Living For Meaning: How to Use the ‘Memento Mori’ Mindset to Find Direction and Create a Purpose-Driven Life | Happiness | LHS Classic

Love, Happiness and Success with Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

YAP Media Network | Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

Relationships, Society & Culture, Health & Fitness, Mental Health

4.7 • 890 Ratings

🗓️ 29 December 2025

⏱️ 55 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Most people don’t realize they’re running on autopilot until life forces them to stop. Through the lens of ‘Memento Mori’, this episode shows you how living for meaning can help you find direction, improve your overall well-being, and create a purpose-driven life. You’ll learn how to use this mindset shift to support your self improvement, reduce your stress, and cultivate happiness right now. I’m joined by Karen Salmansohn, author and mindset coach, for a conversation about living for meaning and finding direction through the lens of Memento Mori. I’m revisiting this episode because its message feels especially relevant right now - how to reduce stress, stay grounded in your mindset, and create a purpose-driven life without giving up your ambition or drive. Rather than being morbid, the Memento Mori mindset offers clarity. It brings you back into the present moment and helps you make more intentional choices about who you are becoming and what truly matters. Together, we explore why traditional to-do lists often leave people feeling busy but unfulfilled, and how shifting toward values-based, identity-driven habits can support greater happiness and emotional well-being. This episode is an invitation to step out of autopilot, reconnect with what matters most, and begin living with more intention starting exactly where you are. As you listen, I invite you to reflect on this question: If your time is limited, what deserves more of your attention right now? Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Welcome to Love, Happiness & Success 00:48 The “funeral question” and how it helps you live with meaning 01:19 Memento Mori and using mortality awareness to find direction 05:29 Karen’s wake-up call and the origin of Your To Die For Life 09:13 “Everything that is not given is lost” and the meaning of legacy 14:22 Aristotle on happiness vs pleasure and building a purpose-driven life 21:08 The to-die list, core values, and identity-based habits 30:22 Karen’s seven core values and intentional daily choices 38:28 Mortality marbles and a mindset shift that reduces stress 46:31 Dr. Lisa’s 9/11 story and choosing a more intentional life If this gives you a desire for more meaning, more clarity, or a different relationship with stress, I want to offer you something supportive. You’re invited to schedule a free consultation with me or a trusted member of my team. This is a private, secure space to talk about what’s been weighing on you, what you want to feel differently, and what kind of support would truly help you move forward. You’ll answer just a few quick questions so we can thoughtfully match you with the right counselor or coach and help you take the next step toward a more intentional, purpose-driven life. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie BobbyGrowing Self

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby, and you're listening to the Love, Happiness, and Success Podcast.
0:19.5	You could do everything on your to-do list, get to your end of your life, and be miserable.
0:24.8	Because your to-do list doesn't have the more meaningful fix on it.
0:30.4	So you wanted to die list that reminds you about the things that you're going to be treasuring most at the end of your life.
0:47.7	So here's something that might be a little uncomfortable to think about, but if you let
0:53.3	this in, it could be a game changer.
0:56.5	Have you ever asked yourself what someone would say about you at your funeral?
1:03.4	Not what you had, not about the stuff, but actually about who you were and what your life was all about.
1:18.0	I know that's a tough thing to think about, but when we let that in and really connect with
1:24.3	these picture ideas of who am I, why am I here, what am I doing with my life,
1:30.5	it can create a ton of clarity, intention, motivation, and will help you get your life on track
1:40.8	and help you create something that is truly meaningful and unforgettable.
1:46.0	And that's what today's episode is about.
1:49.0	My guest is Karen Salmanson, whose new book is a must read, and it is called You're to Die for Life.
2:00.2	And in it, she's opening up these questions and more, giving you tools, giving you direction to find your big picture purpose and move forward.
2:11.5	And Karen, I'm so excited to talk to you about this today.
2:14.8	Holy moly.
2:15.6	These are the big question presented in a gentle humorous at times way to make it an easier
2:25.3	conversation because death feels difficult to talk about it.
2:29.4	It's like one of the last taboo conversations.
2:32.0	We'll talk about so many things, but we'll avoid talking about death. And
2:35.6	I'm hoping to make it a more comfortable conversation for people to talk about because I think
	...

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