Ever since the 1970s when Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener traveled across the USA facing backward in his parents’ station wagon he has been fascinated by seeing the world from a fresh perspective. This extends to his scientific study of happiness. As a researcher Dr. Biswas-Diener spent a decade looking for happiness in unusual places: among sex workers in Kolkata, in homeless shelters in California, and among Amish farmers in the Midwest. The results of his investigations led him to believe that comfort is over-rated and that true happiness includes occasional guilt, sadness and anger. He is author of The Upside of Your Dark Side, a book that argues that we must embrace distress and discomfort to be whole, happy, and successful.

You can learn more about Dr. Biswas-Diener here.

Dr. Todd B. Kashdan is Professor of Psychology and Senior Scientist at the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being at George Mason University. He is a world recognized authority on the science of well-being, strengths, relationships, stress, and anxiety. His honors include faculty member of the year and early career awards from the American Psychological Association, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, and International Society for Quality of Life Studies. He has published over 150 scholarly articles and authored Curious? Discover the Missing Ingredient to a Fulfilling Life (William Morrow), Designing Positive Psychology (Oxford University Press), andMindfulness, Acceptance, and Positive Psychology (New Harbinger), and his new book, The Upside of Your Dark Side: Why being your whole self – not just your “good” self – drives success and fulfillment (Penguin). His research has been featured in several media outlets, including the New York Times and The Washington Post. He’s a twin and has twin 7-year old daughters, with plans to rapidly populate the world with great conversationalists.

You can learn more about Dr. Kashdan here.