Dr. Jeff Welsh is a retired clinical psychologist, counselor, professor, book author, and entrepreneur. Dr Welsh has served as CEO of three corporations, president of two colleges, and built a $30 million entrepreneurial venture.
Curator’s Note: Dr. Jeff Welsh is a multifaceted individual with a career that spans over four decades in psychology, healthcare, and education. A retired clinical psychologist, professor, and entrepreneur, he has helmed multiple colleges and corporations while generating a $30 million venture. His current focus lies in the Hardcore Happiness project, an initiative aimed at fostering purpose-driven well-being. Welsh emphasizes the interconnectedness of health, well-being, and meaning in life. A passionate writer, he explores various platforms, including Medium, where he shares insights on psychology and human experience. His goal is to connect with readers through meaningful experiences, deepening their understanding of life’s complexities. This interview was conducted by Dr Mehmet Yildiz, founder and chief editor of ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications on Medium, Substack, Patreon, and Digitalmehmet, as a community service.
Dear Subscribers,
Happy weekend! In this episode of my insightful conversations with creators, professionals, and leaders, I will introduce you to a thought leader in psychology who is also an educator and entrepreneur. This conversation gives you a glimpse of Dr Jeff W Welsh, who has been contributing to my publications on this platform with his educational, insightful, and engaging stories. Dr Welsh is relatively new on Medium but not new to writing. Let’s explore his background and insights!
Hi Dr Welsh, let’s start with your background.
Hi Dr Yildiz, thank you for the invitation. I’ve spent over four decades in healthcare, psychology and education as a professor, counselor and clinician. I have served as president of two different colleges and have been a CEO three times.
Early in my career, I was active in emergency and critical care medicine and biomedical research.
My graduate training is in clinical hypnosis and clinical psychology, with an emphasis on social psychology and neuropsychology.
I now spend most of my time writing, lecturing, and teaching in the Hardcore Happiness project — an applied, existential approach to purpose-driven wellbeing — that I created to enable people to experience a more meaningful life.
Why did you choose your profession?
My career path has been dictated by my quest to understand and assist with the root causes of human suffering.
As I worked in physical medicine, many of the ailments I treated had significant psychological components, so I studied and worked in clinical psychology.
My time working in psychology showed me that a significant portion of psychological distress is associated with a loss of connection — to purpose, identity, or a sense of continuity. I now view the physical, mental, and spiritual self as one entity, based on my own lived experience.
My professional goal now is to help people navigate complexity and emerge stronger, more capable, and more self-directed. Writing is simply the most distilled form of that mission.
What do health and well-being mean to you?
Health is the freedom to fully experience life. Well-being, in my framework, is eudaimonic: it is physical, mental and spiritual balance in the service of realizing one’s highest and best life meaning. Wellbeing is built through purpose, responsibility, and deliberate action.
What are your hobbies, or what excites or entertains you?
Music has been a lifelong constant; I have been a professional musician since I was a teenager. I have a classical university music education, and I compose, record, and teach; I perform — both solo and in a variety of ensembles, occasionally as a guest soloist with regional orchestras.
Travel — especially through the American Southwest — is a profound meditation for me and inspires much of my writing.
Aviation is a family passion — I caught the bug early from my father, and started flying when I was 21. I fly for pleasure; I leave the professional aviation to my youngest son.
What are the top three books that affected your life?
I am an avid reader: it is extremely difficult to select only three (my personal library was well over 6,000 books at one point), but I can delineate my three most impactful categories, with a couple of selections from each:
Professional: Existential Psychotherapy, by Irvin Yalom; Memories, Dreams, Reflections, and The Red Book, by Carl Jung.
Personal philosophy: Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl; Autobiography of a Yogi, by Paramahansa Yogananda.
Writing as craft — Anything by Neil Gaiman, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. Why do you write on Medium?
I have written for several platforms, but Medium has proven to be a space that provides a unique intersection of accessibility and thoughtful readership. It allows for long-form exploration while still offering discoverability.
Medium is my primary channel for sharing ideas from the Hardcore Happiness project and connecting with readers who are actively seeking depth rather than distraction.
Illumination, specifically, has been a very effective way to reach like-minded individuals and engage in meaningful communication.
Do you write on other platforms like Substack? If so, how do you find them?
I currently publish on my website, JeffWWelsh.com, and on Substack. And I recently started a Medium publication — Midnight in the Desert — as a space for myself and other writers to publish short fiction, especially science fiction, just for fun.
I find that Substack enables a different connection experience with readers. My Medium readers seem to be more deeply engaged.
