Ever wonder why being truly happy feels so hard, even when everything seems “perfect”? That’s exactly what we’re digging into on today’s episode.

I’m talking with Reece Brown, the Associate Director of Impact for the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University, and we’re exploring what it really means to flourish as a human being.

We break down how happiness and well-being are measured, what the Global Flourishing Study tells us about different ways people experience joy and satisfaction, and why things like love, community, and connection are so essential to a flourishing life. Reece also shares how this research can actually inform education, policy, and the small everyday choices that help us all live better.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, like no matter what you do, life could be a little richer or more meaningful, this episode is packed with insights that will give you a new lens for understanding human flourishing and practical ways to bring it into your own life.

Key Takeaways:

Flourishing is defined by five domains: happiness, health, meaning, character, and relationships.

Measuring flourishing involves psychometric assessments and surveys.

Young people's happiness is declining globally, indicating a need for intervention.

Love and connection are essential for human flourishing.

The importance of community in fostering individual flourishing.

Behavioral change is challenging but necessary for achieving happiness.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

05:22 What does “flourishing” mean?

08:42 How to measure human flourishing

19:03 Current status of the Human Flourishing Program

26:51 Insights from the Global Flourishing Study

29:27 The impact of childhood adversity

31:18 Exploring spiritual dimensions in flourishing

36:08 Community and connection in flourishing

37:27 The science of forgiveness

42:11 Bridging research and practical impact

51:57 The power of love in flourishing

53:45 Outro

Resources Mentioned:

How Children Succeed by Paul Tough

The Coddling of the American Mind by Jonathan Haidt

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday

The Human Flourishing Program

Harvard’s Global Forgiveness Movement

Connect with Reece:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reece-brown/

More About Building Thinkers:

I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.

And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.

If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.

What if the hardest season of your life is actually your launchpad?

I’m so excited to share today’s episode with you because we’re unpacking what it really means to handle hard better. My guest, Eileen Suarez, is a transformation and mindset coach who works with high-achieving women navigating big life and career transitions. She helps women go from stuck to unstoppable using brain-based strategies that rewire how you think, act, and tell your story.

We dive into how to reframe rejection, move through fear, and embrace failure as a growth opportunity. Eileen shares actionable ways to harness your strengths, build confidence through action, and use human connection (even in a world dominated by tech) to propel yourself forward.

If you’ve ever wondered how to take the leap during a career shift, navigate uncertainty, or make big changes without losing yourself, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

Failure should be viewed as a growth opportunity, not a setback.

Embracing hard experiences can lead to personal growth and resilience.

Networking and human connection are vital in times of change.

Understanding and utilizing one's strengths can enhance job satisfaction and engagement.

It's important to prepare for potential career changes in advance.

Taking small steps can help overcome fear and self-sabotage.

Community and support are essential for navigating transitions.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:57 How to reframe rejection

03:49 Growth in disguise

08:33 The role of AI in careers

11:40 Networking that actually moves you forward

15:19 Confidence comes from action, not comfort

17:52 Eileen’s layoff to liftoff story

20:25 Facing fear without freezing

23:35 Small steps that lead to big change

24:22 Discovering what truly drives you

25:06 Leveraging strengths to make goals reality

26:12 Intentional moves that create momentum

28:28 Wrapping up

Resources Mentioned:

Take the Gallup CliftonStrengths!

Intelligent Failure by Amy Edmundson

Download your Blueprint for Thought

Connect with Eileen:

Website: https://peakconfidencegroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileensuarez1/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eileensuarez.coachsulting/

More About Building Thinkers:

I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.

And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.

If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.

If money feels heavier than it should, this conversation will change how you carry it.

I’m sitting down with Priya Malani, founder of Stash Wealth, a financial advisor who works with high-earning millennials and helps them build real systems (not just budgets) that actually support the life they want. She’s seen behind the curtain of how smart, ambitious people handle money… and where they quietly sabotage themselves.

We’re unpacking the stories you’ve absorbed about money and how those narratives are shaping your financial behavior, whether you realize it or not. If you’ve ever felt financially “behind,” anxious about investing, confused about credit cards, or unsure what wealth even means for you, we go straight at it.

You’ll walk away understanding why mindset matters just as much as math, how automation creates freedom (not restriction), and why money is a tool, not a moral scorecard. Priya breaks down how to think about credit cards strategically instead of emotionally, and what it actually means to define wealth on your own terms.

This isn’t about hustling harder or cutting lattes. It’s about building a financial foundation that supports the life you’re designing, intentionally, confidently, and without quiet panic running the show.

Key Takeaways:

Automation can simplify financial management and reduce stress.

Understanding the difference between saving and investing is crucial for wealth building.

Emergency funds should be viewed as a first line of defense, not the only line.

Financial planning is not just for the wealthy; it is for everyone.

Defining what 'rich' means to you is essential for setting financial goals.

Financial anxiety can be addressed through education and support.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

03:01 The stories we tell ourselves about money

08:18 Automating your finances for freedom

09:24 Building systems that actually stick

11:41 Why credit cards can be your ally

12:19 The role of emergency funds

15:30 Budgeting is broken, here’s why

18:14 Tackling financial anxiety head-on

20:58 What does wealth really mean?

21:37 Designing a life that feels rich

22:17 Financial resources

23:24 Outro

Resources Mentioned:

What Every High-Achieving Woman Should Know About Money

I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi

Connect with Priya:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itspriyamalani/

Website: https://www.stashwealth.com/

The F Word Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5DjMQM98nj8yJobhxCJsmf?si=6f79219f95a249fa

More About Building Thinkers:

I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.

And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.

If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.