Existential Psychologist |
Nostalgia Futurist
Clay Routledge’s work focuses on helping people reach their full potential and build meaningful lives. He spent two decades as a professor of psychology, and management, and distinguished professor of business. He taught undergraduate, MBA, and PhD courses in social/personality psychology, cultural psychology, research methods, and team leadership. He’s published more than 100 academic papers, co-edited three books, authored three books, and received numerous awards for research and mentorship.
Clay is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Archbridge Institute, Director of the Human Flourishing Lab, and coeditor of Profectus.
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Latest Post:
What Gen Z's Nostalgia Is Really Telling Us
Over 60% of Gen Z respondents said they expect life will be worse for them compared to previous generations, and 80% said the country is on the wrong track, the highest share of any age group surveyed. These are young people carrying a lot of anxiety and frustration about the present and where things are headed, and those feelings are inspiring their sentimentality toward the past. But I do not see this as unhealthy escapism.
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Featured work in:
New Book Available Now!
Discover research and practices for mindfully using nostalgia to live a more intentional, connected, and meaningful life.
“In its healthiest form, nostalgia is the way we weave the past into a meaningful life story,” Dr. Routledge says. “It helps us see what makes life worth living—and inspires us to do great things.”
Early Praise for Past Forward
“Clay Routledge makes the thought-provoking case that looking back with nostalgia can actually be good for us. Past Forward comes to a surprising but solid conclusion: thinking about the past can help us cope, build self-esteem, connect to others, and manage stress. It’s a fascinating look into the research on how humans think about time.” ―Jean M. Twenge, PhD, author of Generations
“In Past Forward, acclaimed psychologist Clay Routledge delves deeply into the profound and often underestimated power of nostalgia. Drawing on decades of research, this thought-provoking and lucidly written book unravels the mysteries of our longing for the past and reveals how we can all use nostalgia intentionally to improve our present lives and build a brighter future.” ―Constantine Sedikides, PhD, professor of social psychology, University of Southampton, UK
“If you miss ‘the good old days,’ well, lucky you. In Past Forward, Clay Routledge shows us that nostalgia is an unmistakably positive force in life―combating loneliness, boosting self-esteem, and driving society forward. A fascinating book.” ―Arthur C. Brooks, PhD, professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, author of From Strength to Strength, a #1 New York Times bestseller
“In Past Forward, Clay Routledge convincingly argues that nostalgia can be a critical ally of progress. Counterintuitively, our nostalgic longing for the past doesn’t hold us back. It helps us adapt to a changing world and find the motivation to move forward with an optimistic outlook. Importantly, Routledge shows readers how they can take advantage of the power of nostalgia to improve their own lives and the world around them.” ―Marian L. Tupy, founder and editor of humanprogress.org, coauthor of Ten Global Trends Every Smart Person Should Know and Superabundance
“Clay Routledge thoughtfully explores the value of memories and nostalgia, emphasizing their profound impact on our personal growth and collective advancement, urging us to embrace the past as a guiding force toward a brighter tomorrow. For our scrapbooking community, we’ve known for a long time that there is magic in nostalgia, but Clay Routledge helps us understand exactly how that magic of the past impacts our futures.” ―Alison Dutton, CEO of Creative Memories
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Aspen Ideas: Health
The 2026 program will be designed around seven thought-provoking themes and feature conversations with over 150 big thinkers who are reimagining the future of health, medicine, and science in the U.S. and around the world. Get to know some of the many inspiring leaders confirmed to join us in June and stay tuned for more announcements!
Existential psychologist Clay Routledge of the Archbridge Institute’s Human Flourishing Lab will explain how our nostalgic memories of the past can help us shape a more meaningful and connected future.
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Latest Content
Chicago Tribune, by Justin Callais & Clay Routledge | March 2, 2026