry teaches symposiums on cognitive immunity including “The Age of Mass Delusion,” “Why Are People Fooled?” and “Propaganda and Pseudoscience.”

Barry Mauer

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out our episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.