Jean Crissien, PhD
The Science of Living Better.
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Get 2 free letters a month.Latest Book: Damp
Transform Your Relationship With Alcohol & Start Living Better.
Damp is the ultimate guide to mindful drinking habits. Dr. Jean Crissien openly tells his alcohol story while drawing on behavioral psychology and habit science, delivering a judgment-free guide laced with side-splitting humor. Uplifting. Practical. Entertaining.
The Articles Explore Your Curiosity
Deep dives on life design, happiness, & purpose.
April 2026
The $100,000 Question: Can Money Buy Happiness?
Show me the money! Rod Tidwell’s mantra in Jerry Maguire stuck with me. Great movie, an underdog tale…
January 2026
Health, Hope, & Harmony: The 3 Pillars of Happiness
From China to America, San Diego to Maine, and red state to blue state, we widely agree on…
November 2025
Why Paternity Leave is Critical for a New Dad’s Happiness
Many parents express that the birth of their first child is the happiest moment of their lives. My…
About Jean
Pronounced "John."
I'm a professor, researcher, and author obsessed with one question: How can we live better lives? I'm a political scientist by training — good feelings aren't our bread and butter — which is exactly why I took this on.
I pull from academics, philosophers, neuroscientists, habit experts, athletes, and daredevils. Seneca, Viktor Frankl, and Mike Tyson might all appear in the same article. Most importantly, everything here is actionable.
More about Jean →"Each one of us has the potential to be happy. In fact, we're hardwired for it."— Jean Crissien