

Episode #73: Insights from the world’s biggest study of human flourishing, with Dr. Matthew Lee
Jul 29, 2025
Dr. Matthew Lee, a Research Associate at Harvard's Human Flourishing Program and Professor at Baylor University, shares fascinating insights from the Global Flourishing Study, which surveys over 200,000 individuals across 22 countries. He discusses the complexities of flourishing compared to resilience, emphasizing meaningful relationships and cultural contexts. The conversation also touches on childhood's impact on long-term well-being and the role of spirituality and community in achieving mental health. Lee advocates for societal changes to foster environments that support flourishing.
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Comprehensive View of Flourishing
- Flourishing includes subjective well-being across multiple domains and the context in which individuals live.
- It involves happiness, meaning, health, character, relationships, and financial stability, plus societal and environmental factors.
Flourishing vs. Resilience
- Flourishing is distinct from resilience, often involving virtuous giving rather than mere coping.
- True flourishing integrates adversity with meaning, embodying "wholeness amidst adversity."
GDP and Flourishing's Paradox
- The study found a negative correlation between GDP and flourishing, with middle-income countries often scoring higher.
- Economic growth alone may neglect other essential aspects like social connection and meaning.