“Basically, I found myself asking the question: “What was missing in psychology?” And what was present in something psychology could be proud of was that psychotherapy actually worked, that it helped a good number of people, and it was well liked. But what psychology was missing was “What makes life worth living?” – Martin Seligman

Today it’s great to have Dr. Martin Seligman on the podcast. Dr. Seligman is Director of the Penn Positive Psychology Center, the Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology in the Penn Department of Psychology, and Director of the Penn Master of Applied Positive Psychology Program. Commonly known as the founder of positive psychology, Dr. Seligman is a leading authority in the fields of positive psychology, resilience, learned helplessness, depression, optimism, and pessimism.

He is also a recognized authority on interventions that prevent depression, and that build strengths and well-being. He has written more than 250 scholarly publications and 20 books, including Flourish, Authentic Happiness, Learned Optimism, Character Strengths and Virtues (which was co-authored with Chris Peterson), and his autobiography The Hope Circuit: A Psychologist’s Journey from Helplessness to Optimism.

Time Stamps

[00:36]              Introduction of Martin Seligman

[01:42]              Dr. Seligman shares about his new book on human agency

[04:18]              The belief in free will

[06:37]              Dr. Seligman’s research on learned helplessness

[09:15]              How hope can be learned

[11:56]              The numinous dream that impacted Dr. Seligman and his research

[15:03]              Dr. Seligman’s research on optimism

[17:53]              On Dr. Seligman running for president of American Psychological Association (APA)

[21:12]              The founding of positive psychology and what makes life worth living

[22:51]              The “gardening incident” that inspired creating a movement

[24:57]             Dr. Seligman reflects on top character traits and strengths

[26:00]             How positive psychology can help people during and after the pandemic

[32:39]              Dr. Seligman endorses the “smiley face’ and trying to have fun during the pandemic

[35:22]              Good criticisms of positive psychology

[39:58]              Dr. Seligman’s view on humanistic psychology

[43:06]              Comparing Dr. Seligman’s expertise in psychology with playing Bridge

[46:45]              Different kinds of creative ideas

[51:26]              The importance of having a sense of the audience for creativity

[54:06]             The future of psychotherapy and helping people focus on the future through prospection

[55:05]              Dr. Seligman’s final message

Call to Action

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