In this episode of The Imaginals, host Ashley Wick sits down with Christine Carter, Ph.D. — sociologist, coach, and author of The Sweet Spot, Raising Happiness, and The New Adolescence. For over 25 years, she’s been a guiding voice in the science of well-being, helping shape UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and bringing insights to stages like TED and The Oprah Show.

Christine spent her career studying happiness, purpose, and the conditions that allow us to truly thrive- gaining knowledge and skills that would prepare her for what she later called her “summer of hell.” In a single season, Christine was diagnosed with breast cancer, lost her mother, her best friend from college, a cousin she considered a brother, and her beloved dog. She was being asked to live everything she’d taught — to find stillness in chaos, clarity in grief, and purpose in the face of deep loss.

Christine comes from a long line of anxious women, and like so many of us, she’s made a life’s work of teaching what she needs to know. In this tender and humorous conversation, they discuss perfectionism, why purpose ( not happiness ) is one of the strongest predictors of well-being, and how it’s possible to be happy amidst profound pain.. This episode is an offering for anyone finding their way through anxiety or loss.

Chapters:

01:27 Guest Introduction: Christine Carter
01:51 Christine's Journey Through Personal Loss
04:40 The Dinner Table Epiphany
09:45 Purpose vs. Happiness
15:02 Arthur Brooks' Insights on Happiness
16:53 Christine's Personal Growth and Overcoming Anxiety
19:10 Overcoming Anxiety: Key Strategies
20:09 The Role of Meditation and Cognitive Practices
22:26 Embracing Emotional Acceptance
23:27 The Impact of Menopause on Anxiety
26:44 Perfectionism and Connection
29:17 Navigating Loss and Grief
35:42 Acceptance Practice and Final Thoughts

Links:

Christine Carter Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley

Acceptance Meditation

Ashley Links:

Finding The Current Within Retreat: https://peggymarkel.com/adventures/finding-the-current-within/

Ashley Wick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleywick

The Ingenius Life Workshop: https://www.ingenius.life

Take The Leap Course: https://www.taketheleapwomen.com/

Sign up for Ashley’s newsletter for free coaching reflections, tools and news: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/643399411150f24bd562b5f5

Podcast artwork by George Bangs. Photography by Cary Jobe

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Christine Carter on Choosing Purpose Over Happiness, Overcoming Anxiety, and Accepting Loss

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