Flourish FM

Episode #62: Is Our Modern Civilization Helping or Hindering Flourishing? Insights and Answers with Dr. Christopher Ryan

Dr. Christopher Ryan is a thought-provoking author, researcher, and host of the podcast Tangentially Speaking. He gained international recognition with his New York Times bestseller Sex at Dawn (co-authored with Cacilda Jethá), which reexamines human sexuality through the lens of anthropology and evolutionary biology, challenging conventional views on monogamy and societal norms. His latest book, Civilized to Death, critiques modern society, arguing that progress has often detracted from our well-being. 
Chris’s work has been translated into over twenty languages, and appeared on Netflix, HBO, MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, NPR, The New York Times, The Times of London, The Washington Post, Time, Newsweek, National Geographic, and The Atlantic. Chris has been a featured speaker at TED, SXSW.
With a Ph.D. in psychology, Chris combines his expertise with wide-ranging experiences from his global travels, where he has lived among diverse cultures and explored alternative lifestyles. Chris’s work explores human nature, questioning the narrative of civilization as inherently beneficial, invites readers to rethink how we live and relate to one another, engaging audiences with a critical yet hopeful perspective on human potential and flourishing.
His work bridges the gap between academic theory and practical wisdom, engaging audiences with a critical yet hopeful perspective on human potential and flourishing.
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Podcast: Tangentially Speaking
Books: Sex at Dawn: How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What It Means for Modern Relationships (2010, co-authored with Cacilda Jethá); Civilized to Death: The Price of Progress (2019)
Civilized to Death Cocktail Party Cheat Sheet (common objections to arguments and Chris’ replies) 
Timestamps:
[00:02:53] Detrimental effects of modern progress.
[00:06:29] Social isolation and community decline.
[00:17:21] Cultural differences in lifestyles.
[00:20:56] Hunter-gatherer societal values.
[00:24:42] Interdependence and community importance.
[00:39:47] The importance of "enough."
[00:41:47] Wealth and happiness paradox.
[00:46:07] Disaster sociology and human resilience.
[00:49:10] Pursuing true personal values.

Episode #61: “Toxic Productivity” and Our Ability to Flourish, with Israa Nasir

Israa Nasir, MHC-LP, is a psychotherapist, writer, and the founder of WellGuide, a digital community for mental health awareness. She recently published Toxic Productivity: Reclaim Your Time and Emotional Energy in a World that Always Demands More (November 2024), a book that demonstrates how to challenge the various masks of toxic productivity and societal pressures around managing time by focusing on emotional regulation.
A Pakistani-Canadian child of immigrants, Israa has a specific focus on mental health, identity formation and healing for the AAPI first- and second-generation immigrant community. Israa has been featured in major publications including NBC, Vox, Huffpost and Teen Vogue, and has been invited to speak at corporations and institutions such as Google, Meta, and Yale University.
Israa sits on the Mental Health Advisory Board for both PopSugar (Vox Media) and the menstrual health product and advocacy brand, August. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Toronto, a Master’s in Counseling from Adelphi University, and certifications in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy. 
With over a decade of experience as a licensed therapist in Ontario and New York, Israa specializes in empowering individuals through therapy, workshops, and engaging content that addresses emotional well-being.
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Recently published book: Toxic Productivity: Reclaim Your Time and Emotional Energy in a World that Always Demands More 
Timestamps:
[04:08] Emotional intelligence domains explained.
[11:06] Emotional intelligence in society today.
[19:02] Emotional intelligence and optimal performance.
[23:15] Importance of emotional intelligence in leadership.
[29:29] Emotional intelligence and health.
[34:39] Emotional intelligence and flourishing.
[36:55] Emotional intelligence in education.
[41:40] Learning new habits through mindfulness.
[47:29] Cognitive control and flourishing.
[49:16] Cognitive control's long-term effects.
[58:49] Group-level emotional intelligence.

Episode #60: Emotional Intelligence and Resilience with “EI” Pioneer, Dr. Daniel Goleman

Psychologist and author of Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman, Ph.D., has transformed the way the world educates children, relates to family and friends, leads, and conducts business. A frequent speaker on campuses and to businesses of all kinds and sizes, he has worked with organizations around the globe, examining the way social and emotional competencies impact the bottom-line. Ranked one of the 10 most influential business thinkers by the Wall Street Journal, Goleman’s articles in the Harvard Business Review are among the most frequently requested reprints. Goleman has won many awards, including the HBR McKinsey Award for best article of the year. Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences awarded him its Centennial Medallion. 
 
