Looking for gumption to persevere in ministry? Looking for spectacular evidence for the case of religion? Interested in what makes death row inmates flourish more than the global population? Debunking the Gallup Happiness report with the #1 countries that flourish *hint* it speaks to suffering NOT GDP or education.  You will want to catch this one.

Dr Byron Johnson is Distinguished Professor of the Social Sciences at Baylor University. He is the founding director of the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion (ISR) as well as director of the Program on Prosocial Behavior. Johnson is a faculty affiliate of the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University, and is Visiting Distinguished Professor in the School of Public Policy at Pepperdine University. He is a leading authority on the scientific study of religion, human flourishing, the efficacy of faith-based organizations, and criminal justice. He has been the principal investigator on grants from private foundations as well as the Department of Justice, Department of Labor, Department of Defense,
National Institutes of Health, and the United States Institute for Peace. His newest books are The Faith Factor and Social Welfare: Rethinking Evidence, Practice, and Policy (2026), and The Death of Religion: Nones, Others, and the Flourishing of Faith.

Key Topics:

• The groundbreaking scope and scope of the Global Flourishing Study, measuring over 200,000 participants across 20 countries

• How religious participation, particularly faith-based activities, correlates strongly with multiple domains of flourishing

• The surprising resilience and flourishing among prisoners, including those on death row

• The significance of community, relationships, and spiritual capital in societal well-being

• The role of suffering, trauma, and trauma recovery in fostering resilience and spiritual growth

• Findings indicating that GDP and material wealth are inversely related to flourishing, emphasizing mental and relational health

• Practical implications for churches, congregations, and faith communities in fostering holistic well-being

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Introduction to Dr Byron Johnson and his credentials

• (01:02) - The cross-centered approach to research and its significance

• (02:30) - Landmark status of the Global Flourishing Study

• (03:30) - The biblical concept of abundant life and human flourishing

• (04:27) - Shift from predicting wrongdoing to understanding positive human behaviors

• (05:27) - The importance of recovery, rebuilding, and pro-social behaviors

• (06:55) - The study’s scope: over 20 countries, 200,000 participants, 100 researchers

• (08:19) - Origins of the study and the importance of spontaneous collaboration

• (10:09) - Challenges in translation and implementing the study internationally

• (12:24) - How the study showcases God's goodness through high-quality research

• (13:20) - The importance of causal infer

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Podcast Disclaimer:

Please be aware that the opinions and viewpoints shared on this podcast are personal to me and my guests, and do not represent the stance of any institution.  This podcast aims to present findings for open discussion and dialogue, inviting listeners to engage critically and draw their own conclusions. While the content serves informational purposes, it is not a substitute for professional advice. Thank you for joining me on this journey of exploration and conversation!