What are your values as a writer?
When I write fiction (my first novel, The Calling, was published late last year), my goal is to provide an immersive, engaging, and fun ride! I am happy if the reader learns something, but the primary purpose is entertainment.
My values in my non-fiction work are clarity, honesty, and usefulness.
Much of life eventually collides with complex psychological and philosophical concepts; I try to translate them into forms that are simple enough to be actionable without becoming diluted.
I won’t make suggestions that I haven’t actually seen work, either personally or in the lives of students and clients.
How do you connect with your readers?
I publish weekly long-form articles on Medium (now primarily in Illumination), Substack, and my website, JeffWWelsh.com.
I also distribute SHADOW & STAR, my weekly newsletter, and engage directly with readers through comments and responses.
I have plans for a live, interactive weekly video show for later this year (stay tuned). I would like to do more in-person workshops, seminars, and retreats. The intimacy of face-to-face interaction holds great power and significance.
The goal is not just to broadcast ideas, but to build a community with them.
Why did you join ILLUMINATION, and how do you find it so far?
Illumination has come to be “home base” for my short-form writing. The readers
I have so far encountered approach content from a variety of different viewpoints, but value introspection as well as action.
It has been a productive platform for both visibility and engagement, and I’ve found the editorial process to be supportive and efficient.
Who are some writers you follow on Medium or other platforms?
I tend to follow writers who engage deeply with psychology, philosophy, and meaning-making rather than purely trend-driven content.
I am less concerned with the size of their subscriber base than I am with their content. Apart from yourself, a few names to mention: Benjamin Cain, Max Karlin, James W. Miller, The Alien Observer, Adriene Adams, Ruchi Thalwal, Ryu & KYU@8, and Moon @ Medium
What are your top five stories that you want to share with your audience and why?
1. Hardcore Happiness, Revisited. Introduces the core concepts of the Hardcore
Happiness project, eudaimonic happiness, and outlines the effort and sacrifices (hence, “hardcore”) necessary to sustain it.
2. Epigenetics: DNA Isn’t Destiny. An exploration of how behavior and environment influence gene expression. Control your mind, influence your biology. And possibly, the biology of your descendants.
3. Recentering: How to Stand Firm in a Chaotic World. A way to get back on track with the business of living your best life.
4. Time Stand Still: Two Weapons in the War Against Time. Our experience of time is a complex blend of quantum mechanics and psychology. Here are some thoughts about how to more fully experience your own time.
5. 3,000 Steps: An Existential Excavation. A candid glimpse into who I am at my most vulnerable; an unblinking introduction to who I am as a man and as a human. And an example of my Existential Excavation series, wherein I publicly wrestle with the questions of what it means to exist in the first place.
Each represents a different entry point into the same underlying framework: that meaning is constructed through action and sustained by consistent effort.
What are the success factors for you as a writer?
For me, success is when a reader truly resonates with something I wrote. The ability for me to take thoughts from my mind and bring them to life in yours is magic of the highest order. That resonance — combined with consistency over time — ultimately builds a meaningful body of work.
What do you recommend to new writers?
1. Have something to say. Develop deeply your passion, art or profession. Travel. Experience life before you hit submit.
2. Focus on the reader. Better to consider “what does the reader need/want to experience,” than “what do I want to say today?”
3. Work on your craft. Writing is an art and has considerable power. Honor its form and wield it with respect.
What are your plans as a writer or as a professional?
The initial draft of my book, Hardcore Happiness, will be completed this summer, and I hope to publish it this year. My goal is to make it both accessible to a broad audience and rigorous enough for academic use.
I continue to build the Hardcore Happiness project — articles, podcasts, and live interaction (online and in-person), courses, and community — centered on helping people navigate major life transitions and rediscover purpose.
I am retired from clinical work and my long-term role as a professor. My focus is now on writing, lecturing, and teaching on my own time.
Many thanks to Dr Jeff W Welsh for giving a glimpse into his life. You can connect with him via his website, JeffWWelsh.com, Substack, X (Twitter), and YouTube.
Here is an insightful video by Dr Welsh on YouTube, which I enjoyed very much:
Thank you for reading my interviews. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
This interview series is an excellent networking opportunity for new writers looking to build their audiences across multiple platforms.
The more successful people you meet and engage with, the more successful you can become, from my experience. The more you give without expecting, the more you receive, as my grandparents taught me.
Thank you for being part of our community and joining our joyful and exciting journey. You can review some sample interviews I conducted. Please consider reviewing their profiles and stories, sharing them in your network, and reaching out to them to expand your professional connections.
