In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Mark Manson, bestselling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, to talk about suffering, creativity, and what it really takes to find meaningful work. We dive into the paradox of avoiding pain, why some struggles are worth it, and how Mark discovered that writing—not music—was his true calling. We also geek out on content creation, the power of differentiation, and the business of being a creator. Mark opens up about the mistakes he made, the detours he took, and how he found his way back to what he truly loves. If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, self-doubt, or figuring out your path, this conversation is packed with insights that just might change the way you think about success.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction

(00:45) - The paradox of suffering

(02:05) - Finding meaningful struggles

(06:13) - The “shit sandwich” you don’t mind eating

(09:30) - Discovering your natural talents

(14:25) - When to push through vs. when to quit

(18:09) - Mark’s journey from music to writing

(24:21) - The myth of “finding your passion”

(28:47) - Secrets to creating engaging content

(33:19) - The power of being a “correct contrarian”

(37:14) - Social media as media, not social

344 - Why Avoiding Pain Creates More Pain - With Mark Manson

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