Humor won't cure depression. But it might save your life. That's not a metaphor for Jenny Lawson. It's the hard-won truth of more than two decades of living with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and the kind of dark seasons that make getting out of bed feel impossible.

Most of us hide when we're struggling. We perform wellness for the world and suffer in silence behind closed doors. Jenny took the opposite approach, writing about her darkest moments with such radical honesty and unexpected humor that thousands of people have written back to say those words kept them alive. This conversation explores how she does it, and what the rest of us can learn about finding light and meaning in the hardest places.

Jenny Lawson, known to millions as The Bloggess, is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, humorist, and the owner of Nowhere Bookshop, a beloved indie bookstore and bar in San Antonio, Texas. Her books include Let's Pretend This Never Happened, Furiously Happy, You Are Here, and Broken. Her upcoming book, How To Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay (Tips and Tricks that Kept Me Alive, Happy and Creative In Spite of Myself), arrives March 31, 2026.

You'll discover...

The single phrase Jenny returns to during every depressive episode that stops her from believing the darkest lies her brain tells herA simple "easy mode" approach to work and daily life that gives you full permission to do less without guilt, and why it often leads to better results for everyoneWhy sharing your struggle honestly can create an unexpected ripple effect of connection and healing for people you've never metA powerful reframe of what success actually means that has nothing to do with money, status, or bestseller listsHow to find "your people" and build real friendship even when you're deeply introverted, anxious, or terrible at texting back

If you're navigating a hard season right now, or you love someone who is, this conversation is full of practical warmth, unexpected humor, and real tools for getting

through it. Hit play and let Jenny remind you that you're not alone, and that finding joy in the middle of the mess isn't just possible, it might be the very thing that keeps you going.

You can find Jenny at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

Next week, we're sharing a really meaningful conversation with Harvard Business School professor Leslie John. We?re diving into the science of disclosure?specifically, why that cringey feeling of 'oversharing' might actually be holding you back from your best relationships. We?ll discuss how to find the sweet spot between being a closed book and TMI.

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You?ve reached a point in life where you thought you?d feel different. You?ve checked a lot of the boxes of achievement, happiness, even success. And, still, something is missing. It is a quiet restlessness that age or achievement cannot seem to quiet. What you?re missing is meaning.

Our guest today is Arthur Brooks. He is a Harvard professor and #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness.

In this conversation, we explore:

The myths we tell about how to find meaning, and how they delude us. The neurological reason why your phone is blocking purposeThe 3 real keys to meaning and mattering, and finally feeling aliveThe arrival fallacy that explains why winning is not the same the meaningHow to use a specific morning protocol to program your brain for mystery and wonderThe counterintuitive reason you actually want suffering in your life

If you are tired of the hustle and still feeling empty, it is time to look at the science of the soul, and learn how to bring more meaning into your life, starting with practical tools today.

You can find Arthur at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

Next week, we're sharing a really meaningful conversation with Jenny Lawson. She's a #1 New York Times bestselling author who has made millions of people laugh with her writing, and she also lives with treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. This conversation is one of the most honest, funny, and unexpectedly hopeful we've ever had on the show.

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Stop blaming willpower and start building the skill of making change stick for good. Pretty much every person wants to change something, about themselves, their lives, or situation. But, so few ever succeed at creating change, let alone sustaining it.

In this conversation, we explore why real transformation is a learnable process rather than a test of grit. We look at the emotional hurdles that stop us and how to navigate the "alphabet" of success.

Our guest today is Eric Zimmer, the host of the award-winning podcast The One You Feed and author of the new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life. Eric has spent decades studying behavior change, transforming his own life from addiction to becoming a leading voice in personal growth.

Together, we explore:

The Three-Part Direction Rule: A specific strategy that ensures your small efforts actually accumulate into big results over time.The Still Point Method: A practical tool to interrupt negative thought patterns before they ruin your day.The Truth About Value Clashes: Why your inner conflict between security and freedom is the secret culprit behind your procrastination.Neutral Thinking: A critical mindset shift that allows you to bypass the emotional drama that usually makes you quit.The 90 Percent Rule: Why most of the change process happens before you ever take a single action.

If you are tired of the cycle of starting and stopping, it is time to change your approach. Play this episode to learn the practical, science-backed steps to finally becoming the person you want to be.

You can find Eric at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

Next week, we're sharing our conversation with Arthur Brooks about The Meaning of Your Life and practical, science-backed ways to find purpose and discover your deepest calling.

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Turns out, "good vibes only" might be making you feel worse. Today, we?re exploring why the "good vibes only, stay positive, look on the bright side," movement is often more harmful than helpful and how to build a deeper, more resilient form of optimism and hope that is truly capable of making your life better.

Our guest, Dr. Deepika Chopra, is a clinical health psychologist known as The Optimism Doctor® and author of The Power of Real Optimism. With postdoctoral fellowships at UCLA and Cedars-Sinai, she specializes in the science of hope, resiliency, and visual imagery.

We talk about:

The 7/10 rule for affirmations - why the traditional approach to affirmations is broken, and a different way that ensures your brain actually believes what you?re telling it instead of rejecting it as bunk.How to schedule "worry time" to contain anxiety so it doesn't leak into and paralyze your entire day.A specific 12-second practice to "clock" joy and physically rewire your brain?s neural pathways for better problem-solving.The distinction between hope and false hope, and how to find the "crack of light" when you?re in your darkest hour.

If you've ever felt the pressure to "just be happy" while struggling through a difficult season, this conversation offers a grounded, science-backed alternative. Click play to learn how to build the muscle of real optimism and navigate life's challenges with more curiosity and ease. 

You can find Deepika at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

Next week, we're sharing a really meaningful conversation with Eric Zimmer about the 'Little by Little' method for making meaningful life changes that actually stick. Be sure to follow the GLP wherever you get your podcasts so you don?t miss it!

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Want a deeper, more secure, fiercely connected relationship? Then, you?ll want to check out the power of relationship agreements. 

