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 gend...

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 W...

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 o...

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 ke...

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 [...

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....

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 poi...

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 marke...

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:...

Title: Interview with Holly Rogers, Founder of the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults Date: 4/2/25 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: #20 Interview with Holly Rogers, Founder of the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults Brief summary of episode : IIn this episode we interview Dr. Holly Rogers, meditation teacher and cofounder of the Mindfulness Institute for Emerg...

Title: Understanding Your Body’s Stress Response Date: 3/19/25 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: #19 Understanding Your Body’s Stress Response Brief summary of episode : In this episode we uncover the basic mechanisms of your body’s stress response. Understanding how and why you respond to stress is key to managing your stress. Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers...

Title: Meditation: Interview with Dr. Susan Prill Date: 3/5/25 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: #18 Meditation: Interview with Dr. Susan Prill Brief summary of episode : In this episode we interview Dr. Susan Prill, Professor of Prill at Juniata College about meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers Topic #1 [0:00] Intro Topic #2 [1:...

Title: The Science and Practice of Retreats Date: 2/5/25 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: #17 The Science and Practice of Retreats Brief summary of episode : In this episode we continue our conversation about retreats, started in episode 16. We explain what makes something a retreat, share our own experiences attending and leading retreats, and review the research explorin...

Title: Pura Vida: Interview with Marcel Oliveira, SUP National Champion and cofounder of Surf Synergy retreat center in Jaco Costa Rica Date: 2/5/25 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: #16 Pura Vida: Interview with Marcel Oliveira, SUP National Champion and cofounder of Surf Synergy retreat center in Jaco Costa Rica Brief summary of episode : In this episode we Marcel Oliveir...

Title: The Eight Ways of Wellbeing Date: 1/22/25 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: #15 The Eight Ways of Wellbeing Brief summary of episode : In this episode we discuss our overarching model of wellbeing. Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers Topic #1 [0:00] Intro Topic #2 [6:30] What is a model? What is a theory? Topic #3 [12:30] Thriving as an emergent property To...

Title: Sleep Like a Baby Date: 1/08/25 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: #14 Sleep Like a Baby Brief summary of episode : In this episode we discuss the importance of sleep for all aspects of your wellbeing. Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers Topic #1 [0:00] Intro Topic #2 [2:50] The costs of sleep loss to our wellbeing. Topic #3 [21:00] Why and how of sleep Topi...

Title: Why You Should Prioritize Leisure and Play Date: 12/26/24 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: #13 Why You Should Prioritize Leisure and Play Brief summary of episode : In this episode we discuss the importance of prioritizing leisure and play for your wellbeing. Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers Topic #1 [0:00] Intro Topic #2 [3:50] How Subjective Wellbeing...

Title: Creating Habits to Achieve Your Goals Date: 12/11/24 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: #12 Creating Habits to Achieve Your Goals Brief summary of episode : In this episode we discuss how to live a life of purpose. This includes how to set goals, create new habits, and have the discipline to stick to them. Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers Topic #1 [0:00]...

Title: Values, Meaning, and Purpose Date: 11/13/24 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: #11 How Values, Meaning, and Purpose Connect Brief summary of episode : In this episode we discuss the connection between values, meaning, and purpose. We discuss how the research on these topics and how they relate to your wellbeing. Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers Topic #1 [...

Title: What is Your Purpose? Date: 11/13/24 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: #10 What is Your Purpose? Brief summary of episode : In this episode we discuss values, meaning, and purpose. We discuss how crises, like the pandemic, can promote reflection and how we naturally seek to live in more alignment with our goals. We help you discover your purpose. Bullet points of key...

Title: How Relationships Impact Mental Health Date: 11/13/24 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: Episode 9. How Relationships Impact Mental Health Brief summary of episode : In this episode we discuss how central relationships are to our wellbeing. We are a social animal, and we evolved to be in community with others on a regular basis. When we lack this sense of community an...

Title: Post Election Self-Care Date: 11/8/24 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: Episode 8. Post Election Self-Care Brief summary of episode : In this episode we discuss why some of us might really be struggling with the election results and we offer some evidence-based suggestions for self-care during this challenging time. Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers Topic...

Title: How Nature Improves Wellbeing Date: 10/30/24 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: Episode 7. How Nature Improves Wellbeing Brief summary of episode : In this episode we discuss why spending time in nature is good for your wellbeing. We cover stories, anecdotes, and the amazing research demonstrating that we evolved to thrive in nature. Time in blue zones (water) and gre...

Title: Why Challenging Yourself Improves Wellbeing Date: 10/23/24 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: Episode 6. Why Challenging Yourself Improves Wellbeing Brief summary of episode : In this episode we discuss why doing hard things improves wellbeing. We explore how distress tolerance and exposure therapy help us meet mental challenges and how similar these mechanisms are to...

Title: Treating Mental Health with Diet: Food as Medicine, Part 2 Date: 10/11/24 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: Episode 5. Treating Mental Health with Diet Brief summary of episode : In this episode we explore the fascinating new area of nutritional psychiatry. We explore the research on both the ketogenic and Mediterranean diets demonstrating their effective use in the...