In this episode I talk to Lord Richard Layard, Emeritus Professor of Economics at the LSE. Richard is an economist who spent much of his life working on how to reduce unemployment and inequality. In more recent years though he has become one of the world’s leading figures exploring the science of happiness, as well as how better mental health could improve our social and economic life.
He is the author of a number of books, including ‘Happiness – lessons from a new science’, 'Thrive – the power of psychological therapy' and his new book ‘Can we be happier?’, which is out now. He is also the founder of Action for Happiness – a not for profit organisation that is inspiring millions of people around the world to live happier lives.
In the first of 2 episodes I’ve recorded with Richard, I talk to him about his work on the subject of happiness and mental health, and how it has become one of the most pressing social issues of the modern world, with an ever-increasing base of scientific evidence behind it. We explore what is being done, and what more can be done, to build happiness more into our lives, politics and economies.
In the second episode – out on 11th May 2020 - I talk to him about what led him to set up Action for Happiness, and about the important work the organisation is doing.
These are really fascinating discussions on a topic I’ve also been involved with for over a decade with the not-for-profit organisation I founded, Life Squared.
I hope you enjoy our conversation. Please subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, check out the others in this series and share them with everyone you know!