How can we live happier lives?

That's today's big question, and my guest is Dr. Marc Schulz, the co-author with Dr. Robert Waldinger of “The Good Life: Lessons From the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness”

They're the most recent generation of co-directors of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the longest study of happiness ever conducted. Marc is the Associate Director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development and the Sue Kardus PhD 1971 Chair in Psychology at Bryn Mawr College, where he also directs the data science program. And previously, he chaired the Psychology Department and Clinical Development Psychology PhD program at Bryn Mawr.

Now, look, how can we lead happier lives is obviously nuanced, complicated question.

But I don't think it'll surprise you that almost 90 years of data from this study has shown that well-nourished relationships inside and outside the home are a major key, if not, the major key to what you might call a happy life.

It's not money, it's not work or any of these things -- it's the people we relate to.

What can 90 years of comprehensive research teach us about protecting and nourishing our most important relationships in times of radical change?

Whether that's about having kids or about climate change, this is the most important thing.

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INI Book Club:

• The Good Life: Lessons From the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz
• The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee
• Find all of our guest recommendations at the INI Book Club: https://bookshop.org/lists/important-not-important-book-club

Links:

• Connect with Dr. Schulz and keep up with his work
• Watch Robert Waldinger's Ted Talk

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• Edited by Anthony Luciani
• Produced by Willow Beck
• Intro/outro by Tim Blane: timblane.com

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