27 May 2026
386: Why You Feel Empty Even When Life Looks Perfect | Bill Burnett + Dave Evans
Be Well by Kelly Leveque
About
What if the reason so many of us feel exhausted, disconnected, and unfulfilled isn’t because we’re failing… but because we’ve been taught to live in the wrong mindset entirely? In this conversation, I sat down with Stanford professors and Designing Your Life authors Bill Burnett and Dave Evans to unpack why modern life keeps us trapped in the “transactional world” and how to reconnect with meaning, presence, flow, and joy. We talk about burnout, motherhood, social media, AI anxiety, loneliness, relationships, and the simple mindset shifts that can completely change the way you experience your life.
→ Leave Us A Voice Message!
Topics Discussed:
→ Why do successful people feel empty?
→ How do you enter a flow state?
→ What creates meaning in everyday life?
→ Why are people more lonely today?
→ How do you stop living reactively?
Sponsored By:
→ Function | Check your health the way I do — 160+ lab tests a year for $365, plus the ability to dive deeper into your results with Function's
trusted connections to platforms like ChatGPT and Claude. Join at https://functionhealth.com/bewellbykelly and use code BEWELL25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.
→ Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at https://bewellbykelly.com.
→ Timeline | Timeline’s clinically proven formula is now more accessible. Mitopure starts at $99, and listeners can get 20% off at: https://timeline.com/KELLY
→ Minnow | Shop minnow's new apré-ski capsule collection at https://shopminnow.com and enter code MEETMINNOW15 at checkout to receive 15% off your first order.
→ Fatty 15 | Fatty15 is on a mission to replenish your C15 levels and restore your long-term health. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to https://fatty15.com/KELLY15 and using code KELLY15 at checkout.
→ LMNT | Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/Kelly. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend.
Timestamps:
→ 00:00:00 - Introduction
→ 00:01:45 - Bill + Dave’s Origin Story
→ 00:05:15 - The “Transactional World” Mindset
→ 00:09:59 - The Lonely Generation
→ 00:16:44 - Designer Mindsets
→ 00:21:13 - Practicing Presence
→ 00:23:21 - Why Nature Changes Your Nervous System
→ 00:30:11 - The “Got To” Vs “Get To” Mindset
→ 00:35:05 - Trauma, Gratitude + Perspective Shifts
→ 00:41:32 - FOMO to JOMO
→ 00:47:25 - Building Your Personal Compass
→ 00:53:39 - How To Create A Coherent Life
→ 00:57:15 - Follow Your Arrow
→ 00:59:10 - The Root of Suffering
→ 01:03:55 - Radical Acceptance
→ 01:11:01 - Get More Out Of Your Life
→ 01:15:16 - Connecting With Others
Further Listening:
→ Repressed Emotions, Anxiety + Why Self-Improvement Doesn’t Exist | Joe Hudson
Check Out Bill + Dave:
→ https://designingyour.life/
Check Out Kelly:
→ Instagram
→ Youtube
→ Facebook
→ Leave Us A Voice Message!
Topics Discussed:
→ Why do successful people feel empty?
→ How do you enter a flow state?
→ What creates meaning in everyday life?
→ Why are people more lonely today?
→ How do you stop living reactively?
Sponsored By:
→ Function | Check your health the way I do — 160+ lab tests a year for $365, plus the ability to dive deeper into your results with Function's
trusted connections to platforms like ChatGPT and Claude. Join at https://functionhealth.com/bewellbykelly and use code BEWELL25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.
→ Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at https://bewellbykelly.com.
→ Timeline | Timeline’s clinically proven formula is now more accessible. Mitopure starts at $99, and listeners can get 20% off at: https://timeline.com/KELLY
→ Minnow | Shop minnow's new apré-ski capsule collection at https://shopminnow.com and enter code MEETMINNOW15 at checkout to receive 15% off your first order.
→ Fatty 15 | Fatty15 is on a mission to replenish your C15 levels and restore your long-term health. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to https://fatty15.com/KELLY15 and using code KELLY15 at checkout.
→ LMNT | Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/Kelly. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend.
Timestamps:
→ 00:00:00 - Introduction
→ 00:01:45 - Bill + Dave’s Origin Story
→ 00:05:15 - The “Transactional World” Mindset
→ 00:09:59 - The Lonely Generation
→ 00:16:44 - Designer Mindsets
→ 00:21:13 - Practicing Presence
→ 00:23:21 - Why Nature Changes Your Nervous System
→ 00:30:11 - The “Got To” Vs “Get To” Mindset
→ 00:35:05 - Trauma, Gratitude + Perspective Shifts
→ 00:41:32 - FOMO to JOMO
→ 00:47:25 - Building Your Personal Compass
→ 00:53:39 - How To Create A Coherent Life
→ 00:57:15 - Follow Your Arrow
→ 00:59:10 - The Root of Suffering
→ 01:03:55 - Radical Acceptance
→ 01:11:01 - Get More Out Of Your Life
→ 01:15:16 - Connecting With Others
Further Listening:
→ Repressed Emotions, Anxiety + Why Self-Improvement Doesn’t Exist | Joe Hudson
Check Out Bill + Dave:
→ https://designingyour.life/
Check Out Kelly:
→ Youtube