How to Live a Meaningful Life & Design the Future You Want

What if you could teleport into Stanford’s most popular class and walk out knowing exactly how to build the life you want?  This episode is your invitation to do just that.  Today, Stanford professors Bill Burnett and Dave Evans are giving you their step-by-step guide to find your purpose and design the life you want, even if you feel stuck, uncertain, or overwhelmed.  Their proven process will quickly help you take charge of your life, expand your view of what’s possible for yourself, live with no regrets, and find more meaning in each day.   Is it ever too late to design the life of your dreams? In this conversation, the professors will tell you the surprising truth – and exactly what to do if you feel like time is running out.   You’ll also learn:  -The 3 powerful questions to ask yourself to figure out what you really want  -How to really design a meaningful life and why there’s no such thing as a “perfect” life   -The easy, no-stress way to turn your ideas into action   -Why you can’t fail, no matter what  This conversation will prove to you that your life is the biggest, most important project you’ll ever take on. You’ll see that you really can live a meaningful life and design the future you want, and you’ll walk away with the simple tools and positive mindset to make it happen, one step at a time.  For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page.   If you liked the episode, check out this one next: 3 Questions to Ask Yourself to Figure Out What You Really Want Connect with Mel:     Order Mel’s new product, Pure Genius Protein Get Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration. Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them Theory Watch the episodes on YouTube Follow Mel on Instagram  The Mel Robbins Podcast Instagram Mel's TikTok  Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-free Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you’ve ever clicked “Accept All Cookies,” ignored software updates, saved your passwords, or logged into free Wi-Fi, you have to hear this. The little “harmless” things you do online are exactly what scammers count on. In today’s conversation, Mel sits down with award-winning cybersecurity expert Caitlin Sarian (aka “Cybersecurity Girl”) to give you the short and simple checklist of things that protect your money, your identity, and your privacy online. You don’t need to understand cybersecurity. You just need to stop treating online habits like they’re harmless, because they can leave you open for a scam. This isn’t about being paranoid, it’s about realizing that a few tiny changes can shut down most online threats. This conversation will educate and inform you. In this episode, you’ll learn:-The biggest cybersecurity mistake almost everyone makes (and how to fix it fast)-The #1 Venmo scam happening right now, and exactly what to do if it happens to you-What to do immediately if your phone is lost or stolen-The 5 essential moves that protect you from most online threats-The fastest way to spot scam links, fake emails, and panic-based phone calls-How to protect your parents, your kids, and your entire family from getting scammed-Simple settings to check tonight: camera, microphone, location, and account accessBookmark this episode and share it with your partner, your parents, and your friends.This is the kind of information that can prevent a mistake you can’t undo.For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page.  If you liked the episode, check out this one next: The 7‑Day Habit Reset: Start Today, Feel Different By Next WeekConnect with Mel:   Order Mel’s new product, Pure Genius ProteinGet Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, you’re going to receive the best dating advice no one ever told you. Whether you’re single, dating, in a relationship, or listening because you’re looking for advice for someone you love - this episode will change how you think about dating and love.If you’re feeling discouraged, burned out, or you’re starting to wonder, “Am I ever going to find the right person?” or “Am I with the right person?” you’re not alone - and this episode is for you.Today, Mel sits down with Logan Ury, who is a Harvard-trained behavioral scientist, world-renowned researcher, dating expert, bestselling author of How to Not Die Alone: The Surprising Science That Will Help You Find Love, and one of the most trusted voices on modern dating and relationships. Logan is a fan-favorite and Mel has brought her back on the show for a brand new episode all about dating.She is going to give you the data, the psychology, and the tools you need to stop spiraling and start dating with confidence.Logan breaks down why dating feels so hard in today’s world - and how to stop repeating patterns that keep you stuck. She will also cover topics like rejection, attachment, and commitment. After today, you will know:-The 8 questions that instantly help you choose a better partner -What to text instead of ghosting - including a simple rejection text you can copy/paste-How to have the “What are we?” conversation without begging, negotiating, or abandoning yourself-How to break the anxious-avoidant loop that makes dating feel like chaos -What “the ick” really is - and how it keeps you single when you say you want love-How to stop dating burnout by dating more sustainably After this episode, you’ll know how to build deeper connections, find and keep true love, and show up as a better partner. