Dr. Christine B. Whelan is the Purpose Professor at Emory University and a fellow at the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She teaches classes on happiness and well-being, guides corporations, non-profits and start-ups as they build purpose-focused tools and co-creates internal metrics of meaningful success with executives and their teams.
From Dr. Christine Whelan:
Maybe the youth mental health crisis could have a playful solution: Meet Pogie the Yogie, a “mindful Mr. Rodgers” show that teaches kids about embodied purpose, connection and resilience.
In my role as “happy professor” at University of Wisconsin-Madison and “purpose professor” at Emory University, this was a terrific collaboration to translate research into everyday practice, even for young kids.
The episode launched this week (link in comments) and we spoke about it with WISC-TV‘s Susan Siman and Brady Mallory this week on Live at Four.
Created by local parents Corrina Crade and Patrick Cunningham, this innovative YouTube series and live event experience is designed to help children build both healthy bodies and calm minds through joyful movement and play.
In the latest episode, I join Pogie to explore the true definitions of thriving, discussing how connection and purpose form the foundation of genuine happiness.
And yes, Pogie even taught me some yoga moves. 🧘♀️
Why this matters for business leaders, parents, and our collective future:
💡 Tomorrow’s workforce is being shaped today: Children with emotional regulation skills become adults who manage stress effectively, collaborate productively, and innovate creatively – and are more likely to thrive professionally and personally.
💡 Embodied thriving starts young: Research consistently shows investing in early intervention costs significantly less than crisis management. The skills Pogie teaches through yoga-inspired movement and mindfulness are foundational life tools that deliver long-term ROI.
💡 The connection economy requires emotional intelligence: As automation handles routine tasks, human skills like empathy, resilience, and adaptability are becoming premium business assets. Programs like Pogie deliberately cultivate these capabilities through playful, accessible methods.
If you know kids ages 3-10, spread the word about Pogie the Yogie!