Apart from his writing on emotional intelligence, Goleman has written books on topics including self-deception, creativity, transparency, meditation, social and emotional learning, eco-literacy and the ecological crisis. His latest book, Optimal: How to Sustain Personal and Organizational Excellence Every Day (2024), shows why emotional intelligence can help each of us have rewarding and productive days. Goleman’s online Emotional Intelligence Program offers anyone a deep understanding of the competencies of self-awareness, self-management, empathy and social skill.
 
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Bestselling book: Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ (1995)
Most recent book: Optimal: How to Sustain Personal and Organizational Excellence Every Day (2024)
Other books
Goleman’s online Emotional Intelligence Program
Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations
Timestamps:
[04:08] Emotional intelligence domains explained.
[11:06] Emotional intelligence in society today.
[19:02] Emotional intelligence and optimal performance.
[23:15] Importance of emotional intelligence in leadership.
[29:29] Emotional intelligence and health.
[34:39] Emotional intelligence and flourishing.
[36:55] Emotional intelligence in education.
[41:40] Learning new habits through mindfulness.
[47:29] Cognitive control and flourishing.
[49:16] Cognitive control's long-term effects.
[58:49] Group-level emotional intelligence.

Episode #59: How to Harness Meaning, Mattering and Purpose for a Flourishing Work Life, with Dr. Zach Mercurio

Zach Mercurio, Ph.D., is a researcher, author, and speaker specializing in purposeful leadership, mattering, meaningful work, and positive organizational psychology. As author of The Invisible Leader: Transform Your Life, Work, and Organization with the Power of Authentic Purpose, Zach has inspired individuals and organizations to discover and leverage their unique purpose to drive engagement and success. He is also a leading expert on workplace culture, helping leaders cultivate environments where people feel valued and motivated. His research on meaningful work has received awards from the Association for Talent Development, the Academy of Management, and the Academy of Human Resource Development. 
 
With a Ph.D. in Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change, Zach’s work research and practical insights have been featured in major outlets like Forbes, Psychology Today, and Harvard Business Review. He works with hundreds of organizations worldwide to forge purposeful leaders who enable mattering, motivation, well-being, and performance. 
 
Zach’s next book is The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance (Harvard Business Review Press, 2025), which reveals how experiencing mattering to others is a fundamental, yet often overlooked, requirement for thriving. Zach’s mission is to help people and organizations realize their potential by unlocking the power of purpose and meaning in their work.
 
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Forthcoming book: The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance (Harvard Business Review Press 2025)
Most recent book: The Invisible Leader: Transform Your Life, Work, and Organization with the Power of Authentic Purpose (Advantage, 2017)
“How to Create Mattering at Work,” Medium, November 2022.
Timestamps:
[00:03:06] Importance of mattering to others.
[00:11:44] Mattering and self-actualization.
[00:15:01] Community and individual well-being.
[00:21:25] The power of mattering.
[00:22:29] An anti-mattering epidemic.
[00:26:30] Resilience in toxic environments.
[00:35:01] Feeling irreplaceable in the workplace.
[00:38:03] Value of recognizing individuals.
[00:44:34] Moments of mattering in work.
[00:49:17] Mitigating burnout through social support.
[00:56:05] Reskilling to combat loneliness.
[00:59:05] Helping others flourish through connection.

Episode #58: How to Clean Up Your Mental Mess & Flourish, with Dr. Caroline Leaf

Dr. Caroline Leaf is a clinical and research neuroscientist, communication pathologist, and author, recognized for her groundbreaking work on brain science and mental health. With a Ph.D. in Communication Pathology, Caroline focuses on the mind-brain connection and the transformative power of thought management for enhancing mental well-being. Her mission is “to make mental healthcare, knowledge about the power of our minds, and tools for improving learning and memory affordable, accessible, and applicable to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, or religion.”
Caroline is the author of several bestselling books, including Switch On Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health, which explores the impact of neuroplasticity and thought management on personal growth. Her most recent book, Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: Five Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking (2021) offers practical strategies for overcoming mental clutter and enhancing emotional well-being. Through her work, Caroline integrates scientific research with actionable insights, helping individuals harness the power of their thoughts to create meaningful and positive changes in their lives. As a sought-after speaker and global advocate, she continues to inspire and educate on the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and holistic mental health.
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Most recent book: Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: Five Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking (Baker Books, 2021)
Neurocycle app
Cleaning Up the Mental Mess podcast
Timestamps:
[01:58] Neurocycling.
[06:58] Non-conscious mind functions explained.
[10:20] Neuroplasticity and conscious mind interaction.
[18:11] Habit formation and trauma processing.
[00:25:37] Neuroplasticity and brain change.
[00:31:21] Neuroplasticity and mental mess cleanup.
[34:41] Neurocycle for managing trauma.
[41:08] Biomedical model of mental health.
[49:19] Mindstorm writing process.
[54:15] Daily mental health practices.
[57:23] Overcoming learned helplessness.
[01:00:04] App for mental health support.

