Podcasts about Adult development

For almost 90 years, Harvard has been tracking the same group of men to answer one question: what actually leads to a long, happy life? Kelly digs into the findings, which point again and again to the same surprising answer — not money, not IQ — but the quality of our closest relationships. She connects it to research on chronic pain, a study on personality change well into old age, and a simple trick for staying connected that takes less time than a coffee run. It's a conversation about what actually protects us as we age, and why the smallest gestures of connection might matter more than we think.Links:Harvard Study of Adult Development:https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.org/Robert Waldinger's TED talk on What Makes a Good Life? (discusses the Harvard study):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KkKuTCFvzI&t=16sKelly's PBS Tell Me More (video) episode with pain psychologist Rachel Zoffness:https://www.pbs.org/video/rachel-zoffness-1vq8xc/Kelly Corrigan Wonders podcast episode with Rachel Zoffness:https://www.kellycorrigan.com/podcast/rachelzoffnessJancee Dunn's article in the New York Times: "The Secret Power of the 8-Minute Phone Call"https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/02/well/phone-call-happiness-challenge.html

What if the single greatest predictor of your health at 80 isn't your cholesterol or blood pressure — but how satisfied you are in your relationships?In this conversation, we sit down with Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development — the longest-running study of adult life ever conducted — to unpack what 85 years of research reveals about what actually makes a good life.Good relationships don't just feel good — they're stress regulators that protect your body from chronic inflammation and cortisol overload, directly affecting your Health and Happiness. We explore the concept of social fitness, the powerful difference between hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing, and how to take small, intentional steps to strengthen the connections that matter most.

What actually makes us happy? In this episode, we unpack lessons from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the longest studies of human life, and what it discovered about relationships, loneliness, aging, and what truly makes a good life.شنو اللي كيخلينا نكونو فرحانين بصح؟ فهاد الحلقة كنهضر على دراسة Harvard اللي تبعات حياة الناس لعشرات السنين، وشنو اكتاشفو على السعادة، العلاقات، الوحدة، والتقدم فالعمر، وشنو فعلاً كيخلينا نعيشو حياة زوينة

The emptiness you feel after finally reaching a goal isn't proof you aimed too low or that you should be more grateful — it's information about the goal itself. In this episode, Brett Ingram makes the case that a hollow "arrival" almost always means one of three things: the goal was never really yours, it was standing in for a feeling it could never actually deliver, or you never designed a life to live on the other side of it. Once you can tell which one you're dealing with, you stop needing a bigger goal to quiet the feeling. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why the flat, hollow feeling after a real achievement isn't a character flaw or a sign of ingratitude — it's a signal worth reading The "arrival fallacy," the psychological term for expecting a goal to deliver lasting happiness it was never going to deliver Why hedonic adaptation means your baseline quietly rises with every win, so the gap you're chasing never actually closes Why "set a bigger goal" — the standard advice for feeling flat — is often the thing keeping you on the treadmill instead of getting you off it The three reasons an achievement leaves you empty: the borrowed goal, the proxy goal, and the undesigned after Three honest questions to ask about any achievement that didn't land the way you expected What the longest-running study of adult life found actually predicts a life that feels good to live Episode Timestamps [0:00] The empty summit — crossing the line and waiting for a feeling that doesn't come [1:00] Why almost nobody admits this out loud [3:00] Tom Brady's three championships and "there's gotta be more than this" [4:00] The arrival fallacy, and why the feeling is half true [4:00] Hedonic adaptation — why your baseline moves the moment you level up [6:00] Why "set a bigger goal" is the trap dressed up as ambition [8:00] Reason #1 — the borrowed goal you never actually chose [9:00] Reason #2 — the proxy goal standing in for a feeling [11:00] Reason #3 — the undesigned after, and arriving with nothing built on the other side [12:00] Three questions to diagnose your own empty summit [14:00] What an 80-year study says actually predicts a good life [15:00] Rosebud, and the question worth sitting with instead of chasing the next goal Episode Summary There's a specific kind of disappointment nobody warns you about: the one that shows up after you win. You set the goal, put in the years, and crossed the line on some ordinary afternoon — and the feeling you'd been promised, the one that was supposed to make all of it worth it, either never arrived or left after about a Tuesday. This episode makes the case that the emptiness isn't a character flaw, and it isn't a sign you should have aimed higher. It's a signal, and once you can read it, you stop needing a bigger goal to quiet it. Brett opens with why this stays private. Admitting "I got what I wanted and I feel hollow" sounds like a humble brag to everyone who's still chasing what you already have, so people carry it quietly instead of talking about it — which is exactly why it deserves an honest conversation. And it isn't rare, even at the very top. In a 2005 60 Minutes interview that people still reference twenty years later, a 27-year-old Tom Brady, three Super Bowl rings in, asked on camera: "Why do I have three of these and still think there's something greater out there? God, it's gotta be more than this." If it happens at the top of a mountain millions of people are climbing, it isn't a personal failure — it's a human one. Psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar has a name for the specific mistake underneath it: the arrival fallacy — the false belief that reaching a goal will produce a lasting sense of happiness or completion. He coined it partly from his own experience as an elite squash player, winning again and again and feeling great for a night before the emptiness moved back in. The fallacy is convincing because it's half true — you do get a real hit of something when you win. It's just short-lived by design, thanks to hedonic adaptation: the well-documented tendency for humans to adjust to a new normal shockingly fast, whether that's a new salary, a new title, or a harder season of life. Every time you level up, your baseline quietly levels up with it, so the gap you're chasing never actually closes. That's not a bug — it's the same mechanism that helps people recover from hardship. It's just badly matched to a life built entirely around bigger wins. Here's where Brett pushes back on the standard advice. The mainstream playbook has one answer for the empty summit: set a bigger goal. Feel flat? Aim higher. But if the real problem is a finish line that keeps moving, running faster toward a farther finish line isn't the exit from the treadmill — it's a description of it. The bigger goal is the softer, more socially acceptable version of the hustle trap: it looks like ambition and gets applauded as ambition, but it functions as avoidance, keeping you from ever sitting with the signal and figuring out what it's actually saying. So what is it saying? Brett offers three answers, not a system — call them the borrowed goal, the proxy goal, and the undesigned after. The borrowed goal was never really yours. You inherited it — from a parent, a peer group, an industry, or a younger version of yourself trying to prove something — and you optimized brilliantly toward someone else's blueprint. The tell is relief mixed with resentment instead of joy: a quiet "was that it?" paired with "why did I let that run me?" The proxy goal was yours, but it was standing in for something else — safety, being enough, respect, being chosen, being done proving yourself. Achievements are very good at delivering achievements and surprisingly bad at delivering worth, so you get the title or the number and the actual feeling you wanted doesn't come with it, because it was never for sale at that store. The tell: the external thing arrives and the internal need is still standing there, unmet. The undesigned after is the case where the goal was genuinely yours and wasn't standing in for anything — it still felt empty because every ounce of attention, structure, and identity was pointed at the peak, and nothing was built for the other side of it. The scaffolding that organized your days disappears overnight, and what rushes in isn't peace, it's a void. This is the post-launch crash, the post-graduation dip, the flatness after the big project ships. The tell: you don't regret the goal, you just don't know who you are or what the days are for now that it's done. The practice Brett offers is three honest questions, asked once, about whatever achievement left you flat: Was this goal mine, or did I inherit it? What did I actually want this to make me feel — name the real word? And did I build anything to walk into on the other side of this? Most people find that one of the three lights up immediately, and the one that stings is usually the closest to the truth. Each diagnosis points to different work: a borrowed goal calls for an honest values conversation with yourself, not a new goal; a proxy goal calls for meeting the real need directly instead of routing it through one more accomplishment; and an undesigned after calls for designing the after on purpose — relationships, rest, and meaning that don't depend on the next milestone. Brett closes with a finding from the longest-running study of adult life, tracking people for more than eighty years: the strongest predictor of a life that felt good to live wasn't achievement — it was the quality of people's relationships. Which means the empty summit might be doing you a favor, pointing out that the scoreboard was never where the meaning lived. As Brett puts it, borrowing the image from Citizen Kane — a man who built an empire and died reaching for a word from his childhood — the flat feeling on the far side of a win isn't your enemy. It's your own life asking a better question than "what's next": what was this actually for? Resources Mentioned The arrival fallacy — term coined by positive psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar for the false belief that reaching a goal produces lasting happiness  Tom Brady's 2005 60 Minutes interview — the "there's gotta be more than this" moment referenced in the episode  Hedonic adaptation / the hedonic treadmill — the body of research on how quickly people adjust to a new baseline after major life changes  Harvard Study of Adult Development — the 80+ year longitudinal study finding relationship quality as the strongest predictor of a good life  Citizen Kane (1941) — the "Rosebud" reference used to close the episode  Frequently Asked Questions Why do I feel empty or disappointed after finally reaching a goal I worked hard for? It's a well-documented pattern called the arrival fallacy — the false belief that hitting a goal will produce lasting happiness or completion. The letdown almost never means you aimed too low; it usually means the goal was borrowed from someone else, was standing in for a feeling like safety or worth that achievement can't actually deliver, or you never designed anything to live for on the other side of it. What is the arrival fallacy? It's a term coined by psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar for the false belief that reaching a goal will bring lasting happiness or a sense of completion. He named it partly from his own experience as an elite athlete — winning repeatedly, feeling great for a night, and then feeling the emptiness return. What is hedonic adaptation, and why does it stop achievements from making me happier long-term? Hedonic adaptation is the human tendency to adjust to a new normal — a new salary, title, or circumstance — remarkably fast. It means your baseline quietly rises every time you level up, so the emotional gap you're chasing never actually closes, no matter how much you achieve. Why doesn't setting a bigger goal fix the empty feeling after achieving something? If the real problem is a finish line that keeps moving, running toward a farther finish line doesn't get you off the treadmill — it just describes the treadmill. Setting a bigger goal often functions as avoidance: it looks like ambition, but it keeps you from sitting with the signal long enough to understand what it's actually telling you. What's the difference between a "borrowed goal" and a "proxy goal"? A borrowed goal was never really yours to begin with — you inherited it from a parent, peer group, or an earlier version of yourself, and the tell is relief mixed with resentment instead of joy. A proxy goal was genuinely yours, but it was standing in for a feeling like safety, worth, or respect — you get the achievement, but the actual feeling you wanted doesn't come with it. What questions should I ask if an achievement left me feeling hollow? Ask three things, honestly: Was this goal mine, or did I inherit it? What did I actually want this achievement to make me feel — name the real word? And did I build anything to walk into on the other side of this goal? Whichever question stings the most is usually pointing at the truth. What actually predicts a happy, meaningful life if it's not achievement? The longest-running study of adult development, tracking participants for more than eighty years, found that the strongest predictor of a life that felt good to live wasn't career achievement or wealth — it was the quality of people's relationships. Keep Exploring If this episode resonated, these are worth your time: Why Am I So Tired When There's Nothing Actually Wrong With Me? — goes deeper on what happens when your identity and structure are built entirely around striving, and nothing's left in the tank once you stop  The Attention Economy — explores another way modern life quietly sets the goalposts for you before you've asked whether they're actually yours  Why Can't I Stop Replaying That Conversation in My Head? — unpacks the nervous-system side of chasing a finish line that never lets you feel done  Enjoyed This Episode? The best way to support optYOUmize is to subscribe and leave a review — it takes about two minutes and makes a real difference in helping more people find the show. Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Amazon Music · YouTube Leave a Review →

