September 9, 2024 • 7 mins
What role does wellbeing play in social change? Hint: It's a big one!
In the introductory episode of At The Heart Of It, a new podcast from The Wellbeing Project, learn about how wellbeing inspires welldoing — and how wellbeing is becoming both the driver and the destination of social change itself.
Learn more about wellbeing and social change at www.wellbeing-project.org.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to At the Heart of It, a new podcast from The Wellbeing Project.
(00:04):
We're the world's leading organization advocating for the wellbeing of changemakers and for wellbeing in changemaking. 3 00:00:11,849.089909091 --> 00:00:16,719.090909091 We're on a mission to change how we do social change, and we're really happy you're here. 4 00:00:17,367.271727273 --> 00:00:30,449.545454545 You may have some questions already, like why wellbeing? Or what's a changemaker? Maybe even wellbeing? Don't we have more important things to talk about? All good questions, but let's just start with who we are. 5 00:00:31,460.454545455 --> 00:00:41,876.817181818 The Wellbeing Project is a global network of thousands of individuals and organizations who all share one common belief that wellbeing inspires welldoing. 6 00:00:42,297.727272727 --> 00:00:58,539.999 Our partners are social entrepreneurs, doctors, humanitarian workers, researchers, therapists, Indigenous leaders, elected officials, caregivers, teachers, frontline workers, people from all walks of life who see the power of wellbeing to make our world a better place. 7 00:00:58,894.544454545 --> 00:01:10,924.544454545 Since 2014, we have been emerging as a co creation from some of the world's biggest social impact organizations, like Ashoka, Synergos, Impact Hub, Skoll Foundation, Porticus, and Georgetown University. 8 00:01:11,60.908090909 --> 00:01:21,926.362636364 We've added many more institutions along the way to this collective effort all of these institutions work with incredible changemakers from around the world, and they were starting to see something really troubling among them. 9 00:01:22,566.362636364 --> 00:01:31,897.271727273 The people who had so much love for the world, for their communities, their countries, the planet, so much love that they were dedicating their lives to serving others. 10 00:01:32,397.270727273 --> 00:01:33,367.271727273 They were struggling. 11 00:01:33,706.362636364 --> 00:01:37,746.362636364 They're facing chronic stress, burnout, anxiety, depression. 12 00:01:37,964.543454545 --> 00:01:41,114.54445455 They were facing traumas in their personal and professional lives. 13 00:01:41,429.08990909 --> 00:01:43,809.08990909 They were feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders. 14 00:01:43,833.63536364 --> 00:01:45,953.63536364 Fighting for change in their outer worlds. 15 00:01:46,238.63536364 --> 00:01:47,688.63536364 As well as on the inside. 16 00:01:48,308.63536364 --> 00:01:50,38.63536364 They were doing all of this alone. 17 00:01:50,231.96869697 --> 00:01:51,201.96869697 In silence. 18 00:01:51,348.63536364 --> 00:01:53,548.63536364 Because this was the culture of social change. 19 00:01:53,768.63536364 --> 00:01:56,538.63536364 To give every part of yourself in the service of others. 20 00:01:56,798.63536364 --> 00:01:58,268.63536364 To work yourself to burnout. 21 00:01:58,628.63436364 --> 00:02:00,858.63436364 To put your work first and your health last. 22 00:02:01,371.96869697 --> 00:02:02,271.96769697 This was the norm. 23 00:02:02,698.63536364 --> 00:02:04,428.63536364 And to share your struggles was taboo. 24 00:02:04,718.63536364 --> 00:02:05,778.63536364 A sign of weakness. 25 00:02:06,48.63536364 --> 00:02:06,998.63536364 A sign of failure. 26 00:02:07,371.66566667 --> 00:02:18,349.84648485 And wellbeing? Who has time to think about wellbeing when you're trying to save the world? The Wellbeing Project was born out of the growing recognition that changemakers need wellbeing to be their best selves. 27 00:02:18,919.84648485 --> 00:02:24,449.84648485 Not just successful leaders, effective activists, and hard workers, but their best full selves. 