Good Life Project is a podcast and video series for people navigating midlife with intention. Hosted by Jonathan Fields, each episode is a deep, honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a life that feels like yours, through the reinventions, reckonings, and reclamations that define your 40s, 50s, and beyond. Grounded in science, fueled by genuine curiosity, and always in service of the real work of living well. Often top-ranked, it’s been listened to and viewed more than 100 million times. New episodes weekly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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What if AI could help solve medicine's biggest blind spots? Harvard Medical School researcher Dr. Charlotte Blease reveals why doctors can only keep up with 2% of new medical research and how artificial intelligence could transform healthcare for both patients and providers. Drawing from her new book Dr Bot: Why Doctors Can Fail and How AI Could Save Lives , she shares fascinating insights about the future of medical care. Part of the Future of Medicine series exploring innovations reshaping hea...
In this personal update, Jonathan Fields reflects on his 2x20 Project, a two-year experiment to set the foundation for the next two decades of his life. He details how his guiding principles evolved from simplicity and significance to lightness and meaning, applying this through “good life buckets” for vitality, connection, and contribution. Fields shares insights from coaching, successful retreats, and his journey embracing the artist within, highlighting the power of experiments in personal transformation and future life design.
What if we could spot disease decades before symptoms appear? Dr. Eric Topol, one of medicine's most influential voices, reveals how new AI-powered diagnostics and precision treatments are revolutionizing the way we prevent disease and extend healthy lifespans. In this illuminating conversation from our Future of Medicine series, discover the science behind "super agers" who stay sharp and active into their 80s and beyond, plus practical strategies you can implement today, as shared in his new b...
From an anxiety-filled first date involving 100 tacos to becoming a trusted voice for millions, Elyse Myers shares how embracing her authentic self: quirks, struggles, and all, led to unexpected connection and community. In this candid conversation about her new book, That's a Great Question, I'd Love to Tell You , she reveals practical strategies for managing anxiety, setting boundaries, and building genuine relationships while in the public eye. Learn how vulnerability became her superpower an...
Learn how tiny habits can transform your life from the inside out in this spotlight conversation. Discover Mel Robbins' shockingly simple "High Five Habit" to flood your body with confidence chemicals. Learn James Clear's step-by-step system from Atomic Habits for turning small routines into remarkable growth. And get Nicole Vignola's neuroplasticity toolkit to rewire your brain and break free from limiting beliefs. Episode Transcript You can find Mel at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full...
What if your teenager's emotional storms and late-night worries aren't problems to fix, but signs of healthy development? Lisa Damour, Ph.D., author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents , joins two parents for an intimate conversation that flips conventional wisdom about raising teens and young adults on its head. Together, we explore surprising truths about perfectionism, emotional development, and maintaining connection with kids who se...
Transform anxiety into calm, stress into clarity, and disconnection into deep presence through the one tool you already have complete mastery over: your breath. In this illuminating conversation, conscious breathing pioneer Jessica Dibb shares powerful yet simple techniques from her book, Breathwork and Psychotherapy: Clinical Applications for Healing and Transformation , that can shift your state more effectively than coffee or wine. Learn how this most basic human function becomes a universal ...
Parker Palmer shares how three seasons of profound depression led him to a surprising discovery about authentic living and finding your true calling. Through intimate stories of his journey from academic to activist to spiritual teacher, Palmer reveals why embracing our shadows and letting go of who we "should be" opens the door to who we truly are. His gentle wisdom offers hope and practical guidance for anyone questioning their path, facing inner darkness, or seeking to live with greater purpo...
Gerontologist Dr. Kerry Burnight challenges common aging beliefs, revealing that genes play a minor role compared to mindset. She introduces "Joyspan," a framework for thriving in later life, emphasizing well-being and contentment. The episode explores four science-backed strategies—Grow, Connect, Adapt, and Give—to foster a longer, more joyful, and purposeful existence.
