Editor’s note: This podcast is part of an ongoing experiment utilizing AI technology to make academic research and complex ideas more accessible to a wider audience. The content of each episode is rooted in a carefully chosen article (or articles), which it then adapts into a conversational format to make the ideas more approachable. While the format is AI-generated, the core content is selected and shaped by the research.

What makes a life truly worth living? Most of us want to be happy, but true well-being goes beyond just feeling good. This podcast, "What makes a life truly worth living?," explores eudaimonia -- a concept that describes living a deeply fulfilling and meaningful life.

Join our AI hosts as we explore the fascinating connection between your personal life story -- your narrative identity -- and how you find happiness. We'll uncover how your values, motivations, and the way you interpret your experiences shape your overall well-being.

This podcast will:

* Explain the difference between hedonic happiness (pleasure and avoiding pain) and eudaimonic happiness (finding meaning and purpose).

* Examine the role of intrinsic goals (things like personal growth and strong relationships) in achieving well-being.

* Discuss the importance of self-determination and autonomy in making choices that align with your true self.

* Offer insights from research on how people create narratives about their lives, particularly around difficult events, and how these narratives can promote growth and transformation.

Whether you're seeking greater happiness, a deeper understanding of yourself, or simply want to explore what it means to live a good life, "What makes a life truly worth living?" offers a thought-provoking and insightful journey.

Sources

* Ackerman, S., Zuroff, D., & Moscowitz, D. S. (2000). Generativity in midlife and young adults: Links to agency, communion, and well-being. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 50, 17–41.

* Allport, G.W. (1961). Pattern and Growth in Personality. Holt Rinehart and Winston.

* Bauer, J. J., McAdams, D. P., & Pals, J. L. (2008). Narrative identity and eudaimonic well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9, 83–104.

* Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2008). Hedonia, eudaimonia, and well-being: An introduction. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9, 1–11.

* Ryan, R. M., Huta, V., & Deci, E. L. (2008). Living well: A self-determination theory perspective on eudaimonia. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9, 139–170.

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