Episode #57: What Every BODY Should Know About Nutrition & Flourishing, with Dr. Federica Amati

Dr. Federica Amati is a postdoctoral medical scientist and public health nutritionist, committed to advancing our understanding of nutrition and lifestyle interventions for optimal health. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Medicine Research from Imperial College London, where her work focused on the gut microbiome and its impact on human health. She focuses in particular on maternal and early childhood health, emphasizing the first 1,000 days of life, women’s health, and the role of nutrition in improving health outcomes. 
 
Federica is currently a Research Associate at Imperial College London’s School of Public Health, and Nutrition Lead at Imperial’s School of Medicine. Beyond her academic work, Federica is Head Nutritionist at ZOE, a health science company leveraging data-driven insights to empower individuals to achieve better health outcomes through personalized nutrition. At ZOE, she contributes her expertise in nutrition science to help develop innovative solutions that translate cutting-edge research into practical dietary recommendations. 
 
Federica’s recently published book, Every Body Should Know This: The Science of Eating for a Lifetime of Health, outlines how to eat for best health at each life stage. With a passion for public health, Federica has made a real difference to both individual and community health. 
 
In this episode, we discuss what are the most important factors about nutrition to support human thriving, and how nutrition supports flourishing at various stages across the human lifespan. 
 
Key conversation points are: 
the fundamentals about nutrition that we all need to know; 
how to improve our healthspan, as well as our lifespan; 
Federica’s groundbreaking research on how to thrive across the different stages of life that impact nutrition, which she describes as ‘the biggest “windows of opportunity” that human development offers us – the key moments when our physiology, metabolism and needs for certain foods change’; 
and why ultra-processed foods are bad for our health, and strategies we can employ to consume far fewer ultra-processed foods, despite them being so readily available and well marketed.
 
flourishfmpodcast.com 
 
Links:
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Imperial College webpage
ZOE Science and Nutrition webpage
ZOE Science and Nutrition podcast
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Recent book: Every Body Should Know This: The Science of Eating for a Lifetime of Health (2024)
Recent interview with ZOE (May 2024)

Episode #56: Navigating life’s choices: Daniel Pink on motivation, regrets, growth and flourishing

Daniel H. Pink is a renowned author known for his groundbreaking work on motivation, work, and human behavior. He is the author of five New York Times bestsellers, the most recent of which is The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward, which explores the role of regret in personal and professional growth, offering new insights into how embracing our past can lead to a more fulfilling future. His other books include the New York Times bestsellers When and A Whole New Mind — as well as the #1 New York Times bestsellers Drive and To Sell is Human. 
Daniel’s books have won multiple awards, been translated into 46 languages, sold millions of copies around the world, and consistently appeared on bestseller lists. His work has garnered widespread acclaim from business leaders, educators, and policymakers. His articles have appeared in The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Slate, and other publications. He has appeared frequently on NPR, PBS, ABC, CNN, and other TV and radio networks in the US and abroad. Dan’s ability to blend scientific research with compelling storytelling provides actionable insights for individuals and organizations looking to improve their performance and well-being. 
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Most recent book: The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward (2022)
World Regret Survey
American Regret Project
Timestamps:
[02:15] The power of regret.
[05:32] Regret and its usefulness.
[08:35] Resistance to discussing regret.
[12:29] Regrets of action and inaction.
[15:42] Core regrets identified in the research.
[19:29] Cultural differences in regrets.
[25:45] Four core regrets for flourishing.
[31:42] Types of regrets and well-being.
[35:42] Regrets and positivity in life.
[41:14] Dealing with regrets.
[50:55] Anticipating future regrets.
[56:36] The Flourishing Question

Episode #55: The Art and Science of Connection and Social Health, with Kasley Killam

