The #1 Reason You Aren’t Happy – Yet. | Mark Fabian

Is happiness the ultimate goal, or just a side effect of a life well-lived? This week, we’re joined by economist, philosopher, and author Mark Fabian to explore what it really means to pursue well-being. In Mark’s new book, Beyond Happiness, he challenges us to look at the modern obsession with ‘feeling good’, instead focusing on what we can do to ‘find our flow’ through self-actualization and living up to our core values.

We take a walk on the ‘hedonic treadmill’ (metaphorically) and explore why having endless choices might be more of a burden than a blessing, and how boredom and self-reflection might actually be beneficial and powerful tools we can use to discover what really matters to us. Through self-determination theory, philosophy, and personal experience, Mark guides us through the steps we can take to shift away from chasing happiness and towards creating a life they’re excited to wake up to.

Throughout the conversation, we dig into how identity is shaped by culture, emotional feedback, and the communities we participate in. Whether you’re curious about well-being, meaning, or how to live a more engaged life, this episode offers a fresh and nuanced roadmap to redefining what a “good life” truly looks like.

Want to watch this episode? Check it out on our YouTube Channel