Good Life Project
Jonathan Fields / Acast
Good Life Project is a podcast and video series for people navigating midlife with intention. Hosted by Jonathan Fields, each episode is a deep, honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a life that feels like yours, through the reinventions, reckonings, and reclamations that define your 40s, 50s, and beyond. Grounded in science, fueled by genuine curiosity, and always in service of the real work of living well. Often top-ranked, it’s been listened to and viewed more than 100 million times. New episodes weekly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Categories: Education
Listen to the last episode:
The tiny moments you ignore may hold the key to it all. New research in neuroscience and attachment science reveals that your brain is constantly monitoring your relationships through small, everyday interactions, and the signals it picks up quietly shape everything from your self-esteem to your sense that life has meaning.
Most of us pour energy into the big relationship gestures, the long conversations, the grand repairs. But the seemingly insignificant exchanges, a returned text, a warm nod, a moment of simply being seen, may matter far more to your brain and your sense of security than you ever realized.
Amir Levine, M.D. is a psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University who trained in molecular neuroscience under Nobel Laureate Eric Kandel. He is the coauthor of the international bestseller Attached, which has sold over two million copies in more than 30 languages, and his newest book is Secure, The Revolutionary Guide to Creating a Secure Life.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- The brain science behind why even brief moments of exclusion can erode your self-esteem, sense of control, and feeling that life is meaningful
- A 5-part framework (with a memorable acronym) for building the foundation of every secure connection, one you can start practicing today
- Why your attachment style isn't something to "fix," and the hidden superpower built into your specific wiring that you may be overlooking
- Two simple rules for navigating conflict that keep even heated moments from damaging the bond
- An overlooked relationship practice that works like two-factor authentication for trust and deeper connection
If you've ever wondered why certain relationships feel effortless while others leave you anxious, guarded, or drained, this conversation will change how you see every interaction in your day. Hit play and discover how small, consistent shifts can help you build the kind of secure, connected life your brain has been searching for.
You can find Amir at: Website | Take the Attachment Quiz | Episode Transcript
Next week, be sure to tune in for an episode with me about the 'Unbusy Manifesto' and the six daily practices that will help you reclaim your time and your sanity.
Check out our offerings & partners:
- Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the Wheel
- Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Previous episodes
-
1219 - Secure Attachment & The Good Life: Surprising Insights | Amir Levine, M.D. Mon, 13 Apr 2026 - 0h
-
1218 - An End to Chronic Pain? Surprising Science is Getting Us Closer. | Dr. Rachel Zoffness Thu, 09 Apr 2026 - 0h
-
1217 - How to Not Lose Hope in a World That Feels Increasingly Dark Mon, 06 Apr 2026 - 0h
-
1216 - The Upside of Oversharing, and the Surprising Downside of Restraint | Leslie John Thu, 02 Apr 2026 - 0h
-
1215 - How to Find Joy in Hard Times (and When Your Brain Lies to You) | Jenny Lawson Mon, 30 Mar 2026 - 0h
-
1214 - Arthur Brooks: Meaning in Midlife & Beyond Thu, 26 Mar 2026 - 0h
-
1213 - Want Real, Lasting Change? It’s Time to Try a Different Approach. | Eric Zimmer Mon, 23 Mar 2026 - 0h
-
1212 - How Toxic Positivity Wrecks Lives & Relationships (and What to Cultivate Instead) | Dr. Deepika Chopra Thu, 19 Mar 2026 - 0h
-
1211 - Relationship Agreements: A Powerful Way to Deepen Love & Lessen Conflict | Krista & Will Van Derveer Mon, 16 Mar 2026 - 0h
