The Psychology of Gratitude: How Saying Thanks Makes You Happier
The Table Audio w/ Evan Rosa
English - November 19, 2018 08:01 - 28 minutes - 25.9 MB - ★★★★★ - 31 ratingsChristianity Religion & Spirituality Society & Culture christianity theology spirituality philosophy scholars formation civility humility suffering love Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Psychologist Robert Emmons on the positive effects of gratitude on subjective well-being (that is, happiness). A special Thanksgiving episode.
Gratitude is deeply woven into the Christian way. Believers and non-believers alike, representing many wisdom traditions, have all long practiced the act of giving thanks. Our station in life is one of utter dependence, gift, and grace. So thankfulness is fitting and right. But gratitude has deep and often instantaneous impact. Just look at the celebrity stars Fred Rogers has weeping after 10 seconds of grateful silence. It's easy to forget the utter simplicity of being from the perspective of gratitude, especially with all those irresistible Black Friday deals in your inbox (thanks for clicking this email instead). May you live in the lightness of God's grace this week, and enjoy this little reflection on the impact gratitude has on well-being, struggle, meaning, and the human good. This Season 2 bonus episode features UC Davis psychologist Robert Emmons, one of the world’s leading researchers of Gratitude, on the power of saying thanks. From our Table to yours, Happy Thanksgiving from those of us at CCT.
Show Notes
0:00—Podcast introduction
4:42—Begin interview: Robert Emmon's work and research on studying happy people and gratitude
11:30—Intermission
12:50—Resume interview: The role of empirical evidence and giving advice in our self-help and productivity driven culture
16:22—Gratitude in the context of suffering
22:14—How gratitude shapes our identity and makes meaning in life
25:45—End interview, credits
Credits
Produced by the Biola University Center for Christian Thought
Sponsored by generous grants from the John Templeton Foundation, Templeton Religion Trust, and the Blankemeyer Foundation
Hosted by Evan Rosa
Production Assistance by Laura Crane
Theme music by The Brilliance
Edited by a Turkey named Stewart
Sound FX by Mashed Potatoes
Additional scoring provided by a Bowl of Gravy
Production assistance by Stuffing, with some additional tape edits by Cranberry Sauce
Follow Evan Rosa on Twitter @EvanSubRosa
Follow the Center for Christian Thought on Twitter @BiolaCCT
Visit our website cct.biola.edu