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    • Investing in youth mental health and charitable givingInvesting in youth mental health through coaching and effective charitable giving during the holiday season can significantly improve lives and make a positive impact.

      Investing in mental health and wellness for youth, as well as acts of generosity and effective charitable giving, can significantly improve lives and make a positive impact on individuals and communities. California is addressing the mental health crisis among its youth by training certified wellness coaches. Meanwhile, during the holiday season, giving back effectively through organizations like giving multiplier dot org can make a substantial difference in the world. Additionally, using tools like the Apple Card for everyday purchases can provide financial benefits.

    • Challenging traditional notions of effective charitable givingGiving Directly's approach of providing unconditional cash transfers empowers individuals in extreme poverty to make decisions and create lasting change, defying common assumptions and making a significant impact.

      Giving Directly, a charity supported by Giving Multiplier, challenges traditional notions of effective charitable giving by providing unconditional cash transfers to individuals in extreme poverty. Associate Professor Jay Z, a happiness scientist and poverty researcher, shares her personal experiences of poverty and the challenges she faced when sharing her story. The usual approach to addressing homelessness involves providing emergency services like shelters and social workers, which can be paternalistic in nature. However, Giving Directly's approach, which allows individuals to use the funds to improve their own lives, defies common assumptions and has proven to be effective in making a significant impact. By trusting individuals to make their own decisions, Giving Directly empowers them to break the cycle of poverty and create lasting change.

    • Study shows promise of cash transfer programs in reducing poverty and homelessnessA study in Vancouver found that a one-time cash transfer of $7,500 reduced homelessness by 99 days per person and saved the government $8,277 per person. Cash transfer programs, which give money directly to people living in poverty with no strings attached, have shown to be effective and cost-saving.

      Current welfare approaches, which often require people to jump through hoops and file applications, may not be effective in reducing poverty and homelessness. Instead, cash transfer programs, which give money directly to people living in poverty with no strings attached, have shown promising results. A study in Vancouver found that a one-time unconditional cash transfer of $7,500 reduced homelessness by 99 days per person and saved the government an average of $8,277 per person. Contrary to stereotypes, the data shows that people use cash transfer funds responsibly and wisely. The paternalistic approach of welfare, which dictates what people in poverty can and cannot do, is replaced by the trust and belief that individuals can make the best decisions for themselves. This approach not only benefits the individuals but also saves the government resources, making it a cost-effective solution.

    • Misconceptions about poverty and spending on temptation goodsCash transfers to people in poverty effectively address basic needs and debunk stereotypes about irresponsible spending.

      Cash transfers to people in extreme poverty, including the homeless, do not lead to increased spending on temptation goods like alcohol and drugs. Instead, they use the money for basic necessities such as rent and food. This is because being in poverty puts a strain on cognitive resources, making substance use a survival coping mechanism. The stereotype that people in poverty or homelessness are irresponsible with money is often incorrect, as poverty is often the result of not being able to pay rent for a few months, leading to eviction. The misconception that governments are effectively addressing poverty is a justification bias, and the high costs of current homelessness solutions could be better used on cash transfers to reduce poverty meaningfully. Cash transfers have been shown to save money and effectively address issues of homelessness and poverty in North America, as well as in extreme poverty situations around the world.

    • Young people's mental health worsens amid global challenges, certified wellness coaches provide helpCertified wellness coaches offer preventative and early intervention mental health services, while financial solutions like Apple Card, Airbnb, and Express Employment Professionals also support young people's wellbeing.

      The current global challenges, including the pandemic, political turmoil, racism, injustice, and climate disruptions, have significantly worsened mental health issues among young people. To address this, certified wellness coaches will play a crucial role in providing preventative and early intervention behavioral health services. Meanwhile, financial matters are also important, with the Apple Card offering cashback rewards and Airbnb hosting an opportunity to earn extra income. In the realm of employment, Express Employment Professionals offer personalized job search assistance for free. Lastly, an unexpected yet effective solution to poverty alleviation is cash transfers, as proven by studies conducted by organizations like GiveDirectly.