28 00:02:24,629.84648485 --> 00:02:30,829.84548485 Community members, parents, siblings, individuals, dreamers, creators, human beings. 29 00:02:31,529.84648485 --> 00:02:39,859.84648485 In 2014, we accompanied dozens of seasoned changemakers on a journey of inner development to understand their struggles and help foster their wellbeing. 30 00:02:40,704.84648485 --> 00:02:45,644.84648485 What we and these changemakers saw was nothing short of transformation. 31 00:02:45,708.48284848 --> 00:02:47,88.48284848 A whole new way of being. 32 00:02:47,198.48284848 --> 00:02:48,568.48284848 A whole new way of leading. 33 00:02:48,788.48284848 --> 00:02:50,978.48284848 A whole new way of driving change. 34 00:02:51,336.66366667 --> 00:02:57,236.66566667 The ripple effects of inner wellbeing were felt in their organizations and in their impact, and it was clear. 35 00:02:58,36.66566667 --> 00:03:00,296.66566667 wellbeing inspires welldoing. 36 00:03:00,970.3010303 --> 00:03:12,280.3010303 So since 2014, we have been working to share this message of hope in the social change sector, to educate, inspire, and guide changemakers on a path to wellbeing, and strengthen their approach to welldoing. 37 00:03:12,660.3010303 --> 00:03:28,975.3010303 If wellbeing inspires welldoing within an individual and an organization, what about our societies? We are now seeing a monumental drive worldwide for our economic systems, political structures, and legal frameworks to enable the wellbeing of people and the planet. 38 00:03:29,411.66466667 --> 00:03:34,761.66466667 We have seen wellbeing become the driver and the destination of social change itself. 39 00:03:35,306.21012121 --> 00:03:40,796.21012121 But while we've seen such an inspiring transformation in this space, we still have work to do. 40 00:03:41,63.02830303 --> 00:03:44,853.02830303 We recognize the growing complexity and intensity of the world today. 41 00:03:44,988.48284848 --> 00:03:49,258.48284848 We're facing social and environmental battles from left to right, north to south. 42 00:03:49,598.48284848 --> 00:03:57,38.48284848 We're facing political division, economic instability, social inequality, environmental destruction, injustice, and trauma. 43 00:03:57,753.93639394 --> 00:04:00,743.93639394 Our world needs social change more than ever. 44 00:04:00,744.03639394 --> 00:04:03,778.86447249 And the heart of it, we need wellbeing. 45 00:04:04,411.13719976 --> 00:04:08,701.13719976 So welcome to our podcast, where we're telling stories of wellbeing changing the world. 46 00:04:09,51.13719976 --> 00:04:18,628.40892704 We're meeting the changemakers whose own journeys of wellbeing inspire the welldoing, digging deep into what this has meant to them and understanding the influence of wellbeing in their lives. 47 00:04:18,812.95438158 --> 00:04:23,652.95538158 You'll hear stories of inner development work like self reflection, personal growth, and healing. 48 00:04:23,834.7735634 --> 00:04:28,78.40992704 You'll hear stories on key topics like human rights, climate change, and leadership. 49 00:04:28,200.22810886 --> 00:04:31,910.22810886 And you'll hear stories of social change like advocacy, education. 50 00:04:32,51.13719976 --> 00:04:48,902.95438158 And community service, but what you won't hear is a definition of wellbeing because we believe in the emotional, we believe in the unique, and we believe in wellbeing that's defined by individuals that's defined in different regions based on the land, the culture, and the history. 51 00:04:49,292.95438158 --> 00:04:55,812.95438158 Together, we're bringing individual colors to a global mosaic, a collective painting of our shared commitment to wellbeing. 52 00:04:56,111.13719976 --> 00:05:02,751.13719976 We asked thousands of people to help us capture the spirit of our movement through words, resulting in a declaration of wellbeing. 53 00:05:03,165.68265431 --> 00:05:07,995.68265431 Here's Jazmine Williams, reading it at our first ever global summit in 2022. 54 00:05:10,905.99740349 --> 00:05:11,725.99740349 Good morning. 55 00:05:12,505.99740349 --> 00:05:14,185.99740349 My name is Jazmine Williams. 56 00:05:14,275.99740349 --> 00:05:21,195.99740349 Um, and I'd like to share with you all this morning a declaration of wellbeing written by Anne Mortifee. 