Ep. 33: Notions of Happiness; Artist Vanesssa Jackson; Podcaster Dr. Laurie Santos Actor & Producer Zackary Momoh; Rites of Passage with Chef Andi Oliver & Author Nikesh Shukla

In this episode of Stance, we explore Happiness and how its defined within the cult of celebrity, through visual art, within excessive wealth and power and in our minds. We head first off to Harlem in New York to find out more about Florence Mills, the pioneering African American singer, dancer and performer during the Harlem Renaissance. Why is she dubbed The Queen of Happiness? We meet architectural, social, and cultural historian Mr Michael Henry Adams to find out more.

How is happiness depicted in visual art through paint and colour? We caught up with Vanessa Jackson, a Royal Academician, painter and teacher. Her prolific teaching career has seen her serve as Head of Painting at Winchester School of Art, The Royal College of Art and The Royal Academy. Her own work explores ornamental and optical play of colour and form to both confirm and confuse our sense of perception. We met her in her studio to discuss how colour creates and projects emotion.

Imelda Marcos in The Kingmaker by Lauren Greenfield

Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker Lauren Greenfield is widely considered the preeminent chronicler of consumerism, wealth and fame. Her latest film The Kingmaker follows the politically reinvigorated life of Imelda Marcos who says in the film “I want to make people happy” We caught Lauren Greenfield to discuss Imelda’s return to prominence.

Now onto a big question: How do we become happier? One woman who has been studying the art of happiness for decades is Dr Laurie Santos. Currently the host of The Happiness Lab Podcast, Laurie is Professor of Psychology at Yale University and her course, Psychology and the Good Life, teaching students the tools for a happier and more fulfilling life, became Yale University's most popular course in over 300 years. As a happiness expert, we had a lot of questions for her.

We profile actor and producer Zackary Momoh, the British actor from London, and one of Hollywood’s rising stars for 2020. He stars alongside Cynthia Erivo, Vondie Curtis-Hall and Janelle Monae in the long-awaited biopic Harriet, charting the life of Harriet Tubman, where Zachary Momoh plays Harriet Tubman’s husband, John.

Rites of Passage: We ask broadcaster and chef Andi Oliver and author and editor, Nikesh Shukla, to share a piece of literature that deeply resonates with them.