How Meaningful Work Helps Us Flourish in Life, Recovery, and Beyond With Andrew Soren
Andrew Soren is the founder and CEO of Eudaimonic by Design, an advisory firm that partners with organizations worldwide to make work a place where people can bring their best to do good. He is a leadership coach, facilitator, and expert in applied positive psychology. Andrew currently helps lead the International Positive Psychology Association and has been part of the instructional team in the University of Pennsylvania's Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program for 12 years. He hosts his own podcast called Meaningful Work Matters. In this thought-provoking conversation, Jamie, Julie, and Andrew explore the complexities of meaningful work and its impact on individuals and organizations. Grounded in the ancient Greek concept of eudaimonia, or human flourishing, they discuss how aligning work with values and purpose can lead to both personal fulfillment and professional growth. They also examine the emotional toll of deeply meaningful yet often underfunded roles—such as those in recovery and caregiving—and the challenges that come with sustaining motivation and well-being in these spaces. Drawing on his extensive experience in organizational wellbeing and positive leadership, Andrew offers insight into the balance required to make meaningful work sustainable. The group highlights the importance of cultivating both individual resilience and supportive workplace cultures, emphasizing that change must happen on both personal and organizational levels. They also explore strategies for preventing burnout, maintaining boundaries, and fostering environments where people feel empowered to thrive Jamie, Julie, and Andrew also provide actionable takeaways for integrating meaning and purpose into professional settings and everyday life. From the value of practical wisdom to the need for balanced living, this conversation is a powerful reminder that meaningful work isn't just about what we do—but how and why we do it. Topics Discussed: Cultivating meaning within your work and life Discovering your purpose, significance, and congruence Compassion & connection with oneself to build strong relationships with others Why "voice before choice" is key to designing a healthier, more human-centered system Finding a balance between big, long-term goals, and small, daily, easily-achievable goals — CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Meaningful Work 00:11 Welcome to Positive Recovery MD 01:10 Introducing Andrew Soren 03:13 The Dark Side of Meaningful Work 04:03 Exploring the Concept of Meaning 08:42 Challenges in Meaningful Professions 12:56 Organizational and Individual Solutions 21:32 Creating Shared Understanding in Organizations 24:35 Voice and Choice in Positive Recovery 25:57 The What If Statement: Becoming Your Most Onic Self 26:31 Aristotle's Eudaimonia and Modern Society 28:56 Balancing Work, Wellbeing, and Practical Wisdom 36:07 The Importance of Meaning in Life and Work 38:20 Maslow's Hierarchy and the Sailboat Metaphor 40:16 Struggles and Solutions in Recovery 43:35 Conclusion and Community Connection — Connect with Andrew Soren on Social: Website: https://www.eudaimonicbydesign.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsoren Podcast: https://www.eudaimonicbydesign.com/podcast — Connect with PRC on Social: IG: https://www.instagram.com/positiverecoverycenters FB: https://www.facebook.com/PositiveRecoveryCenters TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@positiverecoverycenter LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/positiverecoverycenters YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4JcDF1gjlYch4V4iBbCgZg Want even more expert insights and support on the recovery journey? Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiration, mental health tips, and community updates—straight to your inbox! 💙📩 https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/wg6vK39/monthlynewsletter About Positive Recovery Centers: Positive Recovery is a strengths-based addiction treatment program with locations across Texas. We offer a full continuum of care, from medical detox to sober living, all suppor