Rethinking Meaningfulness Through a Cultural Lens: Lessons from Mohsen Joshanloo

What does it mean to live, and work, a life worth living?In this episode, Andrew Soren speaks with Dr. Alan Waterman, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at The College of New Jersey and one of the earliest psychologists to empirically distinguish eudaimonia from hedonia.Al shares how a life grounded in self-realization, rather than external rewards or fleeting happiness, can guide our career choices, work orientations, and even our understanding of motivation. Drawing on decades of research and philosophical inquiry, he challenges common assumptions about flow, passion, and the role of virtue in modern work.This conversation explores the connection between identity, calling, and personal fulfillment — and the very real trade-offs people face when trying to design lives (and workplaces) that support eudaimonic well-being.Key TakeawaysWork as a calling vs. work as a job: Al emphasizes that meaningful work often emerges from a sense of intrinsic motivation and resonance, not just external outcomes.Self-realization is the heart of eudaimonia: Rather than pursuing success by others’ standards, individuals thrive when they develop their own unique strengths, values, and potential.Harmonious vs. obsessive passion: Passion isn’t always productive. When intrinsic motivation becomes rigid or consuming, it can lead to burnout instead of fulfillment.Employers should support eudaimonia outside of work: Managers have a role in fostering self-awareness, autonomy, and life satisfaction by supporting employees’ growth in and beyond the workplace.Why This Episode MattersThis episode is a reminder that meaningful work is not one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re navigating a mid-career shift, helping others find their strengths, or designing environments that support well-being, this conversation invites reflection on the values and motivations that shape our professional lives.For managers, it’s a prompt to move beyond performance metrics and ask: how can we support people in realizing their full potential?About Our GuestDr. Alan Waterman is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at The College of New Jersey. With a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from SUNY Buffalo, his career has centered on understanding what makes life and work worth living.Al’s work blends philosophical and psychological perspectives, and he has authored or edited seven books, including The Best Within Us: Positive Psychological Perspectives on Eudaimonia (APA, 2014).His forthcoming book, Flow Theory Re-Envisioned, is due out from Oxford University Press in Fall 2025.P.S. Want to explore more of Alan Waterman’s thinking? Read the companion blog on our website for deeper insights and resources related to this episode.

What does it take to grow into a new professional identity—especially when the role doesn’t yet feel like your own?In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, Andrew is joined by Dr. Latika Nirula, Director of the Centre for Faculty Development at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Latika supports healthcare professionals as they step into the role of educator (often for the first time) and helps them navigate the inner conflict that can arise when their identity doesn’t yet align with their responsibilities.This conversation reflects on the role of storytelling, reflection, and community in shaping how people see themselves. Andrew and Latika also share their own experiences with imposter syndrome and speak candidly about what it feels like to be in a role where you’re still finding your footing.Key TakeawaysTeaching is more than a task. For many, it becomes an identity they grow into over time.Clinical educators often carry a strong sense of who they are as healthcare providers but need support to build confidence in their role as teachers.Imposter syndrome can be a sign that someone is stretching into something new. With the right support, those feelings can lead to growth.Community plays a critical role in how people make meaning of their work. Feeling part of something bigger can help people reconnect to purpose.Reflection and relationship are key to making professional growth feel meaningful and sustainable.Why This Episode MattersMany people take on roles they were never formally trained for. This episode offers a clear look at what helps people build confidence and find meaning when the path feels uncertain. It also highlights the kinds of conversations and communities that make that journey easier.About Our GuestDr. Latika Nirula is an educational psychologist and the Director of the Centre for Faculty Development at the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine. Her work focuses on coaching, faculty development, and helping clinical educators build their identity and capacity as teachers. She leads initiatives that bring people together through shared reflection and professional community.P.S. Looking to bring more reflection and shared learning into your own team?We’ve outlined one of Latika’s team rituals, called Critical Conversations, in our companion blog post. Check it out here!

