Episode 6: “Abundance, Agreements & the Architecture of Flourishing” with Dr. Jim Ritchie-Dunham

What if flourishing—at both the individual and organizational level—came down to the agreements we make every day?

In this enlightening episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott welcomes Dr. Jim Ritchie-Dunham, a global leader in the science of abundance and founder of the field known as pactoecography—the study of human agreements that shape our lives, relationships, and institutions.

Jim shares powerful insights from decades of research and practice in over 59 countries, drawing from his roles as a professor, author, systems thinker, and collaborator on the Global Flourishing Study and the Leadership for Flourishing initiative at Harvard. Together, they explore:

• The difference between scarcity-based and abundance-based agreements
• What it means to map the social topography of flourishing organizations
• The science behind vibrant teams and the power of clarity in leadership
• How data—not just theory—can drive transformative change
• Why vibrancy is a choice—and how that photo with Jim’s sharpie tattoo came to be!

Jim also shares highlights from his new book Agreements (2025) and offers a profound reminder that our everyday choices and relationships shape our capacity to thrive.

This episode is for leaders, educators, practitioners, and anyone who believes in the power of human connection and purposeful design.

Learn more:

• Harvard Human Flourishing Program: hfh.fas.harvard.edu
• Institute for Strategic Clarity: strategicclarity.org
• Jim’s books: Agreements (2024), Ecosynomics (2014), and Managing from Clarity (2001)

Coming up next week: Dr. Cortland Dahl, Chief Contemplative Officer of Healthy Minds Innovations and creator of the Healthy Minds App, joins Scott for a deeply inspiring conversation on mindfulness, neuroscience, and flourishing in everyday life.

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.

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