Robert Waldinger, a Harvard professor and psychiatrist, directs an 86-year study on what truly makes people happy. He shares that lasting happiness isn’t tied to wealth or fame; it’s rooted in deep connections and community. The conversation covers how social ties impact health and longevity, the importance of pursuing passions without societal pressure, and the true value of time over money. Waldinger emphasizes that genuine attention towards others is essential for a fulfilling life in our distraction-prone world.
45:30
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Making a Difference
Many young people prioritize making a difference in the world.
Those who maintain this focus tend to stay engaged and happy throughout life.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Encourage Contribution
Encourage young people to contribute to something larger than themselves.
Focus on the desire to contribute, not just achieving specific goals.
insights INSIGHT
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Psychological maturity involves being part of something larger than oneself.
This leads to fewer regrets and a sense of a life well-lived.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness
Robert Waldinger
Marc Schulz
This book, written by the directors of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, argues that the key to a happy and fulfilling life is strong relationships. The study, which has followed the lives of over 1,300 individuals from two generations of families for more than 80 years, reveals that good relationships predict better health and happiness. The authors present insights from the personal stories of the study's participants, supported by findings from numerous other scientific studies. The book emphasizes that relationships in all forms—friendships, romantic partnerships, families, and more—contribute to a happier and healthier life, and it provides practical advice on how to strengthen and build these connections[2][3][5].
We all want to live a happy life, but what does research say about how to actually achieve it?
For more than 86 years, researchers at Harvard University have been trying to answer that question. In one of the longest-running and most comprehensive studies of human happiness, Harvard tracked 724 teenagers through every stage of their adult lives since 1938. Some of them are still alive today and the findings are clear: lasting happiness isn’t about wealth or fame—it’s about something much deeper.
Robert Waldinger, a professor and psychiatrist, has directed the study for over 20 years. His TED Talk about it went viral with nearly 50 million views, and in 2023, he wrote a book about it - The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness.I asked Robert to share what the study has revealed about happiness over the decades, how its insights have shaped his own life, and the one essential ingredient for a joyful, meaningful existence.
This…is A Bit of Optimism.
To learn more about Robert and his work, check out:
A Bit of Optimism 
