Why Mattering Matters with Jennifer Wallace

Why Mattering Matters with Jennifer Wallace

From Teaching in Higher Ed by Bonni Stachowiak

May 14, 2026 · 41 min · Episode 622

About this episode

Jennifer Wallace discusses her book on the importance of mattering in life and its impact on engagement and connection.

Jennifer Wallace shares about her book, Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose on episode 622 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast. Quotes from the episode Mattering says you belong at the table, but it goes even further, and it says you would be missed if you weren’t here. You are adding value, and we would notice if you weren’t here. -Jennifer Wallace We have so much input and so much output being demanded of us today that often we go through life on autopilot. -Jennifer Wallace Mattering is not another thing to add to your to-do list. Mattering is a way of looking at your to-do list. -Jennifer Wallace When you look at the data on what drives performance, it is engagement. And what drives engagement is mattering. -Jennifer Wallace Resources Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose, by Jennifer Wallace Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic—and What We Can Do About It, by Jennifer Wallace Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, by Robert D. Putnam Jennifer Wallace’s Website Mattering Movement Gallup-Purdue Index Report Nancy Schlossberg’s Transition Theory World Spins Madly On…

People in this episode

Host: Bonni Stachowiak

Guest: Jennifer Wallace

Topics covered

  • mattering
  • connection
  • purpose
  • engagement
  • achievement culture

Keywords

  • mattering
  • connection
  • purpose
  • engagement
  • achievement culture
  • performance
  • autopilot

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Gallup-Purdue Index

Books & works: Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose, Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic—and What We Can Do About It, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community

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