Show Notes
Thriving is a relational journey that involves being deeply connected to others and the community.
The importance of a "true north" and discerning what is most sacred to orient one's life.
Understanding thriving as accepting a truer story of yourself, others, and the world.
Engaging in mindset and behavior changes for flourishing, with self-compassion.
Thriving as having resources built up in various domains (personal, family, social) to buffer from crisis.
The concept of thriving begins with the love of God and love of neighbor.
The alignment of purpose and practice is central to thriving, regardless of changes over time.
Recognizing ourselves as "God's masterpiece" and finding joy and contentment in that.
Thriving as a dynamic, meaningful engagement in purposeful living, adapting to changing contexts.
The idea that one can be struggling or even mentally ill and still be thriving is a "both/and" process.
Thriving as an internal state and relational reality marked by an open heart and meaningful relationships, even on a stressful day.
The journey of thriving involves self-discovery and healing, acknowledging both strengths and weaknesses.
Being "habituated to doing good" and demonstrating one's "best self" in relationships.
Dr. Pam King’s Key Takeaways
Thriving is relational and happens when we are deeply connected to other people, whether that be through our intimate relationships or our broader community.
Thriving involves telling a truer story about life, that there is both beauty and brokenness.
Thriving involves understanding who we are as God's masterpieces, that we all have strengths, and we all can thrive and find life in our weaknesses.
Thriving involves discovering and pursuing what gets you up in the morning – your true north, what is most sacred to you.
Thriving involves self-discovery and healing, which might mean being softer with ourselves so that we can find internal ease.
About the Thrive Center
Learn more at thethrivecenter.org.
Follow us on Instagram @thrivecenter
Follow us on X @thrivecenter
Follow us on LinkedIn @thethrivecenter
About Dr. Pam King
Dr. Pam King is Executive Director the Thrive Center and is Peter L. Benson Professor of Applied Developmental Science at Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy. Follow her @drpamking.
About With & For
Host: Pam King
Senior Director and Producer: Jill Westbrook
Operations Manager: Lauren Kim
Social Media Graphic Designer: Wren Juergensen
Special thanks to the team at Fuller Studio and the Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy.
More from With and For hosted by Dr. Pam King
I is for Identity & Narrative. A helpful way to think about your identity is as an evolving story of your life, that incorporates who you are, to whom you belong, and your life experiences. Whether you are spiritual or religious– or somewhere in between – it’s important to consider what bigger stories your life is a part of. Neuroscientist Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang discusses how we develop these narratives. This re-aired episode is part of our Best of With & For series.
R is for Relationships & Community. Spirituality and faith have as much to do with our human relationships as with our relationship with the divine. We are essentially relational beings. In an era when a lot of people are renegotiating their faith and how they engage religion or spirituality–this one is often overlooked. But to be spiritually healthy–we need others. The late, great relationship expert and therapist Dr. Sue Johnson joined Dr. King along with Dr. Jim Furrow to discuss the science of relationships. This re-aired episode is part of our Best of With & For series.
H is for Habits & Rhythms. Healthy spirituality involves spiritual habits or practices. It also involves regular rhythms–of rest, celebration, work, connection. Dr. Richie Davidson, a Buddhist and leading mindfulness researcher offers meditations as well as scientific insight into how we can train our minds for spiritual practices. This re-aired episode is part of our Best of With & For series.
T is for Transcendence. The research shows that an understanding of a loving or benevolent source - something bigger than we are – gives us meaning and offers us greater purpose. Dr. Lisa Miller is one of the leading researchers on spirituality and mental health–and shares her insight into how transcendence impacts us as human beings. This re-aired episode is part of our Best of With & For series.
Introducing our Best Of series, taking a look back at some of our most popular and wisdom-packed episodes from previous seasons.