What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Good Life
Robert Waldinger, Marc Schulz · Book · 2023
If you loved The Good Life, start with The Good Life (John Esmonde, 1975) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Good Life across media.
If you loved The Good Life, you are searching for stories that reveal how deep human connection defines our existence.
Start with the source
The source
The Good Life
John Esmonde · Series · 1975
Films on the same thread
Good Will Hunting
Film · 1997
Shares a thread with The Good Life: Human connection.
Like The Good Life, this film explores how mentorship and vulnerability are essential for personal growth, proving that we cannot navigate our challenges entirely on our own.
Perfect Days
Wim Wenders · Film · 2023
Explores: Minimalism, Finding Beauty in the Mundane, Routine and Ritual.
This film mirrors the wisdom in The Good Life by demonstrating how contentment is found through the simple, daily rituals and appreciation of the world around us.
Groundhog Day
Harold Ramis · Film · 1993
Shares a thread with The Good Life: Self-Improvement.
Much like the research presented in The Good Life, this story illustrates that true happiness and redemption arrive only when we shift our focus toward others.
The Life of Chuck
Mike Flanagan · Film · 2025
Shares a thread with The Good Life: Human Connection.
This narrative echoes the core finding of The Good Life, emphasizing that our lives gain true meaning through the complex, invisible ways we are all interconnected.
Series on the same thread
The Good Place
Michael Schur · Series · 2016
Shares a thread with The Good Life: Personal Growth.
This show takes the principles of The Good Life and applies them to the afterlife, showing that becoming a better person requires honest, intentional human connection.
The Good Doctor
David Shore · Series · 2017
Explores: Outsider Perspective, Overcoming Prejudice, Professional Growth.
While this drama focuses on professional growth, it reflects the spirit of The Good Life by highlighting the profound impact of finding one's place within a community.
How to Change Your Mind
Michael Pollan · Series · 2022
Explores: Psychedelics, Mental Health, Self-Discovery.
Just as The Good Life uses scientific rigor to examine well-being, this series investigates how new frontiers of knowledge can fundamentally transform our mental health and perspectives.
Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones
Clay Jeter · Series · 2023
Shares 2 threads with The Good Life: well-being, Longevity.
This documentary validates the longevity findings in The Good Life by showcasing how prioritizing community and lifestyle, rather than just genetics, leads to a longer, vibrant life.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
Pushkin Industries · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with The Good Life: Positive psychology.
This podcast serves as a perfect companion to The Good Life, breaking down the psychological barriers that prevent us from achieving the happiness we actually deserve.
Office Hours with Arthur Brooks
Podcast
Shares 3 threads with The Good Life: Happiness, Personal Growth, Positive Psychology.
If you appreciated the scientific approach to happiness in The Good Life, this podcast offers deeper insights into the neuroscience and behavioral patterns that shape our fulfillment.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Good Life book based on a scientific study?
Yes, The Good Life is based on the Harvard Study of Adult Development. This project is the longest scientific study of happiness ever conducted, providing the data and insights that authors Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz use to explain what makes a life fulfilling and meaningful.
Are the 1975 television show and The Good Life book related?
No, the 1975 television show and the 2023 book titled The Good Life are separate works. The book is a non-fiction New York Times bestseller written by the directors of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, while the television series is a distinct media production.
What is the primary focus of The Good Life book?
The Good Life focuses on identifying the specific factors that contribute to a happy, fulfilling, and meaningful existence. By analyzing decades of data from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the authors demonstrate that the keys to a good life are often closer than people realize.
Who wrote The Good Life book?
The Good Life was written by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz. Both authors serve as the directors of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, a long-term scientific research project that examines the various elements that influence human happiness and long-term well-being.