In this episode, we sit down with Krista and Dr. Will Van Derveer. Will is a psychiatrist and author of the book Psychedelic Therapy, and Krista is a Relational Leadership Educator who helps partnerships move from the "I Operating System" to a "We Operating System."

We explore:

How to craft your own sacred relationship agreements that keep bringing you back to love, no matter how much friction your find yourself in.The wildly surprising "Couch Time" technique that uses mammal-to-mammal co-regulation to stop a heated argument in 60 seconds.A simple shift in perspective that allows you to stop seeing your partner as a "fixed object" and start seeing them with fresh eyes.The "Abundant Repair" protocol for ensuring you never go to bed with tension still lingering in your body.Why most "implicit" agreements fail and how to write down the 24 sacred guardrails that protect your connection.

If you are tired of the same old arguments and want a relationship that actually empowers your individual potential, this conversation is for you. Click play to learn how to transform your partnership into a powerhouse of growth.

You can find Krista & Will at: The Art of We | Get the Top 10 Relationship Agreements | Episode Transcript

Next week, we're sharing a really meaningful conversation with Dr. Deepika Chopra about toxic positivity and how to be optimistic without tipping into delusion, distraction, or even harm.

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Being a super-communicator isn?t a gift, it?s a skill anyone can learn.

Ever wish you were the person who could talk to anyone with ease? Like anyone you came in contact with became instant friends, confidantes, or trusted allies and collaborators. Turns out, this superpower is not something you?re born with, it's something you can learn. 

This episode shows you how. Our guest is Charles Duhigg, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter for The New York Times and the best-selling author of The Power of Habit and his book, Supercommunicators.

In this conversation, you?ll learn:

The "Matching Principle" that determines if a conversation succeeds or fails3 distinct types of conversations and how to identify which one you?re actually inThe "Heard, Hugged, or Helped" framework for navigating emotional conflict with easeA secret CIA recruitment strategy for building instant trust with complete strangersThe power of "deep questions" to bypass small talk and reach the heart of any matter

If you've ever walked away from a conversation feeling disconnected, it's time to learn the rules of the game. Listen to this episode to transform your relationships and become a supercommunicator today.

You can find Charles at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

Next week, we're sharing a conversation with Krista and Will Vanderveer. We?ll be talking about how to make the 'invisible' rules in your relationship visible so you can stop walking on eggshells and start leading together.

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How do you know when to leave a job or relationship? Look for the jolts.

Ready to quit your job but unsure if it?s right? A single comment, missed opportunity, or subtle slight can suddenly make everything feel different. But is it really time to leave, or is something deeper happening?

We?ve all had that moment when work or even a relationship feels off. Maybe it?s a meeting that hits differently, a colleague who leaves, or a new role that doesn?t match what was promised. In this conversation, you?ll learn why these moments feel so powerful, and how to respond with clarity instead of impulse.

Anthony Klotz is a professor of organizational behavior at the UCL School of Management and the researcher who predicted the Great Resignation. An award-winning scholar on the psychology of work and author of Jolted: Why We Quit, When to Stay, and Why It Matters, he studies why we leave jobs, why we stay, and how major career decisions shape our lives.

In this episode, you?ll discover:

The hidden psychological trigger that explains why a small workplace moment can suddenly feel career-alteringA simple diagnostic process to determine whether it?s truly time to quit, or time to recalibrateThe surprising reason the first year in a new job is the most likely time to leaveHow ?quiet quitting? can be reframed as a strategic reset instead of disengagementThe overlooked cost of leaving, including the social capital and goodwill you may not realize you?re giving up

If you?re questioning your job, wrestling with burnout, or navigating uncertainty about your career path, this conversation will help you slow down, think clearly, and make a wiser next move.

You can find Anthony at: Website | LinkedIn | Episode Transcript

Next week, we're sharing a really meaningful conversation with Charles Duhigg about the hidden science of why our best advice often backfires, and how to finally feel truly understood by the people you love.

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Your mind is under siege. Every day, technology and noise fight to hijack your attention, leaving you feeling less present and more distracted than ever. In a word, unconscious.

It?s time to stop the scroll and reclaim the most precious thing you own: your consciousness. Learn how to build "consciousness hygiene" and protect the privacy of your own mind. 

Today we are joined by legendary author Michael Pollan. Michael is a ten-time New York Times bestseller and one of Time?s 100 most influential people, known for his deep dives into food and psychedelics. He joins us to discuss his latest journey into the mystery of awareness, featured in his new book, A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness.

We explore:

The "Four-Second Gap": A startling discovery about how your thoughts actually enter your awareness before you even "think" them. Lantern vs. Spotlight: Why your childhood way of seeing the world is the key to unlocking creativity in adulthood. The Chemical Genius of Plants: The surprising way roots and leaves make "intelligent" decisions without a single neuron. Bioelectric Body Maps: Why trauma and memory might be stored in your cells rather than just your brain. The "Thief in the House" Exercise: A simple mental framework to instantly quiet the critical voice of the ego. 

We spend so much of our lives distracted, but you don't have to stay that way. Play this episode to learn how to be fully present for the life you?re actually living.

You can find Michael at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

Next week, we're sharing a conversation with Anthony Klotz about why we quit, when to stay, and how to make wiser decisions when work just suddenly feels off, or relationships, or really just life.

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Your kids leaving isn?t an ending; it?s an open door to a more intentional version of you. Many of us spend decades organizing our entire identities around our children, only to feel a staggering sense of loss when the house goes quiet.

In this conversation, we explore why the term "empty nest" is so limiting and how to navigate the "forced reckoning" of midlife transitions without losing your sense of purpose.

My guest is Gretchen Rubin, one of the world's most influential observers of happiness and human nature. She is the author of multiple New York Times bestsellers including The Happiness Project and Life in Five Senses, and the host of the Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast.