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page.  If you liked the episode, check out Logan’s first appearance on The Mel Robbins Podcast: The Best Relationship Advice No One Ever Told YouFor more dating and relationship advice, listen to this episode with Matthew Hussey: The Brutal Truth About Relationships You Need to HearConnect with Mel:   Order Mel’s new product, Pure Genius ProteinGet Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, you are going to learn how to have amazing sex, deeper intimacy, and create real, lasting love. If you’re not having sex, or if sex feels like one more thing on the to-do list, this is what you need to hear right now.Today, Mel sits down with Dr. Nicole McNichols, PhD, a University of Washington professor who teaches the most popular class on campus – which is about human sexuality.There is a reason she is the country’s #1 sex professor. Her message is simple: nothing is “wrong” with you. You were just never taught how desire actually works, what turns you on, or how women’s pleasure is even designed. Dr. McNichols will change the way you think about arousal, orgasm, and intimacy, including the mind-blowing truth that women’s anatomy has been misunderstood for decades. Did you know the clitoris wasn’t fully mapped until the early 2000s?This episode is the sex advice women actually need. This is not another conversation about how to please your partner, it’s not about performing, pushing through, or “fixing” yourself. It’s about pleasure, connection, and learning the skills that make sex feel good again at any age, and in real life. You will learn:-Why desire often shows up after you start, and what to do when you love your partner but “don’t feel like it”-The biggest sex misconception keeping couples stuck (and how to rebuild without pressure)-What most people never learned about the clitoris, arousal, and why penetrative sex alone isn’t the main path to orgasm-How to stop faking orgasms and start communicating in ways that actually work-The simplest way to rebuild intimacy when you’re exhausted, stressed, or parenting with zero privacy-What to do if menopause, dryness, or pain is making sex feel impossible (and why you should not just “live with it”)-How to get out of your head if body image has hijacked your sex life-How to date again and rebuild confidence after a long dry spell, without forcing yourself into hookups If you’ve ever thought, “I’m too tired,” “I love them but I’m not in the mood,” “It hurts,” “My body changed,” or “It’s been so long I don’t even know where to start,” this episode will give you language, relief, and a way forward. Dr. McNichols’ book is You Could Be Having Better Sex and after this conversation, you will. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page.   If you liked the episode, check out this one next with urologist Dr. Rena Malik: The Most Important Sex Advice No One Ever Told You: Revamp Your Sex Life in 10 MinutesConnect with Mel:   Order Mel’s new product, Pure Genius ProteinGet Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Some days, you don’t just feel off. You feel like you’re losing your control of everything. The routine is gone. The house is a mess. Motivation is shot. And suddenly one bad day turns into a week of feeling behind. This episode is the reset you need. Today Mel is sharing 5 simple, science-backed ways to create quick wins and real momentum – one tiny step at a time – so you go from overwhelmed and scattered to clear, grounded, and back in control. These aren’t big life changes. They’re small moves that make a surprisingly big difference to shift your direction so you can feel like you again.  You’ll learn: -The 5-minute move that instantly quiets your mental noise and makes everything feel more doable -How tidying up your environment can make your whole brain exhale (and why it works) -The one physical shift that quietly changes your mood and momentum -Why waiting for motivation keeps you stuck, and what works instead -The simple “future you” trick that makes tomorrow feel 10% easier -The nightly question that sends you to bed with a smile, boosts your confidence, and rewires your brain for success   If you’ve been stuck in a funk, feeling behind, procrastinating more than usual, or letting life stack up on top of you, this is the clean, one-day reset that will have you saying, “I’m back.” You can turn things around at any time.  This is where you start.  For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page.   If you liked the episode, check out this one next: 8 Things to Tell Yourself Every MorningConnect with Mel:   Order Mel’s new product, Pure Genius ProteinGet Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ever stood in front of the fridge thinking, “What am I actually supposed to eat to get healthy?” Today you are getting your answer. This episode gives you a simple way to decide what to eat to stay healthy without complicated math, crazy recipes, or “bro science”. In this episode, Mel sits down with Dr. Amy Shah, MD. Dr. Shah is a leading expert in the role nutrition plays in health, longevity, and hormone regulation. She has been in clinical practice for 22 years as a double-board certified medical doctor with specializations in nutrition, internal medicine, and immunology. She has a degree in nutrition and trained at Cornell University, Harvard