Jennifer De Paola interview on BBC

We were thrilled to see that our author Jennifer De Paola was interviewed about the World Happiness Report on BBC World News. Watch the interview here.

In her forthcoming book, The Happiness Puzzle, she explores the paradox of Finland – how can a nation of quiet, introverted people who keep their emotions in check be the happiest in the world?

We are currently selling the world rights. An English book proposal and English sample chapters are available.

Download the English materials for THE HAPPINESS PUZZLE here!

The Happiness Puzzle

Jennifer De Paola

The starting point in The Happiness Puzzle is the paradox of Finland: how can a nation of quiet and somewhat introverted people who tend to keep their emotions in check be the happiest nation on Earth? Perhaps it’s not just a question of being contented, satisfied with your life? This is what clinical psychologist and researcher Jennifer De Paola, PhD, sets out to do.

The Happiness Puzzle bridges the gap between academic research and everyday life, making complex psychological insights accessible to a broad audience and relying on years of empirical research. Dr De Paola’s research includes 70 in-depth conversations with ordinary Finns, offering an unparalleled glimpse into how happiness is actually lived and experienced in the so-called happiest country in the world. This is not just a book about theories – it is a book about real people, real struggles, and real happiness.

THE HAPPINESS PUZZLE publication info:

Reading materials: English book proposal and sample chapters for the book.

Rights sold: World rights available

About author


Jennifer De Paola

Jennifer De Paola, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and researcher with a fascination for how ordinary people understand life’s biggest questions. Her research on happiness—particularly its cultural aspect in Finland—has been published in top social sciences journals like Public Understanding of Science, Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, and Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science. Along the way, her research has sparked conversations on international platforms, including interviews on BBC TV and Business Insider.

Jennifer divides her time between research at the University of Eastern Finland and clinical practice in the private sector. But what truly drives her is listening to people’s stories—whether in the therapy room, in an interview, or over a cup of coffee. Currently, her work focuses on immigrants in Finland and how they imagine their futures, a topic that resonates deeply with her as an immigrant herself. In Helsinki, she also provides psychological support to the English-speaking community drawing from evidence-based and scientifically supported therapeutic approaches such as Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Despite having lived in Finland for 15 years, a part of her is still the child from rural southern Italy. Her happiest moments? Passing on little pieces of that heritage to her two-year-old Finnish-Italian son—through museums, library visits, and long hikes where she teaches him Italian words and he sneaks in Finnish and English ones.

Bibliography


2025, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

The Happiness Puzzle

Jennifer De Paola