On the 149th episode of
What is a Good Life?, I welcome Adam Mastroianni. Adam is an experimental psychologist and author of the popular science newsletter
Experimental History. His work has been featured in
Nature,
The New York Times, and
Jimmy Kimmel Live. He has escaped from over 170 escape rooms.
In this conversation, Adam discusses the nature of questions and curiosity as driving forces in life. He explores the concept of being possessed by ideas, the role of suffering in personal growth, and the shift from academia to independent thought.
This episode highlights the impact that finding your unique role—and contributing meaningfully to the world from that place—can have on your life.
04:06 – Enjoying The Friction
07:48 – Why Toilets Took Millennia
13:13 – First Day Being Curious
18:16 – Internet Praise Vs Real Life
23:51 – Freedom Without A Boss
28:07 – Choosing Productive Fear
31:07 – Leaving A “Good” Career
36:52 – What’s Worth Suffering For
45:46 – The Cost Of Pretending
48:00 – The Ideas Graveyard
52:15 – What Is A Good Life?
Keywords: Meaning of Life Interviews | meaning of life conversations | exploring life | big life questions | meaning of life discussions | creating a meaningful life
What is What is a Good Life??
What is a Good Life? is a podcast about the questions that shape our lives: how we live, who we become, and what truly matters. For the past five years, I've asked more than 300 people one deceptively simple question: What is a good life?
There isn't a single answer. Instead, each conversation offers a different way of seeing the world—through stories, ideas, struggles, joys, and moments of hard-earned wisdom. Together, they form a richer picture of what it means to be human.
Whether you're searching for clarity, purpose, or simply a thoughtful conversation, this podcast is an invitation to reflect on your own answer.
New episodes every Tuesday.