What if a good life (or a good job) isn’t just about pleasure or purpose—but about complexity, depth, and surprise?In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, Andrew is joined by Shige Oishi, Professor of Psychology at the University of Chicago, to explore his research on psychological richness. Shige challenges the longstanding view that happiness and meaning are the primary ingredients of well-being, and makes the case for a third dimension that’s often overlooked.Together, they unpack what can make life feel full: curiosity, variety, a willingness to stray from the expected, and the ability to make sense of it all.Shige shares how this idea applies not just to life in general, but to how we design our work, navigate our growth, and foster well-being in organizations.Key Takeaways:Psychological richness is the diversity and complexity of life experience—and it matters just as much as happiness or purpose.People who pursue psychological richness tend to be more curious, adventurous, and open to growth.Even highly structured jobs can become more enriching through small changes, creative framing, or playful experimentation.Autonomy, storytelling, and exposure to the arts can help cultivate richness at work and beyond.Why This Episode Matters:If we want to make work, and life, feel truly fulfilling, we need more than comfort or cause. We need richness: the bittersweet, unpredictable, meaning-making stuff of experience.About Our Guest:Shige Oishi is a professor and leading well-being researcher at the University of Chicago. He studies how culture, context, and social conditions shape our understanding of what it means to live well. He’s also a parent, a lover of art and literature, and a firm believer in taking the scenic route—even on the way to class.

Has work ever felt like dodging a storm of flying bricks?In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, Andrew is joined by Jordan Friesen, occupational therapist and President of Mindset Mental Health Strategy. Jordan draws on both lived experience and years of consulting with organizations across Canada to challenge a common assumption: that workplace mental health is something employees should manage alone.Together, they explore why many well-being efforts fall short, what it means to take a systems-based approach to mental health, and how leaders can build environments where people aren’t just coping—but actually able to thrive. With a focus on systems, leadership, and accountability, Jordan offers a practical roadmap for making workplaces safer, healthier, and more supportive.Key Takeaways:Supporting mental health at work starts with redesigning harmful systems—not offering more individual coping tools.Meaning and purpose can only flourish when people feel safe, supported, and not overwhelmed by structural stressors.Managers have as much impact on employee well-being as a spouse or partner—and need training to support that role.Emotional literacy, feedback, and vulnerability are essential leadership skills in today’s workplaces.Measuring impact—through story, data, or both—is critical to sustaining mental health initiatives over time.Why This Episode Matters:If we want people to find meaning at work, we need to start by eliminating the harm work can cause. This episode highlights how meaningful work starts with responsibility, thoughtful systems, and a commitment to well-being by design.About Our Guest:Jordan Friesen is the President of Mindset Mental Health Strategy Inc. He is a mental health expert with experience leading national programs and initiatives focused on workplace mental health. Jordan helps organizations take progressive action to support employee well-being—grounded in research, systems thinking, and his own lived experience of illness and recovery. A skilled educator and registered occupational therapist, he’s known for his pragmatic approach and ability to influence leaders at all levels.

What is purpose, and how do we discover, develop, and sustain it—especially in a world full of distraction and complexity?In this episode, Andrew is joined by Kendall Cotton Bronk, Professor of Psychology at Claremont Graduate University and a leading expert in positive youth development. For over two decades, Kendall has studied how purpose emerges across life stages, why it’s essential for well-being, and how character and virtue help ensure our purpose serves the greater good.Together, they explore the evolving nature of purpose—from adolescence to older adulthood—what role families and organizations play in shaping it, and why “beyond-the-self” goals are so critical in today’s world. Kendall also shares insights from her cross-cultural research and offers practical takeaways for anyone seeking to support others (or themselves) in living more purposeful lives.Key Takeaways:Purpose is a long-term, personally meaningful goal aimed at contributing beyond the self.It often develops alongside identity during adolescence and young adulthood—but can be cultivated at any life stage.Purpose is culturally shaped, yet universally relevant: everyone wrestles with the question of what gives life meaning.Shared purpose—within families, organizations, or communities—requires strong relationships, humility, and intentional alignment across generations.Purpose needs to be paired with character and practical wisdom to ensure it contributes positively to others and society.Why This Episode Matters:Purpose is a powerful driver of resilience, life satisfaction, and contribution. Understanding how purpose develops and how we can support it in others can lead to stronger organizations, healthier communities, and more values-driven work. About Our Guest:Kendall Cotton Bronk, Ph.D. is the Principal Investigator for the Adolescent Moral Development Lab and a Professor of Psychology at Claremont Graduate University. A developmental scientist, her work explores the formation of purpose and character in young people and across the lifespan. She has led cross-cultural research around the globe and advised on how educators, parents, and mentors can foster purpose. Her research has been featured in NPR, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes, and is supported by organizations including the Spencer Foundation, the Templeton foundations, and the Fulbright Program.

