The Psychology of Gratitude: How Saying Thanks Makes You Happier

The Table Audio w/ Evan Rosa

Gratitude is deeply woven into the Christian way. Believers and non-believers alike, representing many wisdom traditions, have all long practiced the act of giving thanks. Our station in life is one of utter dependence, gift, and grace. So thankfulness is fitting and right. But gratitude has deep and often instantaneous impact. Just look at the celebrity stars Fred Rogers has weeping after 10 seconds of grateful silence. It's easy to forget the utter simplicity of being from the perspective of gratitude, especially with all those irresistible Black Friday deals in your inbox (thanks for clicking this email instead). May you live in the lightness of God's grace this week, and enjoy this little reflection on the impact gratitude has on well-being, struggle, meaning, and the human good. This Season 2 bonus episode features UC Davis psychologist Robert Emmons, one of the world’s leading researchers of Gratitude, on the power of saying thanks. From our Table to yours, Happy Thanksgiving from those of us at CCT.

Show Notes

• 0:00—Podcast introduction
• 4:42—Begin interview: Robert Emmon's work and research on studying happy people and gratitude
• 11:30—Intermission
• 12:50—Resume interview: The role of empirical evidence and giving advice in our self-help and productivity driven culture
• 16:22—Gratitude in the context of suffering
• 22:14—How gratitude shapes our identity and makes meaning in life
• 25:45—End interview, credits

Credits

• Produced by the Biola University Center for Christian Thought
• Sponsored by generous grants from the John Templeton Foundation, Templeton Religion Trust, and the Blankemeyer Foundation
• Hosted by Evan Rosa
• Production Assistance by Laura Crane
• Theme music by The Brilliance
• Edited by a Turkey named Stewart
• Sound FX by Mashed Potatoes
• Additional scoring provided by a Bowl of Gravy
• Production assistance by Stuffing, with some additional tape edits by Cranberry Sauce
• Follow Evan Rosa on Twitter @EvanSubRosa
• Follow the Center for Christian Thought on Twitter @BiolaCCT
• Visit our website cct.biola.edu