In this episode of Dialogue: The Diapoint Podcast, Pamela Durant speaks with Dr. Louise Lambert, a positive psychologist and leading happiness researcher. Together they explore why happiness is not a “nice-to-have” but a serious health matter that deserves the same attention as traditional risk factors in healthcare.
Dr. Lambert explains what positive psychology is and how it differs from traditional approaches that focus mainly on illness and disorder. Drawing on international research and her own studies in the UAE, she discusses the links between happiness and physical health outcomes, including pain, depression, and overall vitality, and why reducing symptoms alone is often not enough for people to truly thrive.
The conversation also dives into one of her primary healthcare interventions, where simple, evidence-based happiness practices were introduced. Dr. Lambert shares what changed for patients when well-being was actively supported, not just when distress was reduced. This shift could transform how clinics, hospitals, and health systems think about mental health and chronic conditions.
Pamela and Dr. Lambert also unpack the age-old question: can people actually learn to become happier, or is happiness mostly fixed by personality and genetics? Based on the science of wellbeing, Dr. Lambert outlines the habits and behaviors that make the biggest difference. They discuss gratitude, nurturing relationships, and building meaning into daily life.
Whether you live with a health condition, work in healthcare, or simply care about wellbeing, this episode offers practical strategies anyone can start using today to feel and function better. It will help you see happiness as something we can measure, cultivate, and protect one small, intentional practice at a time.
Dr. Louise is a Registered Psychologist (College of Alberta Psychologists, Canada) and has been based in the UAE since 2003. She is the Director of Happiness Policy & Programming at Happiness Matters (HappinessMatters.org), Editor of the Middle East Journal of Positive Psychology, and author of more than 50 peer-reviewed publications in wellbeing science.
Dr. Louise’s work sits at the intersection of positive psychology, workplace wellbeing, and health.
For more than 20 years, Dr. Louise has studied what helps people thrive, sustain their wellbeing, and remain healthy and engaged across the lifespan. As populations age and organizations face growing challenges related to chronic disease, burnout, and workforce sustainability, the conversation is shifting from short-term well-being initiatives to long-term health and human flourishing.
She works with governments, organizations, and leaders to understand how workplaces can become drivers of health rather than sources of illness. Her research and consulting focus on the conditions that support psychological well-being, sustainable performance, and long-term health.
Her interests include positive health assets, social capital, positive psychology, organizational culture, and the promotion of Good Living. More specifically, her work explores how organizations can contribute to longer, healthier, and more meaningful lives, not only for employees but also for the communities they serve.
Through research, speaking, and advisory work, Dr. Louise helps bridge the gap between scientific evidence and practical action.
If you’d like to learn more about Dr. Louise Lambert’s work, you can follow her on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-louise-lambert/ and at www.happinessmatters.org. Sign up for her newsletter at: https://www.happinessmatters.org/newsletters/the-good-life-chronicles
Disclaimer: It should go without saying that the Diapoint podcast is not intended as or should not be used as personal medical advice. You will hear us interview medical experts and others, but please always always ask your qualified doctor, diabetes team or other expert about your health. What works for one person does not always work for another person. What you should always do when you discover any new health information is ask YOUR doctor about it. This information should empower you to have a discussion with your healthcare providers about it. Diapoint, our guests, sponsors and business partners are not here to replace that advice. Living a full, healthy life means taking the proper medical advice from your qualified physicians, diabetes team or other healthcare providers.
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About Dia-Logue: The Diapoint Podcast and Pamela Durant
Pam Durant is a diabetes thought leader, entrepreneur, healthcare expert and wellness coach. She is the Founder and Managing Director of Diapoint – The Place for People Touched By Diabetes.
Her successful healthcare management career was turned upside down when her 20-month-old son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes over a decade ago. Not only did this challenge Pam as a parent, it also challenged everything that she believed and understood about healthcare and the provider-patient relationship. As she went on to tackle the steep learning curve of diabetes to support her son to grow and thrive with this condition, she soon realized the great need for change in healthcare and in diabetes management.
She was inspired to create Diapoint, a company that focuses on people with diabetes through events, education, advocacy and products to support them.
She also supports clients with her Wellness and Lifestyle Medicine Coaching at pameladurant.com.
If you are interested in appearing as a guest, please email us at info@diapointme.com. We would love to hear your story and your connection to diabetes.
For more information about our work visit us at diapointme.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @DiapointME.
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Are you a business or brand looking to expand your reach and connect with potential customers? Do you want to showcase the unique value and products that your business offers? If so, we’d like to invite you to become a sponsor of our podcast.
By sponsoring our show, you will have the chance to target important individuals who are interested in improving their health and wellness, and are in search of valuable advice on how to achieve success.
We offer competitive rates and packages to suit every budget.
If you would like further information or have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us. Reach out to Pam Durant at info@diapointme.com.
