In this episode of Researching Happy, Dr. Matthew Iasiello speaks with Dr. Anco Peeters, philosopher and cognitive scientist at Radboud University. Anco’s work sits at the intersection of embodied cognition, virtue ethics, human-centered design, and AI — with a focus on care robots, education, and the societal impacts of intelligent systems.

Starting from a prescient thought experiment about “Google Morals,” Anco explains how we’ve rapidly moved from hypothetical worries about outsourcing ethics to everyday reality with large language models. The conversation explores:

• The risks of de-skilling critical thinking, moral reasoning, and reflection by over-relying on AI
• Why friction, pushback, and discomfort are often essential for personal growth and flourishing
• Virtue ethics as a practical framework for evaluating AI in healthcare, education, and mental health
• Lessons from care robots and sex robots for today’s AI companions
• Practical ways to design “frictional AI” that supports — rather than replaces — human connection and development
• The balance between efficiency and human well-being in professional and personal contexts

Whether you’re optimistic or concerned about AI’s role in our lives, this episode offers nuanced, thought-provoking insights grounded in philosophy and cognitive science. Anco makes a compelling case for human-centered AI development that prioritizes long-term flourishing over short-term convenience.

In this episode of Researching Happy, host Dr. Matthew Iasiello interviews Dr. Matt Fisher, philosopher, artist, and senior research fellow in public health at Adelaide University.

They discuss Fisher’s book How to Create Societies for Human Well-being, which integrates philosophy, psychology, and public health to argue that societies must be intentionally designed to support human flourishing rather than undermine it.

The conversation explores how social environments drive chronic stress through threats to coping ability and social standing, contributing to widespread mental ill-health (especially among young people). Fisher presents wellbeing as an active process—the development and exercise of “wellbeing abilities” (a capabilities-like approach) that require both personal resources and supportive external conditions. Key themes include balancing goal-directed action with rest, social connection, creativity, contact with nature, and sufficiency; the harms of inequality, discrimination, neoliberal ideology, digital media, and separation from nature; and practical ideas for wellbeing-oriented policies at local and societal levels.

They critique the current trajectory of materialist, hustle-driven cultures and biomedical-focused mental health approaches, while highlighting promising examples from places like Scandinavia, Scotland, and Wales, along with prevention efforts in Australia.

The episode emphasizes clear thinking about what truly supports thriving and calls for shifting from reactive treatment to proactive societal design. It’s an insightful, balanced discussion for anyone interested in mental health, public policy, and creating better conditions for people to live well.

In this episode of Researching Happy, host Matt welcomes back Professor Aaron Jarden, who recently moved to Perth and took on the role of Associate Dean (Postgraduate) in the School of Education at Edith Cowan University (ECU).

Aaron discusses his leadership approach, which emphasizes enabling others, and reflects on career highlights beyond metrics (e.g., student successes).

The core discussion focuses on the upcoming 12th European Conference on Positive Psychology (ECPP), where Aaron serves as co-chair of the academic committee. He is highly enthusiastic about its innovative philosophy: greater interdisciplinarity, genuine debate and extended audience conversations (not just Q&A), meaningful networking, audience participation via QR codes, video abstracts for broader access, and a playful, non-hierarchical vibe. The conference theme centers on positive health (body meeting mind) and boldly tackling major global challenges like war, poverty, climate change, and non-communicable diseases.

Aaron sees it as a watershed moment for the field — an opportunity to address stagnation, lack of clear direction/leadership, and the need for a fresh, collaborative community vision (moving beyond Martin Seligman’s original framing). He highlights the transparent, democratic committee process and the influx of fresh talent/future leaders. Broader reflections include:

• Positive psychology/wellbeing science embedding successfully in established disciplines (e.g., education).
• The value of better questions, sustainable wellbeing, and translation to policy/practice.
• Challenges like conceptual clarity, integration with psychology, and avoiding insularity.

We all agree that something is deeply wrong with how we die today. In many modern healthcare systems, death feels over-medicalised, isolating, and often stripped of meaning, dignity, and human connection. No one is defending the status quo.Yet on the deeply contentious issue of assisted dying, we are sharply divided — not necessarily on the existence of suffering, but on how we should respond to it, and what it truly means for human dignity, autonomy, and the role of medicine.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Kristin Collier — practicing internist, Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, and Director of the Program on Health, Spirituality, and Religion.

We explore the fundamental tension between our strong societal commitment to suicide prevention and the growing push for physician-assisted dying.

A central challenge in this conversation is language itself. Terms like “death with dignity” and “medical aid in dying” carry powerful emotional weight for many. Others, including the American Medical Association, insist on the term “physician-assisted suicide,” arguing that softer language can obscure reality and erode the healing identity of medicine.Dr. Collier offers a thoughtful, principled critique rooted in concerns about patient vulnerability, ableism, bracket creep, unintended consequences for disabled communities, and the integrity of the medical profession.