Wie kann es sein, dass du mehr Menschen erreichen kannst als jemals zuvor und dich trotzdem einsam fühlst?In Teil 4 meiner Come Alive Serie geht es um eine der 4 Säulen der Lebendigkeit: Verbindung. Meine zentrale These dieser Folge lautet: Verbunden ist nicht dasselbe wie vernetzt. Du kannst hunderte Kontakte im Smartphone haben, ständig Nachrichten bekommen und trotzdem das Gefühl haben, dass dir etwas Entscheidendes fehlt. Genau diesem Unterschied gehe ich in dieser Folge auf den Grund.Ich spreche darüber, warum soziale Beziehungen einen so großen Einfluss auf Gesundheit, Glück und Langlebigkeit haben und warum gute Beziehungen dich sogar vor deinen eigenen schlechten Entscheidungen schützen können. Dabei geht es auch um die berühmte Harvard Study of Adult Development und die Frage, was unsere Beziehungen mit unserer Gesundheit Jahrzehnte später zu tun haben.Außerdem geht es um die Schattenseite unserer digitalen Vernetzung: Online-Dating, Social Media, künstliche Beziehungen und die Gefahr, dass wir immer besser darin werden, miteinander verbunden zu sein, ohne wirklich miteinander in Kontakt zu kommen. Ich spreche darüber, welche sozialen Fähigkeiten uns dabei verloren gehen können und warum echte Begegnungen biologisch etwas anderes auslösen als digitale Interaktion.Viel Spaß beim Zuhören und Go for Flow! ► Diese Folge ist Teil der 5-teiligen Come Alive Serie – Die Wissenschaft der Lebendigkeit.

When you think about living a longer, healthier, happier life, you probably think about exercise, nutrition, sleep, or genetics. But decades of research point to something else entirely.In this episode, I'm diving into findings from the Harvard Study of Adult Development and what they mean for your marriage after kids. We explore what decades of research reveal about living a longer, healthier, happier life, why marriage so easily gets pushed to the bottom of the priority list after becoming parents, and why getting support shouldn't be something you wait to do until your relationship is falling apart.Tune in to discover:• The surprising connection between your marriage and your long-term health• What decades of Harvard research reveal about the biggest predictors of health and happiness• Why marriage gets deprioritized so easily after having kids• How the stress of parenthood can impact your relationship over time• Why taking care of your marriage isn't a luxuryLeave a review for a chance to win The Us System! Let's Connect!Book a 60 Minute Marriage Shutdown Breakthrough CallFollow me on Instagram so you don't miss a thing! FREE Resources: • Marriage Shutdown Checklist• The 3 Secrets to a Happier Marriage Video• 3 Ways To Connect More With Your Spouse (In 5 Min or Less) E-Book

Disclaimer: This episode and article are for educational purposes only and are not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always consult your physician before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, or medications.TL;DR* The CDC's top 10 causes of death account for roughly 74% of all deaths in the US each year, and up to 80% of chronic disease is estimated to be driven by lifestyle factors — diet, movement, sleep, stress, and toxin exposure. * This episode goes cause by cause (heart disease, cancer, COVID/respiratory disease, accidents, stroke, Alzheimer's, diabetes, kidney disease, flu/pneumonia, and suicide) and lays out what the peer-reviewed research says about preventing, slowing, or reversing each one.* Ready to build your own plan? Book a free Metabolic Blueprint Session →The List, and the Number That Should Keep You Up at NightAccording to the CDC, ten conditions account for about 74% of all deaths in the United States every year:* Heart disease* Cancer* COVID-19 / chronic lower respiratory diseases* Accidents (unintentional injuries)* Stroke* Alzheimer's disease* Diabetes* Kidney disease* Influenza and pneumonia* SuicideHere's the part that doesn't get said enough: research estimates that up to 80% of chronic disease is driven by lifestyle factors — diet, movement, sleep, stress, and toxin exposure. Those aren't destinies. They're decisions, and decisions can change.A landmark paper in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that poor diet alone accounts for more deaths in the US than tobacco use. The fork may be more dangerous than the cigarette. And yet, most patients who end up on four to six medications were never once asked what they eat, how they sleep, or whether they move their bodies before those prescriptions were written. That's the difference between a sick care system and a healthcare system.Heart Disease and Stroke: The Most Reversible Disease We KnowHeart disease kills one American every 34 seconds and has held the #1 spot for over a century. But it's also one of the most reversible conditions in medicine.In 1990, Dr. Dean Ornish's landmark Lifestyle Heart Trial showed that intensive lifestyle changes — diet, exercise, stress management, and social support — could reverse coronary artery disease without drugs or surgery. Arterial plaques reduced. Blood flow improved. Chest pain decreased. A 2019 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology confirmed it: a plant-predominant diet, regular aerobic exercise, not smoking, and a healthy weight reduced cardiovascular risk by over 80%.What that looks like in practice:* A Mediterranean or whole-food, plant-based diet rich in omega-3s and antioxidants (this isn't the only diet that works — it's the broadest evidence-backed baseline)* Zone 2 cardio (low-intensity aerobic work, three to five times a week — a brisk walk counts)* Managing chronic inflammation, the real driver of arterial plaque formation* Reducing refined sugar and seed oils, which damage the endothelial lining of the arteries* Prioritizing sleep, since poor sleep spikes cortisol and directly harms the heartStroke follows the same playbook: control blood pressure through diet, exercise, and stress reduction. The DASH diet in particular has been shown in multiple studies to lower blood pressure as effectively as medication in many patients.Cancer: 30–50% Preventable, and Possibly More Metabolic Than GeneticTo be clear, this isn't a claim about curing cancer — it's about how much prevention research is available and underused. The World Health Organization estimates that 30–50% of cancers are preventable. The American Institute for Cancer Research has identified lifestyle factors that dramatically reduce risk across multiple cancer types:* Diet. A 2022 meta-analysis in The Lancet linked poor dietary patterns — low fiber, low fruit/vegetable intake, high processed meat — to one in five cancer deaths globally.* Obesity. Excess weight is now the second-leading risk factor for cancer after smoking, because fat tissue is metabolically active and produces hormones like estrogen and inflammatory cytokines that fuel cancer growth.* Exercise. A 2019 study of over 1.4 million people found higher physical activity was associated with lower risk across 13 cancer types, including breast, colon, and endometrial cancer.* Fasting and metabolic health. Emerging research on intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating shows it can lower insulin-like growth factor, a key promoter of cancer cell proliferation.* Toxin reduction. Chronic low-grade exposure to pesticides, plastics (BPA, phthalates), and environmental pollutants has been linked to increased cancer risk. Choosing organic where possible, filtering water and air, and reducing plastic in cookware and storage all matter.There's also a deeper shift happening in how researchers understand cancer itself. It's long been treated primarily as a genetic disease, but the evidence is increasingly pointing toward cancer as a metabolic disease. Dr. Thomas Seyfried at Boston College has done groundbreaking work showing that cancer cells overwhelmingly rely on glucose and glutamine fermentation for energy — which is why a ketogenic or low-glycemic approach may help starve cancer cells while protecting healthy ones. The research is still evolving, but it's compelling.Think of your body like a garden. You can water it, enrich the soil, and pull the weeds — or you can dump sugar and chemicals on it and wonder why nothing grows right. Disease doesn't happen to you. It grows in an environment you create, consciously or not. The good news: you can change that environment starting today.Alzheimer's: “Type 3 Diabetes”Alzheimer's is rising, and it's terrifying to watch someone go through it. But emerging science shows it has a strong lifestyle and metabolic component — researchers now sometimes call it “type 3 diabetes” because of the profound link between insulin resistance and neurodegeneration.Dr. Dale Bredesen's ReCODE Protocol, published in the Journal of Aging, showed that a multimodal lifestyle intervention — diet, exercise, sleep optimization, hormone balancing, and stress reduction — reversed early cognitive decline in the majority of patients treated. In his 2014 case series, 9 of 10 patients with early Alzheimer's or mild cognitive impairment showed measurable improvement, with several returning to work.Key strategies from the research:* Sleep is non-negotiable. The brain's glymphatic (waste clearance) system activates primarily during sleep, flushing out amyloid beta plaque. Poor sleep means plaque buildup.* Exercise. A 2020 study showed aerobic exercise increases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) — essentially fertilizer for neurons — and reduces dementia risk by up to 35%.* Mediterranean-MIND diet. Shown to slow cognitive aging by an estimated 7.5 years in adherent individuals.* Blood sugar management. Insulin resistance in the brain disrupts its ability to use glucose for energy, effectively starving neurons.* Social connection. Harvard's 80-year longitudinal study found relationship quality was the single strongest predictor of cognitive health and longevity in old age.Type 2 Diabetes and Kidney Disease: One Disease Driving AnotherOver 37 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, and another 96 million are pre-diabetic. Here's the part that surprises people: type 2 diabetes is reversible in the majority of cases, and this isn't controversial — the science is overwhelming.The 2019 DiRECT trial, published in The Lancet, found that nearly half of type 2 diabetics achieved full remission through an intensive dietary intervention alone, with no medication. Other studies using low-carbohydrate and very-low-calorie diets have replicated these results consistently.Diabetic nephropathy — kidney damage from chronically high blood sugar — is the leading cause of kidney failure in the US. Control the upstream issue (blood sugar and metabolic dysfunction) and you protect the downstream organ.The diabetes reversal framework from the research:* Dramatically reduce refined carbohydrates and added sugars to blunt insulin spikes and reduce fat storage in the liver and pancreas* Practice time-restricted eating or intermittent fasting to improve insulin sensitivity* Add resistance training — muscle is your biggest glucose sink, so more muscle means better blood sugar control* Reduce visceral fat (the fat around and inside your organs), a key driver of insulin resistance and inflammationIf this list feels like a lot, that's fair. But it's not about blame — it's about empowerment. You have more control over your health outcomes than the medical system has typically told you.Respiratory Disease, Flu, and PneumoniaChronic lower respiratory diseases like COPD and emphysema are largely driven by smoking and air quality. Quitting smoking remains the single most impactful intervention here, full stop.For flu and pneumonia risk, immune resilience matters: vitamin D optimization, zinc and elderberry, and gut microbiome health (roughly 70% of your immune system lives in your gut). Even mild sleep deprivation has been shown to quadruple susceptibility to viral infection.Suicide and Mental HealthThis is the cause of death nobody wants to talk about, but it's in the top 10 — and it's the leading cause of death for men under 50, and the second-leading cause of death for people ages 10–34.While this is complex and deeply personal, research points to several lifestyle levers:* Exercise functions as an effective antidepressant, largely through endorphin release* The gut-brain axis matters more than most people realize — over 75% of the body's serotonin is produced in the gut, so gut health directly shapes brain chemistry* Social connection and purpose. Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning, written while he was in a Nazi concentration camp, captured this: meaning and connection to purpose are essential for survival, and perspective shapes both physiology and outcome* Reducing alcohol, a central nervous system depressant that worsens anxiety and depression despite short-term reliefIf you or someone you love is struggling, crisis hotlines are available 24/7. There's often a reason it's happening, and there's often a way through it.The Common ThreadAcross every single one of these conditions — heart disease, stroke, cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, kidney disease, respiratory disease, immune function, mental health — the same five levers keep showing up: diet, exercise, sleep, toxin reduction, and blood sugar balance.Your daily habits are either building disease or building resilience. Every meal, every walk, every night of good sleep compounds — just like interest in a bank account.This Week's Action Plan* Do a food audit. For the next three days, write down everything you eat. No judgment, just awareness — you can't change what you can't see.* Walk 30 minutes a day. It lowers blood pressure, improves insulin sensitivity, boosts BDNF, and reduces cortisol. Simple, not easy — do it anyway.* Optimize your sleep. Consistent bedtime, dark room, cool temperature, no screens.* Get your labs done. Know your fasting glucose, A1C, CRP, vitamin D, triglycerides, and LDL — these are your early warning systems.* Address one stress source this week. A conversation you need to have, a boundary you need to set, or ten minutes of breathwork. Chronic stress is silently killing you — take action on it.Ready for a Real Plan?If you're ready to take your health seriously and want a clear roadmap instead of guesswork, book a Metabolic Blueprint Session. In 30–45 minutes, we'll walk through your top three priority areas and how programs like the Metabolic Momentum Accelerator, the Cellular Reboot Accelerator, and the Total Health Restore Protocols can help.Schedule your complimentary consult →Know someone this could help? Share this episode with them — it might change or even save their life.If this episode was valuable, leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts helps this show reach more people.ReferencesStudies and sources cited in this episode:* CDC — Leading Causes of Death data* Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) — poor diet and US mortality* Ornish, D. et al. (1990) — The Lifestyle Heart Trial* Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2019) — plant-predominant diet, exercise, and cardiovascular risk reduction* DASH diet research on blood pressure control* World Health Organization (WHO) — cancer preventability estimates* American Institute for Cancer Research — lifestyle and cancer risk* The Lancet (2022 meta-analysis) — dietary patterns and cancer deaths* Physical activity and cancer risk study (2019, ~1.4 million participants)* Seyfried, T., Boston College — cancer as a metabolic disease* Bredesen, D., Journal of Aging — the ReCODE Protocol; 2014 case series* BDNF and exercise study (2020) — dementia risk reduction* Mediterranean-MIND diet and cognitive aging research* Harvard Study of Adult Development (80-year longitudinal study) — relationships and longevity* DiRECT Trial, The Lancet (2019) — type 2 diabetes remission through dietary intervention* Frankl, V. — Man's Search for MeaningThis article summarizes claims and studies as presented in the podcast episode. Listeners are encouraged to review primary sources directly and consult their own physician before making health decisions. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tripleplaydoc.substack.com/subscribe