When New York Times bestselling author Tembi Locke faced sending her only child to college, she created what she calls a "college moon" - a transformative journey through Sicily that offers fresh wisdom for anyone navigating major life transitions. In her new audio memoir, Someday, Now: A Memoir of Family, Reclaiming Possibility, and One Sicilian Summer , Locke shares intimate insights about blending families after loss, finding presence during change, and how the places we love can become ancho...
Dr. Austin Perlmutter discusses how everyday choices significantly impact brain chemistry, cognitive function, and mental well-being, challenging the notion that decline is inevitable. He highlights the pervasive influence of modern stressors, consumerism, and engineered foods on our brains, often leading to short-term comfort at the expense of long-term health. Perlmutter advocates for intentional shifts in environment, habit formation, and dietary choices—especially resistance training and whole foods—to actively rewire our brains for improved health, happiness, and a deeper sense of meaning and purpose.
Former BBC executive Emily Kasriel reveals eight practical steps to transform any conversation through the art of deep listening, from healing family relationships to bridging seemingly impossible divides. Drawing from research across boardrooms and conflict zones, she shares surprising insights about how small changes in how we listen can lead to breakthrough moments of connection, plus why walking side-by-side creates better conversations than sitting face-to-face. Based on her new book, Deep ...
Your nervous system shapes every reaction, emotion, and experience in your life, yet most of us never learned how to work with it effectively. In this episode, discover practical tools to shift from stress to stability, backed by cutting-edge research and real-world applications from experts who've trained thousands in nervous system regulation. Learn why some people stay calm while others get triggered, and master simple techniques to reset your system in moments of tension. Episode Transcript ...
Through ancient Chinese wisdom and personal experience, poet and spiritual teacher Mark Nepo reveals how life's second half can be our most profound creative awakening. In this intimate conversation about his new book The Fifth Season: Creativity in the Second Half of Life , Nepo shares how aging isn't about decline but rather an invitation to strip away the non-essential and access deeper wisdom, offering a refreshing perspective for anyone seeking to live more authentically at any age. You can...
Discover why being proudly mediocre at something you love might be the key to unlocking joy, meaning, and even spiritual practice in your life. In this perspective-shifting conversation, leadership consultant Karen Walrond shares insights from her new book, In Defense of Dabbling: The Brilliance of Being a Total Amateur , revealing how letting go of the pressure to excel can transform simple activities into powerful portals for self-discovery, connection, and personal growth. Learn the seven sur...
Feel stuck despite knowing exactly what you want to do? Neuropsychotherapist Britt Frank reveals why stuckness isn't a character flaw but a brain state you can change, sharing science-backed strategies from her book The Getting Unstuck Workbook: Practical Tools for Overcoming Fear and Doubt - and Moving Forward with Your Life . Learn why willpower isn't the answer and discover practical tools to shift from stasis to movement, transform your inner critic into an ally, and use the surprising power...
From gazing at stars on the Navajo reservation to becoming NASA's first African American spacewalker, Dr. Bernard A. Harris Jr. shares how to transform setbacks into launching pads for extraordinary achievement. In this powerful conversation, he reveals how seeing Earth from space changed his perspective on humanity, and offers practical wisdom from his new book, Embracing Infinite Possibilities: Letting Go of Fear to Find Your Highest Potential , about discovering your true calling and pursuing...
In this collection of intimate essays, we explore what happens when we prioritize genuine presence over performance, deep connection over financial success, and authentic expression over social expectations. Through personal stories and practical insights, learn how small shifts in how we show up, communicate, and measure success can transform our relationships and creative impact. Whether you're feeling behind in life, seeking more meaningful conversations, or yearning to express yourself more ...
Ever wondered why some people move past hardships while others get stuck in them? In this transformative conversation, Columbia professor Scott Barry Kaufman reveals the crucial difference between experiencing hardship and adopting a victim mindset, sharing research-backed strategies from his book, Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential . Learn how shifting your perspective on boredom, lowering certain life expectations, and changing simple self-...
