Paul Dolan - Audio

Life Lessons with Simon Mundie

March 7, 2022

Simon talked to Paul about recognising that the stories and narratives we tell ourselves about what should make us happy – high status, millions of social media followers, billions in the bank – are often inaccurate. Instead,we need to start paying attention to what does make us happy – for example, spending time with friends, connection, pro-social acts of kindness and altruism, playing sport, listening to music … the list goes on. You can listen to the episode here.

BBC Radio 4 You and Yours

February 1, 2022

Winifred Robinson presents a discussion about the public is feeling about the lifting of restrictions. Paul explained why some of us are rushing out to book holidays to celebrate, and others are nervous about a return to ‘normality’. Our brains can find it hard to remember the positive experiences we had, he says, so if the idea of socialising again makes you anxious, just take small steps. You can listen here (Paul is on from 10 minutes).

Planet Normal

July 15, 2021

Joining Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan on The Telegraph’s Planet Normal podcast, Paul discussed why the government must honour its social contract of freedom in a post-vaccine world, and why the cost of trying to achieve zero Covid is too high. You can listen here (Paul is on from 31 minutes) or wherever you find your podcasts (July 15 2021 episode, The War of the Noses).

The Happy Pear podcast

June 2, 2021

Paul was a guest on The Happy Pear and spoke to hosts Dave and Steve about how happiness isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. They discussed myths around love, marriage, success, and how money should be like a football referee.

How chasing the perfect life might stop us finding happiness

May 5, 2021

Is the "ideal" life you're striving for really the one you want? Paul was interviewed in the latest episode of The Decision Lab's podcast, where he talked about how the myth of the “perfect” life can detract from well-being, and how to build a better narrative.

Times Radio: how can we all get on a little better?

April 26, 2021

Paul was a guest on Carole Walker’s show on Times Radio, discussing polarisation, learning to understand why people have different views, and how we can all become a bit more tolerant. Listen from 1:35.50 on the link below.

BBC Radio 4: Are you happy with the easing of lockdown?

April 6, 2021

In this episode of You and Yours, Winifred Robinson asked listeners if they were happy with the easing of lockdown, and interviewed Paul on how we can try to manage to smooth the transition into ‘normal life’.

They discussed how helping others can make us happier, and how young people had been worst hit by lockdown restrictions.

A Decade of Behavioural Science

January 20, 2021

In this fireside chat, Paul and Grace Lordan, associate professor of behavioural science at LSE, reflected on ten years of behavioural science at LSE, discussing biases, narratives, happiness, resilience and more.

Prof. Paul Dolan on
BBC Radio Wales

January 18, 2021

Paul was a guest on Jason Mohammad’s show, talking about Blue Monday, mental health, covid-19 and happiness (listen from 1:39:00).

LSE event in conversation
with Gus O’Donnell

December 9, 2020

LSE public event: why aren’t policymakers and the public demanding more emphasis is placed on happiness? Paul was joined in conversation with Gus O’Donnell, former Cabinet Secretary and Head of the British Civil Service, to discuss the role of happiness in public policy.

Prof. Paul Dolan on BBC Radio 4

Emerging from lockdown might not be as easy on our mental health as it sounds. After weeks spent adjusting to lockdown and working out how to cope, how easy is it to re-adjust to old routines? And is it even possible to predict how we’ll feel about things in a few weeks’ time? Daisy Fancourt, Associate Professor of Behavioural Science and Health at University College London discusses the latest results from the Covid-19 Social study, exploring how people’s feelings have changed during the course of the pandemic. Claudia Hammond is also joined by Paul Dolan, Professor of Behavioural Science at the London School of Economics, and James Downs, a campaigner on mental health and eating disorders.

Prof. Paul Dolan in conversation with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

March 20, 2019

What really makes us happy? Is it a big house, lots of money, marriage and children? Not necessarily. Yet so many of us base what we do upon the ‘stories’ we tell ourselves of what we think should make us happy without paying attention to whether these things actually do make us happy day-to-day. In this interview with Dr Rangan Chatterjee, Paul explains how happiness is subjective in every way and if we free ourselves from the myth of the perfect life we might each find a life that is worth living.