Send us a Positive Review!Lately there has been a lot of talk about the LDS disaffiliation crisis in the 21st century. Here at Latter Day Struggles we support open dialogue about what happening in our LDS homes and congregations.  Please enjoy this special "audiobook" addition of a Latter Day Struggles series unpacking some groundbreaking research done by therapist Liz Macdonald exploring common LDS family dynamics shared by young adults whose disaffiliation experiences were the most challenging.  We care about people all across the spectrum of faith in and around the LDS church.  Taking research like this seriously could profoundly reshape our community in healthy ways. Timestamps:00:00 Welcome03:54 Meet Liz and The Study11:48 Method and Study Limits22:03 Four Key Findings Overview28:00 Disconnected From Self52:20 Fear-Based Theology and Parenting01:02:38 Conditional Love and Worthiness01:12:42 False Self and Hidden Struggles01:22:32 One-Way Communication and Fear01:31:17 Blaming Outside Influences01:40:20 New Episode Research Overview01:57:49 Purity Culture and Shame02:08:05 Adult Development and Compassion02:20:19 Fear of Selfhood02:30:25 High Demand Religion02:44:22 Research Recap02:52:12 Eight Stages Walkthrough03:04:59 Parents Threatened by Growth03:19:13 Fundamentalism and Safety03:27:20 From Identity to Intimacy03:34:37 Recommendations and Repair03:41:27 Closing and ResourcesSupport the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie's Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website

Send us Fan MailThere's one small habit — noticed decades ago by researchers watching married couples through a one-way mirror — that predicts, with startling accuracy, whether a relationship lasts or falls apart. It's not about how often you fight. It's not about compatibility. It's about a handful of tiny, easy-to-miss moments every single day — and whether you show up for them. This week, we're breaking down the research behind it, what it looks like in real life, and one simple habit you can start today.Quote of the week:"Good relationships keep us happier, healthier, and help us live longer." — Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult DevelopmentCitations:·       Gottman, J. (research from The Love Lab, University of Washington); Gottman, J. & DeClaire, J., The Relationship Cure; Gottman, J., The Love Prescription·       Waldinger, R., The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness; Harvard Study of Adult Development (adultdevelopmentstudy.org)Let's go, let's get it done.Get more information at: http://projectweightloss.org

What if the secret to a longer, happier life has nothing to do with money or success, and everything to do with the people you call at 2am?Steph unpacks the science of connection in this episode, pulling from the Harvard Study of Adult Development to show why quality relationships are the strongest predictor of happiness and health we have. She dives into the paradox of the loneliness epidemic: we're more digitally connected than ever, yet young adults are living through a real friendship recession. Steph walks through why the quality of your relationships matters more than the quantity, how loneliness quietly wears down physical health, and why intentionality (not just proximity) is what makes a connection meaningful. It's a reminder that personal growth isn't only an inward journey, it's built in relationship with others.In this episode you'll discover:The loneliness epidemic and why it's toxic to our healthWhy quality relationships outpredict wealth, fame, and IQ for life satisfactionHow technology is fueling disconnection instead of solving itYour takeaways:Healthy relationships predict life satisfaction more than wealth or fameQuality of relationships matters more than quantityInvesting time in relationships is crucial for well-beingChapters00:00 The Loneliness Epidemic05:21 The Importance of Quality Relationships10:33 The Impact of Technology on Connection13:25 Investing in Relationships for a Fulfilling Life

Neste episódio do Afrodite Podcast, conversamos sobre um tema que gera dúvidas, ansiedade e muitas opiniões na internet: a busca por um relacionamento depois dos 30 anos.Falamos sobre aplicativos de namoro, ambientes para conhecer pessoas, autoconhecimento, seleção de parceiros, sinais de maturidade emocional e como permanecer aberta ao amor sem abrir mão dos seus valores.Também refletimos sobre o perigo de desistir da vida afetiva por causa de experiências negativas e sobre a importância de continuar construindo uma vida rica, interessante e significativa independentemente do estado civil.Uma conversa sincera para mulheres que acreditam que o amor ainda vale a pena.

