In this episode of Change Starts Here, Kim Yaris and Dr. Eve Miller dive into the critical topic of student well-being, especially relevant as climate survey data rolls in for the end of the year. While most schools measure happiness and meaningfulness, Dr. Miller highlights groundbreaking research by Erin Westgate and Shigehiro Oishi that introduces a third, often overlooked dimension: "psychological richness".

Listeners will discover what psychological richness is, experiences that fundamentally shift how you see the world, and why it is distinct from both happiness and meaning. The hosts explain how a school might score perfectly on happiness metrics while still leaving students feeling like they're just going through the motions. They offer three highly practical ways for educators to build psychological richness into their daily routines: asking the right reflective questions, making perspective shifts visible, and actively seeking out unfamiliar viewpoints.

Handout: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/podcast_handout_epis-31?x=mRNVAO Staff Booster: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/lim_staffbooster_epi31?x=mRNVAO

Hosts:

Kim Yaris, M.Ed. (Associate Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education)

Dr. Eve Miller (Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education)

Timestamps:

(00:00 - 01:42) School Climate surveys

(01:42 - 03:35) Psychological richness

(03:35 - 05:04) Richness vs rigor

(05:04 - 06:31) Tracking perspective change

(06:31 - 08:31) Why richness matters

(08:31 - 10:24) Missing wellbeing metrics

(10:24 - 11:48) Purpose and richness

(11:48 - 13:58) Practice 1: Add the third question

(13:58 - 16:01) Practice 2: Make the shift visible

(16:01 - 18:09) Practice 3: Unfamiliar perspectives

(18:09 - 19:49) Designing deliberately

Are We Asking the Wrong Questions About Student Well-Being?