Happy, Not Satisfied

And we're back! The Happy, Not Satisfied podcast was on a brief (not so brief) hiatus.

A few months ago, we were convinced we needed to move.

What started as a search for a different house eventually became a much deeper lesson about stress, perspective, and the hidden cost of constantly trying to optimize our lives.

In this episode, Ellie and I unpack the experience of putting our home on the market, why we thought a move would solve our discomfort, and what we learned when we ultimately decided to stay. We discuss how easy it is to mistake a difficult season for a permanent problem, why "I'll be happy once..." thinking can be so seductive, and how stress can distort the way we see the things that matter most.

We also explore the tension between ambition and contentment, the difference between building a better life and endlessly searching for one, and how to recognize when you're making decisions through what we call "foggy glasses."

If you've ever found yourself convinced that a new job, a new house, a new city, or a major life change would finally make everything feel right, this conversation might help you pause long enough to ask an important question:

Am I seeing this clearly?

Topics include:
• The hidden cost of constant optimization
• Why difficult seasons often create misleading conclusions
• The danger of "I'll be happy once..." thinking
• Stress, perspective, and decision-making
• Learning to appreciate what you already have
• How to know when it's time to make a change—and when it's time to wait

Substack article: https://happynotsatisfied.substack.com/p/looking-at-life-through-foggy-glasses

Dan and Ellie Morrison unpack the moments when we don’t feel ready, motivated, or confident—and why those are the moments that matter most. From creative ruts to personal roadblocks, they explore how doing it anyway isn’t just an act of discipline—it’s a rebellion against fear, perfectionism, and playing small.

HNS Founder Dan Morrison was denied admission to every business school he applied to, including the one he ultimately attended. Hear his story of how he became UNDENIED!

www.happynotsatisfied.com

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Lorenzo Gomez III is a community builder, author, and public speaker who draws from his personal and professional experiences to inspire others. A former director at Rackspace Technology, Gomez is a key player in the development of San Antonio’s downtown entrepreneurial ecosystem.

He is currently a Partner at Confluence Capital, a commercial real estate firm focused on developing micro-districts in San Antonio's urban core.

During Gomez’s four years as chairman and CEO of Geekdom, San Antonio’s premier collaborative startup community, Geekdom companies raised more than $422M in funding and its startups have created 2,489 jobs.

A trusted advisor to Graham Weston, co-founder of Rackspace Technology, Gomez helped shape Weston’s 80|20 Foundation, which invests in San Antonio’s future by issuing grants to public charities that attract, grow, and retain San Antonio’s future workforce and job-creating entrepreneurs.

Gomez has authored four books: Cilantro Diaries, Tafolla Toro, The Rack We Built, and The Bully in Your Pocket. All four are Amazon best sellers and two are winners of the 2021 International Latino Book Awards.

Lorenzo’s driving passion is his love for his hometown, San Antonio, Texas. His goal is to recreate for every San Antonian the opportunities the startup world has provided him in this city on the rise.

https://lorenzogomez.com/

https://www.happynotsatisfied.com/

Michael Phelps is considered by many to be the greatest athlete of all time. Yet, he has been open about his struggles with happiness and mental health. Join us as we discuss how achievements, winning, and accomplishing goals cannot provide sustainable and ever-lasting joy. Checking items off a list is great, but it's not enough.

An anniversary party that’s a little too far away, a workout that calls for max effort, a work opportunity that doesn’t pay well but could provide future opportunities…do we avoid these things because they’re actually wrong for us, or because on some level they just scare us?

Dan and Ellie dive into the value of going outside your comfort zone to create opportunities and build meaningful relationships.

www.happynotsatisfied.com

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Substack

Can you think of someone whose identity is defined by negativity? You know what you are going to get when you ask a question, make a comment, or even try to compliment them: glass half empty, languishing, vitriol…major Eeyore vibes.

Has this ever been you? It has certainly been us. We explore the "addiction to misery" in this episode, expanding from a topic in a recent substack article, and sharing some thoughts on how to get yourself out of the negative feedback loop if you can relate.

Join the conversation:

HNS Substack

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HNS website

Andy Muir is the CFO of Kim Kardashian's super-startup SKIMS, and she is the former CFO of Nike's Jordan Brand. She is a brilliant thought leader and culture creator with an inspiring story and take on life.

Her episode originally aired in 2023 and is one of the most popular episodes of HNS to date! Here it is again for those who missed it (or those who want to listen again!).

Peter J. Holt is the managing partner of the San Antonio Spurs, CEO of Holt Group, and managing partner of Iron Spring Venture Capital.

In this episode, Peter delves into the profound connection between sports and the philosophy of being happy, not satisfied. He shares personal stories from his journey with the Spurs, including the early challenges his family faced to keep the team in San Antonio in the 1990s, the values that drive the organization, and how they measure success beyond just winning championships, but by always doing "the next right thing."

Peter's insights on maintaining a positive impact, focusing on long-term goals, and finding joy in everyday efforts offer valuable lessons not only for sports enthusiasts but for anyone striving for growth and fulfillment in their own lives.

Melissa Unsell-Smith is a serial entrepreneur who has built two software companies, including a successful bootstrapped, multi-million dollar software company. Melissa's newest venture, Catalytic Icon, elevates female entrepreneurs by awakening their worth and talents.

In this episode, we discuss the, "I'll be happy once I..." mindset and how it led Melissa to an awakening and adjustment in how she would define personal and professional success. 

We discuss the truth behind the idea that, "there is no end" to our growth, the power of stepping outside of our comfort zone, and the futility of worrying about outcomes rather than finding ways to enjoy the processes and routines within our daily lives. Melissa shares her view on the connection between physical wellness and mental health, emphasizing the importance of self-care practices that have helped her find peace in recent years. 

Learn more about Melissa at https://www.instagram.com/melissaunsellsmith/ and visit her website https://www.catalyticicon.com/