    • Transformative Impact of Cash Transfers on Rwandan VillageCash transfers led to improved housing, electrification, livestock ownership, and education enrollment at a lower cost than traditional development programs, but some prefer to use resources for innovative projects instead.

      Cash transfers, a form of direct aid, have proven to be an effective development tool despite initial skepticism. The speaker, a former UK international development minister, shares how his perspective was changed after witnessing the transformative impact of GiveDirectly's cash transfers on a Rwandan village. The results, including improved housing, electrification, livestock ownership, and education enrollment, were achieved for a fraction of the cost compared to traditional development programs. However, the adoption of cash transfers is met with resistance from some philanthropists who prefer to use their resources to create innovative projects rather than simply giving cash. The speaker suggests that this reluctance may stem from a desire for recognition and a belief that their expertise is more valuable than financial assistance. Despite the data supporting its effectiveness, the use of cash transfers as a development tool remains a contentious issue.

    • 8 words: Direct cash donations to GiveDirectlyDirect cash donations to GiveDirectly can provide life-transforming opportunities for individuals in extreme poverty, with minimal bureaucracy and maximum impact.

      For those donating smaller amounts, giving cash directly to organizations like GiveDirectly can have a significant impact on individuals in extreme poverty, compared to traditional nonprofits with large budgets and high implementation costs. GiveDirectly, an organization founded by economists at Harvard and MIT, focuses on giving cash directly to recipients and has seen remarkable results, especially in villages like Kabobo in Rwanda, where people lack basic necessities like clean water, decent shelter, and access to education and healthcare. The organization's ethos is centered around putting recipients first and minimizing bureaucracy to ensure the most money reaches those in need. A donation, no matter the size, can provide life-transforming opportunities, such as fixing a house, starting a small business, or buying a motorbike, making a significant difference in the lives of individuals in extreme poverty.

    • Cash transfers can have a profound impact on individualsCash transfers empower individuals to improve their circumstances and are supported by rigorous studies, making them an effective and impactful form of charitable giving.

      Giving cash directly to communities in need, as facilitated by organizations like GiveDirectly, can have a profound impact on individuals' lives. A small donation goes a long way, and the recipients have the flexibility to use the funds to address their unique needs, from basic necessities like food, shelter, and education, to starting small businesses or investing in community infrastructure. This approach empowers individuals to improve their own circumstances and fosters a sense of fulfillment for the donors. Despite skepticism, the evidence from rigorous studies supports the effectiveness of cash transfers, making it a worthwhile and impactful form of charitable giving.

    • Effective and respectful way to help people in extreme povertyCash transfers give individuals freedom, respect dignity, and can significantly improve lives with donations or personal wellness practices

      Providing cash transfers to people in extreme poverty is an effective and respectful way to help them improve their lives. Cash transfers give individuals the freedom to make their own choices and trust them to spend the money in a way that best benefits them. This approach, though radical, is respectful of their dignity and allows them to maintain their self-respect. Organizations like GiveDirectly rely on donations to facilitate these cash transfers, so consider donating this Giving Tuesday to help lift entire villages out of extreme poverty. Even small donations can make a significant impact. The effectiveness of cash transfers is backed by scientific research, and it's an alternative to traditional development aid that respects the dignity and autonomy of individuals in need. Additionally, investing in wellness coaches and prioritizing physical and mental health can contribute to overall happiness and well-being. Whether it's through donations or personal wellness practices, these actions can make a difference in people's lives.

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      Canva Presentations at canva.com is a valuable tool for creating effective work presentations, regardless of your profession or field of study. This platform is specifically designed for business use, offering a wide range of visually appealing templates, easy-to-use design features, and collaboration capabilities. By utilizing Canva Presentations, you can create engaging and professional presentations that can help you stand out in various professional settings. Whether you're delivering a sales pitch, marketing a product, presenting research findings, or managing a team, Canva Presentations can help you communicate your message more effectively and efficiently. Overall, investing some time in mastering this tool can significantly enhance your presentation skills and boost your professional impact.

    Recent Episodes from The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

    Does the You of Today Hate the You of Tomorrow?

