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The Science of Happiness

The Science of Happiness

Happiness Break: How Poetry Helps Us Feel and Heal

Mar 31, 2026 · 17m

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On this episode

About this episode

What happens in your brain when you read or write a poem? We listen to powerful poetry from you, our listeners, and uncover the neuroscience of why it helps us feel, process, and recover. Scroll down for a transcription of this episode. Today’s Happiness Break Guest: SUSAN MAGSAMEN is a Neurology professor at John Hopkins, and author of the New York Times bestseller, Your Brain On Art: How the Arts Transform Us. Find Susan’s book here: https://www.yourbrainonart.com/ Related Happiness Break episodes: Using Art As Medicine Series: https://tinyurl.com/k3mneupx Making Space For You: https://tinyurl.com/yk6nfnfv How To Awaken Your Creative Energy: https://tinyurl.com/4fknd8ev Related Science of…