Feeling lonely despite a full calendar isn't a sign that something's wrong with you — it's what happens when the structures that used to build friendship automatically (school, teams, shared hallways) quietly disappear from adult life. In this episode, Brett Ingram breaks down why a life full of contact can still feel short on real connection, and lays out a three-part framework — repetition, revelation, and reaching first — for deliberately rebuilding the kind of friendships that used to form on their own. What You'll Learn in This Episode The "who could I call at 2am" test — a fast, honest gauge of how many people in your life actually know you Why friendship used to form automatically: the three conditions (repeated unplanned contact, shared context, a relaxed environment) that school and early jobs handed you for free Why "put yourself out there more" misses the real problem — most lonely adults have a shortage of depth, not contact The difference between being liked and being known, and why you can be excellent at one and starving for the other What the data actually shows: the share of Americans with no close friends has roughly quadrupled since 1990 The Repetition, Revelation, Reaching First framework — three deliberate ingredients for building adult friendship on purpose Why solitude and loneliness aren't the same thing, and how to tell which one you're actually living in Episode Timestamps [00:00] Introduction — the quiet gap between a full life and real friendship [02:00] Getting precise: it's not aloneness, it's thinness — the "call at 2am" test [04:00] Why this isn't personal — a verdict on the conditions, not on you [05:00] The three conditions that used to build friendship automatically [07:00] How adult life quietly removes them — proximity, repetition, unstructured time [09:00] The friendship recession, in the data [10:00] Being liked vs. being known — why more socializing doesn't fix loneliness [13:00] The reframe: friendship is built, not found [14:00] Why connection is foundational, not optional [17:00] The framework: repetition, revelation, and reaching first [24:00] The one-week experiment, and two honest objections [28:00] Closing thought and the question to carry forward Episode Summary Most adults don't have a shortage of people — they have a shortage of depth. That's the distinction Brett Ingram draws at the center of this episode: you can have a full calendar, a phone full of contacts, and a reputation as genuinely likable, and still go quiet with the sense that almost no one would notice if you disappeared for a month. Brett's diagnostic for this is uncomfortably simple — the "who could I call at 2am" test. Not who would text back, but who would actually pick up, and actually get it, without already being family. For a lot of high-functioning adults, that number is smaller than they'd admit out loud. The core argument of the episode is that this isn't a personal failing — it's structural. Researchers who study friendship point to three conditions that reliably produce it: repeated unplanned contact with the same people over time, a shared context that creates common experience, and an environment relaxed enough for people to drop the performance. School, college, and early jobs hand you all three for free. Adult life quietly removes them. Seeing the same people stops happening by accident and starts requiring a calendar invite. Careers and families fill the unstructured time friendship used to grow in. And geography scatters the people who once had proximity — the thing most adult friendships actually depended on. As Brett puts it, "The friend didn't betray you, you didn't betray the friend. The shared hallway just disappeared." The data backs up the feeling: Brett cites Survey Center on American Life research showing the share of Americans reporting no close friends at all has roughly quadrupled since 1990, with an even sharper decline among men. From there, Brett pushes back on the standard advice — get out there more, network, say yes to everything — arguing it treats loneliness as a volume problem when it's actually a depth problem. The real distinction is between being liked and being known. Being liked is a skill: show up, be pleasant, be useful, don't cause problems. Being known is riskier — it means someone sees the uncurated version of you, not your representative. Most adult social settings, Brett argues, are optimized for the former. This matters more than it might sound. Brett points to the Harvard Study of Adult Development — running for more than eighty years — which found relationship quality, not wealth or career success, was the single strongest predictor of who stayed happy and healthy into old age. The flip side is just as stark: the U.S. Surgeon General's 2023 advisory found chronic social disconnection carries a mortality risk on the order of smoking up to fifteen cigarettes a day. The episode's framework for rebuilding friendship deliberately, without turning it into another self-improvement project, has three parts: repetition (a standing, recurring point of contact — not a one-off "we should grab coffee"), revelation (choosing the honest sentence over the smooth one, in small doses, and letting trust build over time), and reaching first (treating the first move as generosity, not neediness, since most stalled friendships are just two people waiting for the other to go first). None of it is about becoming more extroverted — Brett is clear that depth is introvert-friendly, and one real conversation beats ten shallow ones. It connects directly to the deeper work of building real connection: friendship was never something you were supposed to find fully formed. It's something you build, on purpose, with people who already like you and are simply waiting to actually know you. Resources Mentioned Survey Center on American Life — "The State of American Friendship: Change, Challenges, and Loss" — Survey data on the decline in close friendships since 1990 — americansurveycenter.org Harvard Study of Adult Development — 80+ year longitudinal study on what predicts long-term happiness and health — adultdevelopmentstudy.org U.S. Surgeon General's 2023 Advisory, "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation" — Federal report on the health risks of chronic social disconnection — hhs.gov The Repetition, Revelation, Reaching First framework — Brett's original three-part framework for deliberately rebuilding adult friendship, introduced in this episode Frequently Asked Questions Why do I feel lonely even though I'm surrounded by people? Because most adult contact is "social-shaped" — work lunches, kids' events, group chats — without much depth to it. Brett calls this the gap between being liked and being known: you can be well-liked across dozens of low-stakes interactions and still be short on the few people who actually know you. What is the "who could I call at 2am" test? It's a quick honesty check from the episode: if something happened tonight, how many people who aren't already family would you actually call, and know they'd pick up and get it? For a lot of successful, well-liked adults, that number is smaller than expected — and it's a more accurate measure of real connection than how full your calendar looks. Why is it so much harder to make close friends as an adult? Friendship reliably forms under three conditions: repeated unplanned contact, a shared context, and a relaxed environment where people can drop the performance. School, college, and early jobs provide all three automatically. Adult life removes them — seeing the same people requires scheduling, careers and families consume the unstructured time, and moves scatter the proximity friendships depended on. Has adult friendship actually declined, or does it just feel that way? It's measurable. According to the Survey Center on American Life, the share of Americans reporting no close friends at all has roughly quadrupled since 1990, to about one in eight adults. Among men, the share reporting six or more close friends fell from around 55% in 1990 to about 27%. What's the difference between being liked and being known? Being liked is a skill — show up, be pleasant, be useful, avoid conflict. Being known means someone has access to the uncurated parts of you: the uncertainty, the struggle, the stuff that doesn't make a good story. Most adult social settings are built for the former, which is why you can be well-liked and still privately lonely. What's the actual framework for rebuilding adult friendship? Three ingredients: repetition (a recurring, standing point of contact rather than a vague "let's catch up"), revelation (choosing the honest sentence over the easy one, in small doses), and reaching first (treating the first move as generosity rather than neediness). Together, they manually rebuild the conditions that used to create friendship automatically. Keep Exploring If this episode resonated, these are worth your time: Relationships & Connection Pillar — The full framework on building genuine connection, friendship, and belonging as an adult → Relationships & Connection Guide Attachment Styles in Relationships — A closer look at the patterns that shape how close you actually let people get → optyoumize.com/blog/attachment-styles-in-relationships Mind & Inner Life Pillar — Goes deeper into the self-knowledge work that makes it easier to be known, not just liked → Mind & Inner Life Guide Enjoyed This Episode? The best way to support optYOUmize is to subscribe and leave a review — it takes about two minutes and makes a real difference in helping more people find the show. Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Amazon Music · YouTube Leave a Review →

Neste episódio do Afrodite Podcast, refletimos sobre uma pergunta que atravessa gerações: o que realmente faz um casamento durar?Falamos sobre admiração, respeito, amizade, comunicação, individualidade, gentileza e os desafios que surgem quando duas pessoas decidem construir uma vida juntas.Também conversamos sobre como se posicionar sem sufocar o outro, por que a comparação destrói relacionamentos e como criar uma cultura de parceria dentro do casamento.Uma conversa acolhedora, cheia de nuances e reflexões para mulheres que acreditam que relacionamentos saudáveis não são perfeitos — são construídos.

Neste episódio do Afrodite Podcast, refletimos sobre um movimento que tem conquistado cada vez mais mulheres: a busca por uma vida mais suave, consciente e significativa.O que realmente significa viver uma Soft Life? Como o conceito de Frugal Chic pode nos ajudar a sair do ciclo do consumo excessivo? E por que a criação de um lar, o cultivo de hobbies e a construção de um patrimônio imaterial podem trazer mais satisfação do que a busca constante por mais?Falamos sobre feminilidade, simplicidade, consumo consciente, lar, beleza cotidiana, livros, arte, contemplação e tudo aquilo que transforma uma rotina comum em uma vida extraordinária.Prepare uma xícara de chá e venha refletir comigo sobre o verdadeiro significado de uma vida bonita.

Neste episódio do Afrodite Podcast, conversamos sobre uma das experiências mais comuns — e menos discutidas — da vida adulta feminina: a transformação das amizades.Por que parece mais difícil fazer amigas depois dos 30? O que acontece quando cada mulher segue um caminho diferente? Como lidar com amizades que mudam, se afastam ou simplesmente deixam de fazer sentido?Falamos sobre solidão, maturidade emocional, diferentes fases da vida, amizade feminina saudável e como construir conexões verdadeiras em um mundo cada vez mais conectado e, ao mesmo tempo, mais solitário.Prepare uma xícara de chá e venha refletir comigo sobre uma das formas mais bonitas de amor que existem: a amizade.

Send us Fan MailYou've done the work. Read the books. Had the realizations. And somehow, the same old patterns still show up. The same knot in your stomach before a hard conversation. The same voice telling you not to raise your hand, not to join the group, not to try. If you've ever wondered why growth doesn't feel like it sticks, this episode is going to land somewhere real for you.Sami and Angela wrap up their three-part series on Angela's book The Invisible Edge by getting into what it actually looks like to deepen the work once you've started it. Not bypass it. Not white-knuckle through it. Deepen it. They talk about why the younger versions of you that formed your beliefs in the first place aren't the enemy, how risk tolerance is shaped earlier than most of us realize, and why the goal isn't to silence the inner critic but to stop letting it sit in the driver's seat. In this episode, we dig into:Why trying to "kick" the critical voice out of your head usually backfires, and what to do insteadHow your childhood risk tolerance is quietly running your adult decisionsPermission to thank the part of you that kept you safe, even if it's been slowing you downWhat a tree inside a windless dome has to do with why adversity is not something to avoidA simple question to ask when an old pattern shows up: does this still serve me?Angela shares a client story about a seventh grader who never wanted to feel left out again, and how that same drive to belong is what makes that person an incredible friend today. Sami brings it home with the story of her kids screaming in the rain at a concert, and what it looks like to be the calm, reassuring presence to your own scared inner child. These are the kinds of conversations that don't sound like therapy but quietly change the way you see yourself.You don't have to overhaul everything. You don't need months of excavation. As they close out this series, Sami and Angela give you something simple: a way to work with what comes up, appreciate what served you, and make a new choice when something no longer does. That's the whole thing. And it's more doable than most people think.If any of this landed, press play. And if you know someone who is in the middle of doing the work and keeps wondering why it keeps coming back up, send this their way.Mentioned in this episode:The Invisible Edge by Angela Belford — bfreakingawesome.com/the-invisible-edge-preorderThe Good Life by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz (Harvard Study of Adult Development) — the-good-life-book.comWork with Angela and Sami:1:1 coaching (6 sessions, BFA coaching methodology) — bfreakingawesome.com You've done the work. The retreats, the books, the coaching. And the pattern is still there. The Invisible Edge Foundation 1:1 Coaching is where that changes. Six sessions, one-on-one, body-based belief work that gets underneath what nothing else has touched. bfreakingawesome.com/invisible-edge-foundationSupport the showSign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.Follow Be Freaking Awesome on Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Instagram.Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at podcast@bfreakingawesome.com.

In this video, I walk you through two of the most important pieces of research on happiness — the Harvard Study of Adult Development (85 years of data) and Seligman's PERMA framework and what they say about how to build a life that genuinely flourishes. Some of it directly contradicts what high-performance culture tells you to prioritize.I also walk you through a PERMA self-assessment at the end. I use this same tool with coaching clients so you can see exactly where you are across the five elements of wellbeing.

Why do constraints help kids thrive? Dr. Aliza Pressman & David Epstein reveal the counterintuitive science of raising resilient, confident children. If you've ever wondered whether making things easier for your kids is actually holding them back, this episode will stop you in your tracks. Dr. Aliza Pressman sits down with bestselling science writer David Epstein, author of Inside the Box, to unpack the research-backed case for constraints as one of the most powerful — and most misunderstood — tools in child development. From the Harvard Study of Adult Development's landmark findings on chores and confidence, to the neuroscience of why frustration tolerance is a skill every parent should be actively building, this conversation gives you concrete strategies you can implement this week. Starting at the dinner table. What you'll learn: Why assigning chores in kindergarten predicts higher self-confidence later, and how to frame them so kids actually want to do them What the Constraints-Led Approach (used by elite sports coaches) can teach every parent about stepping back and letting kids self-organize "Brain first, tool second," David's framework for navigating AI, screens, and the cognitive risks of passive consumption Why anomie (normlessness) drives youth anxiety and how clear family values and rituals act as a protective anchor This episode is brought to you by: Minnow: Cabana Capsule celebrates days spent lingering by the sea, soaking up the sun, and savoring the simple luxury of having nowhere to be. Shop the capsule starting July 7th at shopminnow.com and enter code MEETMINNOW15 at checkout to receive 15% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if the greatest investment you could ever make has nothing to do with money? In this episode of Live On Purpose Radio, Dr. Paul explores one of the most remarkable findings from the 80+ year Harvard Study of Adult Development: the strongest predictor of a happy, healthy life isn't wealth, achievement, or status—it's the quality of our relationships. Discover why “the best things in life… are not things,” how small, intentional investments can strengthen the relationships that matter most, and why removing negativity is often just as important as adding positivity. This episode is a timely reminder to invest your time, attention, and heart where they'll produce the greatest return—not just for today, but for a lifetime.

Sign-up for Newsletter (and get 1-page action summary)Episode Summary: In this episode, I explore whether it's ever “too late” to change your health future—and why the science suggests that earlier is better, but later still matters. Can you still change your future? The answer is hopeful, but nuanced. Younger listeners may assume they have plenty of time, while older listeners may wonder whether the damage has already been done. In both cases, the evidence points to a more useful truth: some risks accumulate over time, some damage may be partly repaired, and many future outcomes can still be changed.I begin with a personal update about using EMDR to address exercise-related fear. At 69, I've found that it has helped me feel more confident and enjoy intense exercise more. Would it have been better to try it decades ago? Probably. But that does not mean it was too late to benefit now.The episode then walks through a five-part framework for thinking about health changes. First, some changes are best made early because damage accumulates. Blood pressure is a clear example: long-term cumulative blood pressure exposure in young adulthood has been linked with later cardiovascular disease risk, which is why “my arteries are keeping score now” is such an important message.  Glaucoma follows a similar logic: elevated eye pressure can silently damage the optic nerve, so early detection and treatment matter.Second, some damage may be partly repaired. Smoking cessation is the clearest example. Lung cancer risk declines the longer someone has stopped smoking, although prior smoking risk does not disappear completely.  I also discuss the Lifestyle Heart Trial, where intensive lifestyle changes were associated with regression of coronary atherosclerosis and fewer cardiac events over time, while also noting that the study was small and required major changes that may not be realistic for everyone. Third, even when we cannot erase the past, we can still protect the future. The Diabetes Prevention Program showed that lifestyle changes reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% overall and 71% among adults over age 60.  The UKPDS also reminds us that early glucose control after diabetes diagnosis can have lasting benefits, especially for complications involving the eyes, nerves, and kidneys. Fourth, it is never too late to build certain capacities. Strength training is a powerful example. In one study of frail adults up to age 96, high-resistance training led to major strength gains and improved walking speed.  That does not mean we are trying to become bodybuilders at 90. It means we are training for independence, balance, confidence, and the ability to keep doing the things that make life meaningful.Finally, timing may matter, but sometimes we do not yet know how much. Social connection is strongly tied to health and happiness, as shown in the Harvard Study of Adult Development, but we do not know exactly how much risk can be reversed by building new relationships later in life.  Sauna use has also been associated with lower cardiovascular and cognitive risk, but it is less clear whether benefits require lifelong use or can still meaningfully begin later. The practical question becomes: does this activity also bring you joy now?Takeaways: Earlier is better, but later is not too late. Start by asking what part of your future you can still influence from here. Check your blood pressure, see your eye doctor, consider strength training, reconnect with a friend, or address a fear that has been holding you back. The goal is not perfection—it is progress, and there is still time for that.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Success often brings opportunity, achievement, and recognition, but it doesn't automatically create meaningful connection.In episode #1204, George & Mary-Lynn explore one of the hidden costs of achievement: how the very qualities that help us succeed can gradually pull us away from the relationships that matter most.We discuss why networking isn't the same as friendship, why relationships require intentional investment, and how small, consistent actions can strengthen the people who enrich our lives.We also share a simple relationship audit that can help you reconnect with those who matter most.BIGG Takeaways:Success often brings a sense of loneliness because it's not just about having people around you; it's about feeling deeply connected to them.Many successful individuals realize that networking is not a replacement for genuine friendships, as they often lack meaningful connections despite having numerous acquaintances.To combat loneliness, it's essential to invest consistently in relationships, as meaningful connections require intentional effort over time.The Harvard Study of Adult Development highlights that strong relationships are crucial for happiness and well-being, overshadowing mere accomplishments or financial success.Building a life that feels connected and meaningful involves planning for relationships just as you would for your career or finances.Recognizing the hidden relationship costs of achievement can help us prioritize the connections that truly matter in our lives.BIGG Chapters[00:13] The Loneliness of Success[00:56] The Hidden Costs of Success and Loneliness[02:28] The Hidden Costs of Achievement[04:50] The Importance of Intentional Relationships[05:46] Creating Connections: The Importance of Relationships[07:31] The Importance of Relationships in SuccessLinks referenced in this episode:Life Map CourseBIGG success NewsletterHarvard Study of Adult Development

In December 2018 Gatwick Airport shut down. 109 eyewitnesses reported sighting 170 drone flights over the airport.  All flights were grounded, and the nation braced for a terrorist attack. But what if those sightings weren't real but instead an imagination caused by expectations?  In today's episode with award-winning science journalist David Robson, we explore the science of the expectation effect. Link to the bonus episode: https://nudge.kit.com/86d3e39845  Become an FSB member: https://get.fsb.org.uk/nudge/ Read the Expectation Effect: https://amzn.to/4dvkb3s  David's website: https://davidrobson.me/  David's Substack: https://davidarobson.substack.com/ ---  Today's sources:  Benedetti, F., Durando, J., & Vighetti, S. (2014). Nocebo and placebo modulation of hypobaric hypoxia headache involves the cyclooxygenase-prostaglandins pathway. Pain, 155(5), 921–928. Job, V., Dweck, C. S., & Walton, G. M. (2010). Ego depletion—Is it all in your head? Implicit theories about willpower affect self-regulation. Psychological Science, 21(11), 1686–1693. Langer, E., Djikic, M., Pirson, M., Madenci, A., & Donohue, R. (2010). Believing is seeing: Using mindlessness (mindfully) to improve visual acuity. Psychological Science, 21(5), 661–666. Merckelbach, H., & van de Ven, V. (2001). Another white Christmas: Fantasy proneness and reports of 'hallucinatory experiences' in undergraduate students. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 32(3), 137–144. Montes, J., Wulf, G., & Navalta, J. W. (2018). Maximal aerobic capacity can be increased by enhancing performers' expectancies. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 58(5), 744–749. Pirson, M., Ie, A., & Langer, E. (2012). Seeing what we know, knowing what we see: Challenging the limits of visual acuity. Journal of Adult Development, 19(2), 59–67. Robson, D. (2022). The expectation effect: How your mindset can transform your life. Canongate.

Something is wrong, and most of us can feel it without being able to say exactly what it is. 61% of Americans now identify as lonely. Anxiety and depression are at historic highs. We've never had more mental health professionals — and we've never had more mental health crises. We are more "connected" than any generation in human history, and more isolated than any we have ever measured. In this conversation, author Michael Trainer (Resonance: The Art and Science of Human Connection) and Mark Groves go deep on the question that most of the wellness industry won't touch: what if this isn't a personal problem? What if we are biological beings — with nervous systems built for fire, proximity, and tribe — being asked to function inside a machine specifically designed to exploit every vulnerability we have? They cover: — Why your gut feeling about a person is not a hunch but precise physiological data — and what the HeartMath Institute's 40 years of research says about who gets to tune you — The difference between a battery and a black hole — and why some traditional "givers" are draining you — What Beethoven going deaf, a chef losing his sense of taste, and a nonverbal man in a nursing home hearing Chet Baker all have in common — Dave Chappelle walking away from $50 million, going to Africa to find himself, and weeping when a tribe sang him back — Why there is no medicine, no biohack, and no supplement on the planet that can approximate having one person you can call at 2am — and what the Harvard Study of Adult Development (80 years of data) confirms about what actually determines how long you live — The seventh-generation Sri Lankan healer who had no word for privacy, no word for possession — and who healed people by placing them at the center of a circle and bringing the whole community together to return them to the collective heartbeat — Why the revolution, when it comes, will be analog This is not a conversation about self-optimization. It is a conversation about remembering what we are. Michael Trainer has spent 30 years learning from Nobel laureates, neuroscientists, and wisdom keepers worldwide. He's the author of RESONANCE: The Art and Science of Human Connection (March 31, 2026), co-creator of Global Citizen and the Global Citizen Festival, and host of the RESONANCE podcast.Featured in Forbes, Inc, Good Morning America. Follow on YouTube

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3430: Cylon George explores why the strongest predictor of lasting happiness is not wealth or achievement, but the quality of our relationships. Drawing on decades of research, he offers practical ways to strengthen human connection and reduce loneliness, helping listeners cultivate greater well-being and purpose. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.spirituallivingforbusypeople.com/social-fitness-the-key-to-a-fulfilling-life Quotes to ponder: "Tell your people you love them. Life is so fragile." "Loneliness kills. It's as powerful as smoking or alcoholism." "Social fitness requires taking stock of our relationships, and being honest with ourselves about where we're devoting our time and whether we are tending to the connections that help us thrive." Episode references: The Good Life by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/705876/the-good-life-by-robert-waldinger-and-marc-schulz/ The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness (TED Talk): https://www.ted.com/talks/robert_waldinger_what_makes_a_good_life_lessons_from_the_longest_study_on_happiness Harvard Study of Adult Development: https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3430: Cylon George explores why the strongest predictor of lasting happiness is not wealth or achievement, but the quality of our relationships. Drawing on decades of research, he offers practical ways to strengthen human connection and reduce loneliness, helping listeners cultivate greater well-being and purpose. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.spirituallivingforbusypeople.com/social-fitness-the-key-to-a-fulfilling-life Quotes to ponder: "Tell your people you love them. Life is so fragile." "Loneliness kills. It's as powerful as smoking or alcoholism." "Social fitness requires taking stock of our relationships, and being honest with ourselves about where we're devoting our time and whether we are tending to the connections that help us thrive." Episode references: The Good Life by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/705876/the-good-life-by-robert-waldinger-and-marc-schulz/ The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness (TED Talk): https://www.ted.com/talks/robert_waldinger_what_makes_a_good_life_lessons_from_the_longest_study_on_happiness Harvard Study of Adult Development: https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Country Proud Living "Where Nurturing Spaces Empower Your Life and Everyday Feels a Little More Like Home." Friendship in midlife can feel different than it once did.As our lives evolve, children grow up, careers shift, and responsibilities change, many women find themselves longing for deeper connection and meaningful friendships. In this heartfelt episode of Country Proud Living, LoriLynn explores why friendship matters more than ever in this season of life and how creating intentional community can support our emotional, mental, and physical well-being.Through personal stories, research-backed insights, and an exciting announcement about her new Coffee Klatch Connection gatherings, LoriLynn offers gentle encouragement to reach out, gather around the table, and create the kind of friendships that help us feel seen, supported, and understood. 

