What Are the Data Points?

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In 1938, people hadn't even dreamed of DNA. So what we've become is kind of a history of adult developmental research by incorporating new measures. We put people into MRI scanners and show them happy images and sad images to see where their brains light up. I mean, all these things that now we do that we're never conceived of when the study began. But then we started audiotaping people and then videotaping people. And then measuring their cardiovascular reactions,. We'd stress them out and measure how quickly they calmed down after a stressor. We drew blood for DNA.

What if the key to living a good life is actually a lot closer than we all realize? Whether you're a long-time listener of the podcast or this is your first time tuning in, I bet some part of you is searching for the answers to living a good, meaningful life. You've probably wondered what the keys to happiness or good health, or fortune are. In our last episode, I shared a simple model for a really good life that I call the Good Life Buckets. If you haven’t listened, be sure to tee that up next.

Today, we’re diving even deeper into the role that relationships and people play in our ability to feel human, to feel alive, and to flourish in all parts of life with a very special guest, someone passionate about uncovering and sharing the keys to living a good life, Dr. Robert Waldinger.

He's a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and director of the longest-running study on human flourishing ever conducted, now spanning over 80 years. The insights that have come out of it are profound, and also, for many, surprising, especially in the context of the importance of relationships on our ability to be happy, no matter what else comes our way.

Bob is also the co-author of the book The Good Life: Lessons From the World's Longest Scientific Study on Happiness, and I'm excited to dive deeper today into some of the insights shared in his book. In this conversation, Dr. Waldinger reveals some myths about happiness and living a good life that some of us cling to, what the data says actually matters and what doesn’t, and how to invest more effectively in the pursuit of happiness.

You can find Robert at: Website| LinkedIn | TED Talk

If you LOVED this episode: you’ll also love last week’s episode about a simple model for a really good life.

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