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 the secret to a stronger relationship is breaking the "rules" everyone says you should follow? In this paradigm-shifting conversation, renowned therapist Stephanie Yates-Anyabwile reveals why sleeping apart, living separately, and other unconventional choices might actually deepen your connection. Learn why preventative relationship work matters more than crisis management, how to navigate family resistance to unconventional choices, and why giving your partner "the benefit of the doubt"...
Imagine a tattoo that changes color to warn you of health issues, or a watch that knows you're getting sick before you do. In this fascinating episode, we explore breakthrough biosensor technology with Imperial College's Ali Yetisen and precision medicine pioneer Michael Snyder, who reveal how real-time health monitoring is transforming from science fiction to reality. Learn how new technologies like smart tattoos, wearable devices, and advanced blood testing are revolutionizing healthcare, shif...
Three wisdom-keepers reveal how to navigate life's most devastating losses and emerge transformed. Death doula Alua Arthur, grief therapist Claire Bidwell Smith, and community builder Cyndie Spiegel share powerful insights on finding meaning after loss, creating healing rituals, and discovering unexpected moments of joy even in darkness. Learn practical tools for processing grief, supporting others through loss, and transforming pain into deeper connection with life. Episode Transcript You can f...
Discover how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing heart disease prevention and treatment with Dr. Ami Bhatt, Chief Innovation Officer at the American College of Cardiology. From AI-powered early detection tools to personalized risk prediction, learn how new technologies are making quality cardiac care more accessible while preserving the essential human element of medicine. Dr. Bhatt shares fascinating insights about the innovations transforming cardiovascular health today and her vision f...
In this soul-stirring conversation, bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert reveals the transformative practice of "Letters from Love" - a simple yet profound writing ritual that helped her emerge from her darkest moments and has since touched thousands of lives. Liz shares how to access unconditional love through pen and paper, offering a practical pathway to self-compassion that cuts through the noise of self-judgment and opens the door to genuine self-acceptance. You can find Liz at: Website | L...
From punk rock revolutionary to bridge-builder, Grammy winner Ani DiFranco reveals how being canceled by her own community transformed her approach to activism and art. This intimate conversation explores how to maintain fierce convictions while fostering revolutionary love, featuring vulnerable insights about evolving activism, DIY independence, and creating change through music and dialogue in an age of deepening divides. Watch this conversation on YouTube You can find Ani at: Website | Instag...
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...