57 00:05:28,805.99740349 --> 00:05:40,735.99740349 A spirit of promise is calling us inward to see ourselves clearly, to heal what needs healing and bring harmony back to the earth. 58 00:05:41,905.99740349 --> 00:05:47,565.99740349 We feel it in the depth of our nature and rise to the call of life's urge to evolve. 59 00:05:48,755.99740349 --> 00:05:50,65.99740349 We are Pathfinders. 60 00:05:50,241.09740349 --> 00:05:59,540.99740349 Caregivers, weavers of dreams, pilgrims on a journey to discover the self from every walk of life. 61 00:06:00,480.99740349 --> 00:06:05,430.99740349 Every faith, race, and culture, the sounds of our footsteps are heard. 62 00:06:06,640.99740349 --> 00:06:12,890.99740349 Inspired by the ones who traveled before us, we press on for the ones yet to follow. 63 00:06:13,120.99740349 --> 00:06:17,230.99740349 Moved by an ancient vision of a more compassionate world. 64 00:06:18,190.99740349 --> 00:06:23,500.99640349 We seek wellbeing for all of creation, for love and justice. 65 00:06:24,330.99740349 --> 00:06:28,690.99740349 Peace and truth to thrive and enliven us all. 66 00:06:28,690.99740349 --> 00:06:35,130.99740349 We have learned that the light which ignites the stars is the same light that flows through all things. 67 00:06:39,995.97060489 --> 00:06:42,65.97060489 And through all things flows. 68 00:06:42,95.97060489 --> 00:06:42,935.97060489 Well-being. 69 00:06:43,303.24333216 --> 00:06:48,153.24233216 So let's jump in, let's dive deep, and let's get to the heart of it. 70 00:06:51,448.96940525 --> 00:06:54,658.96940525 Thank you for listening to this episode of, at the heart of it. 71 00:06:55,18.96940525 --> 00:06:58,708.96940525 For more news research and stories about wellbeing and social change. 72 00:06:58,768.96940525 --> 00:07:01,318.96940525 Visit wellbeing-project.org. 73 00:07:01,618.96940525 --> 00:07:08,68.96940525 The wellbeing project is the world's leading organization advocating for the wellbeing of change-makers and for wellbeing. 74 00:07:08,98.96940525 --> 00:07:11,698.96940525 And change-making, we believe wellbeing inspires while doing. 75 00:07:12,288.96940525 --> 00:07:13,708.96940525 Thanks for listening and see you next time.
Welcome to At the Heart of It, a new podcast from The Wellbeing Project.
(00:04):
We're the world's leading organization advocating for the wellbeing of changemakers and for wellbeing in changemaking. 3 00:00:11,849.089909091 --> 00:00:16,719.090909091 We're on a mission to change how we do social change, and we're really happy you're here. 4 00:00:17,367.271727273 --> 00:00:30,449.545454545 You may have some questions already, like why wellbeing? Or what's a changemaker? Maybe even wellbeing? Don't we have more important things to talk about? All good questions, but let's just start with who we are. 5 00:00:31,460.454545455 --> 00:00:41,876.817181818 The Wellbeing Project is a global network of thousands of individuals and organizations who all share one common belief that wellbeing inspires welldoing. 6 00:00:42,297.727272727 --> 00:00:58,539.999 Our partners are social entrepreneurs, doctors, humanitarian workers, researchers, therapists, Indigenous leaders, elected officials, caregivers, teachers, frontline workers, people from all walks of life who see the power of wellbeing to make our world a better place. 7 00:00:58,894.544454545 --> 00:01:10,924.544454545 Since 2014, we have been emerging as a co creation from some of the world's biggest social impact organizations, like Ashoka, Synergos, Impact Hub, Skoll Foundation, Porticus, and Georgetown University. 8 00:01:11,60.908090909 --> 00:01:21,926.362636364 We've added many more institutions along the way to this collective effort all of these institutions work with incredible changemakers from around the world, and they were starting to see something really troubling among them. 9 00:01:22,566.362636364 --> 00:01:31,897.271727273 The people who had so much love for the world, for their communities, their countries, the planet, so much love that they were dedicating their lives to serving others. 