Solved, Answers: Finding Purpose, Failing Better, and the AI Future
Description
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
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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