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4,000 weeks.

That’s all we get. The number of weeks most of us will live.
The average human life is "absurdly, insultingly brief."

As we step into 2025, this perspective—shared by Oliver Burkeman on the How to Live Podcast earlier this year—continues to resonate deeply. It’s a stark reminder to be intentional with the one resource we can never reclaim: time.

We’ve put together life lessons from extraordinary guests who appeared on the How to Live Podcast in the second half of 2024—thinkers who are reshaping how we live, work, and grow:

• Oliver Burkeman reframes time management with startling clarity.
• Aneace Haddad helps us navigate midlife transitions.
• Joel Pearson unveils the science of intuition.
• Sara Jane Ho elevates the art of human interaction.
• Simon Bowen introduces the power of visual thinking.
• Nir Eyal shares strategies for staying focused in a distracted world.
• John Dykes inspires with his journey of personal reinvention.
• Sha-En Yeo explores the science of happiness.
• Christina Wallace invites us to embrace a portfolio life.
• Matthew Dicks reveals the secrets of masterful storytelling.
• Drew Tarvin demonstrates humor’s ability to transform.
• Nick Jonsson offers a path to self-discovery and personal transformation.

This is more than a podcast—it’s a roadmap to living with intention, curiosity, and purpose.

As we close the chapter on 2024, I invite you to reflect on your own 4,000 weeks:
What will you do differently in the weeks ahead?

Don’t miss this powerful episode that brings all these lessons together in one place.

Here’s to a purposeful 2025. 🌟

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/084-life-lessons-deeper-dive-2024

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“When I went bankrupt, I begged a friend who had built a unicorn for a 30-minute meeting. The moment we sat down, I could tell he didn’t want to be there.
Six months later, after working on myself, I went back with a clear vision and positive energy. This time, he introduced me to his network and offered his full support.
That experience taught me a powerful lesson: People are drawn to passion and purpose, not negativity."

This gem from Marc Nicholson, Founder of 1880, is just one of many transformative insights from our guests this year on the How to Live podcast.

As we wrap up 2024, we’ve pulled together a mixtape of wisdom from the first half of 2024 - a collection of the most thought-provoking, inspiring moments from the podcast.

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s inside:

• Derek Sivers on questioning the status quo to create a life you love.
• Marc Nicholson on purpose.
• Dani on finding deeper meaning and spirituality in everyday life.
• Esh on unlocking creativity and innovation.
• Karen & Mette on mastering emotional intelligence to thrive in relationships and work.
• Leanne & Arjun on entrepreneurial lessons learned the hard way.
• Natalia on the power of healing and renewal.

If you’re reflecting on the past year or gearing up for 2025, this episode is your masterclass in growth, purpose, and transformation.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/083-life-lessons-2024

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What’s your relationship with alcohol?

This isn’t a preachy “quit drinking” episode but it’s about curiosity. Many of us enjoy a drink. It helps us connect, unwind, and feel at ease. But as we get older, we start noticing the side effects: restless sleep, sluggish mornings, or even feeling a bit off the next day.

It got me curious: What’s alcohol really doing to us? How can we enjoy the connection it fosters without the downsides?

In this episode of How to Live, I speak with Nick Jonsson, Co-Founder of EGN Network, bestselling author, and executive coach. A few years ago, Nick reached a breaking point with alcohol, turned his life around, and is now thriving personally and professionally.

We explore:

• How alcohol affects your body, mind, and ability to handle tough situations.
• The deeper issues drinking can mask.
• Practical ways to drink less without losing the joy of social connection.

This isn’t about quitting. It’s about curiosity to rethink our habits and finding a balance that works for us.

Give it a listen, and let me know what you think!

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/082-rethinking-happy-hour-with-Nick-Jonsson

Connect with Matthew
https://www.nickjonsson.com/

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"I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing… because I don’t know what else to do."
Sound familiar?

Here’s the truth about being stuck: We wait for clarity before making a move. We want to see the whole path before we take the first step.

But what if we’ve got it backwards?

Think about it: Most people who’ve made significant moves in their lives didn’t start with perfect clarity. Many didn’t even end up where they thought they would.

Why? Because our greatest opportunities often lie in the “unknown unknowns”—that space we can’t see yet. The ideas and paths we don’t even know exist.

The key isn’t knowing where to go.
It’s knowing how to prepare for the move.

In today’s episode of How to Live, I break down:

• How to get unstuck without waiting for perfect clarity
• Why purpose becomes your greatest motivator
• How to systematically design your next wave - and why it could be your biggest yet

Because here’s what I’ve learned: The path reveals itself in the preparation.

Feeling stuck? Your next wave is waiting.

Next Wave
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Should we bring humour to work?

Can it help us connect and achieve more, or risk making us seem trivial?

Our guest today, Drew Tarvin, learned engineering in school and was hired for his technical skills. Yet, it was humour—not engineering—that became his edge in the workplace.

