Rethinking Mortality to Live with Purpose | Karen Salmansohn (EP393)

What if thinking about death could actually help you feel more alive? Drawing from her upcoming book Your To-Die-For Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret…Before Your Time Runs Out, Karen Salmansohn challenges the idea that we have "someday" to chase our dreams or deepen our relationships. She unpacks the concept of “near-life experiences”—when people feel like they’re just going through the motions—and offers actionable tools to snap out of autopilot and into a life that actually feels worth living. Through personal stories (including the loss of her father), cutting-edge research, and deeply practical strategies, Karen shares how embracing “death awareness” can heighten joy, motivation, and presence. If you're tired of procrastinating on your purpose, stuck in the cycle of distraction, or just curious about how thinking about death can make you feel more alive, this conversation is a must-listen.

Links Discussed in This Episode |

• Diane's Resource: 1KHO 515: How to Fail Well | Diane Boden, Clear Intentions
• Book: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals
• Book: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter
• Karen's Resource: Substack | Stand Up Philosopher
• Connect with Karen:
• Book: Your To-Die-For Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret . . . Before Your Time Runs Out
• NotSalmon.com
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube

About Karen|

Karen Salmansohn is a best-selling author and Behavioral Change Expert known for blending science-backed psychology with bold humor. With over two million books and courses sold, she’s helped millions live more intentionally. She’s the founder of NotSalmon.com, a personal development site with 1.5 million followers, and has been featured on Oprah and in Psychology Today.

Her signature style fuses psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and striking design—a talent honed during her early advertising career, where she coined “Croissan’wich” for Burger King. Bestsellers like How to Be Happy, Dammit and Think Happy showcase her gift for turning deep insights into relatable, witty advice. Whether writing, speaking, or teaching online, Salmansohn inspires people to break free from autopilot and choose a more purposeful, fulfilling life.

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