Episode 29: “Full-Spectrum Flourishing: Ethics, Wonder, and the Concept of ‘Human Flourishing’” with Dr. Eri Mountbatten-O’Malley

What if our current ways of measuring “well-being” are quietly undermining the very idea of human flourishing?

In this thought-provoking episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons sits down with Dr. Eri Mountbatten-O’Malley — Senior Lecturer in Education at Bath Spa University and author of Human Flourishing: A Conceptual Analysis — to explore what flourishing really means, why it has a moral core, and how misunderstandings of this powerful concept can lead to serious ethical and policy problems. 

Drawing on his philosophical work and years of experience in education, social policy, and inclusion, Eri invites us to look beyond simplistic “feel-good” approaches to wellbeing and towards a richer, more responsible vision of flourishing that considers agency, personal growth, meaning, and our deep responsibilities to others and the planet. 

Scott and Eri also dive into Eri’s notion of full-spectrum flourishing — a way of seeing flourishing that stretches from the individual to communities, ecosystems, and future generations — and his practical efforts to democratize flourishing through Flourish Cafe, a world-café style process that helps ordinary people co-create their own visions of what it means to live well together.

Along the way, Scott and Eri explore:

• What makes a flourishing leader — and why exploitation is incompatible with genuine flourishing
• How perfectionism and narrow measurement can distort flourishing research and policy
• The ethical risks of using “well-being” and “happiness” as policy tools without conceptual clarity
• Full-spectrum flourishing and the idea that “I flourish because we flourish”
• Wonder as an essential, often neglected ingredient of flourishing and intergenerational connection
• How Flourish Cafe creates spaces for voice, connection, and co-created visions of flourishing
• The emerging Global Flourishing Goals and how flourishing might re-shape or challenge the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals paradigm

Whether you’re a leader, educator, policymaker, or simply someone who cares about what a good life really is, this episode will stretch your thinking and invite you to re-examine your own assumptions about flourishing.

 You can connect with Eri on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast!
Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey.

Learn more at: Flourishing Leaders Academy
Subscribe & Follow: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google | YouTube
Share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with integrity and flourish in every domain of life.
Connect with Scott: LinkedIn | Scott@FlourishingLeaders.us

Flourish with us—because leadership rooted in character changes everything.