What you?ll discover in this episode:

A simple linguistic shift that changes how you view your children?s independenceThe "Book vs. Tree" personality framework that explains why you and your partner might be clashing over the futureA 30-second "identity test" to see if you are at risk for a rocky life transitionThe "Minimum Acceptable Contact" rule for keeping a healthy bond with adult children without oversteppingHow to use "clutter clues" to rediscover a passion you abandoned years ago

If you?ve ever felt like your world is shrinking as your children?s worlds expand, this conversation offers the roadmap to reclaim your space and your joy. Press play to start your next chapter.

You can find Gretchen at: Website | Instagram | Happier with Gretchen Rubin - Podcast | Episode Transcript

Next week, we're sharing a really meaningful conversation with Michael Pollan about the elusive nature of consciousness and why it is currently under siege. Michael shares why our awareness is the most precious thing we own and how we can reclaim our attention in an age of constant distraction.

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Tired of saying yes when you mean no and feeling resentful later? In this powerful compilation episode, you?ll learn how to set healthy boundaries without guilt, conflict, or losing the people you care about.

If you?re exhausted from overgiving, overworking, people-pleasing, or overfunctioning, this conversation will feel deeply familiar. We explore why so many high-functioning adults struggle to communicate limits and how small, clear boundary shifts can radically change your relationships, work life, and inner peace.

Today?s episode features insights from therapist and bestselling author Nedra Glover Tawwab, author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace, and psychotherapist and relationship expert Terri Cole, author of Boundary Boss. Together, they unpack the psychology of boundaries, codependency, people-pleasing, and how to finally talk true and live free.

In this episode, you?ll discover:

A one-sentence boundary formula that prevents arguments and shuts down guilt spiralsThe hidden secondary gain that keeps you stuck in overgiving and overfunctioningThe six dysfunctional boundary styles and how to identify your ?boundary blueprint?A simple way to set time boundaries at work without risking your jobPractical scripts you can use when someone asks intrusive questions or ignores your limits

If you?re ready to stop feeling unseen, stretched thin, or quietly resentful, press play and learn how to create the boundaries that make a good life possible.

Episode Transcript

You can find Nedra at: Website | Instagram

You can find Terri at: Website | Instagram | Discover Your Secondary Gain | The Terri Cole Show

Next week, be sure to tune in for my conversation with Gretchen Rubin about what actually happens when kids leave home and how that season reshapes identity, relationships, and purpose.

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Trying to eliminate anxiety can make it worse. Do this instead?

If you wake up with a tight chest, a racing mind, or a constant sense of unease, this conversation offers clarity, relief, and a more grounded way forward.

In this episode, we unpack what anxiety actually is, why it shows up the way it does, and how to tell the difference between normal anxiety and anxiety that starts running, or even ruining your life. You?ll learn how fear, uncertainty, and your nervous system interact, and why trying to eliminate anxiety often makes it worse.

Dr. Tracey Marks is a psychiatrist, mental health educator, and creator of one of the most trusted science-based mental health platforms online. With over twenty years of clinical experience, she translates neuroscience into practical tools, and she?s the author of Why Am I So Anxious? Powerful Tools for Recognizing Anxiety and Restoring Your Peace.

In this conversation, you?ll discover

How to tell when anxiety is helping you versus quietly harming youA simple way to recognize when worry has crossed into catastrophizingWhy anxiety can feel physical even when medical tests come back normalThe overlooked body-based tools that calm your nervous system naturallyA healthier expectation for anxiety that makes it easier to live with

Anxiety doesn?t mean you?re broken. But ignoring how it works can keep you stuck. Press play to understand what your mind and body are asking for, and learn how to respond with more clarity and self-trust.

You can find Tracey at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

Next week, we're sharing a really meaningful conversation with Nedra Glover Tawwab and Terri Cole about life-changing boundaries, how to say no without guilt, and how to stop overgiving.

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Your brain isn?t breaking. It?s rewiring in ways no one explained, and for many women, menopause is the moment everything suddenly feels unfamiliar.

Brain fog, sleep disruption, anxiety, memory lapses, and feeling unlike yourself can be deeply unsettling, especially when no one has given you a framework for what?s happening. In this conversation, we explore the science behind midlife brain changes and why menopause is a neurological transition, not a personal failure.

Dr. Lisa Mosconi is an associate professor of Neuroscience in Neurology and Radiology at Weill Cornell Medicine and director of the Alzheimer?s Prevention Program and the Women?s Brain Initiative. She is a world-renowned neuroscientist and the New York Times bestselling author of The Menopause Brain.

In this episode, you?ll discover

? Why Alzheimer?s risk begins in midlife, not old age

? What estrogen actually does in the brain and why its shift matters

? The hidden reason brain fog and mood changes show up during menopause

? How the brain adapts and rebuilds after hormonal change

? What science currently says about hormone therapy and brain health

Menopause can feel confusing and isolating, but understanding what your brain is doing can replace fear with clarity. Listen to learn how to navigate this transition with more confidence, compassion, and agency.

You can find Lisa at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

Next week, we're sharing a really meaningful conversation with psychiatrist and mental health educator Dr. Tracey Marks about what anxiety really is, why it feels so physical, and how understanding your brain can help you feel steadier and more at ease.

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The deeper the love, the more uncomfortable it gets, and learning how to work with that truth may change the way you relate forever.

If you?ve ever wondered why love sometimes feels harder over time, why irritation replaces ease, or why closeness can feel strangely destabilizing, this conversation offers a grounded and deeply wise and kind perspective. Rather than trying to fix or escape discomfort, you?ll learn how meeting it together can actually deepen intimacy and connection.

In this Best of episode, Jonathan sits down with writer and meditation teacher Susan Piver, New York Times bestselling author of The Four Noble Truths of Love: Buddhist Wisdom for Modern Relationships. Susan has studied Buddhism for more than 30 years and founded The Open Heart Project, an online dharma community with nearly 20,000 members.