University, and Columbia University. She is the author of two bestselling books about nutrition, hormones, and lifestyle changes, including her newest book, Hormone Havoc. She’s also one of your favorite experts to ever appear on this show – and today she’s back with a brand new episode to give you a simple, science-backed framework you can remember even on your busiest day. It’s called 30/30/3. It’s designed to help you feel better fast, support your hormones, stabilize your energy, and make meals simpler without tracking, obsessing, or living on willpower. Mel and Dr. Shah talk about why these matter for women’s bodies and hormones, how to make it realistic with normal groceries, and what small shifts can start changing how you feel faster than you’d expect. By the end, you’ll know what to eat today to support your body, and the foods you should avoid. In this episode, you’ll learn:-The 30/30/3 protocol: 30g protein in your first meal, 30g fiber per day, 3 probiotic foods daily -Why protein is for more than muscles: it supports mood, focus, gut lining, and energy and cuts your cravings -The quick label trick to spot foods that claim protein but don’t deliver -Common “health foods” that quietly sabotage your goals. -How fiber impacts hormones, inflammation, and brain health -The probiotic foods that actually count (and why probiotic pills often don’t work) -Tiny food upgrades that can help your gut health improve quickly -How to eat healthy without tracking your life or living on salads. Almost all “healthy eating” advice is either confusing, unrealistic, or focused on getting smaller, not getting stronger, happier, and energized.This is a simple, research-backed roadmap that makes healthy eating finally feel doable. If you want clarity, simplicity, and a plan you’ll remember tomorrow, start here. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page.  If you liked the episode, check out this one next: The Body Reset: How Women Should Eat & Exercise for Health, Fat Loss, & EnergyTo learn more about Pure Genius Protein, which is discussed in the episode, click here.Connect with Mel:   Get Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is for you: the person holding everything together. If your days are packed with work, caregiving, and nonstop demands, this is what you need to hear right now. Today, Mel sits down with one of the world’s leading experts on time management, Laura Vanderkam. She’s a New York Times bestselling author, a researcher who’s studied thousands of real schedules, a mom of five, and a total realist about how busy life can get. Laura Vanderkam’s approach isn’t “do more.” Laura’s not selling hacks. She gives you a clearer map of your days and a few small changes that reduce the chaos and help you feel more in control.When you’re maxed out, Laura says you don’t need “more time,” you need to stop spending your limited time on default. Laura helps you see the small, real openings in your week and she shows you exactly what to do with them so you feel less trapped and a little more in control. This is not a lecture about hustling harder or optimizing your life. It’s a practical reset that will help you feel less behind and it will lighten your load fast. You will:-Find hidden pockets of time already in your schedule-Choose what matters most (without guilt)-Use one habit that creates more breathing room-Make space for what you keep putting off (even with a full-time job)-End your day with more energy instead of more exhaustionIf you’ve ever thought, “I have no free time,” “I’m always behind,” or “I don’t even know where to start,” this episode will change the way you look at your week and help you take back a little more control.Because when your time feels calmer, everything feels a little more doable.And when you learn to take control of your time, you start taking control of your life. For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked the episode, check out this one next: If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed, You Need to Hear ThisConnect with Mel:  Get Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, Mel has one of the most powerful conversations you’ll ever hear on this podcast. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, exhausted, or numb by what you’re seeing in the news, today’s episode is for you. When life feels uncertain, it’s easy to start pulling back, numbing out, and bracing for the next thing. You’re not alone. That’s why you need to hear from Mel’s guest today, Bryan Stevenson. He is one of Mel’s personal heroes, and he is the kind of human being who restores your faith in what’s possible. Bryan is a world-renowned civil rights lawyer and author of Just Mercy, one of the most powerful books of our time, which was turned into a movie in which Michael B. Jordan played Bryan. He is the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative and has argued and won cases before the United States Supreme Court. He has saved over 140 people from death row, many of whom were wrongly convicted, and his work has fundamentally transformed the conversation about justice, mercy, and human dignity. This is one of the most honest, compassionate, and uplifting conversations Mel has ever had with a guest, which is why today, Mel wanted to share again the conversation she had with him. You’ll learn: -How to stay hopeful without denying reality -Why compassion is a form of courage -What resilience looks like when life is hard -How to find purpose and meaning by helping others -How to stop numbing out and start showing up again -How small actions create real change -Exactly what you can do in your community to make a difference Bryan is here to show you how to look deeper within yourself and to stand up even when the world is telling you to sit down.And in doing that, he’ll remind you that hope might just be the most powerful gift you can give to the world, to other people, and to yourself.For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked this episode, you’ll love listening to this one next: Renew Your Spirit: 5 Ways I’m Finding Hope & Strength Right NowConnect with Mel:  Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Sign up for Mel’s personal letter Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In today’s episode, you’re going to hear a conversation that will help you find meaning again - especially if you’ve been feeling lost, stuck, stretched thin, or quietly wondering, “Does any of this even matter?” Joining Mel is Ocean Vuong - one of the most acclaimed writers of our time and the bestselling author of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous. His newest book, The Emperor of Gladness, moved Mel so deeply she knew she had to bring him on the podcast - because Ocean has a rare gift: he puts words to feelings you’ve had, but never knew how to say out loud. Ocean is an award-winning poet, a MacArthur Fellowship “Genius Grant” recipient, and a professor at NYU. He writes and speaks about grief, love, identity, hardship, and hope with an honesty that doesn’t just hit… it stays with you. This episode is an invitation to pause, reset, and reconnect with yourself. It will help you stop judging where you are, release the pressure you’re carrying, and remember that you don’t need to become someone else to be worthy - or to build a meaningful life. Even if you’ve never read Ocean’s work, this conversation will feel like someone finally handed you the words you’ve been searching for. In this episode, you’ll learn: -How to find meaning even when you’re behind in life -How to move through grief without shutting down and let beauty exist alongside pain -Why chasing who you “should” be is keeping you stuck and how to come back to yourself -How to reconnect with yourself when you’ve been in survival mode for too long -How to feel calmer and more grounded when life feels uncertain - How to reprogram your mind for more positive thinking By the end of this episode, you’ll feel more hopeful, more centered, and more at peace with where you are - with permission to be exactly who you are, right now. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page.  If you liked the episode, check out this one next: Why You Feel Lost in Life: Dr. Gabor Maté on Trauma & How to HealConnect with Mel:   Order Mel’s new product, Pure Genius ProteinGet Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In today’s episode, you’ll learn how to get motivated, even when you don’t feel like it. If you feel unmotivated, scatter brained, or exhausted… If you keep reaching for your phone, wine, or the remote even when you want to stop… If you’re frustrated with yourself for lacking discipline…. This conversation will help you stop wasting time and finally understand why it’s so hard to do the things you know you should do. Joining Mel today is Dr. Anna Lembke, MD, who is the world’s leading expert on dopamine and compulsive behavior. Dr. Lembke is a professor of psychiatry and addiction medicine at Stanford University, chief of Stanford’s Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of Dopamine Nation and the upcoming Radical SurrenderShe has served on the boards of several state and national addiction-focused organizations, and has testified before the United States House of Representatives and Senate.But even with all of her knowledge, she will share with you: she also falls into the same traps you do!In this episode, Dr. Lembke explains the truth most people don’t understand: Modern life has trained your brain to chase constant dopamine hits, and that’s why motivation, focus, and joy feel harder than ever. But here’s the good news: you can reset your brain. Dr. Lembke walks you through the science of dopamine, pain, pleasure, and motivation, and shares a practical protocol for rebuilding focus, energy, and self-control in a world designed to hijack your attention. In this episode, you’ll learn: -The “pleasure–pain seesaw” that explains why you keep reaching for the thing you swear you’re done with -How dopamine really works (and why chasing pleasure backfires) -The hidden reason scrolling, snacking, and multitasking make you feel worse, not better -The simple but powerful way to rebalance pleasure and pain -What to do when you feel stuck in compulsive habits you “can’t quit”  This is not a conversation about shame, addiction labels, or self-control. It’s about taking your brain back. If you want more energy, clarity, and motivation, and if you’re ready to stop fighting yourself and start working with your brain, this episode is for you. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page.   If you liked the episode, check out this one next: How to Create a Successful Mindset: The Science of Passion and PerseveranceConnect with Mel:   Order Mel’s new product, Pure Genius ProteinGet Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.