SOLVED with Mark Manson

Finding Your Purpose, Solved


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This is the episode I’ve been waiting to make for a long time. Purpose has been at the core of everything I’ve written and done for over a decade—and in this episode, we go all the way down the rabbit hole. From Viktor Frankl surviving Auschwitz to the myth of “finding your one true purpose,” we break down what purpose really is, why you feel lost without it, and how you can build it into your life.

We also get uncomfortable (in the best way) and talk about the dark side of purpose—how it can burn you out, trap you in toxic ambition, or become an excuse to ruin your life.

And I have a very special announcement to make: Today, I’m launching a new app called Purpose. It’s an AI-powered mentor for personal growth. You talk to it about whatever you’re facing—stress, decisions, conflicts, goals—and it helps you make sense of things. Purpose listens, reflects back what matters most, and turns big challenges into small, actionable steps. The more you use it, the more personalized and helpful it becomes.

  • Get started in the app with a free course on finding your purpose at https://purpose.app/solved
  • We also put together a free companion guide for this episode with takeaways and tools to help you get your sh*t together once and for all. Download it here: https://solvedpodcast.com/purpose
  • Chapters:

    (17:20) CHAPTER 1: Foundations: What Is Purpose?

    (45:34) CHAPTER 2: Philosophical & Historical Perspectives on Purpose

    (1:31:26)CHAPTER 3: The Psychology of Purpose

    (2:08:13) CHAPTER 4: The Four Stages of Life

    (2:31:33) CHAPTER 5: The Dark Side of Purpose

    (3:07:25) CHAPTER 6: Finding and Cultivating Purpose

    (3:36:56) CHAPTER 7: Finding Purpose in Work (or Not)

    (4:09:14) CHAPTER 8: Practical Tools and Frameworks

    (4:24:48) CHAPTER 9: The 80/20 of Living with Purpose

    Follow Mark

    Mark’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/markmanson

    Solved IG: https://www.instagram.com/solvedpodcast/

    Twitter: https://x.com/markmanson

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmanson/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IAmMarkManson

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    SOLVED with Mark MansonBy Mark Manson

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