Thank you for supporting our community initiative, Neurostrategic Digital Authority Building for Creators, Freelancers, Book Authors, and Startups. Here is a story covering the details of why I rebranded the Substack Mastery Boost Pilot
Why I’m Rebranding Substack Boost Pilot as Neurostrategic Digital Authority Building Initiative at…
Building global visibility with intelligence, trust, and human connection.medium.com
Links to Other Interviews and Conversations
Interview Nazli Aydin (Misselbereth), Interview,Dr. Pamela Ramirez, PsyD, MD,Interview Lukman Aufbau, Interview Tanugandass, Interview Dr. Shiv K. Goel, Interview James Alexander, PhD, Interview, S R Harsha, Interview Adam Regiaba, Interview Elizabeth Woods,Interview Gary L. Fretwell, Interview, Keith Williams, Interview, Liauw Pauw Phing, Interview Somya Golchha, Interview, Alexander Simon, Interview, Paul | Divine Light Path, Interview, Ben J Clarke, Interview, Dr. Hatem El-Nagar, Interview Vic Shayne, Interview, Dr diana swezy, Interview, Dr Ashish Juneja, PhD, Interview Dr. Khalid Rahman, Interview Georgia Kreiger, Interview Hamid Akhtar, Interview Bear Kosik, Interview Dr Russell Carr,Interview Fildy Bejaoui, Interview Peter Mukherjee, Interview Patricia Ross, Interview Ana J, Interview Dr. Jason Hung, Interview Maria Cross,Interview Brooklyn Grace (editor), Interview Grant Lawson, Interview Ute Luppertz ✨, Interview Dr Kenneth Silvestri, Interview MAGDALENA PONURSKA, Interview with Joanie Adams (left Medium), Interview Liat Portal, Interview Dr Dominic Farsi, PhD RNutr, Interview Sara Redondo, MD, Interview Dr Bronce Rice, Interview Yana G.Y. Interview Dr. Gabriella Korosi, Interview Sinem Günel, Interview Recep Taylanhan, Interview John Worthington, Interview, Joellyn Rose Keener, ✍️Author Deaf and Determined, Interview Thomas Cherickal, Interview, Shamim Rajani, Interview, Svyatoslav Biryulin,Interview, Danielle Benvenuto, Interview Scarlet Ibis James 🦩, Interview Biswanath Datta,Interview Veronica Llorca-Smith,Interview James King, Interview Lauren Grawert, MD,InterviewJerry Keszka, Interview Davor Katusic,Interview David Gerken,Interview Claudio D’Andrea, Interview William Spivey,Interview James Boylan, Interview Ruby Noir, Interview Joshua Mason, Interview Michelle Mariscal, Interview Tim Denning, Interview Wendi Gordon, Interview Elle, Interview Bill Petro, Interview Sylvain Zyssman, Interview Matthew Bamberg, Interview Øivind H. Solheim, Interview Payal Koul, Interview Matt Lillywhite, Interview Genius Turner, Interview Shirley Willett, Interview David Mokotoff, MD, Interview Martin D. Hirsch, Interview Gill McCulloch, Interview Adelia Ritchie, PhD, Interview Dr. Lutz Kraushaar, Interview Lorwen Harris Nagle, PhD, Interview Matt Williams-Spooner, Ph.D., Interview Pernoste & Dahl, Interview Luay Rahil, Interview Melissa Kalt, MD, Interview Ayodeji Awosika, Interview Dr. Preeti Singh, Interview Dr. ADAM TABRIZ, Interview Dr John Frederick Rose, Interview Yogesh Haribhau Kulkarni (PhD), Interview Hakima T A N T R I K A, Interview Mark Sanford, Ph.D, Interview Raymond M.E. Aguirre, Interview Keri Mangis, Interview John D. Leavy, Interview Toni Koraza, Interview Annelise Lords, Interview, Mike Zillo, Interview Charles Roast, Interview Libby Mitchell, Interview Timothy Key, Interview, Christopher D. Connors, Interview Desiree Driesenaar, Interview Jill Ebstein, Interview Bill Abbate, Interview Anita Lesko, Interview John Cousins, Interview Suntonu Bhadra, Interview Lawson Wallace, Interview Chelsea Renee MAT, Interview MaryJo Wagner, PhD, Interview Martine Weber, Interview Michael Patanella, Interview Tree Langdon, Interview, Agnes Laurens, Interview Liam Ireland.
