Friendship, Flourishing, and the Good Life: A Conversation with Mark Peres

What if friendship isn't just something nice to have, but the very foundation of a meaningful, flourishing life? In this deeply thoughtful episode of Friendship Matters, Dr. Russell Greenfield and CEO Lisa Grimes sit down with teacher, writer, and civic visionary Mark Peres, founder of the Charlotte Center for the Humanities and Civic Imagination. Mark's lifelong pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness has led him to explore the intersection of friendship, virtue, and community, and how each can help us live with greater purpose and belonging. Together, they unpack timeless and timely questions: ✨ How does friendship shape who we become and how we lead? ✨ What can we learn from other cultures about loyalty, care, and connection? ✨ Why is friendship the "seedbed of civic virtue" that strengthens communities? ✨ And how can busy professionals cultivate deeper relationships in a world of constant motion? Mark reminds us that friendship is not transactional—it's transformational. It's where we practice trust, attention, and shared humanity. Whether you're leading a team, nurturing a marriage, or simply trying to show up better for the people who matter most, this episode will leave you reflecting on the art of being a true friend. Mark Peres Mark Peres is an author, professor, and civic entrepreneur. Mark is founding director of The Charlotte Center for the Humanities & Civic Imagination, which produces the Charlotte Ideas Festival and other public programs that engage thousands annually. He is also a longtime professor of leadership and ethics at Johnson & Wales University, where he challenges students to reflect deeply on what it means to lead a good life. He previously hosted the On Life and Meaning podcast, a long-form interview series with artists, thinkers, and changemakers, and was founding editor of Charlotte Viewpoint magazine. He is the author of The Accord, a speculative literary novel about artificial intelligence, grief, and what it means to be alive in relation to another mind. His memoir The Man Who Lived a Hundred Lives explores the fraught but redemptive bond between generations. He is a graduate of The Florida State University College of Law and Rollins College. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. You can connect with Mark at https://www.linkedin.com/in/markperes/.   ©Friendship Institute 2025   Friendship Matters™ is intended to help improve our Friendship IQ. While this generally signals an improvement in our overall wellbeing, this podcast is not intended in any way to offer specific counseling or medical advice. Please seek help from a trained professional.