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The REAL Formula For Success and Happiness | The Mel Robbins Podcast

Order your copy of The Let Them Theory 👉 https://melrob.co/let-them-theory 👈 The #1 Best Selling Book of 2025 🔥 Discover how much power you truly have. It all begins with two simple words. Let Them. — In this episode, you’re going to learn the 4 happiness habits that, based on #research, are scientifically proven to make you happier in 21 days. #Happiness is not only possible; it is an option for you. Our guest today is one of the most respected happiness researchers in the world. Shawn Achor is the author of 4 New York Times bestsellers and has created the largest happiness training program in the world. He is here to prove to you that happiness is not only possible but also an option for you. This conversation is packed with practical and proven tools that you can put to work in your life immediately. We will also dig deep into the research that supports everything that you are about to learn. Shawn goes deeper than he has ever gone in an interview, discussing his struggle with depression and how these 4 habits have helped him climb out of it. Get out your notebook because we are drilling into decades of psychological research that will ladder up to more meaning in your life. Today you’ll learn: - How to find happiness amidst pain and fear - The 4 simple #habits that create more happiness - What Shawn calls the ‘turning point’ for his struggle with depression - How to be #happy even when you’re lonely and the importance of connection and community - The first step YOU need to take to living a happier, more meaningful life Happiness is not an emotion; it is a framework, and that framework is getting built today! Xo, Mel You will also learn: 00:00 Intro 03:49 What is the definition of happiness? 07:33 Where can you find happiness amidst pain and fear? 10:04 What is the difference between happiness and joy? 14:32 What happens when you become fearful that you will never be happy again? 15:50 Step #1 to claiming happiness is recognition. This is why. 17:47 This is YOUR starting point for living a happier life. 21:03 What kept Shane going: the habits that pulled him out of a depression 23:55 Reminder: Happiness is a team sport. 29:52 The story we tell ourselves is how we navigate our lives. 30:39 What loneliness actually is 36:00 The importance of social connection and community 42:40 These 4 simple habits for 21 days will change your life. 48:17 It’s not the end of your story; the reminder I even needed 53:23 Happiness is an option, not a choice. 57:24 What Shawn learned in Flint, Michigan, about mindset and behavior 1:07:18 The tools and takeaways you need to remember after this conversation — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

Mel RobbinshostShawn Achorguest
Jun 29, 20231h 15mWatch on YouTube ↗

Episode Details

EPISODE INFO

Released
June 29, 2023
Duration
1h 15m
Channel
The Mel Robbins Podcast
Watch on YouTube
▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Order your copy of The Let Them Theory 👉 https://melrob.co/let-them-theory 👈 The #1 Best Selling Book of 2025 🔥 Discover how much power you truly have. It all begins with two simple words. Let Them. — In this episode, you’re going to learn the 4 happiness habits that, based on #research, are scientifically proven to make you happier in 21 days. #Happiness is not only possible; it is an option for you. Our guest today is one of the most respected happiness researchers in the world. Shawn Achor is the author of 4 New York Times bestsellers and has created the largest happiness training program in the world. He is here to prove to you that happiness is not only possible but also an option for you. This conversation is packed with practical and proven tools that you can put to work in your life immediately. We will also dig deep into the research that supports everything that you are about to learn. Shawn goes deeper than he has ever gone in an interview, discussing his struggle with depression and how these 4 habits have helped him climb out of it. Get out your notebook because we are drilling into decades of psychological research that will ladder up to more meaning in your life. Today you’ll learn:

  • How to find happiness amidst pain and fear
  • The 4 simple #habits that create more happiness
  • What Shawn calls the ‘turning point’ for his struggle with depression
  • How to be #happy even when you’re lonely and the importance of connection and community
  • The first step YOU need to take to living a happier, more meaningful life

Happiness is not an emotion; it is a framework, and that framework is getting built today! Xo, Mel You will also learn: 00:00 Intro 03:49 What is the definition of happiness? 07:33 Where can you find happiness amidst pain and fear? 10:04 What is the difference between happiness and joy? 14:32 What happens when you become fearful that you will never be happy again? 15:50 Step #1 to claiming happiness is recognition. This is why. 17:47 This is YOUR starting point for living a happier life. 21:03 What kept Shane going: the habits that pulled him out of a depression 23:55 Reminder: Happiness is a team sport. 29:52 The story we tell ourselves is how we navigate our lives. 30:39 What loneliness actually is 36:00 The importance of social connection and community 42:40 These 4 simple habits for 21 days will change your life. 48:17 It’s not the end of your story; the reminder I even needed 53:23 Happiness is an option, not a choice. 57:24 What Shawn learned in Flint, Michigan, about mindset and behavior 1:07:18 The tools and takeaways you need to remember after this conversation — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

SPEAKERS

  • Mel Robbins

    host
  • Shawn Achor

    guest
  • Narrator

    other

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, featuring Mel Robbins and Shawn Achor, The REAL Formula For Success and Happiness | The Mel Robbins Podcast explores redefining Happiness: Simple Daily Habits That Build Lasting Joy Mel Robbins interviews happiness researcher and author Shawn Achor about what happiness really is and how to reliably cultivate it. Achor redefines happiness as “the joy you feel moving toward your potential,” emphasizing meaning, growth, and connection rather than fleeting pleasure or external achievements. They explore how depression, chronic illness, loneliness, and parenting struggles fit into this new framework and why happiness can’t be a solo, purely mental project. The episode culminates in four science-backed daily habits that, practiced for 21 days, measurably increase happiness, resilience, and social connection.

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