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Lima Today
By the People, for the People
Ohio professor explores 'mattering' and the search for meaning in new book
Dr. Jessica A. Johnson reviews 'Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose' by Jennifer Breheny Wallace.
Published on Mar. 10, 2026
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Dr. Jessica A. Johnson, a lecturer at Ohio State University's Lima campus, discusses the themes and insights explored in the new bestselling book 'Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose' by Jennifer Breheny Wallace. The book examines the importance of feeling recognized, relied upon, and valued in order to find a sense of purpose and belonging in everyday life.
Why it matters
The book's exploration of the 'mattering crisis' - the loneliness, depression, and lack of meaning that many people feel in modern society - resonates with Dr. Johnson's own experiences and observations, particularly among her older adult friends who have faced significant life changes and losses. The book's insights into how faith and a sense of divine purpose can provide a source of identity and meaning are also highlighted.
The details
In 'Mattering,' Wallace focuses on five key elements she believes are essential for helping people establish lives that feel more connected and purposeful: recognition, reliance, importance, ego extension, and attunement. The book has received praise from public health leaders like former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy for its timely exploration of how to restore meaning and joy to people's lives. Dr. Johnson connects the book's themes to her own experiences, such as the importance of handwritten letters in maintaining meaningful connections, and how her faith in God provides a sense of intrinsic worth and divine purpose.
- The book 'Mattering' was released in January 2026 and has quickly become a New York Times bestseller.
- Dr. Johnson posted a quote on Facebook several years ago stating 'I trust God with my life, after all, He gave it to me.'
The players
Jennifer Breheny Wallace
An award-winning author and journalist who wrote the New York Times bestselling book 'Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose'.
Vivek Murthy
A public health leader and former U.S. Surgeon General who endorsed 'Mattering' and wrote about the book's themes of social connection, healing, and mental health.
Dr. Jessica A. Johnson
A lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus who reviewed the book 'Mattering' and reflected on its insights in relation to her own experiences and observations.
What they’re saying
“At a time when so many people are feeling invisible, 'Mattering' is an essential guide for how to restore meaning, comfort, and joy to our lives.”
— Vivek Murthy, Former U.S. Surgeon General
“I trust God with my life, after all, He gave it to me.”
— Dr. Jessica A. Johnson (Facebook)
The takeaway
The themes explored in 'Mattering' - the importance of feeling recognized, valued, and connected to others - resonate deeply with Dr. Johnson and her observations of the 'mattering crisis' affecting many people, particularly older adults facing significant life changes. The book's insights into how faith and a sense of divine purpose can provide meaning and identity offer an important perspective on addressing the loneliness and lack of purpose that so many struggle with in modern society.
