Episode 628: Smart people are happy (understanding intelligence) episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 5, 2026 · 13 MIN

Episode 628: Smart people are happy (understanding intelligence)

from PsycHacks · host Orion Taraban

Contrary to popular belief, smart people are happy because they successfully apply their intelligence to the problem of their own happiness and fulfillment. Understanding intelligence as the ability to solve problems allows us to remove this construct from the academic realm. I discuss why the need to be “right” can distract us from building a life worth living, and how to direct our thinking toward the problems that really matter. Join my community: The Captains' Quarters. Attend bimonthly group consultations where I respond to members' questions and work through their problems in real time. Participate in AMAs with notable guests, access nearly 100 hours of unpublished content, receive discounts on individual consultations, gain a community of supportive, like-minded individuals, and much more. Use this link to enlist: https://the-captains-quarters.mn.co Access me 24/7 with Orion AI: Trained on my entire body of work, Orion AI allows me to weigh in on your situation in real time. Bridge the gap between theory and execution with actionable, personalized advice. Text or talk in over 70 languages. Available on Telegram and iMessage. Start your free trial today: https://oriontaraban.ai Buy my book, "The Value of Others" Ebook: https://amzn.to/460uGrA Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3YfFwbx Paperback: https://amzn.to/3xQuIFK Buy my book, "Starry Night" Ebook: https://amzn.to/4qJrh9U Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3LuUJRS Paperback: https://amzn.to/4sGcqOY Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com Social Media TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oriontaraban Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/psyc.hacks Twitter: https://twitter.com/oriontaraban Website: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com Orion's Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrXBzQ2HDEQ Thinking of going to grad school? Check out STELLAR, my top-rated GRE self-study program based on the world's only empirically-validated test prep system. Use the code "PSYCH" for 10% off all membership plans: https://stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. GRE Bites: https://www.youtube.com/@grebites4993 Become a Psychonaut and join PsycHack's member community: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSduXBjCHkLoo_y9ss2xzXw/join Sound mixing/editing by: valntinomusic.com Presented by Orion Taraban, Psy.D. PsycHacks provides viewers with a brief, thought-provoking video several days a week on a variety of psychological topics, inspired by his clinical practice. The intention is for the core idea contained within each video to inspire viewers to see something about themselves or their world in a slightly different light. The ultimate mission of the channel is to reduce the amount of unnecessary suffering in the world. #psychology #happy #smart

Contrary to popular belief, smart people are happy because they successfully apply their intelligence to the problem of their own happiness and fulfillment. Understanding intelligence as the ability to solve problems allows us to remove this construct from the academic realm. I discuss why the need to be “right” can distract us from building a life worth living, and how to direct our thinking toward the problems that really matter. Join my community: https://the-captains-quarters.mn.co Buy my book, ”The Value of Others” Ebook: https://amzn.to/460uGrA Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3YfFwbx Paperback: https://amzn.to/3xQuIFK Buy my book, ”Starry Night” Ebook: https://amzn.to/4qJrh9U Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3LuUJRS Paperback: https://amzn.to/4sGcqOY Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com Social Media TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oriontaraban Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/psyc.hacks Twitter: https://twitter.com/oriontaraban Website: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com Orion’s Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrXBzQ2HDEQ Thinking of going to grad school? Check out STELLAR, my top-rated GRE self-study program based on the world’s only empirically-validated test prep system. Use the code ”PSYCH” for 10% off all membership plans: https://stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. GRE Bites: https://www.youtube.com/@grebites4993 Become a Psychonaut and join PsycHack’s member community: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSduXBjCHkLoo_y9ss2xzXw/join Sound mixing/editing by: valntinomusic.com Presented by Orion Taraban, Psy.D. PsycHacks provides viewers with a brief, thought-provoking video several days a week on a variety of psychological topics, inspired by his clinical practice. The intention is for the core idea contained within each video to inspire viewers to see something about themselves or their world in a slightly different light. The ultimate mission of the channel is to reduce the amount of unnecessary suffering in the world. #psychology #happy #smart

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Episode 628: Smart people are happy (understanding intelligence)

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This episode is 13 minutes long.

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This episode was published on June 5, 2026.

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Contrary to popular belief, smart people are happy because they successfully apply their intelligence to the problem of their own happiness and fulfillment. Understanding intelligence as the ability to solve problems allows us to remove this...

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