Where joy hides and how to find it | Ingrid Fetell Lee (re-release)

The podcast explores the concept of joy, distinguishing it from happiness as an intense, momentary positive emotion linked to physical sensations. Ingrid Fetell Lee recounts her decade-long investigation into the tangible roots of joy, sparked by a professor's comment on her design work. Through interviews with people, Lee identified universally joyful elements like cherry blossoms, bubbles, and rainbows, noting their ability to transcend demographic lines. These elements share patterns such as bright colors, round shapes, symmetry, and abundance, which Lee terms "aesthetics of joy." The podcast highlights how incorporating these aesthetics into environments can promote alertness, confidence, and a sense of safety, referencing examples like colorful schools and hospitals designed to evoke joy.