Thrivology Lab: The science, philosophy, and practice of thriving

Title: Dealing with the Winter Blues, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Date: 2/4/26

Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab

Episode title and number: #29 Dealing with the Winter Blues, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Brief summary of episode: In this episode we talk about the winter blues, or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). We discuss how common it is, as well as how it differs by location and gender. We also review evidence-based treatments for SAD.

Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers

Topic #1 [0:00] Intro.

Topic #2 [1:30] Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Topic #3 [8:00] How common is SAD?

Topic #4 [13:40] Evolutionary root of SAD?

Topic #5 [22:00] Comorbidity of SAD with other mental health issues

Topic #6 [23:00] Circadian rhythm and SAD

Topic #7 [28:00] Bright Light Therapy

Topic #8 [37:00] Exercise and SAD

Topic #9 [41:00] Reflection challenge

References & Resources:

- https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/research/clinics-and-programs/winter-depression/

- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003552120300832

- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306987704004013?via%3Dihub

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Title: Is Mindful Democracy the Solution? An interview with Jeremy Engels

Date: 11/26/25

Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab

Episode title and number: #28 Is Mindful Democracy the Solution? An interview with Jeremy Engels

Brief summary of episode: In this episode we talk with scholar Jeremy Engels about his forthcoming book, On Mindful Democracy: A Declaration of Interdependence to Mind a Fractured World. Could it be the solution to the democratic dysfunction we see around us? Tune in to find out!

Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers

Topic #1 [0:00] Intro.

Topic #2 [2:30] What is Mindful Democracy?

Topic #3 [8:00] What inspired you to write this book now?

Topic #4 [10:00] The politics of resentment and blame

Topic #5 [14:00] Make good use of your suffering, No mud No lotus

Topic #6 [21:00] The only way out is in. How do we manage this difficult time?

Topic #7 [27:00] Five agreements to ground us when talking about controversial issues

Topic #8 [34:00] Civic education: what is needed?

Topic #9 [40:00] Friendship vs Enemyship

Topic #10 [48:00] Your connection with Thich Nhat Hanh and Plum Village?

References & Resources:

https://cas.la.psu.edu/people/jeremy-engels/

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804671/on-mindful-democracy-by-jeremy-engels/

https://plumvillage.org/

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Title: What is Tai Chi? Interview with Daniel Chadud

Date: 11/12/25

Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab

Episode title and number: #27 What is Tai Chi? Interview with Daniel Chadud

Brief summary of episode: In this episode we talk about Tai Chi (Taiji) and QiGong with Daniel Chadud, South America Regional Director for Yang’s Martial Arts Association. Daniel is a disciple of Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, one of the foremost international experts on Chinese Martial arts and Qigong. Tai Chi (Taiji) is a nature-based philosophy and movement practice.

Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers

Topic #1 [0:00] Intro.

Topic #2 [4:00] What is Tai Chi (Taiji)? Tai Chi as nature-based philosophy.

Topic #3 [15:00] What is Ying-Yang and what is the connection with Tai Chi?

Topic #4 [20:00] Free from the matrix: Four stages to freedom

Topic #5 [32:50] The archer

Topic #6 [39:00] Listen and follow

Topic #7 [48:50] Learn to feel the yin, the yang, and the balance

References & Resources:

https://www.youtube.com/@NewendaoYMAA

https://www.newendao.com

https://ymaainternational.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThrivologyLab

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Title: Chinese Qigong: Interview with Qigong Master David Silver

Date: 10/15/25

Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab

Episode title and number: #26 Chinese Qigong: Interview with Qigong Master David Silver

Brief summary of episode: In this episode we talk Chinese Qigong with Qigong Master David Silver. Qigong is a Chinese form of meditation that is also practiced as part of Tai Chi.

Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers

Topic #1 [0:00] Intro. And the Lou Reed Story

Topic #2 [11:55] What is QIgong?

Topic #3 [17:00] Qigong’s relationship with Buddhist Mindfulness practices and science

Topic #4 [25:00] Qigong vs Tai Chi (Taiji)

Topic #5 [34:00] Meeting Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

Topic #6 [41:00] A step-by-step Qigong practice: Four Gates Qigong

Topic #7 [50:00] Learning to feel Chi and deepening your practice

References & Resources:

https://ymaa.com/publishing/app/tai-chi-qigong

https://ymaa.com/articles/history/history-qigong

https://ymaa.com/publishing/book/tai-chi-qigong-hardcover

https://ymaa.com/articles/qigong-meditation/definition-qi

https://ymaa.com/publishing/book/qigong-meditation-embryonic-breathing-foundation-internal-elixir-cultivation-2nd-ed

https://www.holdenqigong.com

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Title: Chinese Qigong: Interview with Qigong Master David Silver

Date: 10/15/25

Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab

Episode title and number: #26 Chinese Qigong: Interview with Qigong Master David Silver

Brief summary of episode: In this episode we talk Chinese Qigong with Qigong Master David Silver. Qigong is a Chinese form of meditation that is also practiced as part of Tai Chi.

Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers

Topic #1 [0:00] Intro. And the Lou Reed Story

Topic #2 [11:55] What is QIgong?

