How to Use Our Amazing Brains in Our Longing for Meaning
In our second episode, we talk to Dr. Jessica Stern, a Child and Adolescent Psychologist. She has spent many hours sitting with people, helping them sort through what is true in their life, and guiding them as they name what they want to be true.
We asked Dr. Stern to help us discuss passion and the longing for meaningful work. In this conversation, we cover passion projects, the drive to make a difference in the world, what drives people on a journey to create – like this podcast – and why people often fail in their endeavors.
It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to pursue projects of passion. Dr. Stern helps us unpack the components of modern privilege, both in time and resources. These things put us in a position to create and build – whether it’s a new business, a non-profit, or a podcast.
What is this “itch” many of us get — the itch to venture out into new projects, often propelled by the question “am I doing enough?”
This is a great conversation. We hope you enjoy it! And make sure to throw us some stars!
You can find the transcript for this episode here. Find transcripts for all episodes here.
Question of the Day
What is the greater good you focus on that helps you rise above the scarcity mindset? Where are you helping others in a way that fuels you rather than depletes you? Who are the people living lives you’d like to emulate?
Share some of your ideas in the comments below
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Links From the Episode
JessicaSternMD.com : Dr. Jessica Stern’s website
VeryWell Mind gives an overview of Erik Erikson: Psychosocial Development
Khan Academy teaches Erik Erikson: Psychosocial Development
The Last Dance Documentary on the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan
How I Built This podcast with host Guy Raz
Armchair Expert podcast with host Dax Shepard
WTF podcast with host Mark Maron
Career Rocket Fuel: Whether You’re a Millennial of Eyeing Retirement, Here’s What You Really Need to Get Right About Work
Music by Hygge – “Quarantrap“. Please follow her on SoundCloud
Books
Atomic Habits by James Clear
The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris and Steven Hayes
The Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt
Disconnected by Thomas Kersting
Rare Air by Mark Vancil
Episode Highlights
[4:09] Modern privileges in self exploration
[5:33] Definition of the scarcity mindset
[6:58] Numbing out our lives
[9:27] The importance of helping the team understand the bigger picture
[12:04] Is it okay to pursue passion in our work?
[14:22] Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Development theory
[21:28] What should we do to zero in our passions
[24:11] 3 steps to get started identify your passions
[27:19] Make decisions with values first rather than emotions first
[29:54] Book recommendations
[35:29] Perpetual feelings of not doing enough
[37:38] The third dimension in our career: time
[39:11] What Dr. Stern likes about Jake
The Interesting Lives of Normal People is a regular conversation with someone interesting. Our job is to ask good questions with a belief that on the other side of being asked good questions, everyone has a great story we can learn from.
