Beyond Happiness: Discovering the Power of "The Interesting"

Join Dr. Lorraine Besser and EXPLO President Moira Kelly for a conversation that challenges how we think about preparing young people for fulfilling lives. While schools focus on academic achievement and traditional measures of success, emerging research reveals a critical missing piece: psychological richness.

Drawing from her groundbreaking book, The Art of the Interesting, Dr. Besser—a founding investigator in this emerging field—reveals why traditional markers of success, happiness practices, and the pursuit of purpose aren't enough. She shows how experiences that captivate and engage our minds do more than entertain; they stimulate new thoughts and emotions, transform our perspectives, and fundamentally reshape how we engage with the world.

• Discover why traditional views of happiness and meaning tell only part of the story
• Learn why psychological richness is essential for long-term well-being
• Understand what parents and educators are missing in their approach to developing "the interesting"
• Explore why cultivating rich, perspective-changing experiences is critical for both adults and young people

Lorraine Besser, a renowned philosopher and professor at Middlebury College, brings paradigm-shifting insights that will transform how you think about living—and nurturing—a truly fulfilling life.

Dr. Besser earned her PhD in philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has MA degrees from UNC and the Claremont Graduate School, and a BA from Tulane University. Before joining the philosophy department at Middlebury College, she held positions at the University of Waterloo and Stanford University.

Professor Besser’s primary area of research is moral psychology. She is particularly interested in the topics of happiness and well-being and her work frequently draws on psychological and neuroscientific research on these themes.

Perfect for:

• Educators
• School Leaders
• Parents
• Anyone interested in the science of well-being

Join us for an enlightening discussion about the critical yet often overlooked dimension of human flourishing—the capacity for rich, perspective-changing experiences.

Event Venue

Online