Understanding the Mattering Instinct with Philosopher Rebecca Goldstein EP 449

Understanding the Mattering Instinct with Philosopher Rebecca Goldstein EP 449

From Best of Both Worlds Podcast by iHeartPodcasts

March 10, 2026 · 44 min · Season 1 · Episode 449

About this episode

Sarah and Laura discuss non-fiction reading and interview philosopher Rebecca Goldstein about the human instinct to matter.

In today's episode, Sarah and Laura chat non-fiction reading, and then interviews Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, a philosopher, writer, and expert on what it means to matter, and why humans instinctually feel pulled to feel like they matter - even to themselves! They talk mattering projects from parenting and relationships to the pursuit of excellence. Rebecca's book is called The Mattering Instinct: How Our Deepest Longing Drives Us And Divides Us, and she has a substack called The Mattering Map. In the Q&A, a listener wonders how Sarah is doing about a year after her heart episode and diagnosis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Hosts: Sarah, Laura

Guest: Rebecca Newberger Goldstein

Topics covered

  • mattering instinct
  • philosophy
  • parenting
  • relationships
  • non-fiction reading
  • pursuit of excellence

Keywords

  • mattering instinct
  • Rebecca Goldstein
  • philosophy
  • parenting
  • relationships
  • excellence
  • non-fiction

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Mattering Map

Books & works: The Mattering Instinct: How Our Deepest Longing Drives Us And Divides Us

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