In this conversation, you?ll discover:

A simple reframe that explains why love feels hardest with the people we care about mostHow discomfort can become a doorway to deeper intimacy rather than a sign that something?s wrongThe subtle way self-criticism quietly shapes how we treat our partnersA powerful alternative to blame that changes how conflict unfoldsWhy intimacy can deepen even when romance naturally fades

Love isn?t meant to be comfortable or predictable. It?s meant to be alive. Press play to learn how to stay open, connected, and compassionate when relationships feel hardest.

You can find Susan Piver at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

Next week, be sure to tune in for my conversation with Lisa Mosconi about women?s brain health, menopause, and what it all means for long-term cognitive wellbeing.

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What if excellence isn?t about winning, but becoming?

For so many of us, the word excellence has become tangled up with perfectionism, obsession, and relentless hustle. No wonder it feels heavy, triggering, or out of reach.

In this conversation, we explore a very different understanding of excellence, one rooted in meaning, care, and deep engagement. Together, we unpack why modern life makes it so hard to focus, why joy and rest are essential to growth, and how pursuing what truly matters can quietly reshape who you become.

Brad Stulberg is a bestselling author, writer for The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, co-host of the podcast Excellence, Actually, and faculty member at the University of Michigan. His newest book is The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World.

In this episode, you?ll discover

A powerful redefinition of excellence that frees you from perfectionismWhy mastery and mattering are essential for deep satisfactionA simple way to reclaim focus in a world designed to distract youHow joy, rest, and renewal fuel long-term growthA practical framework for balancing ambition with the rest of your life

If you?ve ever felt pulled to do meaningful work but exhausted by the way success is usually framed, this conversation offers a wiser, more human path forward. Press play to explore what excellence can become.

You can find Brad at: Website | LinkedIn | Episode Transcript

Next week, be sure to tune in for my conversation with Susan Piver about why love feels hard and how that discomfort can deepen intimacy. Follow the show in your favorite listening app so it?s right there when the episode drops.

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When life upends everything, what still matters?

When the future you assumed disappears, the questions get sharper. This conversation explores how meaning, values, and hope evolve when time feels uncertain and life breaks open in unexpected ways.

In this deeply human and reflective episode, Jonathan Fields sits down with Lucy Kalanithi, a physician, storyteller, and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Stanford University. She is the widow of neurosurgeon and writer Paul Kalanithi, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller When Breath Becomes Air, for which Lucy wrote the unforgettable epilogue.

Together, they explore what it means to live honestly in the presence of mortality, how our sense of time and identity shifts through loss, and how values can guide choices when certainty is gone.

In this episode, you?ll discover:

A simple but profound way to make decisions when the future feels unclearHow redefining hope can ease fear without denying realityWhy you cannot have everything, and how that clarity can be freeingA humane framework for navigating medical and life decisionsWhat it really means to build a life that fits who you are

When life changes in ways you never expected, clarity does not come from control. It comes from listening more closely. Press play to explore what truly matters, and how to live with intention even when the path ahead is uncertain.

You can find Lucy at: Website | Episode Transcript

Next week, be sure to tune in for my conversation with Brad Stulberg about what excellence really is, and how pursuing it can help you feel more alive, not burned out. And don?t forget to follow the show in your favorite listening app.

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You can be deeply loved and still feel alone, even when your life is filled with people who care about you.

Many of us assume that love automatically translates into feeling loved. But research shows that isn?t how it works. In this conversation, we explore why connection can be present, yet the feeling of being loved never quite lands and what actually helps close that gap.

My guest is Harry Reis, a longtime researcher of close relationships and professor of psychology whose work has shaped how we understand intimacy, attachment, and emotional connection. He?s the co-author of How to Feel Loved: The Five Mindsets That Get You More of What Matters Most.

In this episode, you?ll learn:

? A powerful relational dynamic that quietly determines whether love is felt or missed

? The subtle reason giving more doesn?t always lead to feeling more connected

? A listening shift that dramatically deepens intimacy without forcing vulnerability

? Why being fully known matters more than being widely liked

? The mindset that helps love feel genuine instead of performative

If you?ve ever wondered why closeness feels harder than it should or why love doesn?t always register even when it?s present, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and practical insight. Press play to learn what actually helps love land.

You can find Harry at: Website | Harry's Bio | Episode Transcript

Next week, be sure to tune in for my conversation with Lucy Kalanithi about what still matters when certainty disappears.

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What if chronic pain was caused by faulty wiring in your brain?

And that one shift in understanding can open the door to relief many people never thought was possible.

Chronic pain affects tens of millions, disrupts relationships, limits work, and quietly erodes joy. Yet for many, scans, surgeries, and medications never bring lasting relief. In this conversation, we explore why pain can persist long after the body has healed and what helps the brain finally stand down.

My guest is Yoni K. Ashar, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and director of the Pain and Emotion Research Laboratory. His research uses brain imaging and clinical neuroscience to study chronic pain recovery, with a focus on Pain Reprocessing Therapy.

In this episode, you?ll learn

A key signal that reveals when pain is driven by the brain, not injuryA simple shift that helps interrupt the pain?fear cycleWhy imaging findings can distract from the true source of painHow the right kind of gradual exposure retrains the brain to feel safe againWhat decades of pain research reveal about lasting recoveryWhy we?ve gotten pain wrong for so long, and how to get it right

If you?ve tried everything and still hurt, this conversation may offer a new way to understand your pain and a path toward relief. Press play to learn how unlearning pain may be possible.

You can find Yoni at: Website | Episode Transcript

Next week, we're sharing a really meaningful conversation with Harry Reis about why love doesn't always land, even when it's real.

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You could be having better sex and the science explains why, not because you?re broken or doing something wrong, but because most of us were never taught how desire actually works or how intimacy evolves over time. Instead, we?re handed myths, silence, and a lot of quiet frustration.

