Positivity Matters

Positivity Matters
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Social Sciences
  • Updated Weekly

Conversations with scholars, organization leaders, and community builders focused on wellbeing, positive psychology, mental health, and human flourishing.

  1. Mia Sundstrom: Toward a Radiantly Kind and Playful World   

    6 days ago

    Mia Sundstrom: Toward a Radiantly Kind and Playful World   

    Mia Sundstrom: Toward a Radiantly Kind and Playful World    CEO, The National Institute for Play Play Styles: Mover (Kinesthete) | Explorer (Adventurer) | Competitor (Sports Competitor) Sports competitor, adventurer, kinesthete VIA Strengths: Leadership | Humility | Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence | Creativity | Judgement Recorded Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026

    26 min
  2. David Thomas: On Becoming a Playvolutionary for Fun

    9 May

    David Thomas: On Becoming a Playvolutionary for Fun

    David Thomas: On Becoming a Playvolutionary for Fun Dave's CliftonStrengths: Ideation | Strategic | Intellection | Input| MaximizerDavid Thomas hosts the podcast The Fun Question and co-founded Professors at Play — the nearly-1,000-member "Playvolution" remaking higher education — and co-author, with John Sharp, of Fun, Taste, and Games (MIT Press, 2019). His work argues that play isn't ornamental or adjacent to serious work. It's a distinct aesthetic with its own structure: ludic form, ambiguity, and set-outsidedness. Recorded: Friday, May 8th, 2026

    1hr 6min
  3. Jarrod Elwell: MI ↝ ABCD ↝ AI ↝ CI = How Community Change Happens Along the Lines of Relationships

    2 Apr

    Jarrod Elwell: MI ↝ ABCD ↝ AI ↝ CI = How Community Change Happens Along the Lines of Relationships

    Jarrod Elwell: MI ↝ ABCD ↝ AI ↝ CI = How Community Change Happens Along the Lines of Relationships at the Speed of Hope Jarrod Elwell is the Community Development regional manager for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, serving Virginia and Washington D.C. Strengths: Fairness, Love of Learning, Kindness, Spirituality, Hope Record: March 31, 2026

    59 min
  4. David Berez⁠: Courageous Optimism and the Path from Warrior to Healer

    1 Feb

    David Berez⁠: Courageous Optimism and the Path from Warrior to Healer

    Retired police lieutenant and positive psychology practitioner David Berez, MAPP, DRE joins us to discuss how we can transform trauma into a catalyst for growth. David shares his journey from a 20-year career in law enforcement—where "resilience" meant simply bouncing back—to his development of "Courageous Optimism," a framework that empowers first responders to become "anti-fragile" in the face of chaos. By blending the science of human flourishing with the gritty reality of police work, David illustrates how storytelling and vulnerability can break the stigma of silence and save lives. David Berez’s VIA Strengths: Honesty | Kindness | Curiosity | Perspective | Social Intelligence Audio Editor: Kyle Gross (https://kylegross.myportfolio.com) Recorded: January 7, 2026

    44 min
  5. Dele Davies, MD: Leading Positive Change with Emotional Intelligence 

    22 Jan

    Dele Davies, MD: Leading Positive Change with Emotional Intelligence 

    Dele Davies, MD, Interim Chancellor at University of Nebraska Medical Center Emotional Intelligence (EQ) = (Personal Competence = Self Awareness x Self-Management) x (Social Competence = Social Awareness x Relationship Management) CliftonStrengths: Significance | Futuristic | Focus | Maximizer | Strategic | Learner | Achiever | Responsibility | Belief  Recorded: January 8, 2026

    51 min
  6. Grant Stonebraker: Building a Pay-It-Forward Culture

    23/12/2025

    Grant Stonebraker: Building a Pay-It-Forward Culture

    Grant Stonebraker: Building a Pay-It-Forward Culture Speaker, coach, and author Grant Stonebraker shares how his signature strengths of honesty, kindness, and love fuel both his entrepreneurial work and his grassroots kindness movement, Operation: Pay It Forward. Grant discusses how spirituality and creativity guide his approach to building authentic connections and inspiring others to make progress through simple, intentional acts of goodness. This conversation offers practical wisdom for anyone seeking to live their values and spark positive change in their community. A visualization of the aggregated VIA Strengths of people who have been guests on the podcast after adding Grant’s top VIA Strengths: Honesty | Kindness | Love | Spirituality | Creativity Audio Editor: Kyle Gross (https://kylegross.myportfolio.com/) Recorded on: 11/20/2025

    35 min
  7. Jacob Kendall: Curiosity, Creativity, and Rethinking How We Grow Older

    23/12/2025

    Jacob Kendall: Curiosity, Creativity, and Rethinking How We Grow Older

    Jacob Kendall: Curiosity, Creativity, and Rethinking How We Grow Older Dr. Jacob Kendall—gerontologist, social worker, and two-time open-heart surgery survivor—joins us to share a fresh lens for understanding health across place, and time. Drawing on his signature strengths of creativity, curiosity, and humor, Jacob challenges one-dimensional thinking about aging and advocates for a pro-aging mindset grounded in fairness and forgiveness. This conversation will transform how you think about growing older—and inspire you to approach life's challenges with both scientific rigor and deep humanity. A visualization of the aggregated VIA Strengths of people who have been guests on the podcast after adding Jacob’s top VIA Strengths: Creativity | Fairness | Curiosity | Humor | Forgiveness Audio Editor: Kyle Gross (https://kylegross.myportfolio.com/)Recorded on: 11/19/2025

    1hr 9min
  8. Leo Louis II: Identity Formation, Community Building, and Cultural Transformation 

    15/11/2025

    Leo Louis II: Identity Formation, Community Building, and Cultural Transformation 

    Leo Louis II: Identity Formation, Community Building, and Cultural Transformation Leo recently co-authored the book: The Grownfolks and the Magic Wand Recorded: November 14, 2025

    41 min
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About

Conversations with scholars, organization leaders, and community builders focused on wellbeing, positive psychology, mental health, and human flourishing.

Information

  • Creator
    Positivity Matters
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Positivity Matters
  • Show Website
    Positivity Matters