In this episode of Researching Happy, host Dr. Matthew Iasiello interviews Dr. Matt Fisher, philosopher, artist, and senior research fellow in public health at Adelaide University.
They discuss Fisher’s book How to Create Societies for Human Well-being, which integrates philosophy, psychology, and public health to argue that societies must be intentionally designed to support human flourishing rather than undermine it.
The conversation explores how social environments drive chronic stress through threats to coping ability and social standing, contributing to widespread mental ill-health (especially among young people). Fisher presents wellbeing as an active process—the development and exercise of “wellbeing abilities” (a capabilities-like approach) that require both personal resources and supportive external conditions. Key themes include balancing goal-directed action with rest, social connection, creativity, contact with nature, and sufficiency; the harms of inequality, discrimination, neoliberal ideology, digital media, and separation from nature; and practical ideas for wellbeing-oriented policies at local and societal levels.
They critique the current trajectory of materialist, hustle-driven cultures and biomedical-focused mental health approaches, while highlighting promising examples from places like Scandinavia, Scotland, and Wales, along with prevention efforts in Australia.
The episode emphasizes clear thinking about what truly supports thriving and calls for shifting from reactive treatment to proactive societal design. It’s an insightful, balanced discussion for anyone interested in mental health, public policy, and creating better conditions for people to live well.
