What The Project Is Really About

This longform version has a counterpart on the podcast. If you’d prefer to listen.

Today we're diving straight into the heart of the matter: why The WellBeing Project exists, what it is, how it works, and who it's for. We'll explore the deeper roots of human suffering—and how our modern world is failing to meet our most basic needs for flourishing. But we'll also talk about how meeting those needs isn't nearly as complicated as we often assume.

Why Does The Project Exist?

Let's start with the big one: why?

The project exists to alleviate human suffering. We all understand the suffering that comes with poverty—lack of food, medical care, social stability, and opportunities for upward mobility. But there's another form of suffering that's just as dangerous and often ignored: the existential starvation happening in the lives of those with sufficient or even abundant economic resources. The suffering that gets dismissed because of perceived privilege.

The point isn't to compare or contrast different kinds of suffering. The point is to recognize all human suffering. If we fail to accept the interconnectedness of our species and its collective struggle, we can't make lasting change. Period.

If wealth—access to top-tier medical care, organic food, Pilates classes—were enough to ensure well-being, we wouldn't see such high rates of mental illness and suicide among those in the highest social strata.

Suffering doesn't discriminate.

So we've arrived in the 21st century, and somehow we don't have a common understanding of what our species needs to thrive. We can explore subatomic matter and distant space, but how to navigate day-to-day life well is still a mystery. It's bananas that we can define the optimal conditions for almost every species, except our own.

We lack a practical understanding of what it means to flourish, so our definition of health has become "not chronically ill." And the result is... lots and lots of chronic illness—sick bodies and sick psyches.

Take autoimmune diseases, where the body turns against itself. They're quietly becoming one of the biggest health crises of our time. We've seen massive spikes in Type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease—especially among young people. One marker of autoimmunity nearly tripled in adolescents over just a couple decades.

We don't have all the answers—but we do know that chronic stress is one of the clearest links across the board. And stress has become our default setting. We don't even recognize it anymore—it's just called "modern life."

And all those stressed-out psyches and overburdened bodies? They add up to a society that's breaking down.

Back in 1968, one of my heroes, the psychoanalyst Erich Fromm, wrote about the problems of our modern technological society in his book "The Revolution of Hope." He nailed it when he said our economy rests on arms production and maximal consumption. We've created a well-functioning economic system under the condition that we produce goods threatening us with physical destruction, transform individuals into passive consumers, and build bureaucracies that make people feel impotent.

Look around — frustration with bureaucracy is everywhere. Civil discourse feels like a relic. Vitriol is no longer disturbing — it's the new normal, the default setting for public conversation.

I don't need to keep listing all the ways we see chronic mental and physical health issues—in individuals and in society at large. These issues are the WHY.

When we don't know what thriving looks like, we can't create it. And so, we find ourselves living in a chaotic system of economic growth built on human destructiveness.

But the situation isn't a lost cause, you and I were born for this moment in time. Even though our cultural experience may feel chaotic, our response doesn't need to be complicated.

What heals and transforms— individuals and societies—is also what we deeply want. Understanding. Connection. Collaboration.

So What Is The WellBeing Project?

The project is actually three things. A message. A method. A movement.

The message is The 7 Concepts, which systematically explain human flourishing: what it is and how to achieve it. We'll be diving deep into each of them in future posts, so you won't have to wait long to explore them fully.

In the meantime, I like to think of them through the analogy of macronutrients.

All humans need the same essentials: carbohydrates, fats, protein, fiber, water. But how we select and prepare them is endlessly diverse.

You and I can both eat a healthy diet and yet enjoy completely different foods.

The 7 Concepts clarify what the "macronutrients" of human life are—the building blocks required to meet our needs and support our flourishing.

I'm not claiming some divine revelation here.

The 7 Concepts draw from neuroscience, psychology, epigenetics, contemplative traditions, indigenous wisdom, philosophy, and mythic archetypes.

They offer us a shared language and imagery—tools to understand and discuss our experiences, even across our differences.

Starting here reminds us of what we all share as humans—exponentially more than what separates us.

In a world splintering into niche interests and hyper-specific identities, we need help remembering what's fundamental: our shared humanity.

The concepts aren't political or ideological.

