The Happier Hour Podcast

The Happier Hour

Monica McCarthy
Equal parts philosophy and self-help (with a dash of humor thrown in for taste), The Happier Hour aims to make philosophy useful for the rest of us. Each episode explores a modern-day dilemma, via the lens of the greatest philosophers of all time, and often with special guests in the hot seat who know about stuff. Like the joy that comes from a strong drink at half the price, this show is for curious minds who want to know more about philosophy, without going back to school. Join your host Monica McCarthy, because it’s time to get happier!
#054 Humility Q&A: Self-Care, Self-Promotion, And The Myth of Being Self-Made
Welcome to the third and final episode on the topic of humility! In this episode you’ll hear the audience Q&A portion of the event with guests A.J. Jacobs and Dr. Serene J Khader. Topics discussed: The relationship between humility and artists, one way to change our approach to self-promotion for our projects, how can we make less harmful choices with our wallets, how we can re-frame the popular notion of self-care, and more! #TheHappierHour TheHappierHour.org/podcast/humility Facebook.com/thehappierhour
May 28, 2019
22 min
#053 Losing My Religion With Auguste Comte and AJ Jacobs
In this episode you’ll learn what the French philosopher and eccentric, Auguste Comte can teach us about the relationship between faith, humanity, and humility. You’ll also hear what the bestselling author A.J. Jacobs has learned about gratitude and luck via his many personal quests for knowledge and self-improvement. This episode is part two in a three part series on HUMILITY. #thehappierhour TheHappierHour.org/podcast/comte Facebook.com/TheHappierHour Twitter.com/MissMMcCarthy Instagram.com/MissMMcCarthy
May 21, 2019
38 min
#052  Speaking Up With Audre Lourde and Serene J Khader
In this episode you’ll learn what the poet and feminist icon Audre Lorde can teach us about identity and the importance of speaking up for the oppressed. You’ll also hear why philosophy professor Dr. Serene J Khader believes we should rethink the way we empower women, and why humility is not one size fits all. This kicks off a three part series on HUMILITY. #thehappierhour Show notes: TheHappierHour.org Facebook.com/TheHappierHour Instagram.com/MissMMcCarthy Twitter.com/MissMMcCarthy  
May 14, 2019
46 min
#051 Design Q&A: Designing Our Dreams With Derrida and Kant
In this episode you’ll hear the audience Q&A from the live Happier Hour event with Debbie Millman (design expert and host of Design Matters), Dr. Kathleen Wallace (professor of Philosophy at Hofstra University), and host Monica McCarthy. You’ll learn how Immanuel Kant and Jacques Derrida can help us design our personal brand online and in interviews, and how we can better achieve our dreams by designing our lives. #thehappierhour   Show notes: TheHappierHour.org/podcast/designquestions Facebook.com/TheHappierHour Twitter.com/MissMMcCarthy Instagram.com/MissMMcCarthy
May 7, 2019
18 min
#050 Moral By Design With Immanuel Kant and Kathleen Wallace
Is it possible to design a universal moral code? Is it ever acceptable to lie? Hear what the philosopher Immanuel Kant had to say about ethics and his influence in philosophy today. You’ll hear from Hofstra philosophy professor Kathleen A Wallace about Kant’s Categorical Imperative, and whether or not it can help life suck less. #thehappierhour Show notes: TheHappierHour.org Facebook.com/TheHappierHour Instagram.com/MissMMcCarthy Twitter.com/MissMMcCarthy
Apr 30, 2019
34 min
#049 Designing Your Life With Debbie Millman and Jacques Derrida
In this episode you’ll hear how designing our lives can help us be happier. You’ll learn what the award winning design expert and podcast host Debbie Millman has to say about pursuing success and fame, and what the philosopher Jacques Derrida can teach us about meaning and giving voice to the voiceless. #thehappierhour Shownotes: thehappierhour.org Facebook: facebook.com/thehappierhour Instagram: instagram.com/missmmccarthy Twitter: twitter.com/missmmccarthy
Apr 23, 2019
40 min
#048 Doubt Q&A: On Skepticism, Cynicism, and Optimism
In this episode you’ll hear how a 14th century Franciscan friar can teach us to make better choices, and what cynicism, skepticism, and optimism have in common with science, Socrates, and musical theater. This is the audience Q&A portion of the event on DOUBT featuring philosophy professor Nick Pappas and molecular biologist turned science advocate, Maryam Zaringhalam. #TheHappierHour Shownotes: thehappierhour.org Facebook.com/thehappierhour Instagram.com/missmmccarthy Twitter.com/missmmccarthy
Apr 18, 2019
30 min
#047 Weird Science With Karl Popper and Maryam Zaringhalam
In this episode you’ll learn the difference between science and pseudoscience and how the philosopher Karl Popper radically changed how we view both. You’ll also hear from molecular biologist turned science advocate, Maryam Zaringhalam, about why diversity is imperative for progress, and how all of us can (and should) ward off science skeptics in order for all of us to be happier. #thehappierhour TheHappierHour.org Facebook.com/thehappierhour Twitter.com/MissMMcCarthy Instagram.com/MissMMcCarthy      
Mar 26, 2019
34 min
#046 Doubt With Socrates and Nick Pappas
In this episode you’ll hear the philosophical history of “doubt” and learn why a healthy dose of skepticism can help us face our fears in work and life today. Philosophy professor Nick Pappas and host Monica McCarthy chat about Socrates’ contributions to the topic of doubt and how we can apply his lessons in order to live more well-examined lives. #TheHappierHour TheHappierHour.org Facebook: @TheHappierHour Twitter: @MissMMcCarthy Instagram: @MissMMcCarthy
Mar 19, 2019
38 min
#045 Failure With Jean-Paul Sartre and Olivia Goldhill
Kicking off Season 3 of The Happier Hour, is guest Olivia Goldhill, a journalist who specializes in philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience as we explore the topic of FAILURE. You’ll learn what Jean-Paul Sartre and the Existentialists can teach us about failure, and why so much of the current self-help advice gets failure wrong. #TheHappierHour Show notes: TheHappierHour.org Facebook: @TheHappierHour
Mar 7, 2019
36 min
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