Good Life Project - podcast cover

Good Life Project

Jonathan Fields / Acastwww.goodlifeproject.com
What does it mean to live a good life? Is it about happiness, health, friendship, love, or meaning? What about work, wealth, purpose, service, or something else? Can you live a good life even when things are hard? These are the questions and topics we explore every week in conversation with leading voices from health, science, art, industry, mindset, and culture, like Brené Brown, Matthew McConaughey, Mel Robbins, Alex, Elle, Adam Grant, Elizabeth Gilbert, Yung Pueblo, Maya Shankar, Mitch Albom, Glennon Doyle & hundreds more. The New York Times says, "the show’s holistic approach to fulfillment is bound to resonate." Listen now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

The Stunning Science of Mind-Body Unity | Ellen Langer

What if being more mindful could lead to better health, happiness and fulfillment? Pioneering psychologist Ellen Langer reveals how on this week's episode. Known as the "mother of mindfulness," Ellen shares insights from over 45 years of research showing how our thoughts directly impact our physical and mental well-being. Learn simple yet profound tips to become more present, question assumptions and unlock healthier living. Ellen explains how mindfulness is about engaging actively with the pres...

Feb 29, 20241 hr 5 min

The Science of Memory & How to Keep It | Charan Ranganath

Can memory improvement unlock a better life? Neuroscientist Charan Ranganath reveals how memory intertwines with happiness, relationships, creativity, and meaning. In his new book Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory's Power to Hold on to What Matters , Charan shares research on how memories form, the role of sleep, aging's effects, and practical ways to remember what matters. Learn how to harness your brain’s memory systems for personal growth and fulfillment. Discover techniques to preserve preci...

Feb 26, 20241 hr 7 min

How to Connect Quickly & Deeply With Anyone | Charles Duhigg

What if you could communicate effortlessly with anyone, instantly establishing trust and connection? According to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg, author of the new book Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection , the most compelling communicators don't possess any magical talents. They've simply mastered the hidden rules that govern how we connect through conversation. Learn techniques to identify the 3 types of exchanges occurring simultaneously in ev...

Feb 22, 202459 min

How to Hack Your Blood Sugar & Feel Amazing | Jessie Inchauspé

Want to cut cravings, boost energy, and take control of your health? Biochemist and bestselling author Jessie Inchauspé shares surprising hacks to steady your blood sugar in this fascinating conversation. Learn how timing sweets, pairing carbs with fat/protein, and starting your day without sugar can work wonders. Jessie busts myths around whole grains and fruit while translating complex science into simple, sustainable habits. Discover how to eat the foods you love in a healthier way from her g...

Feb 19, 20241 hr 1 min

How to Feel Like You Matter | Isaac Prilleltensky

What if mattering could be the key to living your best life? Psychologist Dr. Isaac Prilleltensky joins us to unpack the profound human need for mattering. Isaac explains the two components of mattering—feeling valued and adding value. Discover how cultivating mattering through fairness, purpose, and small generous acts can transform health, happiness, work, and relationships. Learn why extremism rises when mattering is lacking, and how finding meaning by contributing to something bigger than yo...

Feb 15, 202454 min

How to Make "Life-changing" Friendships (and why they matter) | Rhaina Cohen

What if your closest friendships were just as significant as your marriage? My fascinating guest Rhaina Cohen, author of The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center , reveals compelling research on how profound platonic bonds can provide the same fulfillment and devotion as romantic ones. Tune in to hear Rhaina's eye-opening stories that reimagine social connection. We explore how to nurture deeper intimacy in friendships and move beyond limiting cultural biases....

Feb 12, 202455 min

How to Open Hearts & Change Minds | Blair Imani

After following in her activist parents' footsteps, Blair Imani reached her breaking point organizing protests in college. She shares how rediscovering spirituality helped her let go of toxic expectations and heal. Blair realized education was a more sustainable way for her to impact change as a historian and creator of the popular Smarter In Seconds educational video series. She discusses learning self-care, listening to your values when making decisions, and embracing practices like yoga and m...

