This video features an in-depth interview with Mr. Nuno Fernandez, President of American Public University System (APUS), USA. The discussion centers on the multifaceted concept of happiness across personal, organizational, and spiritual dimensions, highlighting values such as health, purpose, love, mental and physical well-being, purposeful living, and ethical leadership. Mr. Fernandez shares his personal journey and philosophy, emphasizing the importance of autonomy, trust, and the impact of technology and online education on student happiness. The conversation also addresses global challenges of inclusion and socio-economic impacts of expanding access to higher education, the need for governments to remove barriers, evolving perspectives on education's value, and the role of happiness-centered workshops alongside academic programs. The session concludes with a rapid-fire round revealing personal reflections, a forward-looking question for future guests on enhancing happiness in leadership, and a symbolic musical tribute reinforcing the personal and communal significance of the exchange. Background The Happiness Podcast, initiated by Amity University Rekhi Foundation Centre for Science of Happiness, aims to gather and disseminate wisdom on happiness from diverse global voices. Nuno Fernandez, a visionary leader with a rich academic and professional background, represents a powerful voice in education and well-being. As the fifth president of US, a prominent online university, he champions accessible and flexible education that nurtures not only intellectual growth but also mental and emotional wellness. His multicultural upbringing in a small Portuguese village, combined with his extensive international exposure, enriches his understanding of happiness beyond material success, emphasizing values, purpose, and resilience. Major Perspectives 1. Defining Happiness: From Childhood to Parenthood Fernandez’s conception of happiness is rooted deeply in his early life experiences, growing up in a humble, close-knit village where happiness was found in simple, non-material moments—walking in forests, church visits, and communal joy. Religion and spirituality played an integral role, fostering a sense of moral responsibility and connection. However, he identifies the birth of his son as the defining moment of true happiness, shifting his perspective from self-centeredness to selflessness, highlighting fatherhood as an ultimate source of joy. This shift from “me” to “him” underscores happiness as relational and purposeful rather than purely individualistic. 2. The Battle Between Good and Evil: Spirituality as a Guide Fernandez articulates a worldview centered on the dual forces of good and evil constantly influencing human decisions. Spirituality, in his view, is the discipline of recognizing this tension and consciously choosing the path of good, even when it is difficult or. He stresses that happiness stems not from comfort but from integrity and values-driven choices. This philosophy aligns with universal spiritual teachings found across cultures, including Indian traditions of duality and balance, emphasizing the importance of moral clarity and long-term perspective over short-term gains. 3. Nurturing the Self to Serve Others: The Healthy Mind and Body A cornerstone of Fernandez’s message is the need for self-care as a prerequisite for contributing positively to others. He advocates for a “healthy mind in a healthy body” (mens sana in corpore sano) approach, emphasizing regular physical exercise, mental well-being, rest, and continuous learning. He draws parallels between high-performance athletes and professionals, underscoring the necessity of balanced work-rest cycles to sustain excellence and happiness in all life domains. This holistic view of happiness integrates physical health, mental clarity, and purposeful action. 4. Leadership, Autonomy, and Organizational Happiness As a university president, Fernandez champions a leadership style that empowers autonomy rather than micromanagement. He believes in hiring talented individuals and trusting their expertise, providing strategic direction without stifling creativity. Respect, empathy, and genuine care for team members’ motivations and challenges are central to his approach. He also fosters a culture of openness, trust, and wellness initiatives, such as physical activity challenges and mental health support, to promote a healthy and happy organizational environment. This top-down commitment to happiness illustrates how leadership can shape institutional culture and employee well-being. 5. Education, Online Learning, and Student Well-being Fernandez acknowledges the challenges of delivering happiness and engagement in online education but stresses the unique motivations of APUS’s diverse student body, often adults balancing family and work responsibilities. For many, education is a purposeful journey linked to personal growth, professional advancement, and family legacy, particularly for first-generation graduates. APUS supports students through high-quality education and robust 24/7 mental health services in multiple languages, including one-on-one therapy. He envisions technological advances, especially AI, transforming education into personalized and immersive experiences that better serve individual learning styles, while cautioning that spiritual grounding is essential to navigate ethical challenges and distractions in this evolving landscape. 6. Spirituality’s Role in Decision-Making and Future of Education Spirituality, for Fernandez, influences educational leadership by encouraging decisions rooted in integrity, long-term vision, and purpose, balancing short-term needs with sustainable outcomes. He warns against the prevalent short-termism that can undermine organizational and societal well-being. Looking ahead, Fernandez predicts more profound educational transformations driven by technology, but insists that wisdom, not just intelligence or efficiency, must guide these changes. Spirituality provides the foundation for such wisdom, helping leaders and learners align actions with core values amid rapid change. 7. Inclusion and Access in Global Education Responding to questions about inclusion, Fernandez highlights the disparities in higher education access worldwide, noting high penetration rates in the U.S. and Europe contrasted with lower rates in Latin America and Africa. He underscores that expanding access to education correlates with economic development, longer lifespan, and greater happiness. Governmental roles include removing barriers and enabling broader participation, though debates about cost, value, and necessity of higher education persist, especially in developed countries. Fernandez advocates for continued expansion of accessible, affordable education as a pathway to individual and societal happiness. Conclusion Nuno Fernandez’s reflections offer a rich tapestry of insights connecting personal happiness, spirituality, leadership, and education. True happiness, he suggests, emerges from caring for oneself mentally and physically, embracing purposeful living grounded in ethical choices, and fostering environments where individuals are empowered and supported. Spirituality serves as an inner compass that guides decisions and sustains resilience amid life’s dualities and challenges. As education evolves dramatically in the coming years, integrating technology with spiritual wisdom will be crucial to nurturing fulfilled, purposeful learners and leaders. Ultimately, Fernandez’s message resonates as a call to live with integrity, empathy, and mindful awareness—values that transcend cultures and time, lighting the path toward authentic happiness. This conversation reminds us that happiness is not a fleeting emotion but a sustained state cultivated through self-care, purpose, and conscious choice. Leaders and educators bear a profound responsibility to create conditions where individuals can thrive holistically. By embracing both scientific advancements and timeless spiritual principles, we can foster a more connected, compassionate, and joyful world.