In this conversation, we explore why great sex is not something that just happens, but something you can learn, practice, and grow into at any stage of life. We talk about desire, pleasure, communication, midlife shifts, and how letting go of shame opens the door to intimacy that feels more alive, connected, and satisfying.

Dr. Nicole McNichols is an internationally renowned human sexuality professor at the University of Washington, where her course The Diversity of Human Sexuality is the most popular in the school?s history. She is also the author of You Could Be Having Better Sex, out February 3.

In this episode, you?ll discover

A simple mindset shift that makes sex more fulfilling over timeWhy novelty matters more than frequency and how to add it without pressureThe overlooked role pleasure plays in mental health and resilienceWhat actually helps desire return in long-term relationshipsA healthier way to talk about sex that builds trust and connection

If sex has started to feel confusing, disconnected, or quietly disappointing, this episode offers a grounded, research-backed way forward. Press play to learn how intimacy can become something you grow into rather than drift away from.

You can find Nicole at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with Emily Nagoski about the science of pleasure and sustaining sexual connection.

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If your life looks good on paper but feels flat, this is for you.

Many of us follow the rules, build what appear to be successful lives, and still sense something essential is missing. That feeling sends us on a chase for more meaning or purpose, impact and clarity. But, what if the way we seek them is all wrong, and actually makes us less happy, content and alive, not more?

In today?s conversation, we explore a radically different way to think about meaning, one rooted in aliveness, presence, and becoming rather than achievement, impact, mattering, or outcomes.

My partner in conversation is Dave Evans, the coauthor of the New York Times number one bestseller Designing Your Life, cofounder of the Stanford Life Design Lab, and author of the new book How to Live a Meaningful Life. I?ve known Dave for years now, and he?s spent decades helping people redesign work, identity, and daily living in ways that feel deeply human.

In this episode, you?ll discover:

Why fulfillment and impact often become dead ends rather than answersA simple shift that helps you feel more alive without changing your circumstancesFour overlooked sources of meaning that most people rarely accessHow to move fluidly between getting things done and actually being presentA practical way to experience wonder, flow, coherence, and connection in everyday moments

If you?ve ever wondered why a life that looks good can still feel unsatisfying, this conversation offers a grounded and hopeful reframe. Press play to explore a more livable path to meaning.

You can find Dave at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with Dan Pink about regret, reflection, and using inner signals to guide a more meaningful life.

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It's said, pain is inevitable, suffering is optional. But, is that true? Many of us live our lives in pursuit of certainty, believing that if we could just get things more stable - emotionally, financially, relationally - then we?d finally feel at ease. We wouldn't struggle with anxiety, stress, and fear. we wouldn't suffer so much. Problem is, that approach often deepens our suffering, rather than relieves it. Maybe you've felt this very thing.

In this powerful episode on healing and resilience and how to relieve suffering, Jonathan sits down with Dr. Suzan Song, a Harvard- and Stanford-trained psychiatrist, humanitarian researcher, and author of the new book Why We Suffer and How We Heal. Dr. Song has spent decades working with individuals and communities living through profound instability, revealing a gentler, more honest reframe: healing, lessening suffering, doesn?t come from chasing certainty and stability, but from learning how to relate differently to the inevitability of pain, uncertainty, and change.

In this conversation, discover:

Why pain is inevitable, but suffering often grows from the stories we tell.The hidden role of our nervous system and memory in shaping our experience of hardship.The power of ritual?not as performance, but as a path to emotional grounding and resilience.What purpose really is, and why it?s often already present, woven into our lives through mattering.How genuine healing happens in relationship, not in isolation, transforming our approach to mental health.

This is an invitation to stop blaming yourself for not feeling satisfied, let go of suffering, and remember that you don?t have to navigate life?s instabilities alone. Sometimes, relief comes not from doing more, but from allowing yourself to feel everything, then learn how to live with the truth of uncertainty in a world that will never stop changing.

You can find Suzan at: Website | Linkedin | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with Adam Grant about rethinking beliefs and inner patterns.

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Most new habits fizzle quickly, what if they didn't have to? We blame a lack of willpower, but what if the way we approach habits that's the real problem? Why does true, lasting habit change feel so hard to sustain? And, how can we do it better?

In this Best of episode, we explore a gentler and more honest reframe, drawing from the work of James Clear, author of Atomic Habits. We show that lasting change doesn't begin with force or fixing, but rather with identity. Discover how listening to who you already are, and letting small, faithful actions slowly reshape what you believe about yourself, is the most powerful, sustainable, and truly transformational path forward.

In this episode, discover:

Why habits are less about discipline and more about identityHow small, atomic actions quietly become evidence for who we?re becomingThe difference between forcing change and aligning with who you areWhy environment often matters more than motivation for long-term habit formationHow belief and behavior shape each other over time

This is a conversation for anyone who is ready to build consistent habits that actually stick. There?s no rush, no prescription?just an invitation to soften, to notice, and to remember that true transformation begins the moment you stop trying so hard to become someone else.

You can find James at: Website | The 3-2-1 Newsletter | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you'll also love the conversations we had with Seth Godin about identity, creativity, and choosing how you show up.

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Big dreams matter. But how we pursue them matters more.

You can honor where you've come from, hold live with self-compassion, and be grateful for what you have, and still yearn to accomplish big life-changing dreams, visions, or goals. The question is how? How to do we do this in a way that makes us feel more alive, more human, and also sets us up for true success?

In this episode, Jonathan explores a radically different, practical approach to achieving big, meaningful dreams, visions, and goals that honors the life you?re actually living, and comes from a mindset of wholeness and abundance, rather than lack, shame, or pain. 

This conversation offers a humane, sustainable reframe for ambition called Success Scaffolding that allows you to keep growing without tying your worth, happiness, or nervous system to the next win.

In this episode, discover:

? The Happiness Delay Trap: Why achievement so often fails to deliver lasting fulfillment, and how the ?I?ll be happy when?? mindset keeps moving the finish line.

? Why Goals Collapse After Motivation Fades: How real life, not lack of discipline, is usually what derails even the most meaningful intentions.

