Episode #22: Lessons from the World’s Longest Study on Happiness, with Dr. Marc Schulz

In today's episode, we go deep into the idea and components of a good life with Associate Director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, Dr. Marc Schulz. Marc is the co-author of the The Good Life (2023), a Professor of Psychology at Bryn Mawr College, a psychologist, and a practicing therapist.

This conversation covers a selection of the interesting and enriching findings presented in Marc's book, practical strategies for developing social fitness, where material wealth should fit into our priorities, and why difficult experiences are such a necessary component of flourishing. The main thrust of Marc's recent work and today's chat is the central importance of relationships and how we can best aid the nurturing and maintenance of these.

 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Marc introduces the Harvard Study of Adult Development and the field of adult development.
• Clarifying the language used in the study and the two components that make up the 'good life'.
• Forging a good life through challenges and difficult experiences. 
• The themes of aspiring and becoming in Marc's understanding of flourishing. 
• Marc talks about the different types of relationships that contribute to a good life.
• Navigating and handling the inevitable conflict in our relationships. 
• Gratitude and appreciation and the benefits of generosity and giving.
• The critical role that relationships play in the maintenance of happiness and health.
• Marc unpacks the idea of social fitness and how we build it through reflection and awareness.
• Money and happiness; the healthiest ways to use material ambitions as a means rather than an end. 
• Human weakness around forecasting and common regrets that Marc has identified. 
• Marc's strategies for avoiding unnecessary regrets and improving forecasting.
• A story from The Good Life about human connection, shared interests, and hope.
• Maintaining human connections within the array of demands on our time. 
• Marc's closing lesson about flourishing and leaning into relationships. 

 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

The Antifragile Academy

Dr. Marc Schulz

The Good Life

Marc Schulz on LinkedIn

Bryn Mawr

Harvard Study of Adult Development

Robert Waldinger

Lydia Denworth

Why Good Things Happen to Good People

Stephen Post

Dan Pink

Robert Waldinger TED Talk

The Shipley School

Flourish FM Podcast

Flourish FM on Twitter

Flourish FM on Instagram

Jon Beale

Nick Holton