In this episode, Dr. Matthew Iasiello engages in a critical conversation with Diane Bowles and Dr. Kate Sollis about the importance of wellbeing in policy and the challenges faced in promoting it in Australia. They discuss the Measuring What Matters framework, the role of government, and the significance of community engagement in developing effective wellbeing policies.
The conversation also touches on the Future Generations movement and local initiatives making strides in wellbeing. The guests emphasize the need for collaboration between government, community, and business to create a sustainable wellbeing economy and the importance of sustaining momentum across election cycles.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests
02:59 The Importance of Wellbeing in Policy
05:58 Measuring What Matters Framework
08:34 Government's Role in Promoting Wellbeing
11:44 Challenges in Implementing Wellbeing Policies
14:41 Community Engagement in Wellbeing Initiatives
17:37 Future Generations and Long-term Thinking
20:26 Local and International Examples of Wellbeing Initiatives
23:30 Sustaining Momentum Across Election Cycles
26:41 Conclusion and Call to Action
Keywords
wellbeing, mental health, policy, community engagement, government, Measuring What Matters, Future Generations, wellbeing initiatives, Australia, wellbeing economy
Takeaways
Australia is starting to take wellbeing seriously but needs to do more.
The Measuring What Matters framework aims to go beyond GDP in measuring wellbeing.
Community engagement is crucial for effective wellbeing policies.
Embedding wellbeing into policy requires a long-term commitment.
Local initiatives like the Bega Valley Data Collective are making strides in wellbeing.
Future Generations movement emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking.
Collaboration between government, community, and business is essential for progress.
Sustaining momentum across election cycles is a challenge for wellbeing initiatives.
Transparency and accountability in government can enhance community trust.
Wellbeing frameworks need to be developed with community input to be effective.
In this engaging conversation, Paul Ollinger shares his unique journey from being a Facebook executive to a stand-up comedian, exploring the intersections of happiness, purpose, and societal expectations. He reflects on the impact of wealth on happiness, the importance of belonging, and the challenges of raising children in a materialistic society. The discussion also delves into the role of comedy in addressing social issues and the need for nuance in conversations about happiness and fulfillment.
Chapters
00:00 Exploring Happiness Through Diverse Perspectives
01:09 From Facebook to Comedy: A Unique Journey
05:22 Reflections on the Facebook Experience
07:51 The Comedy Scene: Challenges and Growth
10:51 The Intersection of Comedy and Happiness
12:26 Understanding Reasonable Happiness
20:10 The Pursuit of Happiness: Beyond Money
27:11 The Complexity of Happiness and Expectations
31:17 The Art of Comedy and Mastery
33:02 Navigating the Comedy Scene
33:40 Cultural Reflections Through Comedy
38:02 Political Polarization and Its Impact on Happiness
42:57 The Intersection of Family and Materialism
53:02 Teaching Values in a Material World
Keywords:
happiness, comedy, mental wellbeing, Facebook, purpose, materialism, family, societal expectations, resilience, academic research
In this episode, Dr Matthew Iasiello speaks with A/Prof Claudia Trudel-Fitzgerald about her research in psychological, social, and behavioral determinants of mental health.
Prof Trudel-Fitzgerald is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, with an appointment as a Regular Researcher at the Research Center of Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal.
They discuss the importance of mental health in physical health outcomes, the role of resilience and coping strategies, and the need for cultural sensitivity in wellbeing measurement. Claudia shares her journey into positive psychology, the misconceptions surrounding resilience, and the future directions of wellbeing research, emphasizing the need for context-specific approaches.
Keywords: mental health, wellbeing science, resilience, coping strategies, psychological wellbeing, health outcomes, positive psychology, cultural sensitivity, emotional regulation, research
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Positive Psychology and Research Background
02:54 Transition from Clinical Psychology to Positive Psychology
05:42 Exploring the Link Between Mental Well-being and Physical Health
08:27 The Importance of Psychological Well-being in Health Outcomes
11:16 Understanding Mechanisms Linking Well-being to Health
14:13 The Role of Optimism and Purpose in Health
16:49 Challenges in Measuring Well-being
19:46 Implications of Well-being Research for Cancer Patients
22:26 The Debate on Well-being Measurement in Research
34:16 Cultural Sensitivity in Measurement
39:52 The Intersection of Coping and Resilience
46:00 Misconceptions About Resilience
52:27 Adaptive vs. Maladaptive Strategies
58:21 Cross-Disciplinary Insights on Well-Being
01:03:43 Contextual Factors Affecting Resilience
In this conversation, Professor Sarah Willen discusses the role of anthropology in understanding flourishing and wellbeing.
Dr Willen is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Connecticut and Co-Director of the Research Program on Global Health and Human Rights at the university’s Human Rights Institute.
She emphasizes the importance of structural circumstances and individual experiences in defining flourishing, while also critiquing the limitations of positive psychology. The discussion explores the concept of languishing, the significance of context in wellbeing, and the ethical implications of policy decisions related to health and flourishing. Prof Willen advocates for a more inclusive approach that engages marginalized voices and considers the complexities of cultural contexts in the conversation about wellbeing.