? Success Scaffolding: A practical, science-informed framework for building goals that can actually survive a human life.

? The Seven Elements That Make Growth Sustainable: How to design goals with structure, support, flexibility, and compassion, without pressure or self-criticism.

? Enough as the Fuel for Growth: Why grounding your goals in worthiness, not scarcity, leads to more resilience, creativity, and follow-through.

? A Kinder Way Forward: Simple practices to help you stay in relationship with what matters, especially when you wobble.

This episode is an invitation to stop blaming yourself for not feeling satisfied by success, and to start building goals that support who you already are, rather than asking you to become someone else first.

You don?t need to earn your okay-ness. You need a powerful, agile, structure that can hold your life and fuel your dreams.

Episode Transcript

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Stop outsourcing your peace. Feeling better is an inside job.

We often feel exhausted, not because life is so difficult (which it can be), but because our minds are full of old wounds, unresolved feelings, self-destructive stories, and subconscious rules that secretly run the show?and leave us empty. In this episode, Jonathan sits down with acclaimed spiritual teacher and 19-time bestselling author, Iyanla Vanzant, to explore a radically practical idea: spiritual hygiene.

Drawing from her new book Spiritual Hygiene: A Practical Path for Clean Living, Inner Authority, and Divine Freedom, Iyanla offers a grounded, compassionate framework for clearing emotional residue, reclaiming inner authority, and tending to your inner life with the same care you give your outer one.

In this episode, discover:

? The hidden inner rulers like fear, shame, and unforgiveness that quietly shape behavior, identity, and decision making.

? Why we feel spiritually congested, and how constant reliance on external fixes keeps us disconnected from our own inner power.

? What spiritual hygiene actually looks like as a daily practice, not a belief system, and why small, consistent acts matter more than dramatic breakthroughs.

? How to reclaim inner authority without fixing, forcing, or bypassing pain, and why presence is often more powerful than effort.

? A gentler path to healing that does not require perfection, years of struggle, or becoming someone new before you begin.

This is a conversation about cleaning from the inside out. About creating space for clarity, honesty, and peace. And about remembering that your inner life is not something to outsource, avoid, or conquer, but something to care for with intention and respect.

You can find Iyanla at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with Thema Bryant about healing trauma and reclaiming your true self.

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You are not behind. How to find enough right now.

We've all played the "I'll be happy when..." game, constantly moving the goalpost and living in the anxiety of "not enough yet." In this episode, Jonathan challenges the myth that you have to "fix" yourself or acquire "more" to feel worthy of a good life.

He offers a counter-cultural approach to setting your intentions: making this The Year of Enough, a radical internal commitment that your current self is a valid starting point for growth.

In this episode, discover:

The "Happiness Delay": Why achieving big goals often fails to deliver lasting contentment, and how to get off the hedonic treadmill.Enough is the fuel for growth: A new definition of enough that is the opposite of settling, but instead frees you from the pressure of "not being enough," while still honoring your desire to growth and achieve big, meaningful things.Three Practices for Sufficiency: Simple daily and weekly exercises (like The "Already" List and The "What's Not Wrong?" Check-In) to gently train your nervous system to register moments of peace and contentment.The Inverse Resolution: A powerful subtraction technique: what to intentionally stop doing this year to create spaciousness, joy, and peace.

This is a quiet, powerful invitation to stop postponing your okay-ness and to let your goals flow from a place of belonging, not desperation.

Episode Transcript

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If you LOVED this episode:

You can find the 1-page worksheet HERE.Find all of the New Year three-part mini-series episodes.

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Samin Nosrat on taking back your life, overcoming overwhelm, and redefining success. A candid conversation about joy, grief, rebellion, rest, food, and what actually sustains us when achievement isn?t enough.

In this soul-stirring conversation about her new book "Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love," the Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat creator offers a masterclass in how small rituals can become profound acts of love, and why letting go of striving might be the key to finding what we're all really hungry for.

You can find Samin at: Website | Instagram | Home Cooking podcast | a grain of salt substack | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with Samin about her journey from anxiety and depression to finding joy through food, writing, and community at Chez Panisse. Her earlier visit also offers a wonderful complement to today's conversation.

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New Year?s resolutions fail, not because of discipline, but because the system is broken. In this episode, Jonathan Fields introduces The Unresolution, a calmer, more reliable way to change that replaces rigid promises with fun and forgiving experiments, kind reflection, and compassion. This episode is for anyone who wants genuine growth without burnout, shame, or starting over yet again.

Episode Transcript

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If you LOVED this episode:

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Showing up as your true self is terrifying, but it?s also the unlock key for so much of what makes your life good. Through powerful stories and research-backed insights, this conversation reveals why showing up as your real self unlocks extraordinary possibilities, and how embracing imperfection creates deeper connections than striving for perfection ever could. Whether you're leading a team, raising children, or pursuing creative work, you'll discover practical tools for choosing courage over comfort and building genuine connections in a world that often fears being real.

You can find Brené at: Website | Instagram | Brené's Podcasts | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with Elizabeth Gilbert about bringing your whole self to your life.

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You don?t have to erase yourself to feel more alive. Nor do you have to deny your past or who you truly are. What if the secret to real transformation isn't becoming someone new, but understanding who you already are? This episode challenges the "clean slate" myth of New Year's change, revealing why treating your past as valuable data rather than baggage unlocks genuine, lasting growth.

Episode Transcript

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If you LOVED this episode:

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Are you tired of never feeling good enough? In this insightful Best of conversation, psychologist Ellen Hendriksen, author of How to Be Enough: Self-Acceptance for Self-Critics and Perfectionists, shares strategies to escape the perfectionism trap. 

Learn how to pursue excellence without harsh self-criticism, shift from rigid rules to living by your core values, and make room for imperfection - allowing you to live the life you truly want.

You can find Ellen at: Website | Instagram | How to Be Good to Yourself When You're Hard on Yourself Substack | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with Ellen about overcoming social anxiety.

