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Solved, Answers: Finding Purpose, Failing Better, and the AI Future

December 15, 2025 · 1 h 26 min

Show notes

This one’s different. In this special year-end episode, I answer your questions—from the deep stuff about purpose and motivation, to the uncomfortable realities of change, burnout, failure, and dealing with unsupportive family. I also share the behind-the-scenes chaos of building SOLVED this year, what I learned about making massive, meaningful content, and what’s coming in 2026 (spoiler: boundaries, ego, and maybe some live shows).

This is part personal, part philosophical, and part therapy session disguised as a podcast. If you’ve been wondering what’s next—or why you feel stuck—this one’s for you. See you in 2026.

CHAPTERS

Chapters

  • 00:00:00 Introduction
  • 00:01:13 Recap of 2025
  • 00:03:42 What if I don't have a single purpose?
  • 00:06:07 Why don't I feel a strong need for purpose?
  • 00:08:32 How do I find purpose when doing things I don't find important?
  • 00:12:34 I'm having issues on getting motivated on one thing
  • 00:19:35 What if my family doesn't support my purpose?
  • 00:23:15 I'm struggling with the idea that purpose must be bigger than yourself
  • 00:26:04 How Mark got Purpose AI to work
  • 00:32:55 Questions from YouTube
  • 00:33:13 How do you change yourself?
  • 00:36:43 Finding meaning after AI takeover
  • 00:44:01 What would a Models rewrite look like today?
  • 00:48:19 Mark's first heartbreak
  • 00:54:31 What would Mark put on Voyager 1?
  • 00:57:35 Self-doubt on something you make
  • 01:02:12 Mark's next book?
  • 01:03:38 Tours around the world
  • 01:05:55 Goals for 2026
  • 01:08:14 Podcast changes for 2026

⇨ Sign up for my newsletter, Your Next Breakthrough. It will help make you a less awful person: https://go.markmanson.net/cdi1xzha

⇨ Get clarity on what actually matters. Try Purpose, Mark's AI mentor app that learns your patterns, challenges your blind spots, and helps you take action. Get started at https://go.markmanson.net/217i5ys5

FOLLOW MARK

Mark's IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/markmanson⁠

Solved IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/solvedpodcast/⁠

Twitter: ⁠https://x.com/markmanson⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmanson/⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@IAmMarkManson

All episodes of SOLVED with Mark Manson

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