We also examine how different worldviews understand autonomy and dignity — one sees dignity as the right to control the timing and manner of death, while another sees it as intrinsic to every person, independent of suffering or disability.

We discuss power differentials in healthcare, financial incentives, and the critical distinction between aiming at death versus making difficult choices to forgo burdensome treatments near the end of life.While the conversation is uncomfortable, we find important common ground: 

No one believes we are dying well right now. Better palliative care, deeper accompaniment of suffering, stronger support systems, and honest cultural reform around death are urgently needed — no matter where one stands on assisted dying.This is a nuanced and respectful exploration of one of the most important ethical questions of our time.

Chapters

00:00 The Dilemma of Life and Death

03:04 Understanding Human Dignity

06:04 The Role of Medicine in Suffering

11:09 The Language of Dignity and Death

15:51 Compassionate Responses to Suffering

21:19 The Ethics of Physician-Assisted Suicide

25:56 Financial Incentives and Healthcare Choices

32:05 The Role of Disability Advocacy in Medical Ethics

35:43 Ableism and Ageism in Medicine

39:08 The Complexity of Suffering and Assisted Dying

46:28 The Slippery Slope of Assisted Dying Legislation

51:46 Moral Perspectives on Physician-Assisted Suicide

54:02 Building Consensus on End-of-Life Care

In this heartfelt and practical conversation, Matt sits down with Associate Professor James Kirby — clinical psychologist, Director of Clinical Psychology Programs at the University of Queensland, and co-director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group.

James is a leading expert in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), developed by Professor Paul Gilbert. He explores why self-compassion often feels so difficult — especially for high-achievers, athletes, dads, and anyone raised with the idea that self-criticism drives success.From unsolicited grandparent parenting advice to the surprising courage required to move toward suffering (instead of away from it), this episode challenges the myth that compassion is soft or weak.

James shares research-backed insights on how compassion flows in three directions, why context matters, and how shifting from harsh self-criticism to a kinder inner voice can improve performance, parenting, and mental health.You’ll hear:

• The simple “best friend test” that reveals how we treat ourselves vs. others
• Why tough guys and elite athletes often resist self-compassion (and what actually works)
• The powerful Three Circles model (threat, drive, and soothing systems) and how to use it in daily life
• Real-world applications in parenting conflicts, sports, healthcare, and high-pressure environments

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Intro & the weather chat (Adelaide vs Sunshine Coast)
• 00:39 – Introducing Associate Professor James Kirby
• 04:48 – The “best friend test” for self-compassion
• 07:02 – James’s journey: From Triple P parenting research to discovering Compassion Focused Therapy
• 10:10 – The Paul Gilbert YouTube moment that changed everything
• 15:04 – Why compassion isn’t automatic: Context, morality, and the Good Samaritan study
• 22:56 – How self-compassion lands with “blokey” cultures, athletes & tough guys
• 25:23 – Compassion as courage: Moving toward suffering instead of away
• 31:17 – Self-criticism vs self-compassion in performance and sport
• 39:43 – Two types of self-criticism (inadequate vs attacking)
• 46:36 – Generational differences in coaching and the “fatherly” compassionate figure
• 52:58 – The Three Circles model explained (red/threat, blue/drive, green/soothing)
• 54:57 – My Three Circles app for tracking your emotional systems
• 01:02:16 – Compassion at a societal & epidemiological level
• 01:06:26 – Closing thoughts

Resources:

• James Kirby’s website: https://jameskirby.com.au/
• My Three Circles app (available on iOS; Android coming soon) — a free tool to track your threat, drive, and soothing systems daily.
• James’s books:
  – Choose Compassion: Why It Matters and How It Works (2022)
  – The Essentials of Compassion Focused Therapy: A Practice Manual for Clinicians (Routledge, recent)
• Learn more about Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) via the Compassionate Mind Foundation.
• Follow James on Instagram: @drjameskirby

Whether you’re a parent, coach, leader, or someone who’s hard on yourself, this episode offers compassionate, evidence-based tools to build inner strength without lowering your standards.

In this insightful interview, Ruben Rusk shares his unique approach to understanding wellbeing through network analysis, emphasizing systemic factors, the importance of systemic change, and the limitations of current measurement practices in positive psychology.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Reuben Rusk

02:59 The Intersection of Engineering and Wellbeing Science

05:58 The Role of Communication in Wellbeing

09:03 Critique of PERMA and Simplistic Approaches

11:43 Current Work and Focus on Leadership

14:45 The Importance of Systemic Change in Wellbeing

17:48 The Dangers of Over-Abstraction in Wellbeing Metrics

20:54 The Need for a Functional Approach to Wellbeing

23:45 Challenges in Measuring Wellbeing Effectively

26:41 The Complexity of Concepts in Wellbeing

29:33 Mapping the Landscape of Wellbeing Concepts

32:25 Exploring Open Flourishing

33:21 Complexity in Leadership and Well-Being

36:27 The Role of Virtues in Leadership

39:13 The Intersection of Psychology and Philosophy

41:59 Understanding Mental Health and Well-Being

44:25 Nutrition's Impact on Well-Being

49:06 Systemic Issues in Well-Being

53:13 Parenting, Education, and Future Generations

57:46 The Complexity of Well-Being Solutions

01:04:19 Understanding the Relationship Between Variables

01:05:39 Mapping Concepts and Scales

This engaging conversation explores the integration of wellbeing into psychiatric research and practice, highlighting innovative approaches, systemic challenges, and future directions in mental health care.