In this milestone 750th episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer takes the podcast on the road to the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) for the Next Level Lab Spring Learning Summit. Centered on the future of work, workforce learning, and instructional design, this episode features a dynamic series of conversations with emerging researchers and educational innovators who are reimagining how humans learn, lead, and thrive alongside advancing technology. Mike kicks off the celebration by reflecting on the podcast's 750-episode journey, giving a nod to the community, and sharing updates on his latest media projects before diving into a packed poster session at the summit. The episode features five insightful interviews that bridge the gap between human capability and technological innovation. Ruiz Clark from Digital Promise shares his research on the Digital Leadership Convergence Model. He outlines a strategic project working with a large California school district to establish a vision for AI literacy, explaining why educational systems must look past basic technical literacy to completely rethink the purpose of education in an automated world. Palak Chandak and Archana Chaudhary discuss their framework for Humanics Integrated Business Studies (HIBS). They detail an innovative curriculum designed to cultivate durable skills, like communication and critical thinking, highlighting a real-world pilot project that embedded business students within coastal surf schools in India to solve community-driven challenges. Chilean entrepreneur Felipe Vergara Iduya introduces Hestia, an AI-supported framework designed to capture unstructured community evidence—such as peer relationships, behavior patterns, and school climate data—to foster system-level wellbeing within school ecosystems. Beth Sapire examines the intersection of learning and healing. Drawing on adult development theories and constructive developmental psychology, she outlines the systemic conditions necessary for expansive, collective learning within complex organizations. Finally, Sean Snyder and Bill Wisser from the HGSE Teaching and Learning Lab (TLL) break down their design and development process. They discuss the creation of a university-wide data fluency initiative for Harvard staff and explain how they utilized AI voice generation and animation tools to optimize course assets for the Data-Wise Learning Institute. Show References: Running It Back Podcast: Mike's Lessons Learned From Sports podcast with Tarlin Ray. ⁠Palm Court Pod:⁠ Mike's New College of Florida podcast with Grant Balfour and Megan Citron. Here's the John Oliver piece chronicling the challenges faced by Mike's alma mater. New College Film Project: Learn more about the documentary First They Came For My College directed by Harry Hanbury at newcollegefilm.com. The Convergence Model: Download the paper and view the poster framework developed by Ruiz Clark at theconvergencemodel.com. HGSE Teaching and Learning Lab: Explore the resources, course design support, and institutional projects mentioned by Sean and Bill at tll.gse.harvard.edu. Innovation-ish: Read up on the book by summit host Tessa Forshaw and co-author Rich Braden, a frequent touchstone on the podcast regarding creative confidence. ElevenLabs: Explore the AI voice generation platform utilized by the TLL team to streamline production logistics for simulated learning environments. Adobe Character Animator: Discover the performance-based animation software used to bring the TLL team's simulated teaching avatars to life. Timestamps: 00:00 Milestone 750th Episode Celebration and Welcome 01:54 Introduction to the Next Level Lab Spring Summit at HGSE 05:53 Ruiz Clark on AI Literacy and the Digital Leadership Convergence Model 10:30 Palak Chandak and Archana Chaudhary on Humanics Integrated Business Studies 17:30 Felipe Vergara Iduya on the Hestia Wellbeing Framework 23:30 Beth Sapire on Expansive Learning, Adult Development, and Healing 29:00 Sean Snyder and Bill Wisser on Data Fluency and AI Workflow at the HGSE TLL 35:30 Post-Summit Reflections and Summer Preview Like, Share, and Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to stay updated on the latest trends in education. Bonus points for writing a review to help us run through the tape all the way to 1,000 episodes!

In Episode 362 of The Real Jason Duncan Podcast, Jason confronts one of the most sincere lies an entrepreneur can believe – that presence, impact, and transformation can wait until later. The business will get there. The margin will come. And then you'll finally show up the way you're supposed to. Later never comes. Jason Duncan has watched this trap play out in the lives of some of the most accomplished entrepreneurs he knows. They're building a legacy. They're just building it for a version of life that doesn't exist yet. And by the time they get there, the people that legacy was supposed to be for have already moved on without them. In this solo Wednesday episode drawn from his What's Real newsletter, Jason exposes the Someday Legacy for the golden cage it is – why deferred presence is a behavioral pattern and not a timing problem, what the longest-running happiness study in human history reveals about what actually matters, and why the transformation required to reach your full impact has to happen now or it won't happen at all. In this episode, Jason covers: Why the most accomplished entrepreneurs keep deferring presence to a finish line that keeps moving The four phases of business metamorphosis – and why almost nobody reaches the only phase where legacy actually gets built What the Harvard Study of Adult Development found after 80 years of research on human happiness and longevity Why postponement is an identity problem, not a scheduling problem The difference between a Someday Legacy and a Living Legacy – and which one is actually happening right now Why the transformation required for phase four can't wait until retirement The four questions worth sitting with today – not someday Why the exit lifestyle isn't the reward at the end of the journey The sincerity of your intentions doesn't make the cage any less real. This episode will help you see the bars you've been calling a blueprint – and start building the legacy that's already overdue.

Too many options isn't freedom. It's paralysis dressed up as possibility. David Epstein, investigative journalist and author of the bestseller Range, is back with a counterintuitive idea: the constraints you've been avoiding might be the exact thing that unlocks your best work. His new book, Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better, makes the case that boundaries don't limit you. They focus you. You'll hear how a company in the early nineties assembled arguably the greatest collection of tech talent ever, had unlimited resources, and still collapsed under the weight of its own options. Meanwhile, two people who left that company with small, focused projects built eBay and the Palm Pilot. The lesson isn't about talent. It's about the bounding box. David introduces his BCS Press Release framework: batch your work so you're not toggling all day, make your commitments visible so you can actually subtract the right ones, use satisficing rules to make decisions without drowning in choices, and write the press release before you start anything, so you know what matters before you're too deep in to see clearly. This conversation also gets personal. David talks about the childhood arm injury that ended his baseball career and pushed him toward running and memory techniques he still uses today. He opens up about forgiveness, about the grudges that are hard to shake, and about the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the longest study of human happiness ever conducted, which concluded that happiness is love. Real relationships. Mutual obligation. The stuff you keep forgetting to schedule. David's socials: Website Instagram X David's books: Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance In this episode you will: Discover why having too many options can kill your creativity and how the psychology of the path of least resistance explains it Learn the BCS Press Release framework for batching work, making commitments visible, and using satisficing rules to stay focused Understand the difference between kind and wicked learning environments and why the 10,000-hour rule only applies to one of them Explore what MIT, Northwestern, and Census Bureau research reveals about the average age of fast-growing startup founders and why late bloomers have an edge Apply the subtractive neglect bias and the subtraction game to cut commitments and create more clarity in your work and relationships For more information go to https://lewishowes.com/1932 For more Greatness text PODCAST to +1 (614) 350-3960 Follow The Daily Motivation for essential highlights from The School of Greatness More SOG episodes we think you'll love: Lewis Howes Solo [5-Step Mental Reprogramming Process] Emma Grede Kevin Love TOPICS David Epstein, Inside the Box, Range, constraints and creativity, BCS Press Release framework, kind vs. wicked learning environments, 10000-hour rule, Harvard Study of Adult Development, satisficing rules, subtractive neglect bias Get more from Lewis! Get my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy!Get The Greatness Mindset audiobook on SpotifyText Lewis AIYouTubeInstagramWebsiteTiktokFacebookX Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In episode 358 of The Real Jason Duncan Podcast, we have the Anniversary Audit, and if you're an entrepreneur who has ever pointed to the business as proof that you love your family, this one is going to be uncomfortable in the best possible way.   Jason Duncan has been married to his wife, Kristie, for 31 years as of today. And for too many of those years, he confused paying the bills with showing up. This Wednesday, a solo episode, part of the weekly What's Real? Series, strips down one of the most invisible golden cages in an entrepreneurial man's life: the good provider myth. Nobody hands you this lie directly. It comes from culture, from the language around "taking care of your family," from the unspoken math that says revenue equals love and a nice house equals a good life. And because the business was actually growing, it was easy to keep pointing to it as evidence. This episode is a reckoning with what that actually costs, and four honest questions every entrepreneurial husband needs to sit with before later runs out.   This episode dives into:   1. Why the good provider myth is one of the most dangerous golden cages an entrepreneurial man can build 2. How Jason used financial provision as an unconscious transaction — and never asked Kristie to sign the contract 3. The Harvard Study of Adult Development — 80+ years of data on what actually predicts well-being and longevity (it's not wealth) 4. What Kristie has actually wanted for 31 years — and why it has nothing to do with money 5. Why entrepreneurship trains you to be bad at the one thing your marriage needs most: presence 6. Why time is the only non-renewable resource — and what it means when you trade it for revenue 7. How presence compounds over 30 years the same way money does — and what happens to couples who keep deferring it 8. The Anniversary Audit: four questions every entrepreneur should stop asking only once a year 9. The difference between being in the room and actually being in the room 10. Proverbs 18:22 and what it actually demands. Beyond the altar 11. Why the gold is always the lie, and why the most admirable-looking cages are the hardest to see   If you've built something impressive and still feel the distance growing, send this episode to the person in your life who needs to hear it before it runs out.  

Hosts: Dale Johnson and Maggie Stauffer Guests: Taylor Blackwell and Heather Nelson This episode explores the critical link between socialization and longevity through various scientific lenses. The hosts discuss a Brigham Young University study highlighting social integration as the primary predictor of a long life, even surpassing exercise or diet. They also examine the Harvard Study of Adult Development, which concludes that strong, warm relationships are more vital to health and happiness than wealth or fame. Additionally, a resident social worker presents data showing that continuing care retirement communities significantly reduce frailty and hospitalizations by fostering these essential connections. Finally, the program highlights how structured activities like clubs, communal dining, and concerts create an environment that combats isolation and supports long-term well-being. Here are a few links: https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_pinker_the_secret_to_living_longer_may_be_your_social_life https://www.whereyoulivematters.org/resources/health-benefits-of-senior-living-insights-from-the-latest-norc-study/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Check out our podcast episode #34: A Very Social Place

Send us Fan MailYou sent the text. You waited. Two days passed and nothing. And your brain went straight to the worst possible explanation.That spiral is not a character flaw. It is what happens when a deeper belief is running in the background: the belief that you do not quite belong. And when that belief is active, even the smallest social interactions can feel loaded. Not texting back becomes rejection. A short response becomes evidence. A friend who moves away becomes proof that closeness does not last.This week, Sami and Angela get honest about why adult friendships are so much harder to build than they should be, what the research says about why relationships are literally keeping us alive, and the invisible cycle that keeps lonely people lonelier. They dig into the concept of "bids for attachment," the poker chip theory of connection, and why the fear of rejection is not just about the other person rejecting you. In this episode, they get into:Why the stories we tell about an unanswered text reveal more about our beliefs than the other person's behaviorThe clinical concept of "bids for attachment" and how it explains why reaching out can feel like a gamblePermission to grieve a friendship that changed, even when no one did anything wrongTwo friendship skills worth actually practicing: curiosity and remembering the detailsWhy deciding you want a different kind of connection is the actual first stepAngela shares a story from 28 years ago about a moment at church that has stuck with her ever since: a friend who thought she was being cold, and the person who quietly redirected her toward what was actually going on. Sami gets personal about the friendship she built with her next-door neighbor during a hard season of early motherhood, what it felt like when that friend moved to Colorado, and why she still thinks the risk of closeness is worth it every single time.If you have ever found yourself waiting for someone else to go first, or telling yourself you are just not a person who makes friends easily, this episode is for you. It is not about being more extroverted. It is about deciding what you actually want and then going toward it on purpose.Press play. You are more belongable than you think.Mentioned in this episode:The Harvard Study of Adult Development (longest running study on happiness and relationships)The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins (coming up next episode): melrobbins.com/book/the-let-them-theory/Be Freaking Awesome book by Angela BelfordBFA Episode 23 (abandonment issues and attachment): bfreakingawesome.com/ep23Support the showSign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.Follow Be Freaking Awesome on Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Instagram.Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at podcast@bfreakingawesome.com.

