Thrivology Lab: The science, philosophy, and practice of thriving

by Philip Dunwoody & Neal Utterback

Welcome to the Thrivology Lab Podcast, where we explore the science, philosophy, and practice of thriving. Our goal is to help you create a happier and healthier life through education, application, and transformation.

Your cohosts on this journey are Dr. Phil Dunwoody, Professor of Psychology, and Dr. Neal Utterback, Professor of Theatre. Phil and Neil are both on the faculty at Juniata College, where they teach cours ... 

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Self-Improvement
Health & Fitness
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Podcast episodes

  • Season 1

  • #21 Burnout and Workplace Wellbeing

    #21 Burnout and Workplace Wellbeing

    S01 E21
    Apr 16, 2025
    57:56

    Title: Burnout and Workplace Wellbeing Date: 4/16/25 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: #21 Burnout and Workplace Wellbeing Brief summary of episode: In this episode we unpack the conditions and symptoms of burnout, as well as things you can do to reduce burnout and enhance workplace wellbeing. Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers Topic #1 [0:00] Intro Topic #2 [2:30] Where does the term burnout come from? Topic #3 [8:00] Individual vs institutional issue? Topic #4 [10:00] World Health Organization (WHO) definition. The work of Christina Maslach. Topic #5 [16:00] The organizational causes of burnout. Topic #6 [21:00] The organizational cost of employee burnout and the benefits of workplace wellbeing Topic #7 [25:00] Burnout in different fields Topic #8 [29:00] Reducing burnout at work Topic #9 [45:00] Coping with burnout at a personal level References & Resources: - https://doi.org/10.1037/h0086411 - https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases - https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674251014 - https://www.gallup.com/workplace/508898/employee-burnout-causes-cures.aspx - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2020.103025 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.12.015 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2022.111805 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThrivologyLab Website: https://rss.com/podcasts/thrivologylab Email us: ThrivologyLab@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563253955910&mibextid=LQQJ4d Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivologylab?igsh=MXB0cmhkYWM4cXB2ZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

  • #20 Interview with Holly Rogers, Founder of the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults

    #20 Interview with Holly Rogers, Founder of the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults

    S01 E20
    Apr 2, 2025
    57:33

    Title: Interview with Holly Rogers, Founder of the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults Date: 4/2/25 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: #20 Interview with Holly Rogers, Founder of the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults Brief summary of episode: IIn this episode we interview Dr. Holly Rogers, meditation teacher and cofounder of the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults. Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers Topic #1 [0:00] Intro Topic #2 [3:00] Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults Topic #3 [10:00] Origin Story: Developing a mindfulness curriculum that works Topic #4 [25:00] How students’ perceptions of time have changed Topic #5 [35:00] Money versus meaning in the search for happiness Topic #6 [40:00] Tolerating discomfort Topic #7 [45:00] Research on the benefits of mindfulness Topic #7 [56:00] Your challenge References & Resources: - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33207961-the-mindful-twenty-something - https://mindfulnessinstituteforemergingadults.com - https://mindfulnessinstituteforemergingadults.com/student-resources/free-guided-meditations/ - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64369.Mindfulness_in_Plain_English YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThrivologyLab Website: https://rss.com/podcasts/thrivologylab Email us: ThrivologyLab@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563253955910&mibextid=LQQJ4d Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivologylab?igsh=MXB0cmhkYWM4cXB2ZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

  • #19 Understanding Your Body’s Stress Response

    #19 Understanding Your Body’s Stress Response

    S01 E19
    Mar 20, 2025
    41:43

    Title: Understanding Your Body’s Stress Response Date: 3/19/25 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: #19 Understanding Your Body’s Stress Response Brief summary of episode: In this episode we uncover the basic mechanisms of your body’s stress response. Understanding how and why you respond to stress is key to managing your stress. Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers Topic #1 [0:00] Intro Topic #2 [1:00] Stress as an evolved system for short-term threats Topic #3 [10:00] Homeostasis and allostasis Topic #4 [12:00] Sympathetic vs parasympathetic systems and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Topic #5 [15:00] Stress isn’t necessarily bad Topic #6 [21:00] Stressors, real or imagined? Prediction, simulation, and stress Topic #7 [27:00] The impact of chronic stress Topic #7 [39:00] Your challenge References & Resources: - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/327.Why_Zebras_Don_t_Get_Ulcers - https://academic.oup.com/scan/article/12/7/1179/3574673 - https://books.google.com/books/about/Surfing_Uncertainty.html?id=Yoh2CgAAQBAJ - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19488073/ - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.4155/fso.15.21 - https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThrivologyLab Website: https://rss.com/podcasts/thrivologylab Email us: ThrivologyLab@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563253955910&mibextid=LQQJ4d Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivologylab?igsh=MXB0cmhkYWM4cXB2ZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

  • #18 Meditation: Interview with Dr. Susan Prill

    #18 Meditation: Interview with Dr. Susan Prill

    S01 E18
    Mar 5, 2025
    52:02

    Title: Meditation: Interview with Dr. Susan Prill Date: 3/5/25 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: #18 Meditation: Interview with Dr. Susan Prill Brief summary of episode: In this episode we interview Dr. Susan Prill, Professor of Prill at Juniata College about meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers Topic #1 [0:00] Intro Topic #2 [1:00] Introduction to Dr. Susan Prill Topic #3 [3:00] Interview of Dr. Susan Prill Topic #6 [50:00] Your challenge References & Resources: - https://rss.com/podcasts/thrivologylab/1671115/ - https://rss.com/podcasts/thrivologylab/1677942/ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_If4a-gHg_I - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRObW9noiVk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHkXvPq2pQE - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/95747.The_Miracle_of_Mindfulness - https://www.youtube.com/@yogawithadriene YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThrivologyLab Website: https://rss.com/podcasts/thrivologylab Email us: ThrivologyLab@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563253955910&mibextid=LQQJ4d Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivologylab?igsh=MXB0cmhkYWM4cXB2ZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

  • #17 The Science and Practice of Retreats

    #17 The Science and Practice of Retreats

    S01 E17
    Feb 19, 2025
    38:34

    Title: The Science and Practice of Retreats Date: 2/5/25 Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab Episode title and number: #17 The Science and Practice of Retreats Brief summary of episode: In this episode we continue our conversation about retreats, started in episode 16. We explain what makes something a retreat, share our own experiences attending and leading retreats, and review the research exploring the benefits of retreats. Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers Topic #1 [0:00] Intro Topic #2 [3:27] Typical characteristics of a retreat Topic #3 [8:50] Our experiences attending and leading retreats Topic #4 [20:00] How is a retreat different than a vacation? Topic #5 [23:00] What does the science have to say about the impact of a retreat? Topic #6 [37:00] Your challenge References & Resources: - Ep16 Surf Synergy Retreat https://rss.com/podcasts/thrivologylab/1877464 - https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2016.0268 - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-2078-4 - https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2022.2025640 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2019.102761 - https://experiencelife.lifetime.life/article/in-search-of-inspiration-2/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThrivologyLab Website: https://rss.com/podcasts/thrivologylab Email us: ThrivologyLab@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563253955910&mibextid=LQQJ4d Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivologylab?igsh=MXB0cmhkYWM4cXB2ZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr