#075 - Mattering with Rebecca Newberger Goldstein

#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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