The Evolved Caveman Podcast
@theevolvedcaveman·3.3K subscribers·215 videos
Fun, Laughter & Flexibility For Our Psychological & Physical Health - Dr. Mike Rucker
Posted
March 13, 2023
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12
March 13, 2023
12
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55:52Now Playing**Good vibes only!** Just manifest harder! Be grateful! Smile more!
…*Barf.*
We are neck-deep in a sea of toxic positivity and inspiration porn. It’s like the entire Western world collectively decided that if you’re not riding a unicorn over a double rainbow of joy, you must be doing life wrong. If you’re still sad? Well clearly, you're not praying hard enough, meditating right, or visualizing your six-pack abs with enough intensity.
Here’s the truth bomb: **you can absolutely overdose on the pursuit of happiness**. And the research backs it up. Chase happiness like it’s the Holy Grail and guess what? You’re probably gonna wind up even *less* happy than you started. Because (drumroll please) **happiness doesn’t like being stalked.**
So how the hell *do* we get happier without turning into blissed-out robots or TikTok gurus?
In this episode, we get into the juicy, science-backed real talk about:
- Why too much happiness chasing makes you miserable
- The dark side of turning positivity into a full-time job
- What the hell **emotional flexibility** is (and how to stop reacting like a drama llama every time life throws a curveball)
- The **hedonic treadmill**—aka why that new car, job, or relationship won’t save your soul
- The concept of **hedonic flexibility** (no, it’s not a sex move, though it sounds like it)
- Why **autonomy** is one of the most underrated keys to life satisfaction (translation: stop letting people micromanage your damn life)
- How having more freedom at work could make you *not* want to toss your laptop out the window
This episode is your antidote to the cult of forced happiness. Let’s get real about what it actually takes to feel good—on purpose, and in real life.
About My Esteemed Guest:
Dr. Mike Rucker () is an organizational psychologist, behavioral scientist, and charter member of the International Positive Psychology Association. He has been published in publications like the International Journal of Workplace Health Management. His ideas about fun and health have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Fast Company, Psychology Today, Forbes, Vox, and more. He currently serves as a senior leader at Active Wellness and is the author of the book the Fun Habit.
Where to reach Dr. Mike
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For more info on Dr. John Schinnerer's work with executives and high achievers, visit
If you're interested in the couples counseling work he's doing with Joree Rose, LMFT, visit
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