Solved, Answers: Finding Purpose, Failing Better, and the AI Future

This one’s different. In this special year-end episode, I answer your questions—from the deep stuff about purpose and motivation, to the uncomfortable realities of change, burnout, failure, and dealing with unsupportive family. I also share the behind-the-scenes chaos of building SOLVED this year, what I learned about making massive, meaningful content, and what’s coming in 2026 (spoiler: boundaries, ego, and maybe some live shows). This is part personal, part philosophical, and part therapy session disguised as a podcast. If you’ve been wondering what’s next—or why you feel stuck—this one’s for you. See you in 2026. CHAPTERS Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:13 Recap of 2025 00:03:42 What if I don't have a single purpose? 00:06:07 Why don't I feel a strong need for purpose? 00:08:32 How do I find purpose when doing things I don't find important? 00:12:34 I'm having issues on getting motivated on one thing 00:19:35 What if my family doesn't support my purpose? 00:23:15 I'm struggling with the idea that purpose must be bigger than yourself 00:26:04 How Mark got Purpose AI to work 00:32:55 Questions from YouTube 00:33:13 How do you change yourself? 00:36:43 Finding meaning after AI takeover 00:44:01 What would a Models rewrite look like today? 00:48:19 Mark's first heartbreak 00:54:31 What would Mark put on Voyager 1? 00:57:35 Self-doubt on something you make 01:02:12 Mark's next book? 01:03:38 Tours around the world 01:05:55 Goals for 2026 01:08:14 Podcast changes for 2026 ⇨ Sign up for my newsletter, Your Next Breakthrough. It will help make you a less awful person: https://go.markmanson.net/cdi1xzha ⇨ Get clarity on what actually matters. Try Purpose, Mark's AI mentor app that learns your patterns, challenges your blind spots, and helps you take action. Get started at https://go.markmanson.net/217i5ys5 FOLLOW MARK Mark's IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/markmanson⁠ Solved IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/solvedpodcast/⁠ Twitter: ⁠https://x.com/markmanson⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmanson/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@IAmMarkManson