Our editors compile them in a collection. If you want to be interviewed, please leave a comment on this story or reach out to me via this form.
We also posted our new newsletter for January 2026 updates. Please share it on your socials so that more writers and readers can benefit from our free community services.
January 2026 Updates by ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications
Submission Guidelines, New Publications, and Plans for 2026medium.com
Recently, I wrote a story about book authors. If you are an author or planning to write a book soon, my story might be helpful to you.
2026 Pilot for Authors: An Innovative Book Income Revenue Share with Experts
An Invitation to Write, Publish, and Earn Without Barriers with My Editing, Marketing, and Distribution Support as an…medium.com
You are also welcome to join my new Expert Contributor Network. It will empower our new Substack Mastery Boost program.
If you are a business owner and want to sponsor talented writers contributing to my ecosystem and publications on Medium and Substack, please reach out to me via this form, and I will provide you with the best creators who can amplify your content efficiently to a broad audience.
Now, we have a new scholarly publication to empower academic writers and educate discerning readers. Here is the invitation to ILLUMINATION Scholar: A New Star Is Born on Medium🌟: Welcome to Illumination Scholar.
What’s the Expert Contributor Network at Digitalmehmet ?
Welcome to the Expert Contributor Network Curation Program at Digitalmehmet Content Ecosystem
I created this new initiative to empower experts and help them transition to the eminence path with community support…medium.com
For Substack writers, we created a 6-level course on Udemy titled From Zero to Substack Hero, which I also offer via my Content Strategy, Development, & Marketing Insights on Substack. If you are interested in joining, you can use these discount vouchers:
From Zero to Substack Hero — Level 1
From Zero to Substack Hero — Level 2
From Zero to Substack Hero — Level 3
From Zero to Substack Hero — Level 4, 5, and 6 Bundle [NEW]
And we also completed a new course titled Patreon Mastery.
I introduced the new Substack bundle for advanced writers and Patreon Mastery in two articles linked below for more information:
From Zero to Substack Hero: Advanced Levels 4, 5, & 6 Bundle Is Ready for Beta Learners
The Gift of Delay, the Promise of Growth: How my hectic schedule, our high standards, and a spirit of generosity shaped…medium.com
What If Your Creativity Could Fund Your Financial Freedom for a Lifetime?
Here’s Why I Created a Patreon Mastery Course for Creators, Freelancers, and Professionals on Udemy and How You Can…medium.com
I invite you to subscribe to my networks and publications on Substack, where I offer experience-based and original content on health, content strategy, book authoring, and technology topics you can’t find online to inform and inspire my readers.
Healthspan Mastery (NEW)
Get an email whenever Dr Mehmet Yildiz publishes. He is a top writer and editor on Medium.
dr-mehmet-yildiz.medium.com
If you are a writer, you are welcome to join my publications by sending a request via this link. I support 42K writers who contribute to my publications on this platform. You can contact me via my website. If you are a new writer, check out my writing list to find some helpful stories for your education.
You can find out about my scholarly work on my Google Scholar or Bohrium profiles. You may check out my other most loved stories on this platform. As a new instructor publishing Aiden’s courses, my Udemy profile includes 6-level Substack courses.
If you want to learn about the future of technology and science, I am authoring a new book titled Technology Horizons 2050 and Beyond ♾️
Here are links to my FEATURED series of 50+ books on Amazon markets:
Substack Newsletter Mastery, Excellence, and Eminence Series
Some of my books are published at Apple Stores, Smashwords, Vivlio, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, BooksaMillion, Fable, or my discount bookstore.
You may enjoy this comprehensive free book chapter I wrote for technology, enterprise, and business Architects as a gift: What Is a Digital Transformation Architect? Check out my updated posts on YouTube.
You can explore some of my books from my discount bookstore, including: The Mysterious Leadership Mind of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Substack Mastery Version 2, Monetize Your Passion with WooCommerce, Agile Business Architecture for Digital Transformation V2, Agile Business Architecture for Digital Transformation (Audiobook), Cortisol Clarity, A Powerful Toolkit for Substack Newsletter Mastery, Smart and Ethical SEO, Train Your Brain for a Healthier and Happier Life, Modern Affiliate Marketing for Writers, 4 Pillars of Enterprise Architecture, and Smart Email Marketing Content Integration.
Originally published at Digitalmehmet Content Ecosystem
Would you like to share your Medium stories, Substack newsletters, or blog posts? Here is an easy link to do that https://digitalmehmet.com/submit-your-blog/
Leave a Reply