Dr. Robert Waldinger talks about his book The Good Life: Lessons From the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness, which explores lessons from the longest scientific study of happiness.
Dr. Robert Waldinger is a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, the director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development at Massachusetts General Hospital, and co-founder of the Lifespan Research Foundation. He is also a Zen master and teaches meditation in New England and around the world. His TED Talk is one of the most viewed of all time, with over 43 million views. He’s the co-author, along with Dr. Marc Schulz, of The Good Life.
Note: this episode first aired in January 2023.
Episode cheatsheet
The big takeaway
Dr. Robert Waldinger shares insights from decades at the helm of the world’s longest scientific study of happiness. The main lesson (and it's a big one): Warm, active relationships—not wealth, fame, or constant achievement—are the single strongest predictor of both long-term health and true happiness. And while the lesson is simple, acting on it takes intention—especially in a culture that often sidelines connection for productivity and shiny distractions.
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