In our March 22 Sunday gathering we kick off a new series about relationships. This week's Reflection Questions are below: 1. Who are your closet relationships? Who do you have the most strained relationships with? 2. The Harvard Study of Adult Development shows that relationships are the strongest predictor of a healthy life. Do your current priorities reflect that—or is something else taking their place? 3. Peter Scazzero says you cannot be spiritually mature and emotionally immature. Where do you see a gap between what you believe spiritually and how you relate to people? 4. When you think about “spiritual maturity,” what do you instinctively measure— knowledge, behavior, or relationships? How might God be redefining that for you? 5. Jesus teaches that loving God and loving others are inseparable (Matthew 22:37– 39). Who in your life is currently hardest to love well—and why? 6. Genesis says it is “not good” for humans to be alone. Where in your life are you experiencing isolation—physically, emotionally, or spiritually? 7. Think about your closest relationships (family, friends, coworkers). Would those people describe you as loving, patient, and present? Why or why not? 8. In what ways have convenience, busyness, or technology made your relationships more shallow? What is one intentional step you could take this week to deepen a relationship? 9. If your spiritual maturity were evaluated only by the health of your relationships, what would need to change starting today?

Are you feeling lonely even though you are busy? Wondering where your friendships went when life got so full? This solo episode explores why friendship in midlife is not a luxury but essential to your health and longevity, and gives you five practical ways to build the connections that will carry you into the next chapter of your life.In this deeply personal solo episode, Gabriella Espinosa shares the story of gathering friends from across the country at her home in Austin for South by Southwest to celebrate turning 60. That weekend reminded her that connection is everything, and sparked this research backed conversation about friendship, loneliness, and health in midlife. This episode is a reminder that friendship in midlife does not happen by accident. It is something we choose, tend to, and create with intention.Highlights from our discussion include:The Harvard Study of Adult Development discovered how your relationships at age 50 can predict how healthy you will be at age 80. Recent AARP research shows that four in ten US adults age 45 and older report feeling lonely. Why nurturing relationships is as critical to health as eating well and exercising.Five practical approaches for building meaningful friendships in midlife.How some of Gabriella's most meaningful friendships today started on social media.If this episode resonated with you, send it to one woman you care about. Not as a forward, but as an act of friendship. That is how we build community, one conversation at a time.Resources Mentioned:Harvard Study of Adult Development https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.orgAARP Loneliness & Social Connections Study 2025 (primary) https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/social-leisure/relationships/loneliness-social-connections-2025/AARP: Instagram | Website The Riveter: Instagram: @theriveterco → theriveterco.comEntreprenistas: Instagram @entreprenistas→ entreprenistas.comMidlife Collective: Instagram @mlifecollectiveLizzie Bermudez Walk & Talk San Francisco: Instagram @lizziebtvCONNECT WITH GABRIELLA ESPINOSA:InstagramLinkedInWork with Gabriella! Full episodes on YouTube.The information shared on Pleasure in the Pause is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health or treatment. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or Pleasure in the Pause.

My grandfather was six foot four. Always in a suit. Captain in the US Air Force. A man of very few words. Throughout his entire life, he never once told my father that he loved him. Not once. That silence — the gap between what we feel and what we express — is the central wound of our time. In this episode, I share the story at the heart of my book RESONANCE: what happened when my father decided to break a generational cycle of unspoken love, what my grandfather did with a napkin that said everything his words couldn't, and what I found in my father's desk years later during his final days. I also explore what Dr. Matthew Lieberman's research at UCLA reveals about why this matters neurologically — how social pain activates the same brain circuits as physical pain, why the Surgeon General has declared loneliness equivalent to smoking fifteen cigarettes a day, and why the Harvard Study of Adult Development found that relationship quality predicts health and longevity more powerfully than diet, exercise, or genetics. This is not about self-improvement. This is about the question most of us are afraid to ask: can you let someone all the way in? RESONANCE: The Art and Science of Human Connection publishes May 5, 2026 with BenBella Books / Simon & Schuster. Pre-order at resonance.biz Michael Trainer has spent 30 years learning from Nobel laureates, neuroscientists, and wisdom keepers worldwide. He's the author of RESONANCE: The Art and Science of Human Connection (March 31, 2026), co-creator of Global Citizen and the Global Citizen Festival, and host of the RESONANCE podcast.Featured in Forbes, Inc, Good Morning America. Follow on YouTube

Send a textWellness is a word we hear all the time—but what does it actually mean when life is complicated, busy, and sometimes overwhelming? In this milestone 200th episode, I explore the idea that living well isn't about perfection or rigid routines, but about the small choices we make every day that quietly shape our health, our relationships, and the direction of our lives. I invite you to reflect on the emotions you're choosing from, the responsibilities you're carrying, and the possibility that wellness might be closer than you think. If you've ever wondered how to care for yourself while managing a full and demanding life, this conversation might open a new perspective on what it truly means to live well.Quotes of the Week“Well-being is realized by small steps, but is truly no small thing.” — Zeno “The part can never be well unless the whole is well.” — Plato CitationsCohen, S., Janicki-Deverts, D., & Miller, G. E. (2012). Psychological stress and disease. JAMA.Lee, I. M., et al. (2019). Association of Step Volume and Intensity With All-Cause Mortality in Older Women. JAMA Internal Medicine.Waldinger, R., & Schulz, M. Harvard Study of Adult Development. Harvard Medical School.National Institutes of Health – Your Healthiest Self: Wellness Toolkits. Let's go, let's get it done. Get more information at: http://projectweightloss.org

The Harvard Study of Adult Development, often referred to as the Grant Study, is widely recognized as the longest-running, in-depth scientific study of adult life ever conducted. I recently published an episode I did with the director, Robert Waldinger. The results of the study have now famously shown us that what most fulfills us in life is relationships. Of course not just any relationships, but the truly valuable and significant relationships of our lives. It's proven very difficult to have such relationships, if we can't effectively communicate with others. And by effectively communicate, we mean to actually connect in a meaningful way. So in this episode I bring you Renée Marino. Renée is a renowned Broadway star, singing, acting, and dancing in West Side Story, Pretty Woman, and Jersey Boys. Her lead role in Jersey Boys caught the eye of famed actor Clint Eastwood who took her from the stage and cast her for the lead female role in his film, Jersey Boys. Renée's livelihood is communicating. She must connect with and move the audience, and she's a master. Following Clint's film, Renée turned her attention to the professional and personal world and is showing us the heart and skill of real communication. The kind that does just what Renée does on stage, on film, and in her personal life...truly connects us with others in a meaningful way that moves them to engage with us. I connected with Renée so much I had her come back and co-host a bunch of episodes with me, we co-presented at a speaking event together, and became good friends. Renée has culminated her methodology of communicating in her book, Becoming a Master Communicator: Balancing New School Technology with Old School Simplicity, which you can get anywhere and just search for Renée Marino and you'll find her everywhere. Sign up for your $1/month trial period at shopify.com/kevin Go to shipstation.com and use code KEVIN to start your free trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jason and Emily break down the famous 85-year Harvard Study on Adult Development, the one that followed people for decades to figure out what actually makes for a good life. It turns out it's not just money or success, but relationships, purpose, stress, habits, and how you handle conflict over time. Naturally, instead of calmly reflecting on this like mature adults, they ranked themselves and each other on a scale of 1–10 in several of the study's core areas. The result is equal parts thoughtful, competitive, revealing, and mildly dangerous for a marriage. If you've ever wondered how you'd score in the “good life” department, this episode might make you want to find out. Musicbed License MB01LB14RC1PRTN MB01LPNLPFWSBVO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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I sit down with leadership thinker and complexity expert Jennifer Garvey Berger to explore what leadership really looks like in an anxious, fast-changing world. We dig into mind traps, adult development, and why leading today isn't about having the answers, but building the capacity to work with complexity, uncertainty, and multiple perspectives. We talk about the breakdown of trust in institutions and leaders, how anxiety shrinks our circles of trust, and why people often look for strong or even bullying figures when they feel powerless. Jennifer explains adult developmental stages in practical terms - how we move from external validation to internal authority to deeper wisdom - and what coaches and leaders can actually do to grow. We get into reflection, getting off autopilot, and the key developmental move of turning judgment into self-inquiry. We also explore big cultural swings - from postmodern fragmentation to a possible "re-enchantment" of meaning - and ask whether current global pressures will push us into regression or growth. We finish with the role of community, love, and intentional relationship, including Jennifer's experiment living in a shared house in France, and why real development happens in connection, not isolation. Read more about Jennifer's work here: https://www.cultivatingleadership.com/team-member/jennifer-garvey-berger ----------------------------------------------- Become a certified embodiment coach. Coach beyond mere words and support clients to transform their lives: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/ ----------------------------------------------- Join our membership program for coaches, facilitators, therapists and educators who want sustainable growth: https://embodimentunlimited.com/flourish/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques  Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark?  Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram 

Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, shares insights from the world's longest study on happiness, tracking over 2,500 people since 1938. The core finding: A good life comes from caring for your body and relationships, as warm connections predict health and longevity better than cholesterol levels at midlife. Privilege doesn't guarantee happiness, as inner-city participants matched Harvard men in well-being.Guest Introduction:Dr. Waldinger is a Harvard Medical School professor, psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and Zen master who directs the 85+ year Harvard Study. His TED Talk has over 50 million views, and he co-authored The Good Life with Marc Schulz, distilling study lessons on connection. He teaches meditation globally and psychotherapy at Mass General Hospital.Connect With Guest:Website: robertwaldinger.com Book: The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness.TED Talk: "What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness".LinkedIn: Robert WaldingerWhat to do next: Click to grab our free guide, 10 Key Issues to Consider as You Explore Your Retirement Transition Please leave a review at Apple Podcasts. Join our Revolutionize Your Retirement group on Facebook.