They're a framework for understanding what human flourishing is and how it's achieved.

When we see that clearly, we also see how far we've drifted from meeting our real needs—and more importantly, how to find our way back.

The WellBeing Project takes what often feels overwhelming, ambiguous, even impossible, and makes it simple, practical, and actionable.

How Does It Work?

The Method is how we apply universal concepts to specific, individual lives.

Its two main features are Tending—our proactive approach to life—and our small group model of learning and support, beginning with a closed cohort and continuing with ongoing weekly conversations.

Tending stands in contrast to other approaches to meeting our needs:

• It moves beyond the reactiveness of problem-solving.

• It avoids the ambiguity and inconsistency of "self-care" jargon.

The famous psychologist Carl Jung explained that we never solve life's biggest problems—we simply outgrow them. When we tend our needs consistently, the way we care for beloved children or cultivate a garden, we flourish.

The 7 Concepts offer a practical understanding not just of physical needs—nourishment, rest, exercise, etc.—but, through parallel phrasing, help us clearly understand the invisible nature of tending our inner worlds.

Just like a well-fed, well-rested, and playfully active child grows into her full genetic potential, we grow into our own physical and psychological potential when we consistently nourish, rest, and exercise our inner lives.

Tending works proactively—not reactively. It is systematic—not ambiguous.

But as we all know, information isn't transformation.

To truly change, we need sufficient motivation—and there's nothing more motivating to humans than belonging with others who understand and care.

Our small group approach provides the connection and support each individual needs to flourish.

We begin with an 8-week cohort experience: a structured, tight-knit group of up to seven individuals and one facilitator.

This is the jumpstart—an initial, committed time of learning and integration with the same faces and stories.

It's long enough to make a significant difference but short enough not to feel like an overwhelming commitment.

During the cohort, you'll explore our three foundational courses—The 7 Concepts, Your Big Story, and Tending—which will also be available for free on the blog.

You'll also learn the format for our ongoing small group conversations, so you can continue building connection and support beyond the initial eight weeks.

Think about AA—you don't have to be in recovery to roughly know what happens there, right?

"My name is Suzy, and I'm an alcoholic."

"Hi Suzy!"

Studies show AA has a much higher success rate than in-patient programs and clinical treatment. Why? Because addiction issues are more about humans with unmet needs than chemical dependency. And peer-led programs provide something that clinicians can't - companionship and personal support.

No matter how many green smoothies you drink or yoga retreats you attend, if you aren't meaningfully connected to others, you can starve emotionally and psychologically.

We could fill a memorial site with the engraved names of well-respected, widely admired individuals who've been found unresponsive—victims of undiagnosed existential suffering.

Participating in the cohort gives you the context and learning to get started.

You don't completely transform in eight weeks. Tending isn't a fad or short-term experiment.

It's not Dry January or a quarterly detox. It's a way of life—where you care for yourself as you were always meant to be cared for.

Like a devoted parent caring for a newborn, you become both the nurturer and the one being lovingly nurtured. You learn to provide the attention, affection, and devotion that were always meant to be your normal life.

After the cohort, there's no commitment. You simply have access and opportunity to participate in weekly small group conversations.

As our community grows, so will the number of scheduled conversations.

When Suzy the recovering alcoholic goes on vacation, she looks for a local meeting. She might be on the other side of the world, but she knows what to expect.

That's how our conversations work—you don't need to know who you'll be talking to because you know what you'll be talking about, and you'll know it's a safe place to speak openly.

The Movement

Speaking of the other side of the world—that's the goal. The movement is the third piece of the project.

At the moment, we're just getting launched, but the economic model is an inspired way to create organic—and eventually exponential—growth.

Cohort alumni and project participants will have the opportunity to become cohort facilitators and conversation hosts.

Down the road, we'll also introduce a mentoring model, similar to how AA has sponsors.

Of course, we've made some key tweaks to maintain the ethics and safety of our community.

But one essential difference: every leadership and support position generates income.

This isn't a sleazy pyramid scheme or New Age cult.

But neither is it a vow of poverty to serve others while you quietly struggle to make ends meet.

It's everything we've talked about so far—coupled with the gig economy—to make it possible for regular humans who join the movement to be fairly compensated.

