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This week, hosts Barry and Carolin lean into the reflective atmosphere of late November to discuss one of life’s most profound questions: How do we find our purpose?
In this episode of Waves & Words, we strip away the idea that purpose must be a grand, world-changing achievement. Instead, we explore it as a practical "anchor" that reduces the scattering of our attention and provides a coherent direction for our lives. From the "quiet pull" of a creative urge to the resilience found in serving others, we look at purpose as an ongoing process of returning to one’s true self.
In this episode, we explore:
The Practical Anchor: Barry discusses how purpose serves as a compass for "redefining values" and building emotional resilience.
The Four Pathways to Meaning: A deep dive into the four ways of finding purpose—through service, commitment to others, spiritual experience, and the Viktor Frankl perspective of finding meaning in suffering.
Literature & Philosophy: We reference a vast library of thought, from the Adlerian psychology of The Courage to Be Disliked and Eckhart Tolle’s presence to Yuval Noah Harari’s constructed narratives in Sapiens.
A Poetic Reflection: Carolin shares the haunting beauty of Rainer Maria Rilke’s Duino Elegies (Duineser Elegien) and explores the "inner urge" to create that exists beyond logic.
Replugging via Brutal Honesty: We discuss Mark Manson’s "7 Strange Questions" to help you find your purpose—including the infamous "Shit Sandwich" theory.
Resource List
Discover the books and articles that shaped today’s conversation about meaning and motivation.
The Modern Library of Purpose
Mark Manson: 7 Strange Questions That Help You Find Your Life Purpose – A direct, unconventional guide to finding what matters.
Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga: The Courage to Be Disliked – Exploring Adlerian psychology and the power of contribution.
Eckhart Tolle: The Power of Now – Finding purpose in the intrinsic value of presence.
Viktor Frankl: Man’s Search for Meaning – The foundational text on surviving and thriving through purpose.
Yuval Noah Harari: Sapiens – A look at how humans construct stories and meaning through history.
Self-Help & Career Guidance
John Strelecky: The Why Are You Here Café and The Big Five for Life.
Rolf Dobelli: The Art of Living the Good Life (Die Kunst des guten Lebens).
Richard Nelson Bolles: What Color is Your Parachute?
Dale Carnegie: How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.
Poetry & Art
Rainer Maria Rilke: Duino Elegies - English (Duineser Elegien - German) – Specifically the First Elegy on the "terrifying beauty" of existence and the urge to express.
The "Replugging" Purpose Challenge
Follow the "Quiet Pull": For one week, ignore the loud pressures of the world and pay attention to the tiny curiosities that keep nudging you.
Nourishment vs. Skill: Identify one activity this week that leaves you feeling "more alive" afterwards—even if you aren't "good" at it yet.
The Deathbed Perspective: Reflect on Mark Manson’s question: "If you knew you were going to die one year from today, how would you want to be remembered?"
Five-Minute Stillness: Create a small ritual of reconnection to check in with your own frequency before the day begins.
DISCLAIMER
The Waves & Words podcast is shared for informational and educational purposes only. The creators are not medical doctors or licensed healthcare practitioners, and the content of this show should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Our conversations are intended to offer general insights and personal reflections on holistic wellness. They are not a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.
Any application of the ideas or techniques discussed is at your own discretion, and the hosts assume no responsibility for your personal actions or outcomes. We strongly encourage you to consult a professional before making significant changes to your physical or mental health routines.
