Volunteering improves psychological well-being. Team Rubicon has researched this positive effect, not just on the communities it serves, but also on the well-being of its 170,000 volunteers. The organization applies military expertise and speed to provide fast response and social support to those who have suffered a disaster. We learn from David Burke and Patti Norberg about the many benefits they have found with volunteering.
David Burke is the Chief Program Officer at Team Rubicon, an organization that was founded by US armed forces veterans in 2010 with the purpose of voluntarily joining together to work on missions in the aid of regular citizens who are suffering because of natural disasters. Patti Norberg PhD is a Professor of Marketing at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, and also a good friend of Tim Houlihan.
Team Rubicon is a veteran led humanitarian organization that serves people before, during and after disasters and crises. It’s a movement of thousands of people that work domestically and internationally from mitigating the effects of fires, floods and natural disasters. They are instrumental in missions to rebuild people's homes, surge medical capacity and provide clean water.
From the offset, the purpose of Team Rubicon was not just to help disaster survivors, but also to support veterans' well-being after leaving the military. And Team Rubicon goes one step further by actually researching the effects on well-being and mental health. Kurt and Tim discuss the findings from this research and how it is shaping the ongoing work of Team Rubicon.
Topics
(4:37) Welcome and speed round questions.
(6:56) What is Team Rubicon?
(8:53) How does a military background help Team Rubicon volunteers?
(11:01) What makes Team Rubicon different from other volunteer organizations?
(18:00) How Team Rubicon takes care of the mental health of its volunteers.
(21:33) The social connection that comes from volunteering.
(28:36) How volunteering helps make you feel significant.
(31:47) The next studies on psychological well-being with Team Rubicon.
(35:19) What’s next for Team Rubicon?
(39:31) Grooving Session with Kurt and Tim on volunteering.
© 2023 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Team Rubicon: https://teamrubiconusa.org/
“Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation” by Dr Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf
Carol Ryff’s, Psychological Well-Being Scales: https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/resources/questionnaires-researchers/psychological-well-being-scales#:~:text=WHAT%20THE%20QUESTIONNAIRE%20MEASURES,in%20life%2C%20self%2Dacceptance.
Behavioral Grooves Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves
Ketamine Therapy: A New Frontier in Mental Health | Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo
The Surprising Benefits of Talking to Strangers | Nick Epley [Republish]
Ask the Right Question, Get the Best Answer | Jeff Wetzler
Break Autopilot with Intentional Living | Norman Farb and Zindel Segal
The Secret Power of Rituals | Michael Norton
The Science of Influence: Nudges in Action | Silvia Saccardo
Unlock Workplace Happiness | Gonzalo Camiña Ceballos
Tuned In or Tuned Out? | Nuala Walsh
The Burnout Breakthrough | Kandi Wiens
Turning Anxiety into Assurance | Dr. Julia DiGangi
Grooving on: Starting a Movement
Grooving on: Side Projects
...Ridiculous Ep. 5: The Future
...Ridiculous Ep. 4: Behavioral Economics Goes Mainstream
...Ridiculous Ep. 3: Children of Unlikely Parents
...Ridiculous Ep. 2: Importing Psychology
...Ridiculous Ep. 1: Beyond Anomalies
Make Great Decisions | Elspeth Kirkman
Trailer: They Thought We Were Ridiculous
Unlocking Intimacy: The Power of Questions | Topaz Adizes
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Poetry of Science
Hidden Brain
Mysterious Radio: Paranormal, UFO & Lore Interviews
The Science of Happiness
Choiceology with Katy Milkman