Positive Philosophy: Ancient and Modern Wisdom to Create a Flourishing Life with Sanj Katyal, MD

Dr. Sanj Katyal is a radiologist and a student of positive psychology.  He wrote the book that he wished he had read 20 years ago and he in order to share what he has learned with us.  He combines the philosophy of the ancient stoics and Bhagavad Gita with the relatively new, science-backed positive psychology to help us live our best lives.  We cover the trap of hedonic adaptation and how this applies to physician finances and how this concept can cause an initially exciting profession to become mundane, and how to resist this.  We also discuss why we should all be meditating, practicing gratitude, and negative visualization – picturing yourself without to appreciate what you have.  Our discussion just scratches the surface and for more, read the book to learn how to achieve what the stoics called eudaimonia – the state of human flourishing.

Dr. Katyal holds a Bachelor of Science with University Honors in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and a Medical Degree from New York University School of Medicine. He is the Founder of Positive Psychology Program for Physicians and President of Optimal Life Imaging Group, PC.

Dr. Katyal also holds certifications in Positive Psychology and Positive Psychology Coaching from Whole Being Institute. He has published and lectured extensively on well-being and the Science of Happiness to audiences ranging from college students to physicians. His research interests include developing a new model of optimal wellness incorporating principles from psychology, organizational leadership, health neuroscience and medicine. He is also investigating the effectiveness of positive psychology interventions on physician wellness/burnout. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at La Roche College teaching the class “How to Flourish: Lessons from Positive Psychology”.

He is the author of the Amazon #1 Best Seller Positive Philosophy: Ancient and Modern Wisdom to Create a Flourishing Life released in the fall of 2018.  Dr. Katyal lives with his family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His hobbies include kayaking, writing, and traveling.