
#075 - Mattering with Rebecca Newberger Goldstein
From Why Do We Do That? by Dr. Ryan Moyer
March 2, 2026 · 52 min · Episode 75
About this episode
Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with philosopher Rebecca Newberger Goldstein about the importance of mattering in human life and its implications.
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with philosopher and writer Rebecca Newberger Goldstein about her new book, The Mattering Instinct: How Our Deepest Longing Drives Us and Divides Us They discuss why mattering is essential to human flourishing, what makes the mattering instinct uniquely human, the many ways people seek to matter, how the drive to matter can sometimes lead us to darker places, and the key elements that turn a mattering project into a fulfilling one. Why Do We Do That? is a psychology podcast that deconstructs the human experience from the perspectives of social scientists, psychologists, and others that use applied psychology in their work. Web | Patreon | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Ryan Moyer
Guest: Rebecca Newberger Goldstein
Topics covered
- mattering
- human flourishing
- philosophy
- psychology
- human instinct
Keywords
- mattering
- human instinct
- psychology
- philosophy
- human flourishing
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: The Mattering Instinct
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