Feb 08, 20241 hr 4 min

How to Get the Sleep You Need (a Scientific Approach) | Chris Winter, MD

Do you ever feel like you barely slept even after a full night in bed? You're not alone. Sleep expert Dr. Christopher Winter reveals the truth about the perception gap between how we think we're sleeping and reality. Discover science-backed techniques to get better rest, change your mindset around sleep, and stop obsessing over routines. Dr. Winter shares insights from his book The Sleep Solution and busts myths around optimal sleep needs. Learn how to ditch the anxiety around sleep and become t...

Feb 05, 20241 hr 6 min

How to Bring More Pleasure into Life (and Sex) | Emily Nagoski

Sex educator Emily Nagoski reveals how to sustain passionate intimacy over the long haul with research from her groundbreaking new book, Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections . She explains why pleasure trumps desire, how stress impacts connection, and the importance of open communication about desires. Emily offers practical steps to invite more pleasure into relationships as bodies change, and rejects cultural grind in favor of ease. Her insights on nouri...

Feb 01, 20241 hr 9 min

January Jumpstart | On Belonging

This January Jumpstart episode explores how we can rediscover our deepest sense of belonging within. Zen priest Rev. angel Kyodo williams and spiritual leader Melissa Carter share how embracing all of ourselves allows us to fully inhabit our humanity. By returning to our inner wholeness through mindfulness, we can move through the world from a place of truth, connect authentically with others, and transform society. Episode Transcript You can find Rev. angel Kyodo williams at: Instagram | Websit...

Jan 29, 20241 hr 2 min

How to Reset Your Stress Response and Rewire Your Brain for Resilience with Harvard Expert Dr. Aditi Nerurkar

In this episode, Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, author of The Five Resets: Rewire Your Brain and Body for Less Stress and More Resilience, shares how to reframe our relationship with stress. She explains why feeling overwhelmed is a common human experience, not a personal failing. Simple, science-backed techniques like breathing, social connection, journaling, and eliminating multitasking can help our minds and bodies reset. Dr. Nerurkar offers realistic ways to introduce ease into our days through small, ...

Jan 25, 20241 hr 16 min

January Jumpstart | On Movement

This January Jumpstart episode explores how movement strengthens your mind, body, and immunity. What if exercise could unlock your brain's creativity and make you happier, healthier, and more focused? Neuroscientist Dr. Jennifer Heisz and physician Dr. Gabrielle Lyon reveal how movement strengthens your mind, body, and immunity. Learn how to reframe exercise as playful self-care, not monotonous drudgery. Discover how muscle builds resilience against disease while microbursts of activity boost co...

Jan 22, 20241 hr 5 min

A More Joyful & Less Regret-filled Way to Live | Leo Babauta

Feeling like you're always behind in life? Leo Babauta joins us to explore why we get stuck chasing unrealistic expectations, and simple mindset shifts that can transform your days into a graceful, meaningful, and fun game worth playing. Discover how to ditch perfectionism and embrace self-compassion to experience more ease and joy right now. You can find Leo at: Website | Instagram | Zen Habits Podcast | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with...

Jan 18, 202455 min

January Jumpstart | On Exquisite Attention

This January Jumpstart episode explores the power of exquisite attention - the ability to direct your focus with intention to create moments of profound presence. Renowned mindfulness teacher Tara Brach shares practices like RAIN to help awaken us from anxious, judgmental trances. Leading researcher Dacher Keltner illuminates how awe opens our eyes to everyday wonder and possibility. Learn simple tools to train moment-to-moment awareness and presence. Discover how slowing down, looking closer, a...

