Lorraine Besser, PhD, is a professor of philosophy at Middlebury College, who specializes in the philosophy and psychology of the good life and teaches popular courses for undergraduates on happiness, well-being, and ethics. She is the author of two academic books, The Philosophy of Happiness: An Interdisciplinary Introduction, and Eudaimonic Ethics: The Philosophy and Psychology of Living Well, and dozens of professional journal articles on moral psychology.

In this episode, I talk with Lorraine about her book, The Art of Interesting, and why happiness and meaning aren’t the only paths to a good life. She introduces the concept of psychological richness—how novelty, challenge, and curiosity can transform our daily experiences. We discuss the power of stepping outside our comfort zones, embracing unexpected opportunities, and cultivating a mindset that seeks engagement over mere contentment. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your life more interesting, this conversation will give you fresh insights and practical ways to start living with more curiosity and depth.

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro
(01:08) - Meet Lorraine Besser
(03:38) - Childhood lessons about money and entrepreneurship
(07:19) - The concept of psychological richness
(14:07) - Markers of psychological richness
(17:49) - What is a psychologically rich experience?
(24:15) - The psychological impact of social media and "busyness" Culture
(27:16) - Investing in experiences
(29:32) - Practical tips for psychological richness
(32:57) - Real-world shopping vs online shopping
(34:58) - Final thoughts and takeaways

Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money.

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney.

Dr. Lorraine Besser — The Missing Piece of a Fulfilling Life with Dr. Lorraine Besser