206 - Burnout, Loneliness, and the New Happy – a way forward for Men with Stephanie Harrison

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In this transformative episode of The ManKind Podcast, Boysen sits down with Stephanie Harrison—philosopher of happiness, founder of The New Happy, and author of the international bestseller New Happy: Getting Happiness Right in a World That’s Got It Wrong. Together, they take aim at the deeply ingrained myths of happiness shaped by individualism, capitalism, and domination.

Stephanie reveals how these cultural forces disconnect us from true wellbeing and from one another—and how men, in particular, are harmed by messages that tie their worth to productivity, stoicism, and isolation. Drawing from her research and lived experience, she offers a powerful, hopeful alternative: a happiness rooted in connection, compassion, and shared purpose.

Key moments in the conversation include:

• [04:00] Stephanie explains the "Old Happy" framework and how it distorts our pursuit of happiness.
• [06:30] A deep dive into individualism: how it isolates men and reinforces emotional suppression.
• [10:45] Understanding domination as self-suppression and societal control—and how men internalize it.
• [18:35] Facing capitalism: why the endless pursuit of success leaves us empty—and what real purpose looks like.
• [25:45] A surprising reframe of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs—what we've misunderstood about self-actualization.
• [31:00] Stephanie shares 3 practices to build more meaningful relationships and authentic joy.
• [34:30] Boysen shares a personal story about starting a local men’s walk-and-talk group—and the impact of simple connection.
• [37:20] The Harvard Grant Study makes an appearance: the #1 predictor of a happy, healthy life? Relationships.

This is a must-listen for anyone who senses there's more to life—and manhood—than striving alone. If you've ever felt like the rules of happiness weren’t wr

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