Best Greater Good Science Center Podcasts (2025)

1
Greenville Together: Tackling Homelessness with a Bold Community Plan 24:11

2h ago24:11

24:11

Discover how Greenville Together is urgently tackling homelessness head-on with a bold, collaborative, and data-driven plan. Learn about their innovative housing surge, the vital role of people with lived experience, and the critical need for permanent supportive housing in the community. Join the conversation to understand the strategies aiming to…

1
Happiness Break: Make Uncertainty Part of the Process 3:51

6d ago3:51

3:51

Through poetic reflection, Yrsa Daley-Ward helps us embrace the in-between moments, reminding us that the unknown can be the very terrain where real change begins. Settle into Stillness: Find a quiet space, get comfortable, and take a few slow breaths to arrive in the moment. Acknowledge the Unknown: Gently notice and name any uncertainty, confusio…

1
Inside the 7th Largest Children's Museum in America: Where Play at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate Shapes Future Careers 16:19

8d ago16:19

16:19

The Children's Museum of the Upstate isn't just a place for kids - it's a $339 million economic engine for Greenville County. CEO Lauren Luneckas explains how this Smithsonian affiliate became the 7th largest children's museum in America and reveals multiple ways adults can volunteer, support, and engage with this community treasure. Discover why c…

1
Our Brains on Poetry 23:05

12d ago23:05

23:05

Learn how poetry can help your brain handle stress, process feelings, and spark insight. Summary: This episode of The Science of Happiness is part of our series Using Art As Medicine. We explore poetry, one of the oldest artforms, powers our brains, calms our nervous systems, and reduces anxiety by opening doors into our psyche. Whether you're read…

1
40 Years of Wonder: How Roper Mountain Science Center Transforms Curiosity into a Career 18:12

15d ago18:12

18:12

"I went into engineering because of Roper Mountain." In this heartwarming episode, Director Michael Weeks shares stories of how Roper Mountain Science Center has shaped careers and ignited curiosity across generations for 40 years. Get an insider's tour of this Greenville treasure which serves every elementary and middle school in Greenville County…

1
Happiness Break: How to Awaken Your Creative Energy 8:29

19d ago8:29

8:29

Spring Washam guides us on a gentle visualization to help you tap into the joy, wonder, and possibility that creativity brings. How To Do This Practice: Settle In: Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths to ground yourself in the present moment. Invite Creativity: Silently welcome the creative energy of the universe, setting t…

1
‘The West End’s’ Hidden Gem’: Kids Find Their Voice at South Carolina Children’s Theatre 22:38

22d ago22:38

22:38

Step inside Greenville's magical theater wonderland where disco balls spin, Hogwarts comes alive, and Finding Nemo swims across the stage! This conversation with South Carolina Children's Theatre's leadership team unveils the joyful world waiting for your family this summer. Visualize your child crafting potions at Hogwarts camp, playing Quidditch,…

1
How Art Heals Us 23:31

27d ago23:31

23:31

We explore how making art can ground us in the present and be a space of healing, connection, and joy. Summary: We explore how creative expression can support emotional resilience and physical healing in the face of life’s hardest moments and how simple acts of art-making— whether painting, drawing, or doodling—can offer grounding, release, and joy…

1
Ability in Action: Thrive Upstate 18:31

29d ago18:31

18:31

Sixty years ago, a mother's grassroots effort sparked what would become Thrive Upstate, now redefining ability for 600 individuals with intellectual disabilities across Greenville County. Executive Director Tyler Rex shares how this innovative quasi-governmental organization transforms tax dollars into life-changing opportunities - from residents p…

1
Happiness Break: Making Space for You, with Alex Elle 6:02

1M ago6:02

6:02

Consider what you want to make space for in your life in this 6-minute contemplation guided by Alex Elle. Find a quiet place, settle your body, and reflect on where you want more clarity or ease in your life. Breathe deeply, filling your belly on each inhale and softening your body on each exhale. Notice the fears, doubts, or stresses you’re carryi…

1
When Invisible Lines Rule: State, County, and City Borders 9:20

1M ago9:20

9:20

Some South Carolinians have gone to bed in one state and woken up in another - without ever moving. When surveyors corrected centuries-old border errors, residents discovered their property had legally "teleported" overnight. Katy and Nathaniel reveal how colonial mapmakers with faulty compasses, river disputes, and political maneuvering created th…

