638: The science of flourishing & how to give life meaning | Daniel Coyle

“When we really look at the definition of flourishing, it's joyful, meaningful growth shared,” explains Daniel Coyle.

Coyle is the bestselling author of The Culture Code and The Talent Code, who just released his latest book, Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment. After spending decades studying elite performers, Navy SEALs, championship sports teams, and top business leaders, Coyle had climbed to the mountaintop of success research only to realize it wasn’t what he thought it would be. Now, he focuses his work trying to answer the question: What actually makes a life worth living? 

Here's a glance at our conversation:

• What makes a life meaningful? (00:24)

• Why you can’t flourish alone (00:45)

• Shifting your focus (04:43)

• Rituals vs habits (09:12)

• The value of small, frequent connections (12:49)

• The 33 miners & bottom-up rituals (15:51)

• A tiny Vermont town that produces Olympians (19:14)

• Rebuilding community in Paris (25:30)

• How to design vulnerability (30:53)

• Why connection creates health & safety (31:38)

• Cleveland Guardians case study (33:25)

• Joy vs fear as fuel (40:13)

Referenced in the episode: 

• Find more on Daniel Coyle and his books at his website, danielcoyle.com

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