Jan 16, 20241 hr 3 min

How Mindfulness Turned Down the Noise in My Head | Plus a Bonus Guided Mediation

When constant ringing and noise from tinnitus brought anxiety, despair and sleepless nights, Jonathan stumbled upon an unlikely antidote - mindfulness meditation. What began as therapy to cope with daily torment evolved into a profound practice for creativity, clarity and calm. Learn how mindfulness helped Jonathan find peace despite unrelenting symptoms, trained his brain to let go of fixating on the noises, and transformed his life. You'll also be led through a soothing lovingkindness meditati...

Jan 14, 202440 min

How to Make Change Your Ally | Brad Stulberg

Change is hard. But what if embracing change led to your greatest growth? My guest is Brad Stulberg, bestselling author of Master of Change: How to Excel When Everything Is Changing – Including You. Brad shares how we can cultivate “rugged flexibility” to gracefully navigate cycles of order, disorder and reorder. Imagine harnessing the storms of change to help you grow into your best self. Brad upends conventional wisdom, showing how accepting impermanence allows us to become our best selves. Ha...

Jan 11, 20241 hr 4 min

January Jumpstart | On Purpose & Meaning

What really brings meaning and purpose to life? This episode is part of our January Jumpstart series where each week we dive into concepts to drive real change through learning and action. Get science-backed insights from an 80-year Harvard happiness study revealing how relationships and activities—not money or fame—unlock fulfillment with our guide, Robert Waldinger. Discover philosophical wisdom and practical tips to continually reconnect with what matters through relationships, reflection, an...

Jan 09, 20241 hr 4 min

How to Do Big Things in 2024 | 8-part Framework

If you have big goals and dreams but struggle with making them happen, this episode is for you! We're sharing our powerful 8-part Success Scaffolding framework to finally accomplish your most meaningful visions this year. We'll create a vivid picture of the outcome you want and understand your deeper purpose behind it. Jonathan will walk you through making an adaptable plan, opening a possibility window, gathering proof, enlisting key people, establishing practices, and making a pledge. This com...

Jan 07, 20241 hr 9 min

Atomic Habits | How to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones with James Clear

What if small, incremental actions could transform your life? In this fascinating conversation with James Clear, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Atomic Habits , you’ll get proven strategies based in psychology and neuroscience for building the habits you want and breaking the ones holding you back. Learn how to create an environment that reinforces positive change and the crucial role identity plays in making new habits stick. Discover how to find the opportunities best suited to your na...

Jan 04, 20241 hr 4 min

January Jumpstart | On Passion

Reignite your passion for life in 2024 with our January Jumpstart episode! We debunk false beliefs about finding your one true passion, reveal the science behind harmonious vs. obsessive pursuits, and explore why curiosity offers a healthier path than waiting for a thunderbolt moment. You'll hear insights from positive psychology expert Dan Lerner and author Elizabeth Gilbert on embracing gradual interest development, balancing multiple passions, and how small steps unlock hidden joys. Whether y...

Jan 02, 20241 hr 13 min

Year-End Reflection Part 4 | Our Contribution Bucket

What does your Contribution Bucket look like these days? On this special year-end reflection episode, we dive deep into the work and effort that fills you up rather than drains you. Jonathan shares what he's learned from researching human flourishing at work, including identifying the 5 key qualities that make work energizing: purpose, excitement, flow, full expression, and meaning. Jonathan then analyzes his own contribution bucket over the past year, how it was impacted by health challenges, a...

Dec 28, 202335 min

Peak Moments & Insights from 2023 | Pico Iyer, Karen Walrond, & Vijay Gupta

What does it mean to live meaningfully? Journey with us as we revisit poignant moments from conversations on presence, curiosity, self-acceptance, integration, community, and the power of our stories. We'll dive into chats with Pico Iyer on living fully through presence, Karen Walrond on embracing change and aging with creativity, and violinist Vijay Gupta on building community beyond prestige and comfort. Their wisdom illuminates pathways to flourish through integrity, purpose, generosity, and ...