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How I made peace with the sound in my head, turned my inner tormentor into one of my greatest teachers, learned to live with uncertainty, and tamed relentless anxiety.

Through his story, Jonathan reveals how an unexpected approach became not just his salvation but a powerful tool for living well amid uncertainty, offering listeners both inspiration and practical guidance?including a special guided meditation practice to bring peace and open your heart.

Episode Transcript

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What if the shame you carry isn't just from one event, but layers of experiences that typical healing approaches can't touch?

Dr. Zoe Shaw reveals why some people remain trapped in patterns of shame despite outward success, and shares a revolutionary framework for healing what she calls "complex shame" from her book "Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame." Learn why traditional advice about vulnerability sometimes falls short, how shame lives in your body, and practical steps to transform your relationship with yourself and others.

You can find Zoe at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with Lori Gottlieb about understanding your emotional narratives and rewriting the stories you live by.

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Toy designer and RISD professor Cas Holman shows how rediscovering play can help adults build resilience, spark creativity, and forge deeper connections in an achievement-focused world.

In this revealing conversation about her book "Playful: How Play Shifts Our Thinking, Inspires Connection, and Sparks Creativity," Holman shares practical ways to embrace uncertainty through play and explains why putting down our phones might be the first step toward reclaiming our natural capacity for joy.

You can find Cas at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with Debbie Millman about designing a life through creativity and story.

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From breakthrough AI diagnostics to personalized immunotherapy treatments, cancer care is undergoing a revolution that's already saving lives.

Dr. Ross Levine, Chief Scientific Officer at Memorial Sloan Kettering, shares how new technologies are helping doctors detect cancer earlier, treat it more effectively, and transform what was once untreatable into manageable conditions. Whether you're navigating cancer personally or professionally, this conversation offers crucial insights into the future of medicine and why there's unprecedented hope in cancer treatment today.

You can find Ross at: Website | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, don't miss a single conversation in our Future of Medicine series, airing every Monday through December. Follow Good Life Project wherever you listen to podcasts to catch them all.

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What if the secret to a stronger relationship is breaking the "rules" everyone says you should follow?

In this paradigm-shifting conversation, renowned therapist Stephanie Yates-Anyabwile reveals why sleeping apart, living separately, and other unconventional choices might actually deepen your connection. Learn why preventative relationship work matters more than crisis management, how to navigate family resistance to unconventional choices, and why giving your partner "the benefit of the doubt" could transform your relationship.

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with Julie and John Gottman about the science of lasting love and what makes relationships truly thrive.

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Imagine a tattoo that changes color to warn you of health issues, or a watch that knows you're getting sick before you do.

In this fascinating episode, we explore breakthrough biosensor technology with Imperial College's Ali Yetisen and precision medicine pioneer Michael Snyder, who reveal how real-time health monitoring is transforming from science fiction to reality. Learn how new technologies like smart tattoos, wearable devices, and advanced blood testing are revolutionizing healthcare, shifting us from treating illness to preventing it entirely through continuous, personalized health tracking.

Episode Transcript

You can find Michael at: Website

You can find Ali at: Website

If you LOVED this episode, don't miss a single conversation in our Future of Medicine series, airing every Monday through December. Follow Good Life Project wherever you listen to podcasts to catch them all.

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Three wisdom-keepers reveal how to navigate life's most devastating losses and emerge transformed.

Death doula Alua Arthur, grief therapist Claire Bidwell Smith, and community builder Cyndie Spiegel share powerful insights on finding meaning after loss, creating healing rituals, and discovering unexpected moments of joy even in darkness. Learn practical tools for processing grief, supporting others through loss, and transforming pain into deeper connection with life.

Episode Transcript

You can find Alua at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Alua

You can find Claire at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Claire

You can find Cyndie at: Website | Dear Grown Ass Women | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Cyndie

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Discover how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing heart disease prevention and treatment with Dr. Ami Bhatt, Chief Innovation Officer at the American College of Cardiology.

From AI-powered early detection tools to personalized risk prediction, learn how new technologies are making quality cardiac care more accessible while preserving the essential human element of medicine. Dr. Bhatt shares fascinating insights about the innovations transforming cardiovascular health today and her vision for even more remarkable advances coming in the next five years.

You can find Ami at: Website | LinkedIn | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, don't miss a single conversation in our Future of Medicine series, airing every Monday through December. Follow Good Life Project wherever you listen to podcasts to catch them all.

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In this soul-stirring conversation, bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert reveals the transformative practice of "Letters from Love" - a simple yet profound writing ritual that helped her emerge from her darkest moments and has since touched thousands of lives.

Liz shares how to access unconditional love through pen and paper, offering a practical pathway to self-compassion that cuts through the noise of self-judgment and opens the door to genuine self-acceptance.

You can find Liz at: Website | Letters From Love with Elizabeth Gilbert | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with Elizabeth Gilbert about navigating love and loss and finding lightness again.

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From punk rock revolutionary to bridge-builder, Grammy winner Ani DiFranco reveals how being canceled by her own community transformed her approach to activism and art.

This intimate conversation explores how to maintain fierce convictions while fostering revolutionary love, featuring vulnerable insights about evolving activism, DIY independence, and creating change through music and dialogue in an age of deepening divides.

Watch this conversation on YouTube

You can find Ani at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with Zoe Boekbinder, joined by Ani DiFranco and Nathen Brown, about The Prison Music Project?a powerful collaboration born inside New Folsom Prison that became the album Long Time Gone, produced by Ani and featuring songs written with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated musicians.

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What if AI could help solve medicine's biggest blind spots?

Harvard Medical School researcher Dr. Charlotte Blease reveals why doctors can only keep up with 2% of new medical research and how artificial intelligence could transform healthcare for both patients and providers. Drawing from her new book Dr Bot: Why Doctors Can Fail and How AI Could Save Lives, she shares fascinating insights about the future of medical care.

