NPR reporter Allison Aubrey has launched a new podcast and newsletter titled "Your Turn with Allison Aubrey," designed to provide tools for individuals navigating the life transitions commonly associated with midlife. The project, which was featured in a discussion with Ailsa Chang on All Things Considered, focuses on identifying personal strengths and managing shifts in careers, relationships, and family dynamics. Aubrey introduced the VIA Character Strengths Survey as a tool for listeners seeking to assess their personality traits and motivations during these periods of change.
The initiative follows a period of planning earlier this year, during which Aubrey and Chang discussed the transitions associated with reaching age 50. The content is positioned for those who have spent significant time focused on professional deadlines and family obligations and are seeking to re-evaluate their personal purpose. The project utilizes findings from positive psychology, which the source defines as the scientific study of what helps people flourish.
The VIA Character Strengths Survey is a free, 15- to 20-minute online questionnaire that rank-orders 24 character strengths, including creativity, humor, curiosity, and bravery. According to the VIA Institute, these strengths are positive personality components that influence how individuals think, feel, and behave. Christine Carter, Ph.D., a senior fellow at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, stated that these strengths are not fixed and can evolve based on how an individual spends their time and where they place their focus.
For the individual, the concrete change involves a shift from prioritizing external obligations to identifying intrinsic motivations through a ranked list of 24 traits. A person using this tool would notice a focus on personal habits and the potential cultivation of previously neglected interests, such as nature or art, depending on their specific results. The program encourages participants to pick one specific strength to integrate into their daily routine.
The effects of this approach involve the potential reduction of stress and depressive symptoms, according to research cited by Aubrey. By focusing on meaning-making and purpose, the program aims to help individuals navigate the loss of previous roles. The project is ongoing, with the "Your Turn" newsletter providing a series of tools and reflections. No specific end dates or deadlines for participation were reported.