What does it mean to live well—and does that definition change depending on where you’re from?In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, Andrew Soren is joined by Dr. Mohsen Joshanloo, a cross-cultural psychologist and social scientist based in South Korea. Mohsen’s research challenges dominant Western models of well-being and explores how culture shapes our experiences of happiness, autonomy, and purpose.Grounded in both theory and global data, Mohsen shares how our understanding of "meaning" is not only culturally shaped but deeply connected to our motivation, mental health, and resilience.The conversation also highlights implications for leaders and organizations: if we want people to find purpose in their work, we must first help them feel like they matter.Key Takeaways:Autonomy and meaning look different across cultures—there is no one-size-fits-all model.Emotional happiness isn't everyone's highest goal; fear of happiness is real and often culturally influenced.Eudaimonic well-being (based on purpose, virtue, and contribution) can predict future emotional well-being more than the other way around.People who lack purpose often place more importance on money for evaluating life satisfaction.Leaders can foster purpose at work by creating environments where people feel valued and impactful.Why This Episode Matters:If you’re a leader, HR professional, or researcher, this episode offers new insights into cultural differences in well-being and how these impact motivation and satisfaction at work.Resources Mentioned:Mohsen Joshanloo’s personal websiteFeatured Open-Access Research:Authenticity and Well-beingAversion to HappinessCulture and Well-beingAbout Our Guest:Dr. Mohsen Joshanloo is a personality and cross-cultural psychologist whose research explores mental well-being, culture, personality traits, emotions, and xenophobia. With a global perspective, he integrates data from countries across six continents to challenge the Western-dominated narrative in psychological science. Mohsen advocates for a more inclusive, international approach by incorporating insights from non-Western cultural contexts.He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Keimyung University in South Korea and an Honorary Principal Fellow at the Centre for Wellbeing Science at the University of Melbourne. Through his work, he continues to expand our understanding of how different cultures define and pursue happiness, purpose, and well-being.

In this episode, Sara Wolkenfeld, Chief Learning Officer at Sefaria, joins Andrew to explore how ancient Jewish wisdom can guide our relationship with emerging technologies like AI. Drawing from traditional texts and her experience making Jewish wisdom accessible through digital tools, Sara offers insights on maintaining our humanity while embracing technological progress.Key Takeaways:Jewish tradition distinguishes between assigned labor (Avodah, עֲבוֹדָה) and creative labor (Melechah, מְלָאכָה), offering a framework for deciding which tasks to delegate to AI and which to preserve for human hands and mindsInstead of asking if AI can do a task better, we should ask: "How do we want to spend our time?" and aim to free ourselves up for work that aligns with our deeper purposeClear organizational values and mission statements are essential for making ethical decisions about which technologies to adopt and how to implement themMeaningful work doesn't always feel comfortable or easy – challenge and even occasional struggle can be part of what makes work meaningfulAbout Sara Wolkenfeld:Sara Wolkenfeld is the Chief Learning Officer at Sefaria, an online database and interface for Jewish texts. She is a member of Class Six of the Wexner Field Fellowship, a rabbinic alumna of the David Hartman Center at the Hartman Institute of North America, and serves as Scholar-in-Residence at Ohev Sholom Congregation in Washington, DC. Her current research and writing focus on the intersection between Jewish ethics and advancements in technology. Sara and her husband, David, live in Washington, DC with their five children.Resources Mentioned:Sefaria: Online platform making Jewish texts accessible (www.sefaria.org)Sara Wolkenfeld's article in The Atlantic: Work, Labor, and Artificial Intelligence in Jewish TextsSara's article in Religious Dispatches: How An Ancient Story of Renegade Rabbis Can Help Us Navigate ChatGPTOhev Sholom Congregation in Washington, DC: www.ohevdc.org

