Flourish FM

Episode #2: The Importance of Meaning for Flourishing

Today we are talking with Emily Esfahani Smith about the role and importance of meaning in human flourishing. Emily also touches on how to find meaning in life and what meaning consists of - the 'four pillars' of meaning and the role each pillar may play in human flourishing. 
 
Emily Esfahani Smith is a writer in Washington DC. In her writing, she draws on psychology, philosophy, and literature to write about the human experience — why we are the way we are and how we can find grace and meaning in a world that is full of suffering. Her book The Power of Meaning, an international bestseller, was published by Crown and has been translated into 16 different languages. The Wall Street Journal called the book “persuasive,” “elegant,” and “valuable” while the Prospect (UK) dubbed it “an intelligent page-turner.” She is also an international speaker who has delivered dozens of keynote addresses and workshops at corporations, conferences, non-profit organizations, libraries, universities, and high schools around the country and world. In 2017, Smith delivered a talk called “There’s More to Life Than Being Happy” on the main stage of TED, which was based on her book. It’s been viewed over 9 million times.

Episode #1: Todd Kashdan on Navigating Unpleasantness and Creating Change

This week we talk with Todd Kashdan, author and TEDx speaker about flourishing. 
Key takeaways will be the relationship between your various areas of specialization and human flourishing, including but not limited to: 
- curiousity and openness to experience 
- affective science (specifically pleasantness and unpleasantness or "positive and negative" emotions)
-psychological flexibility done through conversations
 
Todd Kashdan, Ph.D., received the American Psychological Association’s Distinguished Scientific Award in 2013 and Distinguished Faculty Member of the Year at George Mason University in 2010. He has published over 210 scientific journal articles on psychological strengths such as curiosity and courage, emotional agility, meaning and purpose in life, social relationships, leveraging stress for optimal performance, resilience, and well-being.
 
Author of several books, Kashdan’s latest is The Art of Insubordination: How to Dissent and Defy Effectively. His work has been featured on CNN and NPR, as well as media outlets including the Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Time Magazine, Newsweek, Fast Company and Scientific American.
 
He is a TEDx speaker and works with organizations as diverse as Mercedes-Benz, the World Bank, United States Department of Defense, Merck, Hormel, General Mills, Gensler, the Gap, and Standard Chartered Bank. He gives keynotes and workshops to business executives, schools, parents, retirees, scholars, and health professionals.
 
 
 

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What does it take to flourish? We started Flourish FM to share cutting edge research from world experts on how to thrive, so you can take away big ideas and practical steps to enhance your life, the lives of others, and, ultimately, make the world a better place.
Flourish FM is hosted by Dr. Jon Beale and Dr. Nick Holton, and in collaboration with the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University, the Department of Education at the University of Oxford, and The Shipley School.