-
1210 - How to Connect With Anyone | Charles Duhigg Thu, 12 Mar 2026
-
1209 - When to Quit (Jobs or People): How “Jolts” Drive Big Changes | Anthony Klotz Mon, 09 Mar 2026 - 0h
-
1208 - Michael Pollan: Wake Up & Reclaim Your Attention Thu, 05 Mar 2026 - 0h
-
1207 - Thrive in an Empty Nest: The "Open Door" Strategy for Lasting Happiness | Gretchen Rubin Mon, 02 Mar 2026 - 0h
-
1206 - Set Boundaries Without Guilt, Drama or Losing the People You Love | Spotlight Convo Thu, 26 Feb 2026
-
1205 - Navigating Anxiety: What’s Normal, What’s Not & What Helps | Dr. Tracey Marks Mon, 23 Feb 2026 - 0h
-
1204 - Menopause Mythbusting | Why Midlife Changes Your Brain and What Helps | Lisa Mosconi, PhD Thu, 19 Feb 2026 - 0h
-
1203 - Why Love Gets Uncomfortable & How That’s Not a Failure | Susan Piver [Best Of] Mon, 16 Feb 2026 - 0h
-
1202 - A Different Take on Excellent That Changes Everything | Brad Stulberg Thu, 12 Feb 2026 - 0h
-
1201 - When Life Meets Reality | Finding Grace When the Future Falls Apart | Lucy Kalanithi Mon, 09 Feb 2026 - 0h
-
1200 - Why You Feel Unloved | 5 Research-backed Shifts That Change How Love Feels | Harry Reis Thu, 05 Feb 2026 - 0h
-
1199 - How to Unlearn Pain: Groundbreaking Research Offers Hope | Yoni K. Ashar Mon, 02 Feb 2026 - 0h
-
1198 - Better Sex at Any Age? The Science of Pleasure & What Really Matters | Dr. Nicole McNichols Thu, 29 Jan 2026
-
1197 - The Meaning Trap | Why fulfillment and impact fall short Mon, 26 Jan 2026 - 0h
-
1196 - How to Lessen Suffering: A Powerful New Take Thu, 22 Jan 2026 - 0h
-
1195 - How to Build Habits That Stick Mon, 19 Jan 2026
-
1194 - How to Make Big Dreams Happen Thu, 15 Jan 2026 - 0h
-
1193 - Why You Feel Drained (a Different Take) | Iyanla Vanzant Mon, 12 Jan 2026 - 0h
-
1192 - The Year of Enough Thu, 08 Jan 2026 - 0h
-
1191 - Samin Nosrat | Crafting a Life That Nourishes You Mon, 05 Jan 2026 - 0h
-
1190 - The Unresolution: Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail & What Works Instead Thu, 01 Jan 2026 - 0h
-
1189 - Brené Brown | Why Courage Matters More Than Comfort Mon, 29 Dec 2025 - 0h
-
1188 - Myth of the Clean Slate Thu, 25 Dec 2025 - 0h
-
1187 - How to Quiet Your Inner Critic & Escape Perfectionism | Dr. Ellen Hendriksen Mon, 22 Dec 2025 - 0h
-
1186 - Turning Down Tinnitus Thu, 18 Dec 2025 - 0h
-
1185 - Healing Shame, When Nothing Seems to Be Working | Dr. Zoe Shaw Mon, 15 Dec 2025 - 0h
-
1184 - Attention Grown-ups: If You’re Not Playing, You’re Likely Paying a Big Price. | Cas Holman Thu, 11 Dec 2025 - 0h
-
1183 - Hope, Not Fear: New Conversations on Cancer Breakthroughs | Future of Medicine [Ep. 6] Mon, 08 Dec 2025 - 0h
-
1182 - The Relationship Rules Keeping You Stuck (and how to fix them) | Stephanie R. Yates-Anyabwile Thu, 04 Dec 2025 - 0h
-
1181 - What Your Body is Secretly Telling You: A Guide to Wearable Tech | Future of Medicine [Ep. 5] Mon, 01 Dec 2025 - 0h
-
1180 - A Guide to Living Fully After Loss | Spotlight Convo Thu, 27 Nov 2025
-
1179 - Beyond Diet & Exercise: Radical New Ways to Protect Your Heart | Future of Medicine [Ep. 4] Mon, 24 Nov 2025 - 0h
-
1178 - Elizabeth Gilbert | The Weekly Practice That Changed Her Life Fri, 21 Nov 2025
-
1175 - Ani DiFranco: Fierce, Free, Creative & True Thu, 13 Nov 2025 - 0h
-
1174 - The AI Revolution is Coming to Your Doctor’s Office (Good News) | Future of Medicine [Ep. 2] Mon, 10 Nov 2025 - 0h
-
1173 - Reimagining Midlife: My 2x20 Project™ Update & the Power of Experiments Thu, 06 Nov 2025
-
1172 - The Hidden Key to Living to 100 (And Loving It) | Future of Medicine [Ep. 1] Mon, 03 Nov 2025
-
1171 - How The World’s Worst First Date Led to a Video that Changed Everything Thu, 30 Oct 2025 - 0h
-
1170 - Small Habits, Big Changes: Rewire Your Brain for Success | Spotlight Convo Mon, 27 Oct 2025
-
1169 - Parenting Adult Kids Without Losing Your Mind (or Their Trust) | Lisa Damour Ph.D. Thu, 23 Oct 2025 - 0h
-
1168 - 5 Ways to Breathe That Ease Anxiety, Induce Calm & Boost Performance | Jessica Dibb Mon, 20 Oct 2025