The Meaning Trap | Why fulfillment and impact fall short

An episode of the Good Life Project podcast, hosted by Jonathan Fields / Acast, titled "The Meaning Trap | Why fulfillment and impact fall short" was published on January 26, 2026 and runs 54 minutes.

January 26, 2026 ·54m · Good Life Project

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Summary

If your life looks good on paper but feels flat, this is for you.Many of us follow the rules, build what appear to be successful lives, and still sense something essential is missing. That feeling sends us on a chase for more meaning or purpose, impact and clarity. But, what if the way we seek them is all wrong, and actually makes us less happy, content and alive, not more?In today’s conversation, we explore a radically different way to think about meaning, one rooted in aliveness, presence, and becoming rather than achievement, impact, mattering, or outcomes.My partner in conversation is Dave Evans, the coauthor of the New York Times number one bestseller Designing Your Life, cofounder of the Stanford Life Design Lab, and author of the new book How to Live a Meaningful Life. I’ve known Dave for years now, and he’s spent decades helping people redesign work, identity, and daily living in ways that feel deeply human.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why fulfillment and impact often become dead ends rather than answersA simple shift that helps you feel more alive without changing your circumstancesFour overlooked sources of meaning that most people rarely accessHow to move fluidly between getting things done and actually being presentA practical way to experience wonder, flow, coherence, and connection in everyday momentsIf you’ve ever wondered why a life that looks good can still feel unsatisfying, this conversation offers a grounded and hopeful reframe. Press play to explore a more livable path to meaning.You can find Dave at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversations we had with Dan Pink about regret, reflection, and using inner signals to guide a more meaningful life.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Description

If your life looks good on paper but feels flat, this is for you.

Many of us follow the rules, build what appear to be successful lives, and still sense something essential is missing. That feeling sends us on a chase for more meaning or purpose, impact and clarity. But, what if the way we seek them is all wrong, and actually makes us less happy, content and alive, not more?

In today’s conversation, we explore a radically different way to think about meaning, one rooted in aliveness, presence, and becoming rather than achievement, impact, mattering, or outcomes.

My partner in conversation is Dave Evans, the coauthor of the New York Times number one bestseller Designing Your Life, cofounder of the Stanford Life Design Lab, and author of the new book How to Live a Meaningful Life. I’ve known Dave for years now, and he’s spent decades helping people redesign work, identity, and daily living in ways that feel deeply human.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Why fulfillment and impact often become dead ends rather than answers
A simple shift that helps you feel more alive without changing your circumstances
Four overlooked sources of meaning that most people rarely access
How to move fluidly between getting things done and actually being present
A practical way to experience wonder, flow, coherence, and connection in everyday moments

If you’ve ever wondered why a life that looks good can still feel unsatisfying, this conversation offers a grounded and hopeful reframe. Press play to explore a more livable path to meaning.

You can find Dave at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversations we had with Dan Pink about regret, reflection, and using inner signals to guide a more meaningful life.

Check out our offerings & partners: