How Mortality Awareness Creates a More Meaningful Life
Wed Dec 03 2025
CSA: Are you joining us for the Purpose-Driven Prosperity OS Sprint this weekend? Click here for details and to reserve your seat!
Mortality awareness sounds heavy, but in this episode, you’ll hear how remembering that life ends can actually help you live with more joy, courage, and integrity right now.
Scott Perry sits down with bestselling author and behavioral change expert Karen Salmansohn (over 2 million books sold, former columnist for Oprah and Psychology Today) to talk about her new book, Your To-Die-For Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret Before Your Time Runs Out.
They explore how core values, mortality awareness, and a little playfulness can help you make better decisions, do work that matters, and live a life you’re proud to remember.
Along the way, they weave together Aristotle, Stoicism, eudaimonia, Substack, identity-based habits, and even a “marble jar” practice that keeps your remaining months on this planet in full view.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
* Why mortality awareness is motivating, not morbid
* How the top regrets of the dying can be reverse-engineered into a better life now
* The difference between ego-driven goals and growth-driven goals
* How to use core values and “I am, so I do” identity statements to change behavior
* Why character is fate—and how values, virtue, and reputation intertwine
* How playfulness and humor unlock creativity, resilience, and deeper insight
* A simple monthly ritual (with marbles) to live more intentionally
About Karen Salmansohn
Karen Salmansohn is a bestselling author, leading behavioral change expert, and creator of the Substack publication The Stand-Up Philosopher. She has sold over 2 million books, written columns for Oprah and Psychology Today, and blends research, philosophy, and humor to help people live more meaningful, regret-resistant lives. Her latest book is “Your To-Die-For Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret Before Your Time Runs Out.”
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If this conversation resonates, share it with someone who’s ready to live more intentionally.
And if you’re a purpose-driven solopreneur who wants to make a better living by making a bigger difference, subscribe to Creative on Purpose on Substack for more conversations, reflections, and frameworks to support your next step.
Thank you Susan McCorkindale, Jeff Smith, Alice Sparks, and many others for tuning into my live video with Karen Salmansohn! Join me for my next live video in the app.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit creativeonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe
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CSA: Are you joining us for the Purpose-Driven Prosperity OS Sprint this weekend? Click here for details and to reserve your seat! Mortality awareness sounds heavy, but in this episode, you’ll hear how remembering that life ends can actually help you live with more joy, courage, and integrity right now. Scott Perry sits down with bestselling author and behavioral change expert Karen Salmansohn (over 2 million books sold, former columnist for Oprah and Psychology Today) to talk about her new book, Your To-Die-For Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret Before Your Time Runs Out. They explore how core values, mortality awareness, and a little playfulness can help you make better decisions, do work that matters, and live a life you’re proud to remember. Along the way, they weave together Aristotle, Stoicism, eudaimonia, Substack, identity-based habits, and even a “marble jar” practice that keeps your remaining months on this planet in full view. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why mortality awareness is motivating, not morbid * How the top regrets of the dying can be reverse-engineered into a better life now * The difference between ego-driven goals and growth-driven goals * How to use core values and “I am, so I do” identity statements to change behavior * Why character is fate—and how values, virtue, and reputation intertwine * How playfulness and humor unlock creativity, resilience, and deeper insight * A simple monthly ritual (with marbles) to live more intentionally About Karen Salmansohn Karen Salmansohn is a bestselling author, leading behavioral change expert, and creator of the Substack publication The Stand-Up Philosopher. She has sold over 2 million books, written columns for Oprah and Psychology Today, and blends research, philosophy, and humor to help people live more meaningful, regret-resistant lives. Her latest book is “Your To-Die-For Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret Before Your Time Runs Out.” — If this conversation resonates, share it with someone who’s ready to live more intentionally. And if you’re a purpose-driven solopreneur who wants to make a better living by making a bigger difference, subscribe to Creative on Purpose on Substack for more conversations, reflections, and frameworks to support your next step. Thank you Susan McCorkindale, Jeff Smith, Alice Sparks, and many others for tuning into my live video with Karen Salmansohn! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit creativeonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe