Secrets for a happy life

Petra Kmetec Bitenc

Hello and welcome to 'Secrets for a Happy Life', the podcast where we embark on a journey to uncover the essence of a fulfilling existence. This podcast was created as a result of my desire to share the knowledge I've gained from my many travels, deep dives into human psychology, and curiosity about what drives us and what makes us happy.

  1. EP63: Beyond Goals: Puzzle Solving & The Cure for "Stormtrooperism" with Radhika Dutt

    11/28/2025

    EP63: Beyond Goals: Puzzle Solving & The Cure for "Stormtrooperism" with Radhika Dutt

    Do you feel like you're constantly working hard but staying in the same place? Radhika Dutt calls this "Stormtrooperism"—where we follow orders and stay busy without hitting the target. In this episode, Petra sits down with Radhika Dutt, author of Radical Product Thinking, serial entrepreneur, and an MIT alum who speaks nine languages. Radhika challenges the toxic culture of endless goal-setting and introduces a more human, intuitive approach to life and business: Puzzle Setting and Puzzle Solving. We dive deep into how to stop chasing arbitrary achievements and start creating genuine change. From her experience growing up in South Africa during apartheid to successfully exiting five companies, Radhika shares profound insights on trusting yourself and redefining what success actually looks like. She introduces the concept of Puzzle Setting and Puzzle Solving—a framework that replaces rigid goal-setting with curiosity, observation, and adaptation. We discuss: Why vision is about the change you want to make, not the revenue you want to earn. How to trust your intuition and unpack the need to constantly "prove" yourself. The "OHLA" framework for navigating uncertainty in business and life. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone looking for more fulfillment, this episode will teach you how to stop pivoting aimlessly and start solving the right puzzles. Links: https://rdutt.com https://www.radicalproduct.com

    54 min
  2. EP57: Hussein Hallak: Master Life with Powerful Questions & Purposeful Joy

    08/01/2025

    EP57: Hussein Hallak: Master Life with Powerful Questions & Purposeful Joy

    Startup mentor, serial entrepreneur, and author of The Dark Art of Life Mastery Hussein Hallak joins Petra to reveal why breakthroughs begin with a single, well‑timed question and how purposeful joy eclipses quick‑fix happiness.Together they unpack the art of loving the problem, using strategic no’s to create focus, and slowing down just enough to speed up your results.💡 Key Takeaways*Great questions are better than perfect answers – one incisive question can crack months of gridlock.*Love the problem – curiosity about the real pain point keeps you agile when plans crumble.*Three‑rule “no” filter – work only with people you like, who share your vision, and who leave the world better.*Slow = fast – preparation and reflection shorten the true path to success.*Purposeful joy beats fleeting happiness – sustainable fulfillment grows out of meaningful struggle.🔗 Links & Resources: Hussein Hallak- Website: husseinhallak.com- Substack: husseinhallak.substack.com- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/husseinhallak - Instagram: instagram.com/hhdarkal/- Book – The Dark Art of Life MasteryPetra Kmetec• Instagram – https://instagram.com/limitless.with.petraMentioned in the conversation:The Speed of Trust — Stephen M. R. CoveyAsh Maurya’s “Love the Problem” blog post👇 Reflection prompt: What one power‑question will you ask yourself this week? Share it in the comments—I’m reading every reply!

    42 min

About

Hello and welcome to 'Secrets for a Happy Life', the podcast where we embark on a journey to uncover the essence of a fulfilling existence. This podcast was created as a result of my desire to share the knowledge I've gained from my many travels, deep dives into human psychology, and curiosity about what drives us and what makes us happy.