I want to start off by asking a question I continually interest myself with. Do we really want to be happy? If I survey the culture, it looks like we very much want happy moments. The little jolts of dopamine from entertainment, food, drugs and such. But do we really want deep and abiding happiness in our souls? Because if we do, then our primary interest would be in relationships. But not just any relationships. I'm revisiting a conversation I had with Robert Waldinger. Robert is a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development at Massachusetts General Hospital which has been going on for 87 years. His devotion is on what most equates to human happiness, and the answer is, relationships. But let me point out that Robert himself is a Zen master and teaches meditation around the world. Which is a focus on what I feel is our first and most important relationship. The relationship with ourselves. I have continued to grow in appreciation, not just for the message, but for Robert himself. If you have my book, What Drives You, you'll see his endorsement. Roberts book, which is how I came to know of him, is, The Good Life: Lessons From the World's Longest Scientific Study on Happiness. And you type in, “Robert Waldinger TED” you will find his TED talk, titled, What Makes A Good Life, that between postings on both YouTube and TED has over 80 million views. Sign up for your $1/month trial period at shopify.com/kevin Go to shipstation.com and use code KEVIN to start your free trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve been teaching kids resilience all wrong. If you’ve ever watched your child fall apart over homework, friendships, or an impossibly messy bedroom - this episode reframes everything you think you know about “being strong.” Resilience isn’t grit.It isn’t white-knuckling.And it definitely isn’t doing it alone. Justin and Kylie unpack the powerful truth backed by decades of research: resilience is relational — and what our kids need most when they’re struggling is us, closer than ever. KEY POINTS Why “tough it out” parenting quietly backfires The research that proves one relationship can change a child’s life How support builds competence (not dependence) What to do in the moment when your child feels overwhelmed Why moving closer is the most powerful parenting move you can make QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “Resilience isn’t doing it alone. It’s knowing you’re not alone while you do it.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Nine Ways to a Resilient Child — Justin Coulson Emmy Werner’s Kauai Longitudinal Study Harvard Study of Adult Development happyfamilies.com.au ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS When your child is struggling, move closer — not further away Sit with them instead of fixing it for them Break big tasks into tiny, doable steps Let your voice become the calm they borrow Model asking for help — it teaches strength, not weakness See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textThere are moments in life when you realize — very clearly — who and what is holding you up. This week, I found myself thinking deeply about the people who show up quietly, consistently, and without needing anything in return. And it made me reflect on how much of what weighs us down isn't physical at all — it's emotional, and relational.This episode is an invitation to look at relationships differently. Not through the lens of fixing, forcing, or holding on tighter — but through honesty, acceptance, and relief. If you've ever felt exhausted by relationships, confused by love, or curious about what truly helps us feel lighter — this one is for you.References1.    Waldinger, R. J., & Schulz, M. S. (2010). What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness. Harvard Study of Adult Development, Harvard Medical School.2.    Waldinger, R. J. (2015). What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness. TED Talk. Harvard University.3.    Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., Baker, M., Harris, T., & Stephenson, D. (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: A meta-analytic review. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), 227–237.4.    Gottman, J. M., & Levenson, R. W. (2000). The timing of divorce: Predicting when a couple will divorce over a 14-year period. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62(3), 737–745.5.    Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.6.    Gross, J. J. (2015). Emotion regulation: Current status and future prospects. Psychological Inquiry, 26(1), 1–26.Let's go, let's get it done. Get more information at: http://projectweightloss.org

Welcome to episode #1019 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a time when leadership is being tested less by strategy and more by inner capacity, clarity of judgment and emotional steadiness, the work of Muriel Wilkins stands out for its insistence that progress begins from the inside out. Muriel is an executive coach, CEO of Paravis Partners, and a trusted advisor to senior leaders navigating complexity at the highest levels of organizations, drawing on more than two decades of experience working with C-suite executives and high-potential leaders. A Harvard Business School graduate with a background in consulting and corporate leadership, she brings uncommon credibility to the often-abstract world of coaching, pairing business fluency with deep insight into human behavior, adult development and decision-making under pressure. Her book, Leadership Unblocked - Break Through The Beliefs That Limit Your Potential, distills years of coaching practice into a clear-eyed examination of the unconscious beliefs that quietly constrain leaders, revealing how assumptions about control, certainty, identity and responsibility shape  (and often limit) how leaders respond to challenge. Rather than offering tactical fixes or performative confidence, Muriel's work focuses on expanding a leader's capacity to hold complexity, see multiple options and respond with intention rather than reflex. She explores how leaders mature over time, why success can actually stall growth, and how unexamined beliefs turn everyday pressure into unnecessary suffering. Her perspective reframes leadership development as adult development, emphasizing that the ability to lead others sustainably depends on a leader's willingness to do their own internal work. In an era defined by uncertainty, generational shifts and accelerating technology, Muriel's thinking argues for a quieter but more demanding form of leadership... one rooted in self-awareness, discernment and the courage to question one's own mental models before attempting to change anyone else's. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 52:33. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Muriel Wilkins. Leadership Unblocked - Break Through The Beliefs That Limit Your Potential. Paravis Partner. Coaching Real Leaders Podcast. Follow Muriel on Instagram. Follow Muriel on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Executive Coaching. (02:13) - The Journey to Coaching. (05:26) - Common Themes in Leadership. (07:37) - The Evolution of Executive Coaching. (10:50) - Leadership as Coaching. (11:49) - Generational Shifts in Leadership. (15:08) - Adult Development and Leadership. (17:57) - The Illusion of Status. (20:55) - Authenticity in Leadership. (24:42) - Adult Development Theory in Practice. (26:41) - Understanding Adult Development Theory. (30:04) - The Evolution of Coaching Practices. (32:12) - Shifting Perspectives on Leadership. (34:53) - The Role of AI in Leadership. (39:47) - Discernment and Decision-Making in Leadership. (47:44) - Navigating Current Challenges in Leadership.  

Have you ever looked at people who seem to have figured it out? They're in their sixties, seventies, or eighties, and they're healthy. They're happy. They're in great relationships. And you think, "what do they know that I don't?"  Guess what? We don't have to wonder anymore. The Harvard Study of Adult Development is the longest longitudinal study ever done on physical and emotional well-being. Over 80 years, researchers tracked people across their entire lives to answer one question: what actually makes life feel good? The results were surprising: The quality of your relationships is the number one predictor of your mental health, your physical health, and your overall life satisfaction. It isn't money, success, fame, productivity, or hustling harder. It's not achieving some perfect version of yourself. On today's episode, I'm sharing some objective ways you can make your life happier and healthier, according to 80 years of research. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/795

Today's guests are both passionate about spreading the crucial message that high-quality relationships are one of the biggest predictors of happiness, health, and longevity. Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart. Each week I'll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests. Today's clip is from episode 364 of the podcast with co-authors of The Good Life: Lessons From The World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness – Professors Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz.  They are directors of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, an extraordinary research project that began in 1938 and has followed participants for more than eight decades. In this clip, they explain why nurturing high-quality relationships may be one of the most powerful things we can do to support both our long-term health and our happiness. By the end of today's episode, I'm pretty sure you'll feel inspired to reconnect with an old friend, phone that family member you don't see enough of, or make plans for a face-to-face get-together. You'll feel happier, and even be healthier, if you do because the quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives. Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠https://drinkag1.com/livemore Show notes and the full podcast are available at https://drchatterjee.com/364 Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore⁠⁠ For other podcast platforms go to ⁠⁠https://fblm.supercast.com. DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3205: Ryan Frederick challenges the longevity obsession by emphasizing healthspan, the years lived with vitality and purpose, as the smarter, more fulfilling investment. He reveals how daily lifestyle choices, social connections, and even where we live play a far greater role than genetics in shaping our well-being, and how prioritizing health now can extend not just life but also financial security and quality of life. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.here.life/blog/invest-in-healthspan Quotes to ponder: "A longer life is only a true gift if it's also a healthier one." "Strong relationships are the single best predictor of health and happiness across the lifespan." "Like financial investing, health rewards those who start early, stay consistent, and think long-term." Episode references: 2023 Genworth Cost of Care Survey: https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html The Harvard Study of Adult Development: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/04/over-nearly-80-years-harvard-study-has-been-showing-how-to-live-a-healthy-and-happy-life/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us on this engaging episode of the Do Good to Lead Well podcast, where we explore the fascinating journey of Dr. Michael Nevarez, a highly respected psychiatrist and leadership coach. His insights, drawn from his work as the assistant director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, underscore the importance of continuous personal and leadership growth, integrating scientific research into practical tools for leaders.Listen in as we explore the art of delivering effective feedback, a crucial skill for any leader. The conversation highlights the challenges leaders face in maintaining a delicate balance between fostering growth and preserving positive relationships. Discover the significance of providing feedback that is behaviorally anchored, utilizing specific and neutral information to avoid performance declines. Dr. Nevarez shares strategies like the "push" and "pull" phases, where clarity and curiosity play pivotal roles in understanding and addressing underlying issues. By focusing on clear communication and open dialogue, leaders can better navigate the intricacies of feedback, differentiating between problems such as time management and prioritization.The episode also unpacks techniques such as affect labeling and perspective checking, emphasizing the role of psychological safety in successful implementation. Discover how managing emotions in feedback conversations can avoid common pitfalls like fundamental attribution error, utilizing tools like contrast statements to reduce perceived threats and promote constructive dialogue. If you're looking for actionable tools and scripts for creating meaningful, growth-oriented feedback conversations, this conversation is a must-listen.What You'll Learn- The secrets of the art of feedback.- How to master the powerful STEP communication framework.- Ways to create environments of psychological safety.- Managing emotions in feedback conversations.- Balancing candor with impact.Podcast Timestamps(00:00) – The Art and Science of Leadership Development(08:16) – Navigating the “Push” and “Pull” of Feedback Conversations(23:21) – Watch Your STEP: A Powerful Framework for Effective Communication(40:33) - Managing Emotions in Feedback ConversationsKEYWORDSPositive Leadership, The Art of Meaningful Conversation, Leadership Development, Effective Feedback, Communication Framework, STEP, Psychological Safety, Behaviorally Anchored Feedback, Curiosity, Personal Growth, Fostering Accountability, Clear Expectations, Constructive Dialogue, CEO Success

Money anxiety, retirement fears, and the quiet worry about being alone are hitting many women in midlife. In this walk-and-talk episode, Chalene Johnson opens up about the top financial and emotional concerns women are sharing right now—from fear of not saving enough to the loneliness that creeps in as life changes. She offers practical, doable steps to get control of your finances, strengthen your relationships, and create more security for the future. Plus, a wild story about intuition and an update on Penelope that might make you rethink what's “just coincidence.”