NPR’s Laura Sydell & Scott Snibbe on How to Be Happy

L and Scott Snibbe at San Francisco’s The Battery

Watch this fascinating talk between longtime NPR culture correspondent Laura Sydell and author/artist Scott Snibbe at San Francisco’s The Battery about his new book, How to Train a Happy Mind. They speak at length about the most advanced topic in Buddhism, interdependence or emptiness, that teaches us how we let go of our inaccurate sense of separateness that we feel from the people and the world around us. In doing so we create the ultimate cause for a happy life. They also touch on how great movies and comedians can capture Buddhism’s insights into how to live happy lives, and riff on a great Buddhist teaching Jerry Seinfeld gave in his most recent Netflix special, 24 Hours to Kill.

About Laura Sydell 

Laura Sydell is an award-winning journalist and former NPR correspondent known for her insightful reporting on the intersection of technology, culture, and the economy. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered groundbreaking stories about Silicon Valley, digital innovation, and the ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies. Sydell’s work often highlights the human impact of technological advancements, earning her recognition for making complex topics accessible to broad audiences. Before joining NPR, she worked at Marketplace and WNYC, where she established herself as a leading voice in tech journalism.