Welcome to “Better Than Fine,” the award-winning podcast hosted by wellbeing expert and wellness coach Darlene Marshall! In this inspiring episode, Darlene dives deep into NASA’s Artemis II mission and unpacks the powerful human response known as the Overview Effect—the profound sense of awe experienced by astronauts when seeing Earth from space.

Episode Highlights:

· Journey of Artemis II: Relive the record-breaking 252,756-mile lunar orbit with Commander Reed Wiseman, Victor Glover Jr., Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen.

· What is the Overview Effect? Discover how this mind-bending phenomenon rewires our sense of self, connects us to humanity, and sparks a desire to protect our “lifeboat” Earth.

· Science of Awe & Positive Psychology: Learn how awe changes our mental models, triggers self-transcendence, and enhances meaning, purpose, and connection.

· Collective Awe—Why It Matters: Explore how sharing awe-inspiring experiences strengthens community, reduces loneliness, and fuels hope—especially in challenging times.

· From Inspiration to Action: Uncover research-backed ways to channel awe into positive action, forward motion, and pragmatic optimism.

· Listener Takeaways: Practical tips for bringing more awe and connection into your everyday life.

Why Watch?

⭐️ Get Inspired: Feel the chills as real astronaut quotes reveal how space travel transforms our understanding of life and purpose.

⭐️ Level Up Your Mindset: Darlene shares powerful evidence-based tools to recalibrate your thinking and boost resilience.

⭐️ Strengthen Your Wellbeing: Find out how to harness the science of awe for greater happiness, deeper connection, and meaningful action.

Show References:

Keltner, D. & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 17, 297–314.

The foundational paper that defined awe scientifically — introducing the two core features of vastness and need for accommodation that underpin all subsequent awe research.https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930302297

Rudd, M., Vohs, K.D., & Aaker, J. (2012). Awe expands people's perception of time, alters decision making, and enhances well-being. Psychological Science, 23, 1130–1136. Demonstrated that awe — unlike happiness — makes people feel they have more time available, reduces impatience, and increases life satisfaction.https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797612438731

Yaden, D.B., Iwry, J., Slack, K.J., Eichstaedt, J.C., Zhao, Y., Vaillant, G.E., & Newberg, A.B. (2016). The overview effect: Awe and self-transcendent experience in space flight. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, 3(1), 1–11.The primary academic framework for the Overview Effect — identifying awe, self-transcendence, and schema changes as the three psychological mechanisms behind what astronauts experience viewing Earth from space.https://doi.org/10.1037/cns0000086

Bai, Y., Maruskin, L.A., Chen, S., Gordon, A.M., Stellar, J.E., McNeil, G.D., Piff, P.K., & Keltner, D. (2017). Awe, the diminished self, and collective engagement: Universality and cultural variation in the small self. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113(2), 185–209.Found that awe reliably shrinks self-referential thinking across cultures — people literally drew themselves smaller after experiencing awe — and increases feelings of connection to something larger.https://doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000087

Piff, P.K., Dietze, P., Feinberg, M., Stancato, D.M., & Keltner, D. (2015). Awe, the small self, and prosocial behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 108(6), 883–899.Showed that awe reliably increases prosocial behavior — generosity, ethical decision-making, and concern for others — by reducing preoccupation with the individual self.https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000018

White, F. (2021). The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution (4th ed.). Multiverse Publishing.The original book that named and documented the Overview Effect through interviews with astronauts — still the definitive primary source on the phenomenon.https://www.amazon.com/Overview-Effect-Exploration-Human-Evolution/dp/1951480007

The content shared in this podcast is solely for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek out the guidance of your healthcare provider or other qualified professional. Any opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASM.

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The Overview Effect: Awe & Connection from Outer Space