What if the problem isn’t that you’re not happy enough — but that you’re chasing the wrong kind of happiness altogether?

Show Summary
On this episode  I’m joined by Dr Mark Fabian, Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Warwick and author of Beyond Happy: How to Rethink Happiness and Find Fulfillment.

Mark argues that our modern obsession with happiness often leads us astray, locking us into an endless cycle of striving without ever feeling satisfied. Drawing on insights from economics, psychology, philosophy, and ancient wisdom, he explains why we need to move beyond the shallow pursuit of happiness and focus instead on building lives of meaning, purpose, and community. We explore:

• How public policy gets wellbeing wrong.
• The limits of the self-help industry and why quick fixes don’t work.
• What ancient wisdom — from Stoicism to folklore — teaches us about a fulfilling life.
• Why understanding yourself is the first step to escaping the hedonic treadmill.
• How to embrace the emotional side of life in a world that overvalues rationality.

Whether you’re looking for a better way to think about happiness, or practical ideas to rethink your life, this episode has something for you.

About Mark
Mark is an Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Warwick. His research focuses on wellbeing, public policy design, psychology, and philosophy.

His new book, Beyond Happy: How to Rethink Happiness and Find Fulfillment., offers a fresh perspective on what it means to live a good life in the 21st century.

Links

• Beyond Happy: How to Rethink Happiness and Find Fulfilment by Mark Fabian → HarperCollins 
  
  
• Mark's official website → markfabian.com (Google Sites)
• His University of Warwick profile → warwick.ac.uk
• Bennett Institute at Cambridge → bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk
• ePODstemology podcast → Buzzsprout
• Studio Ghibli films (e.g. Princess Mononoke) → studioghibli.com.au
• Martin Shaw’s Smoke Hole Sessions → Apple Podcasts
• Atomic Habits by James Clear → jamesclear.com

AI-Generated Timestamp Summary
[00:00:00] Introduction to Mark Fabian and the concept of Beyond Happy

[00:03:00] Why public policy fails to support true wellbeing

[00:07:00] The hedonic treadmill and limits of chasing happiness

[00:10:00] How ancient wisdom and ritual can reframe modern life

[00:15:00] Critique of the self-help industry and overuse of “science-backed” hacks

[00:20:00] Emotional signals and the importance of listening to yourself

[00:25:00] Identity formation and the value of working out what drives you

[00:32:00] Emotional intelligence and the power of asking for care

[00:39:00] Self-actualisation as a social process, not a solo journey

[00:46:00] Writing the book and the personal transformation it brought

[00:53:00] The role of culture, community, and myth in shaping values

[00:57:00] Final reflections on empathy, cooperation, and the future of fulfilment