What if showing up as your most authentic, playful self was the key to doing truly brilliant work? Bree Groff, author of Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously) , shares her radical rules for injecting more joy, creativity and aliveness into your professional life. An eye-opening listen for anyone who wants to finally merge work and life into one joyful expression of their fullest self. You can find Bree at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also lov...
Former college football player turned minister Danté Stewart reveals what happens when you stop shrinking yourself to fit others' expectations and start trusting your own evolution. Drawing from his acclaimed memoir Shoutin' in the Fire , Stewart shares intimate stories about navigating faith, identity, and belonging, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to grow beyond your community's boundaries while staying true to yourself. You can find Danté at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transc...
Ever wonder why some relationships thrive through challenges while others crumble? In this spotlight episode, leading relationship researchers share the exact patterns that predict relationship success, revealing why conflict isn't the problem—it's how we navigate it that matters. Learn practical tools from the Gottmans' decades of research, discover how self-awareness shapes stronger connections with Yung Pueblo, and explore science-backed strategies for deepening friendships with expert Daniel...
Harvard professor Alison Wood Brooks reveals why those perfectly polished conversations we see in movies and TV are actually making it harder for us to connect in real life. In her new book Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves , she shares the surprising science behind why messy, imperfect conversations often lead to deeper connections, and offers her practical TALK framework for transforming everyday interactions into meaningful moments of genuine connection. Learn w...
When Scott Shigeoka, a queer Asian American progressive, packed everything into his Prius and spent a year seeking out conversations with people who held opposing views, he discovered something remarkable about the relationship between fear and curiosity. In this transformative conversation, Scott shares insights from his book " Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World " and reveals how genuine curiosity can turn our deepest fears into bridges of understanding. You'll lea...
What if those parts of yourself you've been trying to change or silence are actually trying to protect you? In this illuminating conversation, psychotherapist Tamala Floyd reveals how understanding and building relationships with your different inner parts can transform exhaustion into wholeness, offering insights from her new book Listening When Parts Speak: A Practical Guide to Healing with Internal Family Systems Therapy and Ancestor Wisdom. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, people-pleasin...
Until 2018, we had no medications specifically designed to prevent migraines or cluster headaches - a startling fact given that headaches affect billions worldwide. In this revealing conversation, former New York Times journalist Tom Zeller Jr., author of The Headache: The Science of a Most Confounding Affliction—and a Search for Relief , weaves together cutting-edge neuroscience, cultural history, and his personal battle with cluster headaches to explore why this common condition remains so mis...
Psychologist Dr Elaine Aron sits down with Jonathan Fields to unpack the traits of the Highly Sensitive Person and show how this wiring can become your greatest strength in family life. Get science-backed strategies straight from her book “The Highly Sensitive Parent: Be Brilliant in Your Role, Even When the World Overwhelms You” and start turning overwhelm into resilience. You can find Elaine at: Website If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversations we had with Susan David, PhD ...
What happens when a former investigator who spent 26 years keeping her true self hidden decides at age 50 to let it all out on social media? Meet Sherri Dindal, who transformed from living life behind a mask to becoming The Real Slim Sherri, amassing 5.7 million followers by showing up with raw authenticity, humor and hard-won wisdom that's inspiring a generation of GenXers to reclaim their right to take up space. Her story reveals how two brushes with death led to an extraordinary reinvention, ...
What if your life isn’t a fixed plan, but a living, evolving blueprint? In the final episode of our 4-part Inner Architect summer series, you’ll discover five practical, science-backed strategies to adapt with clarity, turn setbacks into growth, and build a life that keeps pace with who you're becoming. If you're craving more meaning, momentum, and flexibility, this one's for you. Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode: You can find the 1-page worksheet HERE. Find all of the Summer Series ...
What if regret isn’t something to avoid, but a powerful tool for living a better life? In this conversation, Daniel Pink shares surprising insights from his book The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward , revealing how our regrets can help us make wiser decisions, build deeper connections, and live more intentionally. If you've ever thought if only… , this episode will change how you see the past—and your future. You can find Daniel at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript ...