Takeaways:
Keywords: anthropology, flourishing, wellbeing, mental health, positive psychology, critical perspectives, cultural context, languishing, public health, policy
In this episode of "Researching Happy," Dr. Matthew Iasiello sits down with Professor Narelle Lemon, a leading expert in education and positive psychology, to explore the intricate balance between self-care and professional demands. They delve into the challenges faced by educators, the importance of wellbeing literacy, and how self-care can be redefined beyond commercialized notions. Join them for an insightful conversation on nurturing resilience and fostering a supportive community in educational settings. #Wellbeing #Education #SelfCare
In this episode of Researching Happy, Dr. Matthew Iasiello is joined by Dr. Katherine Nelson Coffey, an Associate Professor at Arizona State University and a leading expert in positive psychology. They discuss the impact of parenting on well-being, the importance of parental happiness, and how positive psychology interventions can enhance family dynamics. Dr. Nelson-Coffey shares insights from her research on gratitude and its ripple effects on family life, offering practical tips for parents to improve their well-being and relationships.
In this episode of Researching Happy, Dr. Matthew Iasiello sits down with Professor Mike Steger, a leading voice in positive psychology from Colorado State University, to explore the future of well-being science. They dive into Mike’s recent paper, Regenerative Positive Psychology: A Call to Reorient Well-Being Science to Meet the Realities of Our World, discussing how the field can expand beyond individual happiness to address social, political, and environmental challenges. Mike shares his journey from a curious kid in Buffalo to a prominent researcher, offering insights for PhD students and early-career researchers on how to make a meaningful impact. With the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA) conference approaching, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to drive systemic change through well-being science. Topics include collective meaning-making, interdisciplinary collaboration, and practical research questions to regenerate the field. Tune in to discover how positive psychology can create a healthier, more sustainable world!
Link to Mike's paper: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17439760.2024.2365259
In Episode 51 of Researching Happy, host Dr Matthew Iasiello engages Dr. Carli Ochs, a postdoctoral researcher at Georgetown University’s Happy Tech Lab, in a lively discussion about the impact of smartphones on social wellbeing. Dr. Ochs, fresh from her PhD in Switzerland, explores "phubbing" (phone snubbing), where smartphone use disrupts face-to-face interactions, and its effects on mood and social connectedness. Drawing from her field experiments, she reveals how even brief phone-free breaks in university settings boost conversations and wellbeing, while highlighting cross-cultural differences in social norms around phone use. The episode delves into the case for smartphone bans in schools, weighing their potential to enhance mental health against concerns about restriction, and reflects on the broader societal implications of our phone-dependent culture. With humor and insight, this conversation uncovers the delicate balance between technology’s benefits and its hidden costs.
In this milestone 50th episode of Researching Happy, Dr. Matthew Iasiello hosts a dynamic debate with Prof. Todd Kashdan and Dr. Eri Mountbatten-O’Malley on the state of positive psychology.
Titled “Are We Lying to Ourselves in Positive Psychology?”, the discussion critiques the field’s disconnect from real-world impact, over-reliance on reductive science, and ethical pitfalls. Todd defends wellbeing science’s potential, while Eri calls for philosophical grounding and context-sensitive research. Together, they explore how to make positive psychology more inclusive, ethical, and effective.
#PositivePsychology #Wellbeing #MentalHealth
Learn about the fascinating career of A/Prof Frank Martela.
We cover:
Learn more about Frank's work at https://www.frankmartela.com/
Dr Mark Fabian is an associate professor of public policy at the University of Warwick and an affiliate researcher at the Bennett Institute for Public Policy at Cambridge University.
He is an area specialist (well-being) rather than a discipline specialist, which we discuss throughout the episode, and publishes in journals across multiple fields.
This was a fantastic, broad-reaching discussion, where we covered:
Check out Mark's latest book: BEYOND HAPPY available here:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Beyond-Happy-Mark-Fabian/dp/1835010490/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0
In this episode of Research Happy, we dive into Australia’slatest federal budget and its implications for mental health with Dr. Stephen Carbone, a seasoned mental health advocate and former GP. Recorded on April 3, 2025, Dr. Carbone shares his candid disappointment with the budget’s lack ofvision, describing it as "piecemeal" and insufficient to address the growing mental health crisis. From a meager $40 million for digital mental health to the absence of funding for prevention and promotion, he critiques the government’s reactive approach and the opposition’s vague promises.
We explore why mental health remains underfunded despite its rising prevalence—highlighted by a staggering 50% increase in depression and anxiety among young Australians over the past 15 years. Dr. Carbone calls for a bold, data-driven overhaul of the system, drawing parallels with successes incardiovascular and cancer care. He emphasizes the need for a cohesive strategy that prioritizes wellbeing, prevention, and treatment, rather than fragmented, short-term fixes.
Tune in for an honest, thought-provoking discussion on whatAustralians should expect from their leaders, the disconnect between public demand and political action, and why mental health deserves to be a national priority—not an optional extra.
Kelsey J. O’Connor is a Senior Researcher in the Economics of Well-Being with STATEC Research (part of the national statistics office of Luxembourg). He serves as Associate Editor (economics) for the Journal of Happiness Studies, and on the Executive Board of the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS).