By using humour, he diffused tension, built strong relationships, influenced others, and accelerated his career. This led him to create Humor That Works, a company that has helped 10,000+ leaders in over 100 organisations—including IBM, GE, and the FBI—harness humour to lead effectively.

In this episode, Drew shares how humour can amplify leadership and why it’s more than just a tool for entertainment. As someone who typically discusses purpose and fulfilment, I found this conversation a powerful reminder that humour can add depth to even the most serious work.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/080-humour-at-work-with-Drew-Tarvin

Related Episode
#059 Creativity at work with Eshan Ponnadurai
Spotify: https://howtolive.life/ep59spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep59apple

Connect with Matthew
https://drewtarvin.com/

Next Wave
6 month program for high performers hitting 40s and beyond to design the next phase of life. Register interest below -
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Searching for meaning in life and work? The secret isn’t in those rare, life-altering moments—it’s hidden in the small, everyday moments we often overlook.

The key? Storytelling.

Even if we don’t share them, simply turning our experiences into stories in our own minds can transform how we see ourselves and our lives. It’s how we grow, learn, and ultimately, find deeper purpose.

In today's podcast, I’m joined by master storyteller and five-time Moth GrandSLAM champion, Matthew Dicks. If you’re not familiar with The Moth, it’s New York City’s iconic storytelling platform, and Matthew has dominated it, winning 52 StorySLAMs.

Beyond that, Matthew co-founded Speak Up, a storytelling organisation that has helped thousands craft more compelling stories. His Homework for Life project is a powerful tool for anyone looking to enrich their daily life through storytelling, one small step at a time.

If you're looking for simple, practical ways to find more meaning and connection in your life, this episode is for you.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/079-finding-meaning-in-everyday-stories-with-matthew-dicks

Related Episode
#068 Connecting the dots to purpose with Marc Nicholson
Spotify: https://howtolive.life/ep68spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep68apple

Connect with Matthew
https://matthewdicks.com/

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6 month program for high performers hitting 40s and beyond to design the next phase of life. Register interest below -
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Ever felt like a jack of all trades, master of none? Think again! Welcome to the world of Portfolio Life!

Just like a financial portfolio, it’s about bringing together all your passions, talents, and needs—balancing them to create a fulfilling life on your own terms

It starts by understanding what truly matters to you: income, flexibility, creativity, intellectual stimulation, family responsibilities, and more. From there, you can design a life that accommodates all these dimensions. And just like rebalancing a portfolio, you can adjust with each new chapter of your life—minimising risks while maximising joy and fulfilment.

In the latest episode of the How to Live Podcast, I sit down with Christina Wallace—serial entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, and the creator of The Portfolio Life.

Christina has done it all: she’s worked with BCG, started multiple businesses, and found her sweet spot at the intersection of business, technology, and the arts. Today, she teaches at Harvard Business School, produces Broadway shows, writes bestselling books, raises two kids, and even sings in a choir!

If you want to learn how to create your own Portfolio Life—blending passions, multiple income streams, and a sense of purpose—this episode is a must-listen!

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/078-crafting-a-portfolio-life-with-christina-wallace

3 Questions to ask yourself

1. When have you seen me happiest?
2. What do you come to me for?
3. Where do I stand our against my peers?

Related Episode
#064 How to Live with Derek Sivers
Spotify: https://howtolive.life/ep64spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep64apple

Connect with Christina
https://christinawallace.com/

Next Wave
6 month program for high performers hitting 40s and beyond to design the next phase of life. Register interest below -
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Can we learn to be happy, or is it something we're born with?

Research, including Martin Seligman’s theory of Learned Optimism, reveals that happiness need not be a passing feeling—it can be a skill we develop. The science is clear: happiness can be learned.

One simple yet powerful tool is savouring. While happiness may seem fleeting, pausing to fully experience joyful moments can stretch them, turning brief emotions into lasting contentment. By practising this regularly, we can significantly boost our overall well-being.

In this episode, I dive into the science of happiness with Sha-En Yeo, a leading Happiness Scientist.

Sha-En holds a Master’s in Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied under Dr. Martin Seligman and Prof. Angela Duckworth. Over 13 years, she has inspired more than 25,000 people across Asia-Pacific with her keynotes and transformative coaching. You may know her from 913FM, her bestselling books, or her two TED talks. Sha-En also serves as President of the Asia Professional Speakers Association.

Fittingly, her name means “gratitude” and “kindness”—values that guide her work in spreading happiness.

If you’re ready to bring more happiness into your life or want to understand it from a scientific lens, this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/077-the-anatomy-of-happiness-with-sha-en-yeo

Related Episode
#062 Authentic leadership without fluff with Mette Johansson
Spotify: https://howtolive.life/ep62spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep62apple

Connect with Sha-En
https://happinessscientists.com/

Next Wave
6 month program for high performers hitting 40s and beyond to design the next phase of life. Register interest below -
https://www.sharadlal.net/nextwave

Leave us a message
https://howtolive.life/contact

About Sharad Lal
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