Mentally Stronger with Therapist Amy Morin

What if your pursuit of happiness is the very thing making you miserable? It sounds counterintuitive, right?

We live in a world obsessed with happiness. But chasing happiness is a trap.

On today’s episode, I’m breaking down why the pursuit of happiness often backfires and what you can do instead to build a life that feels truly fulfilling.

Some of the things I talk about are:

Why treating happiness like a goal sets you up for disappointment

The science behind the "happiness trap" and how it makes you lonelier

How hedonic adaptation keeps you chasing the next thing

Why embracing all your emotions—even the uncomfortable ones—leads to a richer life

Four things you can do to stop chasing happiness and start living meaningfully

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Related Episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

164 — 7 Science-Backed Ways to Boost Your Happiness

138 — 7 Things to Spend Money On if You Want to Be a Happier Person

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Do you feel like you’re constantly failing at work-life balance? Or maybe you’re tired of advice that tells you to optimize every second of your day and track every single habit? If you want a fresh, unconventional approach to building a life you love, this episode is for you.

My guest is Jonathan Goodman, the author of Unhinged Habits. He’s a fitness industry veteran who challenges the idea that slow and steady always wins the race. Instead, he explains why periods of intensity — followed by rest — are actually the key to transforming your life.

Some of the things we discuss are:

Why you should stop trying to balance money, health, and relationships simultaneously

The problem with trying to get "1% better every day"

How to use "seasons" of intensity to level up your life

The simple "Hats vs. Tattoos" rule for making faster decisions without regret

Why having fewer friends might actually make you happier and less lonely

How to create an "off-season checklist" so you don't feel guilty about the things you aren't focusing on right now

How to launch a "micro-season" to tackle your biggest goals in just 30 days

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Related Episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

276 — The 3 Habits That Will Make You Mentally Stronger in 2026⁠⁠⁠

260 - Temptation Bundling: The Science-Backed Trick to Make Habits Stick

Links & Resources

Unhinged Habits⁠

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How often do you walk away from an argument feeling exhausted and misunderstood? Most of us go into an argument wanting to win. But trying to convince someone that you are right and they are wrong will leave you feeling drained. It will likely damage your relationship. Fortunately, you can turn a battle into a productive conversation with just a few phrases.

Today, I’m sharing three simple sentences that can stop a conflict in its tracks. Whether you're arguing with your spouse, or you're sensing the tension at work, these three sentences can de-escalate things while also preserving your relationship.

Some of the things I talk about are:

What "emotional flooding" is and why it shuts down the logical part of your brain

How your brain’s "angry memories" can derail a conversation

The first sentence that forces you to pause and truly listen

Why validating someone's feelings doesn't mean you agree with them

The science behind how feeling understood calms the nervous system

One courageous sentence that breaks the blame game and invites accountability

How to use these three sentences together to turn conflict into resolution

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Related Episodes

195 — Stop Avoiding Conflict: The Secret to Building Stronger Relationships and a Stronger You with Dr. John Eliot

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠67 — Stop Trying to Fix Your Partner and Focus on Yourself

Links & Resources

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Do you feel like you’re just going through the motions? Or do you think you don't the time or energy to excel at anything? If you want to find more meaning and fulfillment without doing a cold plunge at 3 a.m., this episode is for you.

My guest is Brad Stulberg, a best-selling author and human performance expert. He explains that real excellence isn’t about hustle culture or becoming the best in the world. Instead, it’s about engaging in something worthwhile that aligns with your values.

Some of the things we discuss are:

The difference between real excellence and hustle culture

Why pursuing excellence leads to greater life satisfaction, not burnout

How to find something you're passionate about, even if you feel lost

The importance of connecting your goals to your core values

Why the things you work on also work on you

The role community plays in achieving your goals

How to stay motivated when you hit a plateau and stop seeing progress

Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mentally Stronger Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for exclusive content like weekly bonus episodes, mental strength challenges, and office hours with me.

Related Episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

167 — Mindset Hacks for Peak Performance with Performance Psychiatrist Dr. Brook Choulet

178 — 3 Simple Strategies for a Stronger Mindset

Links & Resources

⁠BradStulberg.com

⁠⁠The Way of Excellence⁠

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Function Health — Visit ⁠⁠functionhealth.com/stronger⁠⁠ or use gift code STRONGER25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.

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How often do you find yourself replaying a conversation in your head over and over? Or maybe you get caught in a spiral of imagining every possible worst-case scenario. You are definitely not alone—we all ruminate sometimes. But overthinking wastes your time and drains your mental strength.

Fortunately, you don't have to let your brain keep spiraling down an unhelpful path. Today, I’m sharing three simple words that will empower you to break the mental spiral so you don't stay stuck in your head.

Some of the things I talk about are:

Why thinking longer and harder about a problem actually creates tunnel vision

The real root cause of overthinking (it boils down to one specific feeling)

The exact 3-word phrase that stops a mental spiral in its tracks

How to use the "Choose Your Adventure" mindset to take control of your life

Why talking to yourself in the second person leads to better decisions

A simple 3-step strategy to move from autopilot to action today

Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mentally Stronger Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for exclusive content like weekly bonus episodes, mental strength challenges, and office hours with me.

Related Episodes

⁠⁠9 — How to Stop Overthinking

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠78 — How to Stop Ruminating on Negative Things and Start Enjoying Life

Links & Resources

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AirDoctor — Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today!

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