This is a fantastic conversation with Kelsey, we cover a range of topics:
Read Kelsey's latest book, co-authored with Prof Easterlin available FREE here: https://www.cambridge.org/core/elements/happiness-revolution-in-europe/3D454C1B35A7B654B7BC73056BEB0BAA
Dr Matthew Iasiello's live presentation from the 2025 Society for Personality and Social Psychology
We agree mental health is more than the absence of mental illness... but what is it?
It was an honour to give an invited talk at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Annual Convention in Denver last week. I spoke about our efforts at Be Well Co to develop a taxonomy of positive mental health, across a series of three studies. .
There was lots of positive feedback for the work, with senior academics acknowledging the 'messiness' but importance of this endeavour. And as always, it was great to meet like-minded people doing important work from around the world .
Welcome to Episode 44 of Researching Happy.
This is a special episode of the show, as we celebrate the launch of Be Well Co’s Face of Languishing Campaign.
Dr Matthew Iasiello is joined by Amy Smith and returning guest Dr Joep van Agteren, as they discuss the marketing problem that so many people in mental wellbeing promotion will recognise - that wellbeing is still seen as a ‘nice to have’ rather than being valuable in its own right.
That’s why Be Well Co has launched this campaign, to shine a light on the issue of languishing, which often flys under the radar despite the real costs that it presents to individuals, workplaces, communities and societies.
Find out more about the campaign here: https://www.bewellco.io/languishing/
Watch the YouTube series here: https://youtu.be/9uHoZT71eNo?feature=shared
Subscribe to Researching Happy at www.researchinghappy.com
Welcome to Episode 43, Matt walks through the dual-continua model of mental health, which suggests that mental illness and mental wellbeing are separate, yet related, concepts.
Starting with a clip from the Bad Friends podcast, Matt discusses the controversy around the relationship between mental health and mental illness - and what this means for our mental health care system.
Show notes:
- Caccioppo and Berentson 1994
Subscribe at www.researchinghappy.com and LinkedIn
Listen to Dr Naomi Kakoschke from CSIRO on Researching Happy talking us through reliable ways to set consistent habits for achievable goal setting.
We discuss the common pitfalls that let us down when it comes to goal setting and New Year's resolutions.
Show notes: Find paper and app-based habit trackers as well as a Healthy Habits quiz CSIRO developed and Naomi’s CSIRO profile
Why is wellbeing science like cage fighting? Find out here!
Dr Matthew Iasiello reflects on the passing on some wellbeing science leaders in 2024, the differences and similarities between wellbeing science and the UFC, and considers the criteria for future leaders for the field.
Link to Todd's substack article: https://toddkashdan.substack.com/p/why-do-smart-adults-downplay-hedonism
Sign up for updates at www.researchinghappy.com or follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/researching-happy/
Welcome to Episode 40. We are fortunate to have the very impressive Dr Lucy Grummit from the University of Sydney. We recorded this on just one of those days, nothing was going right, but fortunately Lucy carried us through with grace.
Lucy is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use. Her research focuses on the prevention of mental health and substance use problems among adolescents and young adults, with a particular focus on populations that suffer disproportionate rates of mental illness, such as those exposed to childhood adversity and trauma.
As it turns out, we walk through two of Lucy’s papers… It was supposed to be one but turns out I got some of her work mixed up, but all’s well that ends well because the two papers told a very compelling story about the public health emergency that is childhood maltreatment. For mental health issues, but for basically everything else.
So a huge thank you to Lucy, who was basically the host of this episode - check out researchinghappy.com and sign up for free to hear about upcoming episodes and submit your questions to future guests.
Links to Lucy's work:
Burden of Mental Disorders and Suicide Attributable to Childhood Maltreatment
Association of Childhood Adversity With Morbidity and Mortality in US Adults: A Systematic Review
Episode 39 of Researching happy. I’m Matthew Iasiello, trying to bring you the latest ideas and evidence in wellbeing research, direct from the academics who create it.
Dr Xavier SIMMONS is a Director of the Plunkett Centre for Ethics at ACU. Prior to this, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Human Flourishing Program in the Institute for Quantitative Social Science at Harvard University. His research interests include ethical issues at the beginning and end of life, conscientious objection, the ethics of resource allocation, and the philosophy of wellbeing.
This is a conversation that jumps between two papers by Xavier and his colleagues, one critically examining Aristotle’s concept of Flourishing, and one considering Flourishing at the End of Life (or in dying).
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381830157_Flourishing_at_the_end_of_life
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10902-024-00723-0
It is fascinating work, and the biggest take away, spoiler alert, is the idea that Xavier describes, that there are potentially unique wellbeing experiences that we can ONLY reach in dying.
We talk about the ‘risks’ of defining wellbeing as ‘reaching our full potential’ meaning that we really make flourishing unreachable in older age (when we are in physical decline). This has so many implications for anyone working in aged care, disability, palliative care, and medicine.
Thank you again to Xavier for his time, and make sure you share this episode. Check out ResearchingHappy.com to learn more about our upcoming guests and get the chance to submit your own questions for future episodes.
