The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Finding the Magic in Everyday Life with Thoreau and Eric Weiner

Oct 5, 2026 · 33m

Summary

In this episode, Dr. Laurie Santos welcomes journalist and philosopher Eric Weiner to discuss Henry David Thoreau’s lessons on attention and happiness. They explore Thoreau’s concept of "seeing" as a collaborative, mindful practice rather than passive observation, using his time at Walden Pond as a backdrop. Weiner shares his personal journey from dismissing Thoreau in high school to appreciating his wisdom on finding beauty in the ordinary, such as a shattered phone or a Starbucks. The conversation offers practical strategies for slowing down, dropping expectations, and cultivating wonder …

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