Dec 26, 20231 hr 14 min

What Deeply-Connected Couples Don't Do | Amy Morin

What makes some couples thrive for decades while others fizzle out? Psychotherapist and bestselling author Amy Morin reveals the habits that erode relationships and the tools needed to build resilient joy in her latest book, 13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't Do . Drawing on research and years of counseling experience, Amy shares how small changes can transform even the most challenged partnerships. Learn how to reconnect with your partner's best self - and your own. Discover why arranged m...

Dec 24, 20231 hr 5 min

Year-End Reflection Part 3 | Our Connection Bucket

In this illuminating episode, we dive deep into the power of human connection for a fulfilling life. Jonathan shares insights from decades of research showing our most important relationships are key to wellbeing. We explore how to take stock of your Connection bucket and nurture the few deep bonds that matter most. Learn simple but profound practices to be more present with loved ones, keep your bucket full in tough times, and cultivate chosen family. If you want to feel more connected, this ep...

Dec 21, 202327 min

How to Get Good With Money & Build Real Wealth | Vivian Tu

Discover the winning money mindset to change your financial life. Personal finance phenom and TikTok star Vivian Tu decodes finances in simple steps so you can stop living paycheck-to-paycheck. Learn how to negotiate your true worth, overcome investing fears, adopt wealth-building habits, and use money as a tool for good. Vivian shares insider strategies from her new book Rich AF: The Winning Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life to help you understand finances, maximize earnings, and build g...

Dec 19, 20231 hr 1 min

The Life-changing Magic of Fungi | Merlin Sheldrake

Have you ever wondered about the secret fungal networks operating unseen beneath your feet? My guest Merlin Sheldrake, author of the New York Times bestseller Entangled Life, reveals a surreal subterranean cosmos of mycelium underlying life as we know it. In this mind-expanding conversation, Sheldrake illuminates the alien intelligence of fungi and their profound interconnectedness with human existence. Discover how these overlooked organisms communicate, adapt, and even exhibit consciousness de...

Dec 17, 202352 min

Year-End Reflection Part 2 | Our Vitality Bucket

It's been a turbulent year for many of us, taking a real toll on our vitality buckets - our energy levels, physical health, mental focus and overall sense of well-being. In Part 2 of this special Year-End Reflection series, we're tapping into the wisdom of the Good Life Buckets model to help you understand how the last year has impacted your own vitality. Jonathan shares the key ingredients for refilling our vitality buckets, along with 5 clarifying questions to ask yourself during this period o...

Dec 14, 202330 min

How to Break the Trauma Cycle | Dr. Mariel Buqué

Have you noticed patterns in your life traced back generations? My guest Dr. Mariel Buqué shares how trauma gets embedded in our biology and psychology, passed down through families. In her new book Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma , this psychologist provides clinically proven techniques to regulate our nervous systems, restore secure attachment, process grief, and break free from harmful intergenerational patterns. Her message transcends genetics - it’s a call to be...

Dec 12, 20231 hr 2 min

The Surprising Science of Hypnosis, Pain & Habit Change | Dr. David Spiegel

What if you could rewrite the subconscious scripts controlling your life? Harness untapped mental powers to conquer pain, anxiety, and addictions? My guest Dr. David Spiegel, renowned psychiatrist & director of Stanford's Center on Stress and Health, pulls back the curtain on hypnosis. With 45+ years of researching and successfully treating patients, he's on a mission to reveal hypnosis as a gentler, effective first-line treatment. We dive into the science, address the mythology around it, a...

Dec 10, 20231 hr 2 min

Year-End Reflection Part 1 | Intro to the Good Life Buckets

It's time for deep reflection as we close out 2023. Over four weeks, join us for an intimate year-end review built around the Good Life Buckets. We'll guide you to reflect on how this year unfolded, your role in it, key learnings, and how to carry those into 2023 with more wisdom and agency. We'd also love for you to share your journey! Record a voice memo reply to each week's prompts and email it to [email protected] to potentially be featured on the show. Super excited to share this ...

Dec 08, 202319 min