Christine Carter, Ph.D., is the author of The Sweet Spot: How to Achieve More by Doing Less (2017) and Raising Happiness (2011). She is a sociologist and Senior Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, where she draws on scientific research to help people lead their most courageous, joyful, meaningful, and authentic lives.
After receiving her B.A. from Dartmouth College, where she was a Senior Fellow, Dr. Carter worked in marketing management and school administration, going on to receive her Ph.D. in sociology from UC Berkeley.
A sought-after keynote speaker, Dr. Carter loves to share her work in person. Combining scientific research and practical application, she offers audiences not only a way to cope with modern pressures, but tactics to truly thrive. Dr. Carter looks at living life from the “sweet spot”—that place of both power and ease.
Dr. Carter also writes an award-winning blog, Brave Over Perfect, and is a contributor to US News & World Report online. Her work is syndicated on Greater Good, the Huffington Post, PsychologyToday.com, and several other websites. Her work has earned her two nominations from the American Sociological Association for public sociology and an award from the Council on Contemporary Families.
Dr. Carter has appeared on the “Oprah Winfrey Show,” the “Dr. Oz Show”, the “TODAY” show, the “Rachael Ray Show,” “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” “CBS Sunday Morning,” “ABC World News with Diane Sawyer”, PBS, as well as NPR and BBC Radio. She has been quoted or featured in The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, the San Francisco Chronicle, The Washington Post, the Boston Globe, The Wall Street Journal, as well as Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, Parenting, Men’s Health, Martha Stewart’s Whole Living, Fitness, Redbook, and dozens of other publications.
She lives with her husband, four teenagers, and dog, Buster, in Marin County, California.
Dr. Christine Carter has been featured in:
Press Kit
Television Appearances
The Dr. Oz Show
“Happiness Boosters“
PBS Newshour
“What makes us happy?”
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Tiger Mothering
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Press Appearances
The Journal Times
‘The Sweet Spot’: Author Says Get Out of the ‘Busy-ness Trap“
Carter’s efforts to give up her overworked, multitasking ways lie at the heart of her new book. “The Sweet Spot” offers practical advice on how people can make small but important changes in their daily lives so they can enjoy more balance at home and work. ⇒ Read More
NY Magazine,The Science of Us
“Put the Boring Things In Life on Autopilot“
In a conversation about her new book, The Sweet Spot: How to Find Your Groove at Home and Work, Carter discusses her spin on what social scientists call decision fatigue, the idea that you lose a little bit of your willpower with each decision you make throughout the day, which means you make worse and worse choices as the day drags on. ⇒ Read More
Fast Company
“How to Achieve More by Doing Less“
Chaining yourself to your desk isn’t the way to squeeze our more brilliant ideas. How to find a way to do less and get more from your day. ⇒ Read More
The NY Times
“The One Word Resolution“
I want to find what Christine Carter calls “the sweet spot” in her forthcoming book of the same name: that place where home and work are just satisfying and challenging enough. (Fans of “Overwhelmed,” “Happier at Home” or “Maxed Out” will appreciate “The Sweet Spot,” which comes out in just a few days. I did.) ⇒ Read More
San Jose Mercury News
“Work-Life Balance: Busy is Never Better“
[Carter] found plenty of scientifically based strategies while revisiting all the research on well-being and elite performance she had studied over the years. Much of the research challenges contemporary attitudes that busy people are successful, important or productive. Only 17 percent of adults in our “pressure cooker” society are said to be fulfilling their potential for happiness, success and productivity, Carter says. ⇒ Read More
Everyday Health with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
“6 Ways to Be Happy Alone“
A study suggests that people have a hard time being alone with their thoughts. What can you do about it? ⇒ Read More
Success
“The Science of Being Happy“
Surprisingly easy practices can mold you into a more cheerful, appreciative person—a person who loves their life. ⇒ Read More
Kids in the House
“How to Raise Happy Kids“
Christine Carter, PhD Sociologist and Happiness Expert, shares advice for parents on the skills can help teach their children to be happy in life. ⇒ Watch
State of Health
“Searching for Happiness? Look for Meaning, Not Money“
If you’re one of those people looking, you should know that finding happiness doesn’t mean you have to be cheerful and upbeat all the time. There’s more than one way to get there. Experts say even pessimists can be happy. ⇒ Read More
Seleni
“How to Stop Resenting Your Spouse“
5 steps to regaining your relationship after the birth of your child. ⇒ Read More
Prevention Magazine
“The Secret To Happiness? Failure (Seriously)“
Failure: we’ve been taught to dodge it, but science has found that welcoming this dirty little ‘f’ word can actually make us more successful and ultimately happier. ⇒ Read More
The New York Times
“How to Start a Year-Round Family Gratitude Ritual“
Sometime this Thanksgiving or in the coming weeks, you and yours will probably share notes on the things for which you’re thankful. ⇒ Read More
Voice America Radio
“Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life with Kate Ebner“
“Raising Happy, Resilient Kids with the Help of Sociologist and Happiness Expert Dr. Christine Carter” ⇒ Listen
Fitness Magazine
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Dr. Christine Carter Tells Us How“
As the 80s hit goes, “everybody’s working for the weekend” and now, thanks to a recent Hampton Hotels survey, we know why. ⇒ Read More
KQED; California Report
“Chasing the Work-Life Balance“
According to the Sloan Work and Family Research Network, almost two-thirds of California households with school-aged kids have both parents working outside the home. But striking the balance is an issue all families grapple with. Balancing work and family is a huge subject that takes the proverbial village. ⇒ Listen | ⇒ Read More
Whole Living Magazine
“How to Spend Your Time the Way You Want To“
Managing our time is this generation’s biggest challenge. Busyness can’t be equated with importance or meaning, and it certainly can’t be conflated with happiness. The sooner we recognize that the happier we’ll be. ⇒ Read More