This one’s different. In this special year-end episode, I answer your questions—from the deep stuff about purpose and motivation, to the uncomfortable realities of change, burnout, failure, and dealing with unsupportive family. I also share the behind-the-scenes chaos of building SOLVED this year, what I learned about making massive, meaningful content, and what’s coming in 2026 (spoiler: boundaries, ego, and maybe some live shows).

This is part personal, part philosophical, and part therapy session disguised as a podcast. If you’ve been wondering what’s next—or why you feel stuck—this one’s for you. See you in 2026.

- Ready to stop listening to podcasts and actually start taking action? Join the Solved Community, a group of like-minded people who are taking small steps every day to make big changes in their lives: https://solvedpodcast.com/qa

- Sign up for my newsletter, Your Next Breakthrough. It will help make you a less awful person: ⁠https://markmanson.net/breakthrough⁠

- Get clarity on what actually matters. Try Purpose, Mark's AI mentor app that learns your patterns, challenges your blind spots, and helps you take action. Get 7 days free at ⁠⁠https://www.purpose.app⁠⁠

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:13) Recap of 2025

(03:42) What if I don't have a single purpose?

(06:07) Why don't I feel a strong need for purpose?

(08:32) How do I find purpose when doing things I don't find important?

(12:34) I'm having issues on getting motivated on one thing

(19:35) What if my family doesn't support my purpose?

(23:15) I'm struggling with the idea that purpose must be bigger than yourself

(26:04) How Mark got Purpose AI to work

(32:55) Questions from YouTube

(33:13) How do you change yourself?

(36:43) Finding meaning after AI takeover

(44:01) What would a Models rewrite look like today?

(48:19) Mark's first heartbreak

(54:31) What would Mark put on Voyager 1?

(57:35) Self-doubt on something you make

(1:02:12) Mark's next book?

(1:03:38) Tours around the world

(1:05:55) Goals for 2026

(1:08:14) Podcast changes for 2026

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