EPISODE · Jan 26, 2026 · 1H 23M
How to Create a Meaningful Life with Brad Stulberg
from Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson · host Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson
Top performance coach and author Brad Stulberg joins Forrest to reframe and reclaim excellence. Brad explains how real excellence - involved engagement with something you care about - is the healthy middle path between over-the-top hustle-culture and detached nonchalance. They discuss the current culture of pseudo-excellence, the risks and rewards of caring deeply, how modern life can derail us, and how the real prize is the person you become while trying to reach your goals. Brad shares practical tools to build the habit of excellence: clear aims, micro-milestones, consistency over intensity, constraint-based discipline, and connection. About our Guest: Brad is a regular contributor at the New York Times, the co-host of the Excellence, Actually podcast, and on faculty at the University of Michigan’s Graduate School of Public Health. He’s also the author of a number of books, including The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World. Key Topics: 0:00: Life feels better when we’re “trying well” 1:56: What does Brad mean by excellence? 3:42: What excellence is not 5:06: Staying on the path: how to keep going when results are slow 11:56: Excellence vs. skill 21:10: The Nonchalance Epidemic 27:29: Building your “identity house” 35:29: Specific tools for excellence 44:12: Excellence vs flow 50:10: Finding the enjoyable aspects of hard things 1:01:11: Gumption 1:03:57: “See the ball go through the net” 1:05:56: How to finish a process that never ends 1:13:22: Recap Support the Podcast: We're on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Sponsors Grab Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code BEINGWELL at huel.com/beingwell. New customers only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show! Over 100,000 people have given their Caraway Kitchen products a 5 star rating, and Caraway’s cookware set is a favorite for a reason. Visit Carawayhome.com/BEINGWELL or use code BEINGWELL at checkout. Go to Zocdoc.com/BEING to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
Top performance coach and author Brad Stulberg joins Forrest to reframe and reclaim excellence. Brad explains how real excellence - involved engagement with something you care about - is the healthy middle path between over-the-top hustle-culture and detached nonchalance. They discuss the current culture of pseudo-excellence, the risks and rewards of caring deeply, how modern life can derail us, and how the real prize is the person you become while trying to reach your goals. Brad shares practical tools to build the habit of excellence: clear aims, micro-milestones, consistency over intensity, constraint-based discipline, and connection. About our Guest: Brad is a regular contributor at the New York Times, the co-host of the Excellence, Actually podcast, and on faculty at the University of Michigan’s Graduate School of Public Health. He’s also the author of a number of books, including The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World. Key Topics: 0:00: Life feels better when we’re “trying well” 1:56: What does Brad mean by excellence? 3:42: What excellence is not 5:06: Staying on the path: how to keep going when results are slow 11:56: Excellence vs. skill 21:10: The Nonchalance Epidemic 27:29: Building your “identity house” 35:29: Specific tools for excellence 44:12: Excellence vs flow 50:10: Finding the enjoyable aspects of hard things 1:01:11: Gumption 1:03:57: “See the ball go through the net” 1:05:56: How to finish a process that never ends 1:13:22: Recap Support the Podcast: We're on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Sponsors Grab Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code BEINGWELL at huel.com/beingwell. New customers only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show! Over 100,000 people have given their Caraway Kitchen products a 5 star rating, and Caraway’s cookware set is a favorite for a reason. Visit Carawayhome.com/BEINGWELL or use code BEINGWELL at checkout. Go to Zocdoc.com/BEING to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How to Create a Meaningful Life with Brad Stulberg
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