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The Listening Ear Recommends
The Listening Ear Recommends is my way of sharing podcast episodes, and other audio content. That have helped me gain a better understanding of the influence of my lived experience. These episodes contain insight into how to improve happiness levels through purposeful work and play.
podcast episode
What I loved/learnt?
I have been listening to The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos for a long time. At least since 2020, maybe sooner. So it was really cool to hear her talking about her field of expertise on another podcast.
Especially because on her podcast she is always the one asking the questions. It was great to listen to her answers to questions submitted by listeners of Ologies. Which all centred around how we experience and pursue happiness.
Why listen?
Do you want to gain an insight into the science of happiness?
Before listening to this episode I did not know that eudemonology was a thing. I’ve known happiness and positivity are topics that have been studied. But not that the study of of them is/was a profession.
The first half of the podcast is focused on the science of happiness. And the second half is focused on the “applied science” of happiness. As Dr. Laurie Santos answers listener questions to help them understand the science behind what they feel and how to approach their concerns in a beneficial way.
Podcast episode
What I loved/learnt?
It was really interesting to hear how the division of labour concept was introduced into the working world. Though I haven’t ever worked in manufacturing. I have had experience of working within a division of labour framework, which I think many of us will have.
If you have an office job, you’ll start off at “entry level” and then work your way up. Which each level above doing a slightly similar but different role that ultimately contributes to the completion of a task or achievement of a business objective.
Why listen?
Do you feel miserable in your job, but also have a limited amount of motivation to look for new opportunities?
The episode introduces the concept of job crafting, as a strategy to enrich your work with variety, challenge and having a positive impact on other peoples’ lives.
Job crafting is a process of redesigning the specific work you do to match your personal strengths and values. It is important to note that this process is not about only doing the things you like to do. It’s about fulfilling all your employment obligations, in a way that plays to your strengths and aligns to your values. This is done so that you can feel like the work you do really matters and that you have done it well.
Podcast episode
What I loved/learnt?
I have known of Agatha Christie through my mum, who’s a big murder mystery fan. I remember watching Inspector Poirot murder mysteries on TV growing up and my mum always trying to work out “who did it” before the episode ended.
Before listening to this podcast episode I didn’t know anything about Agatha Christie the person. So it was nice to learn that story telling had been a fond past time of hers from a young age.
Why listen?
If you’re interested to learn how activities and games from childhood can influence our lives as adults?
I think once we get to a certain age there is an expectation to “grow out of” doing certain things. Which for some of us can mean stopping doing things that bring us a lot of joy.
This episode gives a brief overview of how story telling as a child influenced Agatha Christie’s writing process as an adult.
