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Published Oct 15, 2018

Embracing Death, Making Music, and Finding Purpose with Mike Posner and Lewis Howes

Mike Posner delves into the transformative power of embracing mortality, the profound inspirations behind his music, and the struggle to maintain authenticity amidst fame, offering a deep exploration of living purposefully and creatively in the face of life's inevitable challenges.
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Episode Highlights

  • Lessons from Loss

    shares profound insights from experiencing the deaths of loved ones, including his father and Avicii. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging mortality to live a meaningful life. Posner reflects on the gratitude he feels for having had a loving father for 29 years, contrasting it with friends who never knew theirs 1. This perspective shift helps him appreciate life more deeply:

    I had a father, and a damn good one for 29 years... I'm grateful I had him for 29 years, and I'm not going to complain that he's not here for 30.

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    He believes keeping death "on your shoulder" encourages living authentically and pursuing one's true desires 2.

       

    Value of Life

    The inevitability of death brings urgency and value to life, according to . He discusses how the passing of Avicii served as a reminder to live intentionally and create the life he truly desires 3. Posner's father taught him the importance of health and happiness over material achievements, a lesson he only fully grasped later in life 4. This realization has led him to focus on inner peace and contentment:

    I'm happy in this moment, and I don't ask for anything in addition to make me more happy.

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    He strives to maintain this mindset amidst the chaos of his career, finding balance between external success and internal fulfillment.

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