10 00:01:32,397.270727273 --> 00:01:33,367.271727273 They were struggling. 11 00:01:33,706.362636364 --> 00:01:37,746.362636364 They're facing chronic stress, burnout, anxiety, depression. 12 00:01:37,964.543454545 --> 00:01:41,114.54445455 They were facing traumas in their personal and professional lives. 13 00:01:41,429.08990909 --> 00:01:43,809.08990909 They were feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders. 14 00:01:43,833.63536364 --> 00:01:45,953.63536364 Fighting for change in their outer worlds. 15 00:01:46,238.63536364 --> 00:01:47,688.63536364 As well as on the inside. 16 00:01:48,308.63536364 --> 00:01:50,38.63536364 They were doing all of this alone. 17 00:01:50,231.96869697 --> 00:01:51,201.96869697 In silence. 18 00:01:51,348.63536364 --> 00:01:53,548.63536364 Because this was the culture of social change. 19 00:01:53,768.63536364 --> 00:01:56,538.63536364 To give every part of yourself in the service of others. 20 00:01:56,798.63536364 --> 00:01:58,268.63536364 To work yourself to burnout. 21 00:01:58,628.63436364 --> 00:02:00,858.63436364 To put your work first and your health last. 22 00:02:01,371.96869697 --> 00:02:02,271.96769697 This was the norm. 23 00:02:02,698.63536364 --> 00:02:04,428.63536364 And to share your struggles was taboo. 24 00:02:04,718.63536364 --> 00:02:05,778.63536364 A sign of weakness. 25 00:02:06,48.63536364 --> 00:02:06,998.63536364 A sign of failure. 26 00:02:07,371.66566667 --> 00:02:18,349.84648485 And wellbeing? Who has time to think about wellbeing when you're trying to save the world? The Wellbeing Project was born out of the growing recognition that changemakers need wellbeing to be their best selves. 27 00:02:18,919.84648485 --> 00:02:24,449.84648485 Not just successful leaders, effective activists, and hard workers, but their best full selves. 28 00:02:24,629.84648485 --> 00:02:30,829.84548485 Community members, parents, siblings, individuals, dreamers, creators, human beings. 29 00:02:31,529.84648485 --> 00:02:39,859.84648485 In 2014, we accompanied dozens of seasoned changemakers on a journey of inner development to understand their struggles and help foster their wellbeing. 30 00:02:40,704.84648485 --> 00:02:45,644.84648485 What we and these changemakers saw was nothing short of transformation. 31 00:02:45,708.48284848 --> 00:02:47,88.48284848 A whole new way of being. 32 00:02:47,198.48284848 --> 00:02:48,568.48284848 A whole new way of leading. 33 00:02:48,788.48284848 --> 00:02:50,978.48284848 A whole new way of driving change. 34 00:02:51,336.66366667 --> 00:02:57,236.66566667 The ripple effects of inner wellbeing were felt in their organizations and in their impact, and it was clear. 35 00:02:58,36.66566667 --> 00:03:00,296.66566667 wellbeing inspires welldoing. 36 00:03:00,970.3010303 --> 00:03:12,280.3010303 So since 2014, we have been working to share this message of hope in the social change sector, to educate, inspire, and guide changemakers on a path to wellbeing, and strengthen their approach to welldoing. 37 00:03:12,660.3010303 --> 00:03:28,975.3010303 If wellbeing inspires welldoing within an individual and an organization, what about our societies? We are now seeing a monumental drive worldwide for our economic systems, political structures, and legal frameworks to enable the wellbeing of people and the planet. 38 00:03:29,411.66466667 --> 00:03:34,761.66466667 We have seen wellbeing become the driver and the destination of social change itself. 39 00:03:35,306.21012121 --> 00:03:40,796.21012121 But while we've seen such an inspiring transformation in this space, we still have work to do. 40 00:03:41,63.02830303 --> 00:03:44,853.02830303 We recognize the growing complexity and intensity of the world today. 41 00:03:44,988.48284848 --> 00:03:49,258.48284848 We're facing social and environmental battles from left to right, north to south. 42 00:03:49,598.48284848 --> 00:03:57,38.48284848 We're facing political division, economic instability, social inequality, environmental destruction, injustice, and trauma. 43 00:03:57,753.93639394 --> 00:04:00,743.93639394 Our world needs social change more than ever. 44 00:04:00,744.03639394 --> 00:04:03,778.86447249 And the heart of it, we need wellbeing. 