Wellbeing Explained

Wellbeing Explained

By Be Well CoHealth & FitnessMental Health
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Wellbeing Explained episodes

  • E7. Genetics of wellbeing, and improving the scientific quality of positive psychology | Dr Meike Bartels

    This week’s guest is Dr Meike Bartels, Professor in genetics and wellbeing, and president of IPPA - the International Positive Psychology Association.

    Meike talks a bit about her background in the study of genetics as it relates to wellbeing, and clears up some of the misinterpretations of the relationship between the two. She talks about what it was like coming from the field of genetics which demanded a high level of scientific rigor and accountability, to positive psychology conferences which focused a lot on subjective experiences. Rather than let this dissuade her, she remained in the positive psychology world to attempt to improve it, and eventually went on to become the president of its largest association.
    Meike stresses the importance of collaboration within this type of research, how that can combat the issue of underpowered studies, and allow researchers to combine their expertise. Meike also gives us a little insight into some of the opportunities she has had as president of IPPA, including a project involving Vatican City.

    59 min
  • E6. A theory of wellbeing from psychology, philosophy, and economics | Dr Mark Fabian

    This week I chat with Dr Mark Fabian, Associate Professor at the University of Warwick. We have a in-depth conversation on all things wellbeing. Topics covered include the challenges of multi-disciplinary research, Mark's efforts to pull together the academic literature from psychology, philosophy, economics and public policy. We hear Mark's clear picture for what he would like to see in the world, and come challenges in wellbeing measurement that we should try and improve in the future.

    Mark's book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Theory-Subjective-Wellbeing-Mark-Fabian/dp/0197635261/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3OJ1PGBPFKE8E&keywords=mark+fabian&qid=1683325195&sprefix=mark+fabian%2Caps%2C272&sr=8-5

    1 hr 32 min
  • E5. Researcher to CEO for real-world change | Dr Addie Wootten

    This week on Researching Happy I talk to Dr Addie Wootten, CEO of Smiling Mind, a mindfulness-based App.


    Addie talks about the power of mindfulness as an intervention for managing mental illness, but also as a strategy for prevention and maintaining mental health. We discuss how strongly research backs the effectiveness of mindfulness across different cohorts, and where Addie would like to see more uptake and implementation from Governments.


    Addie goes into the unique opportunities and challenges that come with a web-based format for a wellbeing intervention and being a non-for-profit organisation. She shares her perspective on the world of academia and her decision to move from that space into the business world.


    All this and more in Episode 5, find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Youtube.

    1 hr 12 min
  • E4. Fighting for prevention in mental health | Dr Stephen Carbone

    This week on the show I talk to Dr Stephen Carbone, CEO of Prevention United.


    Stephen brings the nuance that the mental health and wellbeing sector sorely needs, (1) more funding is needed for mental health care services and (2) we need to do much more in terms of mental illness prevention and promotion of wellbeing. Somehow these two points are confused and presented as competing interests. At the heart of this conversation is the Dual-Continua Model of Mental Health (which you may remember from our episode with Prof Corey Keyes).


    We discuss the difficulties of advocating to siloed government departments, and Stephen makes the case for serious commitments from State and Federal governments to expand funding for mental health services and promotion and prevention.


    Learn more about Prevention United: https://preventionunited.org.au/

    Read Matt's review of evidence and implications of the dual-continua model of mental health: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340439425_Mental_Health_andor_Mental_Illness_A_Scoping_Review_of_the_Evidence_and_Implications_of_the_Dual-Continua_Model_of_Mental_Health



    1 hr 37 min
  • E3. Social Anxiety, purpose, and upsetting the wrong people | Dr Fallon Goodman

    In this episode of Researching Happy, I talk to Dr Fallon Goodman, Assistant Professor at George Washington University.

    Fallon tells us about her work in the area of social anxiety, and the role that a sense purpose can play for those affected. She details how social anxiety is common, treatable, overlooked, underfunded, and a major barrier to happiness.

    Fallon recounts how some of her work as a young researcher upset the wrong people, and what led to her decision to stand up to some big names and journals in positive psychology to defend her work. She reiterates the importance of productive, honest dialogue between researchers, and what it takes to create a positive culture for the next wave of up and coming researchers. You don’t want to miss this episode!

    Find it on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Locals.


    Shownotes:

    Fallon on TedTalks: https://youtu.be/RqAOrr_FPxo



    1 hr 26 min
  • E2. Turning research into sustainable real-world benefits | Joep van Agteren
    In Episode 2 of Researching Happy, I talk to Joep Van Agteren, a friend, colleague, and co-lead of the Be Well Co…
    Joep talks us through his journey in the world of happiness research, from his beginnings in behavioural change psychology, through to starting a business and leading a team of people in developing, researching and rolling out wellbeing programs to thousandss of people across various fields. Joep and I discuss the challenges involved with funding rigorous, good quality wellbeing research, and also making it translational to effect real-world change. He outlines the unique set up of the Be Well Co, which allows for a constant cycle wherein the research arm of the company and the program delivery arm continually inform each other in a symbiotic relationship. We reflect on why we do this (often unforgiving) work on happiness…all this and more!
    Show notes:
    Find more about Joep's research here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joep-Agteren
    Our systematic review in Nature Human Behavior: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-021-01093-w
    Be Well Co: https://www.bewellco.io/
    ~~~~~
    Producer: Evana Loucas
    Artwork by linktr.ee/comicgoblin
    1 hr 13 min
  • E1. Languishing and the origins of Positive Psychology | Dr Corey Keyes
    Support the show and join the conversation at ResearchingHappy.locals.com.
    Matt sits down with Emeritus Professor Corey Keyes, to discuss Corey’s foundational work in the field of positive psychology, particularly on the concepts of flourishing and languishing. Corey talks about languishing as a form of invisibility, it's prevalence in society, and how it poses a risk factor for mental and physical illness. They discuss the dual-continua model of mental illness and mental health, how this challenges traditional models of wellbeing, and Corey shares some fascinating stories about the origins of positive psychology.
    Show notes:
    Find more about Corey's research here: https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=rWtJNsUAAAAJ&hl=en
    Watch one of Corey's Lectures at Emory University: https://youtu.be/uhPb4OWM3B0
    ~~~~
    Host: Matthew Iasiello
    Producer: Evana Loucas
    1 hr 34 min
  • E0: Welcome to Researching Happy

    Welcome to Researching Happy, a podcast all about the world of happiness and wellbeing research.   

    Join the Researching Happy community at https://researchinghappy.locals.com/   

    Insta: https://www.instagram.com/researchinghappy/

    Linkedin: https://au.linkedin.com/in/matthew-iasiello  

    Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Matthew-Iasiello 

    Podcast: www.anchor.fm/researching-happy

    5 min

About Wellbeing Explained

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Wellbeing Explained brings in the experts to answer the questions others won't, bust myths, and go deeper into the science of wellbeing.