What if the problem isn't that you're moving too slowly? What if you've been chasing the wrong finish line? In this episode of The Mindful Living, host Sana welcomes Mark Fabian, Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Warwick and author of Beyond Happy: How to Rethink Happiness and Find Fulfillment, for a thoughtful conversation about what it really means to live a good life. Drawing on his personal journey, academic research, and work on public policy, Mark challenges the familiar idea that happiness comes after the next promotion, bigger paycheck, better house, or milestone. He explains why material security matters, but why relationships, community, personal values, and meaningful participation become increasingly important once our basic needs are met. The conversation explores the relationship between happiness and politics, the pressure created by competitive and materialistic cultures, and why societies should consider dignity, opportunity, and collective wellbeing rather than relying only on happiness scores. Mark also offers a practical way to rethink personal fulfillment: pay attention to your emotional and social experiences, understand what genuinely matters to you, and make choices that bring your daily life closer to those values. Because a fulfilling life may not be about reaching a perfect destination. It may be about learning to value the life you're building along the way. About Mark Fabian:Mark Fabian is a public policy scholar at the University of Warwick and an affiliated researcher at the Bennett Institute for Public Policy at the University of Cambridge. His work explores happiness, wellbeing, public policy, and what helps individuals and communities flourish. He is the author of Beyond Happy: How to Rethink Happiness and Find Fulfilment. University of Warwick+2 Key takeaways:Happiness is not a permanent destination. It can be understood as feedback that helps us assess how our lives are going.Material security matters, but it is not the whole picture. Food, shelter, healthcare, and financial security are essential. Beyond those foundations, relationships, community, and meaningful activity become increasingly important.Values give life direction. Our everyday choices express what matters to us, whether we realise it or not.Emotional discomfort can carry information. Rather than immediately pushing difficult feelings away, we can reflect on what they may be telling us.Wellbeing is also collective. Supportive relationships, community groups, and nourishing social environments can contribute to a more fulfilling life.Culture shapes what we chase. Competitive and materialistic environments can encourage endless comparison and the feeling that we never have enough.Look beyond inherited expectations. Reflect on what naturally interested you, moved you, or gave you joy before other people told you what success should look like.Respect the dignity of work. A person's contribution should not be measured only by income, status, or professional title.Be careful with comparisons. As life improves, remember what you once hoped for instead of constantly moving the goalposts.Build a life around what matters. Identify the experiences and relationships you want, then consider the skills and resources that can help you create them. Episode chapters:Timestamp Chapter 00:00 The happiness treadmill: are we chasing the wrong finish line? 02:15 Mark Fabian’s personal journey into the science of wellbeing 04:58 Is happiness political? The role of values in everyday choices 07:19 Why success and material wealth don't guarantee happiness 08:27 The limits of material gains and the importance of relationships 11:50 Happiness as feedback, not a final destination 13:59 How culture and capitalism shape our idea of happiness 16:29 Questioning society's definition of success 18:12 Discovering your authentic values and intrinsic motivations 21:31 Finding meaning, dignity, and satisfaction in everyday work 23:38 The difference between contentment and limited opportunity 26:47 Why we should appreciate what we once dreamed of 27:27 Mark's book, writing, and where to find his work Guest links and resources:Book: Beyond Happy: How to Rethink Happiness and Find FulfilmentView book detailsSubstack: Prof. Mark FabianUniversity of Warwick: Academic profileCambridge University: Bennett Institute profileLinkedIn: Mark Fabian on LinkedInBluesky: Mark Fabian on Bluesky 🎙️ Want to Be a Guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? 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