    Does the You of Today Hate the You of Tomorrow?

    We often do things now that will make our lives more difficult or stressful in the future. We spend money, when we should save. We eat junk food, when we should exercise. We agree to commitments, when we should protect our free time. We act so thoughtlessly that it's almost like we hate our future selves. 

    Dr Laurie asks UCLA's Hal Hershfield to help her find the happiness balance between listening to what she wants now, and the preferences she might have in the future. And she steps into an AI time machine to get some happiness advice for herself decades from today. 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Power of Awe... and Where to Find it

    The Power of Awe... and Where to Find it

    Awe reduces stress, helps us forget our minor worries and makes us feel more connected to the people around us. We all need more awe in our lives - but surely it's not that easy to find awesome experiences on your average Tuesday?

    Actor Tony Hale explains how everyday awe helps ease his anxieties, while UC Berkeley's Dacher Keltner shows us how to find awe in music, art, scenery... even in a walk around our block. And Dr Laurie explores the things that give her a sense of awe with the help of Mike Menzel - who built a space telescope that lets us see billions of years into the past.  

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    How to Tame Stress

    How to Tame Stress

    Dr Laurie is stressed, and it's harming her health. Constant worry and stress is bad for our bodies and our minds, but how can we break the cycle and relax? It turns out scientists have learned a lot from one of America's most stressed-out communities - caregivers.  

    Hollywood star Steve Guttenberg talks about the toughest chapter of his life - caring for his dying dad - and Dr Elissa Epel explains why some caregivers suffer badly from stress, while others seem to find ways to live with the awful situation they find themselves in daily.  

    Further reading:

    Steve Guttenberg - Time to Thank: Caregiving for My Hero.

    Dr Elissa Epel - The Stress Prescription: Seven Days to More Joy and Ease

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    How I Stopped Fearing Boredom

    How I Stopped Fearing Boredom

    Dr Laurie HATES boredom! Since childhood she's found it so painful that she'll do anything to avoid being bored. She'll watch crappy TV. She'll find extra work to do. She'll snack. But boredom is actually an incredibly useful tool to boost our happiness and creativity.  

    With the help of leading boredom experts, Dr Laurie learns how to embrace doing nothing and finds that in the midst of tedium our brains can come up with the most amazing breakthrough ideas. 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    How to Fight Perfectionism

    How to Fight Perfectionism

    Holding yourself to impossibly high standards is self-defeating and makes for a miserable life. Can Dr Laurie Santos find ways to tackle her constant perfectionism so she can perform better and have more fun? 

    She hears from researcher Thomas Curran about a worrying growth in perfectionism in society, and asks "recovering perfectionist" Jordana Confino how to tackle the nagging voice in your head telling you to always push yourself and work harder.  

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    My Personal Struggle to be Happy (Coming June 3)

    My Personal Struggle to be Happy (Coming June 3)

    Sometimes the happiness teacher flunks her own class. In a deeply personal new season, Dr Laurie Santos opens up about the things she really, really struggles with. Things like crippling perfectionism, chronic stress and a paralyzing fear of death. 

    With the help of world-class experts, a Hollywood star and a host of normal people who grapple with the same issues, Dr Laurie will face up to her own happiness demons and try to defeat them. 

    Coming June 3, wherever you get your podcasts. 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Happiness Through Generosity : Liz Dunn on The TED Interview

    Happiness Through Generosity : Liz Dunn on The TED Interview

    Liz Dunn is a regular guest on The Happiness Lab, but in this extended interview with TED's Chris Anderson she take us on a deep dive into her research. It shows that by increasing our generosity and by giving to others we can significantly boost our own happiness. 

    Listen to more episodes of The TED Interview wherever you get your podcasts.  

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Unlock Your Hidden Potential with Adam Grant and Maya Shankar

    Unlock Your Hidden Potential with Adam Grant and Maya Shankar

    A chance to hear a recent episode of A Slight Change of Plans in which Maya Shankar asks psychologist Adam Grant about his new book "Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things". They talk about how to filter out unhelpful feedback, the benefits of imperfectionism, and why we need to give soft skills more respect. 

