In the last two weeks, we introduced Episode 1 & Episode 2 of Welcome to Frome, the new audio documentary series produced by the Upstream podcast. Episode 1 explored the mini-revolution that took place recently in Frome, a small town in the sleepy western countryside of England. It also looked at some of the radical new initiatives developed and supported by the new town council, initiatives like a Share Shop and a Community Fridge. Episode 2 explored the darker history of neoliberalism in Frome and how the town has been divided in many social and economic ways. We spoke with people on both sides of the divide, and explored how to bridge the divides and begin to heal the wounds.

In this third and final episode, Upstream speaks to some of the leading experts on why GDP and economic growth are flawed measures of wellbeing. They travel to a small kingdom in south Asia, an indigenous village in the sierras of Peru, and the headquarters of Happy City in Bristol to talk to the visionaries of new cultural paradigms. and ask them to reveal the secrets of happiness and wellbeing that are hidden right beneath our noses.

How can Frome adopt a wellbeing strategy that helps to further the movements discussed in episode 1 and that begins to bridge the divides explored in episode 2? There’s no simple solution, but Upstream hopes that this series will provide some food for thought in towns and cities like Frome all over the world.

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