Tal Ben-Shahar

Positive Psychologist and Author, “Happier, No Matter What”

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Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar is an internationally renowned teacher and author in the fields of happiness and leadership. After graduating from Harvard with a B.A. in philosophy and psychology and a Ph.D. in organizational behavior, Dr. Ben-Shahar taught two of the most popular courses in Harvard’s history: Positive Psychology and The Psychology of Leadership. He then taught Happiness Studies at Columbia University. A prolific writer, Ben-Shahar’s books have appeared on bestsellers lists around the world and have been translated into more than 30 languages.

Dr. Ben-Shahar consults and lectures to executives in multinational corporations, educational institutions, and the general public. Topics include leadership, education, ethics, happiness, self-esteem, resilience, goal setting, and mindfulness.

Dr. Ben-Shahar is the co-founder of the Happiness Studies Academy, as well as the creator and instructor of the Certificate in Happiness Studies and the Happier School programs.

Tal is an avid sportsman and a certified yoga instructor whose work bridges Eastern and Western traditions, ancient wisdom and modern technology, and science and art.

Everything Videos

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Become stronger: Jumpstart your anti-fragile systems

“There's research showing that people who are curious, who ask questions, are not just happier, they're not just more successful, they also live longer.”

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3 experts explain how to escape the happiness paradox

Happiness researchers Robert Waldinger MD, Tal Ben-Shahar PhD, and Peter Baumann explain why the happiest people aren’t happy all the time.

Robert Waldinger

Unlikely Collaborators

Three purple coneflowers at different life stages: dried and dead, wilting, and fully blooming, shown against a black background.

The Well

The happiness paradox, explained in 7 minutes

To be happy, you have to become antifragile first. Harvard’s Tal Ben-Shahar explains.

John Templeton Foundation

Finding happiness in life

Explain It Like I’m Smart

“How I reversed my unhappiness”

He’s written 7 books on happiness. He’s studied it for 30 years. He even taught it at Harvard. What can Tal Ben-Shahar tell you about really being happy?

Happiness study

Devil’s Advocate

The 2 biggest misconceptions about happiness

Why studying happiness is good for your “psychological immune system,” explained by Harvard “happiness professor” Tal Ben-Sharar.

Sleeping beauty sleeps in an enchanted forest.

Happiness and why “happily ever after” is a myth

The road to happiness is indirect and full of frustration.

Five Steps for Being Happier Today

Positive psychologists have found a series of scientifically-proven ways for you live a happier life.

Big Think Interview with Tal Ben-Shahar

A conversation with the author of “The Pursuit of Perfect” and “Happier.”

How to Fail Well

Tal Ben-Shahar’s most important lesson to his students to be sure to fail, and to fail well. He explains why this is and introduces us to the most successful individual […]

An Im-perfectionists Takes on Career Mistakes

Tal Ben Shahar wrote the book on avoiding the drive for perfectionism and enjoying an imperfect life. So what does he say about his own career regrets?

Write It Down: My Best Career Advice

Tal Ban Shahar’s best career advice involved getting some important words on paper.

What Keeps Tal Ben-Shahar Up At Night

Tal Ben Shahar is very concerned about the state of education in our country: he explains why a “happiness curriculum” starting in childhood is a key to fixing what’s wrong […]

The Science of Optimal Love

Happiness expert Tal Ben Shahar has dedicated ample time to his research on how romantic relationships can promote—and prevent—happiness. He tells Big Think what makes a winning relationship.

The Corporate Guide to Happiness

Why are corporations paying positive psychologists big fees to repair their cultures? Tal Ben Shahar, an expert in the field, explains how corporations can benefit from a focus on the […]

Do We Ever Have a Right to Be Miserable?

In the face of tragedy, lack of success, or plain bad luck, those promoting happiness can be frankly annoying. Tal Ben Shahar told Big Think that true happiness is only […]

Five Ways to Become Happier Today

For however elusive happiness is to define, there are very specific things people can do each day that are proven to increase happiness: changing your calendar and your approach to […]

Is Facebook Making Us Sad?

Facebook and Twitter, by making our lives increasingly public, make avoiding the dangerous drive towards perfectionism difficult—Tal Ben Shahar explains why.

Happiness: The Opiate of the People?

Sure happiness is great, but what about groundbreaking yet tortured artists and unhappy but principled workaholic reformers? And is the theory of positive psychology fodder for governments to make citizens […]

In Defense of Self-Help

Tal Ben Shahar is widely respected academic, but he is also a proud self-help guru. He told Big Think the problem with most books labeled “self-help” these days, defined what […]

Psychology That Doesn’t Care What’s Wrong With You

It’s a refreshing thought: a psychologist that doesn’t ask about your problems, but about your successes.

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