Marc Schulz is a professor of psychology at Bryn Mawr college, is the Associate Director of the Harvard Study of Human Development, and is the co-author of the book "The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness."

During our conversation, Marc talks about the key insight from the longest study ever done on human flourishing: that good relationships are the most important factor in a thriving life. He also discusses what a good relationship means, how good relationships provide us protection from the vicissitudes of life, the ideal number of friends, Robert Putnam's book "Bowling Alone" and the epidemic of modern loneliness, and how our culture distracts us from properly prioritizing what actually makes us healthy and happy.

I feel like the truth of this book is hiding in plain sight: we all know that great friends and enduring connections are treasures, but it's easy to get distracted and lethargic. I hope this work can be a clarifier for us all, and a reminder to be more people-focused, to be a bit more socially generous, and a bit more worthy of having terrific people in our lives.

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(00:00) Intro

(03:11) The Harvard Study of Human Development

(06:11) An extensive study of human thriving

(07:57) What the study discovered

(10:06) What are good relationships?

(12:05) Relationships provide protection

(16:18) Avoiding toxic relationships

(20:38) Rules of thumb regarding toxic relationships

(23:58) Modern loneliness

(26:51) COVID may have changed our Big 5 personality averages

(29:40) Social fitness

(33:14) How society discourages focusing on our relationships

(37:18) Marc's advice to prioritize relationships

(42:03) Stories from the book that resonate

(46:48) Marc's advice about ambition to his students

(50:33) What are the best number of friends to have?

(54:03) Choosing an intimate partner and the importance of friendship