Part of the Future of Medicine series exploring innovations reshaping healthcare as we know it.

You can find Charlotte at: Dr Bot Substack | Website | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, don't miss a single conversation in our Future of Medicine series, airing every Monday through December. Follow Good Life Project wherever you listen to podcasts to catch them all.

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In this deeply personal episode, Jonathan Fields reveals the transformative results of his two-year, 2x20 Project?experiment?an intentional journey of reinvention designed to set up the next 20 years of his life.

Through candid reflections on hands-on creativity, meaningful connections, and confronting long-held fears, Jonathan shares how this structured yet fluid approach to life redesign has led to unexpected breakthroughs and a clearer vision of what it means to live authentically.

Links mentioned in this episode: 

A Surprisingly Simple Way to Heal Chronic Pain that ACTUALLY Works? | Nicole Sachs, LCSWWhy Secrets Wreck Us: a Science-backed Practice to Reveal and Heal | James W. PennebakerLearn more about the 2x20 Experience? here.

Episode Transcript

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What if we could spot disease decades before symptoms appear? Dr. Eric Topol, one of medicine's most influential voices, reveals how new AI-powered diagnostics and precision treatments are revolutionizing the way we prevent disease and extend healthy lifespans.

In this illuminating conversation from our Future of Medicine series, discover the science behind "super agers" who stay sharp and active into their 80s and beyond, plus practical strategies you can implement today, as shared in his new book, Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity.

You can find Eric at: Ground Truths Substack | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, don't miss a single conversation in our Future of Medicine series, airing every Monday through December. Follow Good Life Project wherever you listen to podcasts to catch them all.

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From an anxiety-filled first date involving 100 tacos to becoming a trusted voice for millions, Elyse Myers shares how embracing her authentic self: quirks, struggles, and all, led to unexpected connection and community.

In this candid conversation about her new book, That's a Great Question, I'd Love to Tell You, she reveals practical strategies for managing anxiety, setting boundaries, and building genuine relationships while in the public eye. Learn how vulnerability became her superpower and why being exactly who you are might be the key to everything you're looking for.

You can find Elyse at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with Prentis Hemphill about embodiment, healing, and what it means to truly belong.

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Learn how tiny habits can transform your life from the inside out in this spotlight conversation.

Discover Mel Robbins' shockingly simple "High Five Habit" to flood your body with confidence chemicals. Learn James Clear's step-by-step system from Atomic Habits for turning small routines into remarkable growth. And get Nicole Vignola's neuroplasticity toolkit to rewire your brain and break free from limiting beliefs.

Episode Transcript

You can find Mel at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Mel

You can find James at: Website | The 3-2-1 Newsletter | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with James

You can find Nicole at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Nicole

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What if your teenager's emotional storms and late-night worries aren't problems to fix, but signs of healthy development?

Lisa Damour, Ph.D., author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents, joins two parents for an intimate conversation that flips conventional wisdom about raising teens and young adults on its head. Together, we explore surprising truths about perfectionism, emotional development, and maintaining connection with kids who seem to be pulling away, offering practical strategies for parents navigating these challenging yet transformative years.

You can find Lisa at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with David Yeager about inspiring young people through the mentor mindset.

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Transform anxiety into calm, stress into clarity, and disconnection into deep presence through the one tool you already have complete mastery over: your breath.

In this illuminating conversation, conscious breathing pioneer Jessica Dibb shares powerful yet simple techniques from her book, Breathwork and Psychotherapy: Clinical Applications for Healing and Transformation, that can shift your state more effectively than coffee or wine. Learn how this most basic human function becomes a universal bridge across divides and a pathway to accessing your deepest potential, all through a practice that takes just minutes a day.

You can find Jessica at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with James Nestor about the transformative power of breath.

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Parker Palmer shares how three seasons of profound depression led him to a surprising discovery about authentic living and finding your true calling.

Through intimate stories of his journey from academic to activist to spiritual teacher, Palmer reveals why embracing our shadows and letting go of who we "should be" opens the door to who we truly are. His gentle wisdom offers hope and practical guidance for anyone questioning their path, facing inner darkness, or seeking to live with greater purpose and meaning.

You can find Parker at: Website | Facebook | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with Sharon Salzberg about mindfulness, lovingkindness, and inner resilience.

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Forget everything you think you know about aging.

In this eye-opening conversation, gerontologist Dr. Kerry Burnight reveals why your genes only determine 25% of how you'll age, and how your mindset about getting older can add or subtract 7 years from your life. Drawing from her NYT bestseller, Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life's Second Half, Dr. Burnight shares four science-backed strategies to create not just a longer life, but one filled with meaning, connection, and genuine joy at any age.

You can find Kerry at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with Karen Walrond about embracing aging with possibility and power. 

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When New York Times bestselling author Tembi Locke faced sending her only child to college, she created what she calls a "college moon" - a transformative journey through Sicily that offers fresh wisdom for anyone navigating major life transitions.

In her new audio memoir, Someday, Now: A Memoir of Family, Reclaiming Possibility, and One Sicilian Summer, Locke shares intimate insights about blending families after loss, finding presence during change, and how the places we love can become anchors for our well-being.

You can find Tembi at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with Suleika Jaouad about turning illness and upheaval into creative meaning and wonder.

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Every choice you make today is rewiring your brain, shaping not just how you think and feel, but who you become.

In this fascinating conversation, Dr. Austin Perlmutter, author of Brain Wash: Detox Your Mind for Clearer Thinking, Deeper Relationships, and Lasting Happiness, reveals how modern life disrupts our brain chemistry and shares simple, science-backed strategies to enhance cognitive function, improve decision-making, and protect against mental decline. Learn why resistance training is crucial for brain health, which foods help make better decisions, and how to set up your environment to make healthy choices automatic rather than exhausting.

You can find Austin at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you?ll also love the conversations we had with Adam Grant about rethinking what we think we know.

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Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.