211: Living Boldly Before Time Runs Out: A Conversation with Karen Salmansohn
Mon Jan 26 2026
In this vibrant and deeply insightful episode, I sit down with best-selling author and "happiness expert" Karen Salmansohn. Karen shares her fascinating journey from a high-powered career as an award-winning creative director in advertising to becoming a leading voice in personal development and behavioral change.
We dive into her latest book, Your To Die for Life, which explores how embracing our mortality can actually help us live more fully and joyfully. Karen opens up about the pivotal moment of her father's passing and how writing his eulogy inspired her to reverse-engineer her own life to minimize regrets. She introduces powerful concepts like "emotional diversity", the idea that a full life requires a range of emotions, not just happiness, and her unique "mortality marble jar" ritual for visualizing time and prioritizing what truly matters.
Our conversation also touches on the power of identity-based habits, the importance of "best mode" over "beast mode," and Karen's experience as a later-in-life mother. She shares practical tools, humorous anecdotes (including a bagel-chewing call with Marisa Tomei!), and her refreshing perspective on rewriting the rules of life and motherhood.
You'll also hear about:
(06:54) Karen's bold decision to leave a successful advertising career to pursue her dream of writing books .(12:32) The incredible story of how she bypassed her agent to get her manuscript directly to Marisa Tomei .(19:30) How her father's death and writing his eulogy sparked a realization about living intentionally to avoid regrets .(22:06) The research-backed concept that embracing death leads to living more boldly and authentically .(28:33) "Emotional diversity" (emodiversity) and why a life of pure bliss without challenges wouldn't be meaningful .(33:00) The "To-Die List" vs. the To-Do List: focusing on core values and identity-based habits .(35:12) The 7 core values to avoid the top regrets of the dying: Authentic, Brave, Curious, Discerning, Empathic Love, Fun, and Grateful .(51:23) The "Mortality Marble Jar" visual tool for tracking time left and ensuring monthly highlights .(01:03:22) Karen's personal take on "Rewrite the Mother Code": proving that energetic, vibrant motherhood is possible later in life .
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Learn more about Karen Salmansohn
Visit Karen's main website: notsalmon.comLearn about her new book...
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In this vibrant and deeply insightful episode, I sit down with best-selling author and "happiness expert" Karen Salmansohn. Karen shares her fascinating journey from a high-powered career as an award-winning creative director in advertising to becoming a leading voice in personal development and behavioral change. We dive into her latest book, Your To Die for Life, which explores how embracing our mortality can actually help us live more fully and joyfully. Karen opens up about the pivotal moment of her father's passing and how writing his eulogy inspired her to reverse-engineer her own life to minimize regrets. She introduces powerful concepts like "emotional diversity", the idea that a full life requires a range of emotions, not just happiness, and her unique "mortality marble jar" ritual for visualizing time and prioritizing what truly matters. Our conversation also touches on the power of identity-based habits, the importance of "best mode" over "beast mode," and Karen's experience as a later-in-life mother. She shares practical tools, humorous anecdotes (including a bagel-chewing call with Marisa Tomei!), and her refreshing perspective on rewriting the rules of life and motherhood. You'll also hear about: (06:54) Karen's bold decision to leave a successful advertising career to pursue her dream of writing books .(12:32) The incredible story of how she bypassed her agent to get her manuscript directly to Marisa Tomei .(19:30) How her father's death and writing his eulogy sparked a realization about living intentionally to avoid regrets .(22:06) The research-backed concept that embracing death leads to living more boldly and authentically .(28:33) "Emotional diversity" (emodiversity) and why a life of pure bliss without challenges wouldn't be meaningful .(33:00) The "To-Die List" vs. the To-Do List: focusing on core values and identity-based habits .(35:12) The 7 core values to avoid the top regrets of the dying: Authentic, Brave, Curious, Discerning, Empathic Love, Fun, and Grateful .(51:23) The "Mortality Marble Jar" visual tool for tracking time left and ensuring monthly highlights .(01:03:22) Karen's personal take on "Rewrite the Mother Code": proving that energetic, vibrant motherhood is possible later in life . Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Learn more about Karen Salmansohn Visit Karen's main website: notsalmon.comLearn about her new book...