You Are Heroic with Brian Johnson Heroic Chat with James Pawelski: Wisdom, Community, and World Change
Dec 8, 2023
James Pawelski, Professor of Practice and Director of Education in Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, talks about the importance of connecting with leaders in positive psychology, overcoming fear and taking action, and the power of positive humanities and arts in well-being. They emphasize the value of finding a community of like-minded people and the fulfillment that comes from bringing one's best self to that community.
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Philosophy Needs A Lab
- Pragmatism means practice: ideas must be tested in life to matter, not just understood intellectually.
- Pawelski built a philosophy course with a lab to teach students to apply beliefs and measure their outcomes.
Raise Your Hand Before You Feel Ready
- Raise your hand and act even when you don't feel fully ready because showing up opens doors you can't foresee.
- Pawelski's clumsy question at Seligman's talk still led to meetings and long-term collaboration.
Community Multiplies Flourishing
- Community amplifies individual flourishing by allowing people to bring authentic strengths and support each other's growth.
- Pawelski emphasizes joined action over passive worry about headlines as the practical route to impact.