In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, Andrew sits down with Petra Kipfelsberger, Associate Professor for Leadership and Organizational Behaviour at BI Norwegian Business School. Andrew and Petra explore how leaders can inspire meaningful work through authentic communication and visionary leadership while avoiding behaviors that diminish employees' sense of purpose.Key Takeaways:Leaders offer opportunities for meaning rather than creating it directly - employees must discover their own sense of purpose"Meaning killing" behaviors like ignoring contributions or failing to provide feedback can significantly undermine employees' sense of purposeSimple practices like timely acknowledgment and specific affirmation can make a significant difference in fostering meaning at workAbout Petra Kipfelsberger:Petra Kipfelsberger is an Associate Professor at BI Norwegian Business School with a PhD from the University of St. Gallen. Her research focuses on inspirational leadership, meaningful work, and how organizations thrive during uncertainty. She has been a Visiting Research Fellow at Boston College and IESE Business School, serves as a board member of IGNITE, and coaches global C-level executives.Resources Mentioned:Viktor Frankl's work and life storyKilling Me Softly With His/Her Song: How Leaders Dismantle Followers' Sense of Work MeaningfulnessDeveloping Authenticity: A Quasi-Experimental Investigation

In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, host Andrew Soren sits down with Rob Baker, founder of Tailored Thinking and a leading voice on job crafting. They explore how individuals can shape their work to better align with their strengths and values, making small but meaningful changes that measurably boost performance, well-being, and job satisfaction.Key Takeaways:Job crafting involves personalizing your work in five key areas: tasks, skills, purpose, relationships, and well-being - creating small changes that make your job a better fit for you.Effective job crafting doesn't require massive changes - even "micro-crafting" for 5-10 minutes daily can significantly impact your energy, engagement, and satisfaction at work.Leaders can support job crafting by listening sincerely, creating space for experimentation, and embedding crafting conversations into regular performance discussions.About Rob Baker:Rob Baker is the founder and Chief Positive Deviant of Tailored Thinking, an award-winning evidence-based positive psychology and HR consultancy. Named #8 Most Influential Thinker by HR Magazine in 2023, Rob is a world-leading expert on job crafting in workplaces. He's a TEDX speaker and author of "Personalization at Work," a finalist at the 2021 Business Book Awards.With a first-class Masters in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Melbourne, Rob combines academic rigor with practical application, helping organizations make work better and make better work.Resources Mentioned:Tailored Thinking: tailoredthinking.co.ukConnect with Rob on LinkedIn and InstagramPersonalization at Work - Rob's book on job crafting

Collaboration and generosity are essential for meaningful work, but what happens when they become too much of a good thing? Could saying yes too often be holding you back?In part two of our conversation with Reb Rebele, we explore the hidden costs of collaboration and generosity in the workplace. Building on last week's discussion about personality dynamics, Reb shares why organizations face ‘collaborative overload’, how helpful employees often burn out first, and what individuals and teams can do to reclaim their time and energy. Reb shares practical strategies for balancing helping others with protecting our own wellbeing, from setting boundaries to reassessing team norms around meetings and communication. If you've ever felt overextended at work or struggled to manage the demands of collaboration, this episode offers valuable frameworks for creating more sustainable ways of working together.Key Takeaways:Organizations need systematic approaches to manage collaboration, from tech tools to meeting policies."Selfless" helping can actually reduce impact - maintaining healthy boundaries helps sustain meaningful contributions.Effective collaboration requires both individual strategies (like resource management) and organizational solutions.About Our Guest:Reb Rebele is a psychological scientist and advisor who teaches at the University of Melbourne and whose research on personality psychology and organizational behavior has been published in leading academic journals and outlets such as The Atlantic and Harvard Business Review. Reb’s work focuses on understanding how individuals and organizations can work together more effectively while supporting wellbeing.---Want to move from theory to practice? Join our pilot PodClub session on February 26th, where thoughtful professionals like you will explore how to make meaningful work a reality. Learn more at eubd.ca/podclub.