45 00:04:04,411.13719976 --> 00:04:08,701.13719976 So welcome to our podcast, where we're telling stories of wellbeing changing the world. 46 00:04:09,51.13719976 --> 00:04:18,628.40892704 We're meeting the changemakers whose own journeys of wellbeing inspire the welldoing, digging deep into what this has meant to them and understanding the influence of wellbeing in their lives. 47 00:04:18,812.95438158 --> 00:04:23,652.95538158 You'll hear stories of inner development work like self reflection, personal growth, and healing. 48 00:04:23,834.7735634 --> 00:04:28,78.40992704 You'll hear stories on key topics like human rights, climate change, and leadership. 49 00:04:28,200.22810886 --> 00:04:31,910.22810886 And you'll hear stories of social change like advocacy, education. 50 00:04:32,51.13719976 --> 00:04:48,902.95438158 And community service, but what you won't hear is a definition of wellbeing because we believe in the emotional, we believe in the unique, and we believe in wellbeing that's defined by individuals that's defined in different regions based on the land, the culture, and the history. 51 00:04:49,292.95438158 --> 00:04:55,812.95438158 Together, we're bringing individual colors to a global mosaic, a collective painting of our shared commitment to wellbeing. 52 00:04:56,111.13719976 --> 00:05:02,751.13719976 We asked thousands of people to help us capture the spirit of our movement through words, resulting in a declaration of wellbeing. 53 00:05:03,165.68265431 --> 00:05:07,995.68265431 Here's Jazmine Williams, reading it at our first ever global summit in 2022. 54 00:05:10,905.99740349 --> 00:05:11,725.99740349 Good morning. 55 00:05:12,505.99740349 --> 00:05:14,185.99740349 My name is Jazmine Williams. 56 00:05:14,275.99740349 --> 00:05:21,195.99740349 Um, and I'd like to share with you all this morning a declaration of wellbeing written by Anne Mortifee. 57 00:05:28,805.99740349 --> 00:05:40,735.99740349 A spirit of promise is calling us inward to see ourselves clearly, to heal what needs healing and bring harmony back to the earth. 58 00:05:41,905.99740349 --> 00:05:47,565.99740349 We feel it in the depth of our nature and rise to the call of life's urge to evolve. 59 00:05:48,755.99740349 --> 00:05:50,65.99740349 We are Pathfinders. 60 00:05:50,241.09740349 --> 00:05:59,540.99740349 Caregivers, weavers of dreams, pilgrims on a journey to discover the self from every walk of life. 61 00:06:00,480.99740349 --> 00:06:05,430.99740349 Every faith, race, and culture, the sounds of our footsteps are heard. 62 00:06:06,640.99740349 --> 00:06:12,890.99740349 Inspired by the ones who traveled before us, we press on for the ones yet to follow. 63 00:06:13,120.99740349 --> 00:06:17,230.99740349 Moved by an ancient vision of a more compassionate world. 64 00:06:18,190.99740349 --> 00:06:23,500.99640349 We seek wellbeing for all of creation, for love and justice. 65 00:06:24,330.99740349 --> 00:06:28,690.99740349 Peace and truth to thrive and enliven us all. 66 00:06:28,690.99740349 --> 00:06:35,130.99740349 We have learned that the light which ignites the stars is the same light that flows through all things. 67 00:06:39,995.97060489 --> 00:06:42,65.97060489 And through all things flows. 68 00:06:42,95.97060489 --> 00:06:42,935.97060489 Well-being. 69 00:06:43,303.24333216 --> 00:06:48,153.24233216 So let's jump in, let's dive deep, and let's get to the heart of it. 70 00:06:51,448.96940525 --> 00:06:54,658.96940525 Thank you for listening to this episode of, at the heart of it. 71 00:06:55,18.96940525 --> 00:06:58,708.96940525 For more news research and stories about wellbeing and social change. 72 00:06:58,768.96940525 --> 00:07:01,318.96940525 Visit wellbeing-project.org. 73 00:07:01,618.96940525 --> 00:07:08,68.96940525 The wellbeing project is the world's leading organization advocating for the wellbeing of change-makers and for wellbeing. 74 00:07:08,98.96940525 --> 00:07:11,698.96940525 And change-making, we believe wellbeing inspires while doing. 75 00:07:12,288.96940525 --> 00:07:13,708.96940525 Thanks for listening and see you next time.
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