New Podcast Episode: Zen & the Science of Living Well

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What actually makes a good life?

Our new FitMind Podcast episode is out with Dr. Robert Waldinger, psychiatrist, Zen teacher, and director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the longest-running study of adult life ever conducted.

The study has followed thousands of people across their lives, asking what helps us thrive. One of its clearest findings is that the quality of our relationships has a profound effect on our health and happiness.

In this conversation, Robert explores why loneliness can become a chronic stressor in the body, how social connection helps regulate the nervous system, and why there is no single formula for a good life.

They also discuss Zen practice, solitude, self-criticism, equanimity, and the stories the mind creates when faced with uncertainty.

A few questions for the community:

Have you noticed a connection between your relationships and your meditation practice?

Do you experience solitude differently from loneliness?

Has practice changed the way you relate to other people, or to yourself?

Listen to the episode here: Zen & the Science of Living Well

We’d love to hear your thoughts.

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I thought this was one of the stronger podcast episodes lately. Robert Waldinger has a very grounded way of talking about difficult subjects without turning them into kitchy slogans.

The part about relationships affecting the nervous system was interesting. As I get older I can “feel” it to be true. It sounds obvious when you hear it, but I don’t think I fully appreciated how much certain interactions can either settle the body or keep it on alert.

I’ve also noticed that meditation has made solitude feel different for me. There’s more comfort in quiet now. At the same time, the practice has made me value good relationships more, not less. I think I used to see those things as opposites.

Another thing I appreciated was that he didn’t present “the good life” as a perfect emotional state. More like staying connected to people, purpose, and reality as it actually is. That’s much more of what life is really like.