single-post-top-b

Meet the Expert

Meet Dr. Robert Waldinger

| 10 Minute Read
Written by: Meaning & Hope Institute

The Meaning & Hope Institute is proud to partner with Dr. Robert Waldinger

Robert Waldinger, M.D., is a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and Zen priest. He is Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and directs the Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the longest-running studies of adult life ever done. The Study tracked the lives of 724 men for over 80 years and now studies their Baby Boomer children to understand how childhood experience reaches across decades to affect health and wellbeing in middle age.  He writes about what science can teach us about healthy human development, and his book about the science of relationships, entitled The Good Life, published by Simon & Schuster in January of 2023.  He is Founding Director of the Lifespan Research Foundation, dedicated to bringing the insights of lifespan research to the general public through programs such as Road Maps for Life Transitions and Next Chapter in My Life.

Dr. Waldinger is the author of numerous scientific papers, and he directs a teaching program in psychotherapy at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He has won awards for teaching and research from the American Psychiatric Association, Harvard Medical School, and Massachusetts Psychiatric Society, and he is consistently named as one of the Best Doctors in America. He is also a transmitted teacher (roshi) in Living Vow Zen and teaches meditation throughout New England. His TED talk on lessons from the longest study of happiness has had over 40 million views and is the fastest spreading talk in the history of TEDx events. 

The Meaning & Hope Institute is proud to offer the Next Chapter in My Life workshop series to family caregivers who are ready to explore the next chapter of their journey.

More from Dr. Waldinger


What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness

With over 40 million views, Dr. Waldinger’s TED talk on lessons from the longest study on happiness shares powerful insights on what makes a good life. Learn more at TED.com.


The Good Life

The Good Life is a transformative guide that explores the essence of what it means to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. Blending practical wisdom with actionable insights, it delves into the core principles of happiness, well-being, and personal growth. The book invites readers on a journey of self-discovery, encouraging them to reflect on their values, goals, and relationships. Through a series of thought-provoking exercises and real-life examples, it offers a roadmap to navigate life’s challenges and make choices that align with a vision of the good life. It’s an essential read for anyone seeking to enhance their life’s quality and find deeper satisfaction.



SHARE:
fmhv-footer-b fmhv-footer-top-b

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Supporting Someone Who Is Grieving: What to Say and Do

| 15 Minute Read
Do you know someone who has experience loss? Learn how to support someone who is grieving with empathy and understanding.
Read More

ANNOUNCEMENTS

7 Ways to Find Hope as a Caregiver in 2025

| 12 Minute Read
What are your goal's for 2025? Inspired by Dr. Pauline Boss’s book Loving Someone with Dementia, here are 7 ways you can find hope and sets goals to navigate the challenges of caregiving with practical tips and emotional support.
Read More

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Holiday Grief: Navigating Change When a Loved One Is Diagnosed with Dementia

| 11 Minute Read
The holidays can feel especially challenging when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia. As traditions shift and changes set in, it’s important to acknowledge the grief you may feel while also embracing new ways to connect. Dr. Pauline Boss’s both/and thinking reminds us that we can grieve what has been lost and find hope in what’s yet to come. This season, allow yourself the space to feel all of it—sadness, joy, and everything in between.
Read More
Dr Pauline Boss

Meet the Expert

Meet Dr. Pauline Boss

| 18 Minute Read
The work of the Meaning & Hope Institute is based on the pioneering work of Pauline Boss, Ph.D., and her groundbreaking book for family caregivers, Loving Someone Who Has Dementia: How to Find Hope While Coping With Stress and Grief
Read More