What Are You Doing This For? Breaking Free From Joyless Urgency (encore) [262]

About this episode

The episode explores the concept of joyless urgency and the importance of fun in personal growth.

We're in our new "month of renewal" format. We're essentially exploring this question throughout the month... what if growth required less effort? This is an encore episode that helps us answer this question. Reminder that we'll be back with new episodes May 1, 2026. "Joyless urgency." Two words that probably just hit a little too close to home. In this episode, Henry Emmons, MD and Aimee Prasek, PhD dig into the Element of Fun — and why so many of us have so little of it. Drawing on the writing of Marilynne Robinson, the surprising decline of kids biking, and sobering research on social media's role in what researchers call problematic engagement , Henry and Aimee make a compelling case that fun isn't frivolous. It's foundational. And reclaiming it might be one of the most radical — and effective — things you can do right now. About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy. Take the next leap in your wellbeing…

People in this episode

Hosts: Henry Emmons, MD, Aimee Prasek, PhD

Topics covered

• joy
• urgency
• fun
• growth
• mental health
• social media

Keywords

• joy
• urgency
• fun
• mental health
• social media
• growth
• resilience

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Marilynne Robinson

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