Topic #3 [17:00] Qigong’s relationship with Buddhist Mindfulness practices and science

Topic #4 [25:00] Qigong vs Tai Chi (Taiji)

Topic #5 [34:00] Meeting Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

Topic #6 [41:00] A step-by-step Qigong practice: Four Gates Qigong

Topic #7 [50:00] Learning to feel Chi and deepening your practice

References & Resources:

https://ymaa.com/publishing/app/tai-chi-qigong

https://ymaa.com/articles/history/history-qigong

https://ymaa.com/publishing/book/tai-chi-qigong-hardcover

https://ymaa.com/articles/qigong-meditation/definition-qi

https://ymaa.com/publishing/book/qigong-meditation-embryonic-breathing-foundation-internal-elixir-cultivation-2nd-ed

https://www.holdenqigong.com

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Email us: [email protected]

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Title: Finding Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

Date: 9/10/25

Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab

Episode title and number: #25 Finding Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

Brief summary of episode: In this episode we talk flow, the psychology state of optimal experience. What is it and how do you find it?

Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers

Topic #1 [0:00] Intro.

Topic #2 [4:00] What is Flow?

Topic #3 [14:00] Activities that promote flow

Topic #4 [23:00] Benefits of the flow state

Topic #5 [27 :00] The flow cycle and the necessity of struggle

Topic #6 [36:00] Why deliberate practice and skill development are needed for flow

References & Resources:

Maslow, Abraham. (1962). Lessons from the peak-experiences. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 2(1), 9–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/002216786200200102

Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Harper & Row https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66354.Flow

Keller, J., & Landhäußer, A. (2012). The flow model revisited. In S. Engeser (Ed.), Advances in flow research (pp. 51–64). Springer Science + Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-2359-1_3

Kotler, S. (2021). The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer. New York: Harper Wavehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50209348-the-art-of-impossible

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Title: Interview with Lars Juul, Author of Compassion in Action and Organizational Happiness

Date: 7/16/25

Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab

Episode title and number: #24 Interview with Lars Juul, Author of Compassion in Action and Organizational Happiness

Brief summary of episode: In this episode we talk with consultant, change-maker, and author Lars Juul about his new book, Compassion in Action.

Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers

Topic #1 [0:00] Intro.

Topic #2 [4:30] The focus on compassion as part of the happiness sweet spot

Topic #3 [12:00] Resistance to cultivating workplace happiness

Topic #4 [21:00] Unlocking human potential

Topic #5 [26 :00] What is good leadership? Psychological safety

Topic #6 [36:00] Your work as an organizational consultant (e.g., Boston Scientific)

Topic #7 [46:00] Who needs to lead organizational change?

Topic #8 [53:00] What is compassion? How do you balance compassion with outcomes?

References & Resources:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42961481-organizational-happiness

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228229195-compassion-in-action---a-leadership-paradigm-that-cultivates-organizatio

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Title: Obesity and GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs: Interview with Dr. Joshua Gross

Date: 7/2/25

Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab

Episode title and number: #23 Obesity and GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs: Interview with Dr. Joshua Gross

Brief summary of episode: In this episode we explore obesity and GLP-a weight loss drugs with researcher and Penn State University Assistant Professor Dr. Joshua Gross.

Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers

Topic #1 [0:00] Intro.

Topic #2 [7:30] The obesity pandemic and its causes

Topic #3 [15:00] The evolutionary mismatch and the bliss point

Topic #4 [24:00] Why is there a market for these drugs? Why not “just diet?”

Topic #5 [36 :00] How do GLP-1 drugs work? Dopamine in anticipation or reward and addiction.

Topic #6 [52:30] Upsides and Downsides of GLP-1 drugs

Topic #7 [1:09] What is next for weight loss drugs?

References & Resources:

https://hhd.psu.edu/contact/joshua-gross https://rss.com/podcasts/thrivologylab/1700676/

https://rss.com/podcasts/thrivologylab/1687628/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThrivologyLab

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Title: Happiness Across the Lifespan: Is the Midlife Crisis Real?

Date: 6/11/25

Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab

Episode title and number: #22 Happiness Across the Lifespan: Is the Midlife Crisis Real?

Brief summary of episode: In this episode we discuss how happiness and wellbeing change over your life and examine the data supporting the midlife crisis.

Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers

Topic #1 [0:00] Intro. Is happiness U shaped?

Topic #2 [11:145] The midlife crisis data

Topic #3 [17:30] The debate about the U shape

Topic #4 [24:30] Changes in happiness, depression, and despair in adolescents and emerging adults. Are smartphones causing less happiness?

Topic #5 [33 :00] The midlife crisis

Topic #6 [44:30] Happiness as you age

Topic #7 [47:00] Journaling

References & Resources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32929308/

https://doi.org/10.1017/nie.2022.1

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/young-adulthood-is-no-longer-one-of-lifes-happiest-times/

https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2024.2408831

https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000591

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/last-stop-on-the-struggle-bus/202405/these-are-the-stories-we-tell-ourselves

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/21448988-expressive-writing

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Title: Burnout and Workplace Wellbeing

Date: 4/16/25

Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab

Episode title and number: #21 Burnout and Workplace Wellbeing

Brief summary of episode: In this episode we unpack the conditions and symptoms of burnout, as well as things you can do to reduce burnout and enhance workplace wellbeing.

Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers

Topic #1 [0:00] Intro

Topic #2 [2:30] Where does the term burnout come from?

Topic #3 [8:00] Individual vs institutional issue?

Topic #4 [10:00] World Health Organization (WHO) definition. The work of Christina Maslach.

Topic #5 [16:00] The organizational causes of burnout.

Topic #6 [21:00] The organizational cost of employee burnout and the benefits of workplace wellbeing

Topic #7 [25:00] Burnout in different fields

Topic #8 [29:00] Reducing burnout at work

Topic #9 [45:00] Coping with burnout at a personal level

References & Resources:

- https://doi.org/10.1037/h0086411

- https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases

- https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674251014

- https://www.gallup.com/workplace/508898/employee-burnout-causes-cures.aspx

- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2020.103025

- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.12.015

- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2022.111805

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