Kasley Killam, MPH, is the author of The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier (HarperCollins, June 2024). She is a Harvard-trained social scientist, award-winning innovator, and is internationally recognized as a leading expert in “social health”: the dimension of well-being that stems from relationships. 
Kasley champions social health as a strategic advisor, keynote speaker, and founder of Social Health Labs, a national nonprofit that empowers community builders. Drawing from over a decade of studying, sharing, and applying the science of human connection, her expertise has been featured in major outlets including the New York Times, Scientific American, and Washington Post, and she pens the Social Health Blog for Psychology Today.
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Timestamps:
02:12 - Defining Social Health04:02 - The Temple Analogy for Social Health06:07 - The Importance of Connection for Longevity00:10:01 - Assessing Social Health as a Positive Indicator00:13:13 - Characteristics of Social Health00:15:28 - Diverse Ties and Their Importance00:19:12 - The Role of Casual Interactions00:21:45 - Framework for Assessing Social Health00:25:52 - Strategies for Strengthening Social Muscles00:27:08 - Making Social Health a Priority00:30:37 - Connection Preferences and Styles00:35:02 - Blending Connection Styles00:37:15 - Loneliness and Its Impact on Health00:41:29 - Recognizing and Addressing Loneliness00:44:13 - Localized Types of Loneliness00:46:45 - Positive Psychology Approach to Social Health00:47:48 - One Action to Improve Social Health

Episode #54: Strategies for Real World Enlightenment, with Susan Kaiser Greenland

Susan Kaiser Greenland is a mindfulness educator and bestselling author, who teaches mindfulness to children, teens, parents, and educators for everyday practices. She is a former corporate attorney, but transformed her career after discovering meditation, founding Inner Kids to teach secular mindfulness in schools and community programs. She has been studying Buddhism for over 30 years. She has authored several widely translated books, including her latest release in July 2024, Real-World Enlightenment: Discovering Ordinary Magic in Everyday Life. The book offers 50 powerful tools for modern seekers, providing practical strategies to foster meaningful connections and alleviate the pressures of modern life.
Susan is a respected speaker and mentor, whose insights draw from global wisdom traditions and scientific research, aiming to foster meaningful connections and well-being in everyday life. Her work has been featured in publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post and CNN, and she speaks globally on mindfulness and its benefits. 
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Susan Kaiser Greenland
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Latest book: Real-World Enlightenment: Discovering Ordinary Magic in Everyday Life (2024)
Timestamps:
00:02:38 - Defining Real World Enlightenment00:05:04 - Real World Enlightenment in Unpleasant Experiences00:08:13 - Wonder, Awe, and Ambiguous Experiences00:10:13 - Demystifying Traditional Enlightenment00:12:00 - Examples of Real World Enlightenment00:15:00 - Seeking vs. Allowing Enlightenment Experiences00:19:19 - Grasping vs. Experiencing Non-Conceptual Moments00:24:10 - Process Over Outcome in Meditation00:27:35 - Indications of Real World Enlightenment00:29:02 - Shifts in Perspective and Experience00:30:08 - Meditation and Modern Relevance00:35:02 - Sequential Process of Awareness and Self-Regulation00:38:08 - Golden Threads in Wisdom Traditions00:41:06 - Leading a Meaningful Life Through Golden Threads00:43:08 - Small Daily Actions for Transformation00:45:42 - Practical Advice for Adults and Children00:49:48 - Where to Find Susan Kaiser Greenland

Episode #53: Positive Leadership: How to Lead Well by Doing Good, with Dr. Craig Dowden

Dr. Craig Dowden is a bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and executive coach born and raised in Newfoundland. He is celebrated for his expertise in bridging the gap between the science and practice of leadership excellence, and has spent over 25 years exploring the connections between leadership theory and application.
Craig’s career spans academia, keynote speaking, and executive coaching, where he currently coaches leaders across the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Craig has a Ph.D. in Psychology and Business and was a Professor at Carleton University, where he was nominated twice for the Capital Educators Award. He is a prolific contributor to top publications like Forbes, CEOWORLD, Psychology Today, and the Huffington Post, and has been featured on various TV, radio, and podcast platforms. His accolades include being named in the Ottawa Business Journal “Top 40 Under 40” list in 2009.
Craig has authored two bestselling books: Do Good To Lead Well: The Science and Practice of Positive Leadership (2019) and A Time To Lead: Mastering Your Self So You Can Master Your World (2022), co-authored with Alan Mulally and Sarah McArthur. His podcast, Do Good To Lead Well, ranks in the top 1% globally, featuring interviews with notable thought leaders and CEOs.
 
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Dr. Craig Dowden:
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Timestamps:
[01:10] Positive Leadership and Self-Mastery.
[05:20] Self-mastery and self-reflection.
[07:10] Building leadership skills as habits.
[12:39] Mindset shifts and reframing.
[16:41] Mastering our strengths.
[20:28] Authentic leadership.
[27:56] Building optimal team dynamics.
[29:32] Building diverse and enhancing teams.
[35:06] Feedback strategies.
[37:30] Seeking feedback for personal growth.
[42:36] Positive leadership and energy.
[46:07] Leadership for flourishing.