Paper discussed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41253742/

Key topics

• Integration of wellbeing in psychiatric research and practice
• Systemic barriers to holistic mental health care
• Innovative approaches to mental wellbeing and prevention

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions

00:54 How the Guests Met and Their Research Backgrounds

01:56 The Role of Origin in Mental Health Research

03:14 Discussions on Mental Wellbeing Promotion in Psychiatry

08:39 Challenges of Advocating for Wellbeing in Psychosis Research

11:15 The Duality of Health and Illness in Psychiatry

14:47 Current Research and Future Directions in Mental Wellbeing

19:42 Measuring Wellbeing and the Limitations of Current Scales

24:55 Systemic Barriers and Cultural Resistance in Healthcare

29:38 Innovative Interventions and Ecological Momentary Assessment

32:37 Outcomes of Wellbeing Interventions and Long-term Benefits

37:05 Shared Decision-Making and Agency in Mental Health Care

41:03 The Social and Cultural Context of Mental Wellbeing

44:46 Variation in Mental Wellbeing in Population and Clinical Samples

49:57 The Urgency of Translating Wellbeing Research into Practice

55:10 The Need for Structural and Systemic Change in Mental Health

59:47 Ideal Care Models and Future Directions

01:03:55 The Balance Between Objective Measures and Subjective Experience

01:06:24 Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

Matt shares an update on his busy start to the year, focusing on his work in mental wellbeing, cancer research, and prevention initiatives. He reflects on the evolution of wellbeing concepts from PERMA to more integrated models, and seeks listener input on a personal anecdote about balancing academic and practical work.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Update

00:56 Work on Cancer and Mental Wellbeing Program

02:45 Co-designing Support for People with Cancer

04:12 Expanding Evidence for Mental Wellbeing Interventions

06:48 Systematic Review Innovations with AI08:41Moving Beyond PERMA: The Evolution of Wellbeing Models

11:28 Personal Journey from Academic to Impact-Driven Work

13:02 The Future of Wellbeing Research and Models

In this episode, Dr. Shane Huntington discusses the challenges faced by early career researchers in the health research sector, particularly regarding funding applications.

He highlights the significant decrease in success rates for grants, the importance of communication skills in grant writing, and the need for more funding to support researchers.

Dr. Huntington also emphasizes the importance of redefining success for researchers and raising public awareness about the achievements in research. The conversation concludes with a call to action for advocacy efforts to address the issues within the research community

Keywords:

mental health, research funding, ASMR, grant applications, early career researchers, communication in research, funding challenges, advocacy, PhD, success in research

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mental Health Research Funding

03:00 Shane's Journey to ASMR CEO

05:59 The Role of ASMR in Supporting Researchers

08:46 The Valley of Death: Early Career Research Challenges

11:56 The Changing Landscape of Grant Applications

14:56 Communication: The Key to Successful Grant Writing

17:58 The Importance of Clear Communication in Research

20:40 Reforming the Grant Application Process

23:40 The Need for More Funding in Research

27:00 The Impact of PhD Numbers on Research Careers

29:32 Redefining Success in Research Careers

32:56 Advocacy for Researchers and Public Awareness

35:47 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this conversation, Dr. Denise Quinlan discusses her journey in positive psychology, emphasizing the importance of context, cultural sensitivity, and the need for a human-centric approach in workplaces. She critiques the current state of wellbeing science, advocating for collaboration with other fields and addressing societal issues such as polarization and economic precarity. The discussion highlights the shift from shareholder to stakeholder capitalism and the need for organizations to value their employees as integral to their success.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Happiness Research

01:00 Denise Quinlan's Journey and Current Work

05:10 The Importance of Context in Positive Psychology

09:57 Challenges in Applying Positive Psychology

12:35 The Role of Work in Fulfillment

15:24 Cultural Sensitivity in Strengths Work

20:07 Reframing Strengths Conversations

25:07 The Need for Diverse Strengths Research

30:28 Financial Security and Wellbeing

32:49 Resilience vs. Systemic Change

33:18 The Changing Nature of Work and Well-being

36:06 The Political Economy of Well-being

39:35 Long-term Employment and Community Responsibility

42:11 Making Work Better: Human-Centric Approaches

46:04 The Importance of Leadership in Well-being

51:02 Valuing People: Beyond Programs to Processes

55:48 The Need for Collaboration in Well-being Science

01:00:50 Addressing Polarization and Community Belonging