    Listen to more episodes of A Slight Change of Plans  wherever you get your podcasts. 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Five Tips to be Happier at Work (Dr Laurie at SXSW)

    Five Tips to be Happier at Work (Dr Laurie at SXSW)

    Work is a worry. Are we paid enough? Should we be getting promoted quicker? Is artificial intelligence about to replace us all? 

    Speaking at SXSW 2024, Dr Laurie Santos argues that because of all our career woes we often neglect our happiness. She walks through her top five tips for improving our workplace wellbeing - which will not only make us feel better, but might even cause our salaries to rise!  

    Suggested reading from this episode:

    Radical Compassion: Learning to Love Yourself and Your World with the Practice of RAIN by Tara Brach

    Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport

    Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff

    The Truth About Burnout: How Organizations Cause Personal Stress and What to Do About It by Christina Maslach

    The Business of Friendship by Shasta Nelson

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    Tame Those Devices: 10 Tips to Achieve Digital Balance

    Tame Those Devices: 10 Tips to Achieve Digital Balance

    Technology is amazing! We can make video calls, find facts in an instant and watch movies on our phones. We take all this for granted, but have we let our screens and devices take over too much of our lives? 

    To mark Digital Wellness Day on May 3, we hear from Amy Blankson (author and "chief evangelist" at the Digital Wellness Institute) about her ten tips to tame our devices at home and in the workplace. 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Related Episodes

    The Universal Basic Income experiment in Kenya

    The Universal Basic Income experiment in Kenya
    There's this fundamental question in economics that has proven really hard to answer: What's a good way to help people out of poverty? The old-school way was to fund programs that would support very particular things, like buying cows for a village, giving people business training, or building schools.

    But over the past few decades, there has been a new idea: Could you help people who don't have money by ... just giving them money? We covered this question in a segment of This American Life that originally ran in 2013. Economists who studied the question found that giving people cash had positive effects on recipients' economic and psychological well-being. Maybe they bought a cow that could earn them money each week. Maybe they could replace their grass roofs with metal roofs that didn't need fixing every so often.

    Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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    #271 — Earning to Give

    #271 — Earning to Give

    In this episode of the podcast, Sam Harris speaks with Sam Bankman-Fried about effective altruism. They discuss how he became the wealthiest self-made billionaire under 30, what might go wrong with cryptocurrency, the Giving What We Can pledge, how SBF thinks about using his resources to do the most good in the world, how not to stigmatize wealth, wealth redistribution, norms of generosity among the ultra-wealthy, pandemic preparedness, impact through lobbying, how ambitious should we be in doing good, and other topics.

    SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.

    Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.

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    Deb Voorheis, Partner at Bigwin Group Talent Strategy, joins Robin & Al to share her amazing & successful journey across a broad range of industries: luxury retailing, engineering, interior design, online retailing and in non-profit organizations as well as her extensive experience in corporate strategy, sales and marketing, human resources, budgeting, public relations and fundraising.


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    “If you take a chance on us, we’ll take a chance on you.” Those were the words that first led Carlos Guajardo to join forces with Think Tank over a decade ago, and ultimately to contribute his story and insights to the creation of the Cost of Poverty Experience. Now a published author of a book about his life story, Carlos shares his deep and honest reflections in this episode about what it took for him to journey out of poverty, and the unanticipated redemption he has found along the way.

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    Tell Me More About ... Kingston Community Climate Action Fund

    Tell Me More About ... Kingston Community Climate Action Fund

    It takes a community to meaningfully address the climate crisis. That’s the idea behind the Kingston Community Climate Action Fund and Neighbourhood Champions programs. Two initiatives intended to support and empower community members as we all work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

    In this episode, Julie Salter-Keane, manager of the Climate Leadership Division, tells us more about these programs, how they support a low-carbon future for Kingston, how the city is supporting this work and how you can contribute.

    Opening Track:

    Tell Me Twice by the Meringues - courtesy of the Meringues. themeringues.com

    Find our closing track on YGK Music.