1
What Humans Can Learn From Trees (Encore) 17:50

1M ago17:50

17:50

Trees aren’t just competing for sunlight and soil—they’re also looking out for one another. Scientist Suzanne Simard reveals the unexpected ways trees communicate, share resources, and support us. Summary: We dive into what we can learn from the neural networks of forests, evolution and cooperation, and how trees are a fundamental solution to the c…

1
Keeping the Green in Greenville: The Civics Lessons of Trees 17:23

1M ago17:23

17:23

When Hurricane Helene toppled centuries-old white oaks while sparing seemingly fragile maples, it revealed hidden truths about resilience beneath our feet. As Greenville recovers from two historic environmental disasters, TreesUpstate's Aaron Davis shares a surprising statistic: despite our "green" reputation, Greenville's 36% tree canopy lags behi…

1
Happiness Break: Who Takes Care of You? 9:07

2M ago9:07

9:07

When we feel cared for, our cortisol levels drop, we feel safe, and we handle stress better. Dacher leads a meditation to help us focus on the people who make us feel supported. How To Do This Practice: Get Comfortable: Find a quiet spot. Sit or stand in a relaxed position. Take a few deep breaths to settle your body and mind. Think of a Friend: Pi…

1
Cities, Towns, Places, and ZIP Codes: Decoding Greenville County's Hidden Boundaries 10:24

2M ago10:24

10:24

Your mailbox says "Taylors," your neighbors call it "Greenville," and your GPS has its own opinion entirely. Behind this geographical identity crisis lies a system that determines your tax bill, your services, and whether you can vote in this year's municipal elections. Join Katy and Nathaniel as they decode the invisible boundaries that shape dail…

1
Why Going Offline Might Save Us 22:22

2M ago22:22

22:22

What happens when we replace sky-gazing with screen-scrolling? Discover how digital life impacts happiness and what Gen Z can teach us about reclaiming control over our well-being. Summary: Smartphones have become our constant companions, but at what cost? This episode of The Science of Happiness explores how our digital lives are reshaping how we …

1
Canvas to Career: The Fine Arts Center Turns 50 21:27

2M ago21:27

21:27

Celebrating 50 years of excellence, Greenville County Schools Fine Arts Center has generated millions in scholarship offers for its students - yet Director Vee Popat measures success by how each young artist develops as a whole person, whether they become Broadway performers or scientists with creative thinking skills. Step inside this nationally-r…

1
Happiness Break: A Meditation on the Uniqueness of Your Voice 8:07

2M ago8:07

8:07

Embrace the beauty of your accent in this self-compassion meditation that guides you in a reflection of your history, heritage, and connection to your ancestors. How To Do This Practice: Find a Comfortable Position: Sit in a relaxed yet alert posture, either on a cushion or chair. Gently lower your gaze or close your eyes if that feels comfortable.…

1
Eviction's Permanent Tattoo: Healing Greenville's Hidden Crisis 23:26

2M ago23:26

23:26

In Greenville County, an eviction filing follows you for life like a permanent tattoo - even if you win your case. With 20% of local renters facing eviction (compared to just 8% nationally), this crisis isn't just creating homelessness; it's costing landlords up to $5,000 per case and driving up housing costs for everyone. Experts Tina Belge and Ma…

1
How to Focus Under Pressure (Encore) 18:46

2M ago18:46

18:46

Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider tries a body scan meditation to sharpen her focus and calm her nerves as she prepares for the Tournament of Champions. Summary: Simple mindfulness practices, like a body scan, can help cultivate presence and reduce stress. By tuning into the body with curiosity and awareness, we can deepen our connection to ourselve…

1
Small Town, Big Impact: Female Leadership in Travelers Rest 24:50

2M ago24:50

24:50

In a small town where Burger King's arrival was once celebrated as progress, Travelers Rest now stands as a remarkable anomaly in American governance - with women holding the positions of mayor, city administrator, and majority of the city council. How did this Greenville County community not only transform itself from a "pass-through town" to a co…

1
Happiness Break: Find Calm When You Can’t Clear Your Mind, With Lama Rod Owens 7:05

3M ago7:05

7:05

Take a break from ruminating with Lama Rod Owens as he leads you in a meditation to cultivate a sky-like mind. How to Do This Practice: Get Comfortable: Sit or lie down in a relaxed, balanced position. Settle into Your Body: Notice how your body feels and allow yourself to settle. Observe Your Thoughts: Watch thoughts and emotions rise and fall wit…