C'mon! Can I get an amen?

Bear in mind, cohort enrollment is priced affordably compared to any similar small group learning experience. And we provide financial sponsorship to keep it equitable and accessible.

I'll share another post explaining this model and what the opportunities are. But participating in a cohort is always the first step.

Everyone wins when we work together—and I'm convinced we've got a blueprint to change the world.

Who Is It For?

And finally—who is The WellBeing Project for?

If you're still reading, it probably means it's for you. I mean, seriously, who doesn't need practical guidance and consistent support? I sure do!

If you read my story in our first post, you know I set out to build something rooted in what all humans share.

So truly, I believe the project is for everyone.

But while we're still getting this grand mission off the ground, here are some specific types of individuals who would benefit the most:

1. Those Beginning Their Inner Work Journey

You want to improve your mental health, but you don't know where to start. Maybe you've thought, "I should talk to someone... but who?" Or, "I know I should do inner work, but what does that even mean?" Maybe someone suggested shadow work, and you had no freaking clue where to begin.

The project gives you context to understand your physical and psychological needs—and where to direct your efforts for immediate impact. It also offers a new way of experiencing your story. Therapist Lori Gottlieb explains that we're all unreliable narrators of our own lives. Most therapy is helping people re-examine the story they're telling themselves. Our Your Big Story course plugs your experiences into a universal story arc—helping you discover a whole new plot.

2. Purpose-Seekers

You're asking the big questions but still coming up short on satisfying answers.

Questions like:

• What am I supposed to do with my life?

• Should I commit to this relationship—or move on?

• Should I chase security or pursue meaningful work that might pay less?

• How do I teach my kids what really matters?

• Does finding meaning even matter?

Spoiler: humans are famously terrible at predicting what will bring lasting fulfillment. The project doesn't offer specific answers – it helps you understand your actual needs and how that leads to deep fulfillment.

A special note for parents: kids learn what's caught, not what's taught. Clarifying your big questions—and living your own answers—is the best example you can give them.

3. People in Transition

Whether it's voluntary (career change, breakup, kids leaving home) or involuntary (illness, accident, loss)—transitions can really shake us. Without support, we often spiral into depression or crippling anxiety.

The project helps ground you with context, language, and peer support.

You'll be surrounded by people who understand the risks, tests, and fears encountered—without projecting their own fears onto you or stoking conflict. They recognize you're not failing. You're developing.

4. Change-Makers Who Don't Know Where to Start

You want to make a difference in the world but feel overwhelmed by everything wrong with it.

The WellBeing Project dispels the myth of impossibility.

It shows how changing your own life directly shapes the world around you—and how small actions are the roots of real change.

5. Those Who Are Natural Mentors

All my life, people have confided in me—sometimes within minutes of meeting. Maybe the same happens to you.

Maybe you're someone people lean on because you're open, unflappable, and genuinely caring. Maybe you've long been acting as an unofficial life coach, confidante, or mentor without a title or a framework.

One reason I created this project is to give people like us a real structure—without forcing us through long bureaucratic certification processes. If people already come to you for encouragement, this gives you a way to be more intentional, effective, and supported in using your gifts.

6. Those Who Are Already Thriving

You're doing well—most likely you've intuitively learned how to meet your needs consistently. Others sense it, but you don't have a simple way to explain or guide them. The project gives you language for what's been working and a framework to share it—so you can help others thrive, too.

7. Those Looking for Meaningful Side Income

Money doesn't buy happiness—but it does buy the time and freedom to enjoy what is priceless. If you—or someone you know—would love to add an income stream, hosting conversations or mentoring might be the perfect way to help others and create meaningful, fair income.

Maybe you found yourself in more than one of those descriptions. Whatever your situation, there's a place for you here.

Wrapping Up

We covered a lot in this post—starting with the core why of the project: to address human suffering and offer a clear, practical roadmap for flourishing. We walked through the three pillars of The WellBeing Project: the message (The 7 Concepts), the method (Tending and small group support), and the movement (a growing, peer-led community that transforms lives and creates real opportunity). And we explored who this work is for—and let's be honest: it's probably you.

Remember: we were born for this moment in time.

Let's rock this human experience.

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