The Pursuit of Happiness, Phillies Home Opener, Studio 2’s First Anniversary

The pursuit of happiness is built into the American ethos. So why are always chasing but never finding it?

Air Date: March 28, 2024 12:00 pm

(photo credit D. Jonez)

The Phillies Home Opener against the Atlanta Braves was moved to Friday because of bad weather but that won’t stop us talking about the upcoming season this hour. We’ve got Hittin’ Season podcast host John Stolnis with us to preview the team, the lineup and discuss whether a World Series return is in the cards this year.

“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is what the founding fathers had in mind for our nation. In the recent World Happiness Report, the U.S. dropped from 15th to 23rd. We talk with James Pawelski, professor and director of education at University of Pennsylvania’s Positive Psychology Center, as well as science writer Suzann Pileggi Pawelski about Americans’ obsession with happiness and why we have such trouble finding it.

Birthday wishes from Norway. Einar Lie Slangsvold, host of Studio 2 on NRK, the Norwegian Public Broadcaster, joins us to celebrate our anniversary and talk about sharing a show name.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.