1
Home Economics: Why Our Housing Market is Out of Reach and What We can Do About It 30:05

3M ago30:05

30:05

When your favorite barista, your child's teacher, and the firefighter who protects your home can no longer afford to live in your community - what kind of place will Greenville County become? Bryan Brown and Amber Stewart from Greenville Housing Fund reveal the surprising reality that 80% of our workforce earns below the area's median income, makin…

1
How Music Can Hold and Heal Us 24:53

3M ago24:53

24:53

An art-form powerful enough to prescribe — from ancient traditions to modern neuroscience, we uncover how music, including lullabies, function as a form of medicine. Summary: Music has a unique ability to calm, heal, and bring people together, and lullabies are one of the earliest ways we experience this connection. In this episode, we explore how …

1
Inside SCTAC: Greenville's $6.1 Billion Economic Powerhouse 26:20

3M ago26:20

26:20

Did you know that just minutes from downtown Greenville, there's a business park that's driving our region's economy forward? In this episode, we sit down with Jody Bryson, the President and CEO of the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center (SCTAC), to learn how this unique organization has become a magnet for top companies and high-paying j…

1
Making Music With Your Body, With Keith Terry | Happiness Break 7:29

3M ago7:29

7:29

How to Do This Practice: Find a Comfortable Space: Choose a place where you feel comfortable moving and making noise. You can do this practice standing or seated, whatever feels best for you. Start with a Basic Clap: Clap your hands together lightly, palm to palm. Keep the pressure soft so it doesn’t hurt. Try a few claps, following a steady rhythm…

1
Understanding Ranked Choice Voting: A Simple Explanation 16:59

3M ago16:59

16:59

Are you curious about ranked-choice voting and what it could mean for our elections? In this episode, election law expert Michael Dimino breaks down the basics of this intriguing alternative to our current system. You'll learn how ranked-choice voting works, its potential benefits and drawbacks, and how it's being used in some states and countries.…

1
Why Friendships Matter More Than We Think 21:28

3M ago21:28

21:28

In a world that emphasizes romantic relationships, we explore the science of friendships in humans and our primate relatives—how we make them and how they not only influence health and happiness, but our survival. Episode Summary: Romantic love gets plenty of attention, but what about the friendships that sustain us through life’s ups and downs? In…

1
Partisan Voter Registration: What Would It Mean in South Carolina 29:51

3M ago29:51

29:51

Get a clear, nonpartisan explanation of South Carolina's primary election system and proposals to change it. Links: Michael Dimino Bio: https://commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/academics/faculty/detail/13/ _ Produced by Podcast Studio X. Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville. Get in touch. Support Simple Civics with a …

1
Understanding Proposals to Change South Carolina Primaries 10:09

3M ago10:09

10:09

Big changes could be coming to South Carolina's primary voting system and the way you register to vote. Learn about the five new bills that could impact how SC residents vote in primaries, including closed primary proposals and ranked-choice voting options. Today we break down the proposed changes to SC's primary voting system. This episode explore…

1
A Guided Meditation on Embodied Love | Happiness Break 7:00

3M ago7:00

7:00

Experience the physical sensations of love through this guided meditation that nurtures connection, relaxation, and emotional awareness. How To Do This Practice: Sit or lie down in a relaxed posture. Close your eyes or soften your gaze. Take a deep breath in, then slowly exhale. Notice the weight of your body and release any tension in your shoulde…

1
36 Questions to Spark Love and Connection 23:19

4M ago23:19

23:19

Scroll down for a transcription of this episode. Can a simple set of 36 questions build love and intimacy? We explore the science behind how the questions we ask and the way we listen shape our closest relationships. Episode summary: In this episode of The Science of Happiness, we break down the science behind a practice designed to deepen connecti…

1
Understanding Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements in South Carolina 17:12

4M ago17:12

17:12

Thinking of running for office or helping on a campaign in South Carolina? In this episode, expert Leigh McGill with Campaign Ethics Consulting Services breaks down the basics of campaign finance reporting. Learn about required disclosures, contribution limits, common pitfalls to avoid, and why it pays to get professional guidance from the start. L…

1
A Meditation on Original Love and Interconnectedness, with Henry Shukman | Happiness Break 8:44

4M ago8:44

8:44

Scroll down for a transcription of this episode. Cultivate a sense of original love — a universal connection that nurtures joy, safety, and belonging — with meditation teacher Henry Shukman. How to Do This Practice: Find a comfortable position, either seated with a balanced, unsupported spine or resting back into support. Sense the solidity of your…

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Greater Good Science Center Podcasts

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