Is meaning something we create, or something we discover? Can purpose, pleasure, and passion coexist—or do they pull us in different directions? And why does the search for meaning matter more today than ever before?

Roy F. Baumeister is one of the world’s most influential psychologists, best known for his pioneering work on self-control, identity, and the psychology of meaning. He is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Queensland and has authored over 700 publications and nearly 40 books, including Willpower, The Cultural Animal, and Meanings of Life. His research has reshaped how we understand human motivation, exploring how people find purpose, belonging, and significance in an often chaotic world.

In this episode, we explore the deep architecture of what makes a life feel meaningful. Roy and I discuss how the study of meaning evolved from a taboo topic in psychology to a legitimate field of scientific inquiry, and why it matters for education, happiness, and mental health. He explains the four pillars of meaning—purpose, values, efficacy, and self-worth—and how these elements shape everything from our resilience to our daily decisions.

Our conversation moves between philosophy and neuroscience, from why meaning requires coherence across time to how awe, pleasure, and passion can transform ordinary experiences into profound ones. We also touch on the limits of pleasure, the paradox of freedom, and why the most meaningful lives may also carry the greatest sense of incompleteness. Together, we unpack how scientific insight can illuminate one of the oldest human questions: what makes life worth living?