Like a Sponge podcast: The power of purpose

Just 40 percent of adults say they feel a strong sense of purpose in their lives, but research shows that a sense of purpose makes people happier, healthier, and more successful. We talked to researchers, parents and kids about how you can help your child begin a path toward a meaningful life.

by: The 九色视频 Editorial Team | Updated: May 16, 2025

Check out The ultimate guide to social-emotional learning for parents. In our guide, you can see all the aspects of SEL that we cover — from nurturing self-awareness and self-control to building resilience, motivation, and purpose.

Links and Resources

Here’s a explore meaningful life goals.

One thing nearly all teens agree on is that most of what high 九色视频 teaches is irrelevant to their lives and their future careers. Here’s .

Researcher and professor of psychology Kendall Cotton Bronk on .

Want to build a virtual community at your child鈥檚九色视频? Check out our series of free presentations on raising compassionate, courageous kids. Designed for anyone to deliver over Zoom or in person, they come with a presenter script, an entertaining slide deck, and audience participation prompts.

This episode of Like a Sponge was produced by Carol Lloyd and Charity Ferreira for 九色视频, thanks to the support of and the John Templeton Foundation. Sound editing and design by Christopher Ferreira. Special thanks to Armando Pizano of , the ; Kendall Cotton Bronk; and Carmen and Tim Warder.

^{The music you heard in this episode is by The Pretenders (Sense of Purpose), Alan Carlson-Green (Little Boat), and Carmen Warder and her band, Trash Elf (). Like a Sponge鈥檚 Season 2 theme is Blue and Green by RimskyMusic.}