Karen Salmansohn

Season 4, episode 9 is here! Karen Salmansohn has sold two million books, been blessed by Madonna, and built a career entirely on the principle of doing something a little extra every single time. This one was a lot of fun! What we covered: - Why Karen left a senior VP creative director role in her twenties and what she told her parents when they said she was crazy to do it. - The story of how she got her first novel in front of publishers in a way that got an offer within days of sending it out. - How she walked up to Madonna in a hotel restaurant, got her to read a book title, and turned the whole encounter into a press story. - What her bucket list from hell period actually was and how she turned the worst year of her life into one of her most successful books. - The writing mistake she sees constantly on Substack that she thinks most people assume they’re getting away with. - Why she believes memoir-style headlines consistently outperform advice-style headlines, and how she tested that on her own publication. - The new business she’s just launched and what the top regrets of the dying had to do with building it. You can find Karen at The Stand Up Philosopher: Weighty Musings, Lightly Served on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe

In this vibrant and deeply insightful episode, I sit down with best-selling author and "happiness expert" Karen Salmansohn. Karen shares her fascinating journey from a high-powered career as an award-winning creative director in advertising to becoming a leading voice in personal development and behavioral change. We dive into her latest book, Your To Die for Life , which explores how embracing our mortality can actually help us live more fully and joyfully. Karen opens up about the pivotal moment of her father's passing and how writing his eulogy inspired her to reverse-engineer her own life to minimize regrets. She introduces powerful concepts like "emotional diversity", the idea that a full life requires a range of emotions, not just happiness, and her unique "mortality marble jar" ritual for visualizing time and prioritizing what truly matters. Our conversation also touches on the power of identity-based habits, the importance of "best mode" over "beast mode," and Karen's experience as a later-in-life mother. She shares practical tools, humorous anecdotes (including a bagel-chewing call with Marisa Tomei!), and her refreshing perspective on rewriting the rules of life and motherhood. You'll also hear about: (06:54) Karen's bold decision to leave a successful advertising career to pursue her dream of writing books . (12:32) The incredible story of how she bypassed her agent to get her manuscript directly to Marisa Tomei . (19:30) How her father's death and writing his eulogy sparked a realization about living intentionally to avoid regrets . (22:06) The research-backed concept that embracing death leads to living more boldly and authentically . (28:33) "Emotional diversity" (emodiversity) and why a life of pure bliss without challenges wouldn't be meaningful . (33:00) The "To-Die List" vs. the To-Do List: focusing on core values and identity-based habits . (35:12) The 7 core values to avoid the top regrets of the dying: Authentic, Brave, Curious, Discerning, Empathic Love, Fun, and Grateful . (51:23) The "Mortality Marble Jar" visual tool for tracking time left and ensuring monthly highlights . (01:03:22) Karen's personal take on "Rewrite the Mother Code": proving that energetic, vibrant motherhood is possible later in life . Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , YouTube , or wherever you listen to podcasts! Learn more about Karen Salmansohn Visit Karen's main website: notsalmon.com Learn about her new book and coa

October 24, 2025 The Jōrni Podcast Episode 328 - Mortality Awareness with Karen Salmansohn In this episode, we explore the truth we all share but often avoid talking about. We know our life on this planet will end one day, but we tend to push that awareness aside until something grave brings it front and center. Instead of waiting for that moment, what happens when we live our lives now, with intent, with purpose, and with joy? When we stop drifting through near-life experiences and begin shaping each day around our deepest values, we discover what it means to live fully before time runs out. KAREN SALMANSOHN Karen Salmansohn is a multi-bestselling author, behavioral change expert, and speaker whose books have sold over 2 million copies worldwide. Known for blending psychology with practical tools for personal growth, she has written for outlets such as Oprah and Psychology Today and built an engaged community of over 1.5 million followers. In her latest book, Your To-Die-For Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret Before Your Time Runs Out , Karen introduces the Mortality Awareness Movement, a practice of facing death in order to live more fully. Through her writing and teaching, she inspires others to break free from autopilot living and to create lives filled with joy, meaning, and intention. RESOURCES https://www.instagram.com/notsalmon/ Your To-Die-For Life Book https://yourtodieforlife.com/ https://substack.com/@notsalmon https://www.facebook.com/Notsalmon https://www.linkedin.com/in/karensalmansohn/ THE JŌRNI RESOURCES https://thejornipodcast.com for show notes https://thejorniblog.com for more holistic healing and mental health resources https://thejorni.com LIKED THIS EPISODE? Share this episode on social media and leave us a short review https://thejornipodcast.com/episode-328-mortality-awareness-with-karen-salmansohn

Karen Salmansohn is a best-selling author and self-help innovator with over 2 million books sold worldwide. Known for her unique blend of science-backed strategies, humor, and eye-catching design, Karen has redefined personal development for the modern era. She began her career in advertising—rising to senior VP, creative director—before making a bold pivot to write books that inspire, entertain, and genuinely help people. Her numerous works include “How to Be Happy, Dammit,” and “How to Succeed in Business Without a Penis,” empowering readers around the globe to pursue happiness, resilience, and authenticity. Takeaways: Embrace Self-Love and Boundaries: Karen believes the key to a fulfilling life and career is learning to love yourself, be your own best friend, and set boundaries that affirm your self-worth. Mortality Awareness Fuels Fulfillment: By thinking about what truly matters at the end of life (“to die lists”), you can reverse engineer a meaningful present. Mortality awareness isn’t morbid—it’s motivating. Take Bold, Ballsy Action: Whether in business or life, “being ballsy”—taking risks and going beyond the minimal effort—opens up greater opportunities, especially for women seeking to break the mold. Sound Bytes: “Stop staring at what could go wrong and start focusing on what could go right.” “Mortality awareness gives you urgency. Life is short, it’s fleeting, and that inspires action.” “Be your own best friend—what you believe you deserve, you create around you.” Connect & Discover Karen: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notsalmon/ YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/user/NotsalmonTV Webiste: https://www.notsalmon.com/ Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Notsalmon/ Book: Your To-Die-For Life 🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥 Mick Hunt’s brand-new book , How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One: The Blueprint for Modern Leadership , is here to light a fire under your ambition and arm you with the real-talk strategies that only Mick delivers. 👉 Grab your copy now and level up your life → Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Books A Million FOLLOW MICK ON: Spotify: MickUnplugged Instagram: @mickunplugged Facebook : @mickunplugged YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/" target

Karen Salmansohn is a best-selling author and self-help innovator with over 2 million books sold worldwide. Known for her unique blend of science-backed strategies, humor, and eye-catching design, Karen has redefined personal development for the modern era. She began her career in advertising—rising to senior VP, creative director—before making a bold pivot to write books that inspire, entertain, and genuinely help people. Her numerous works include “How to Be Happy, Dammit,” and “How to Succeed in Business Without a Penis,” empowering readers around the globe to pursue happiness, resilience, and authenticity. Takeaways: Embrace Self-Love and Boundaries: Karen believes the key to a fulfilling life and career is learning to love yourself, be your own best friend, and set boundaries that affirm your self-worth. Mortality Awareness Fuels Fulfillment: By thinking about what truly matters at the end of life (“to die lists”), you can reverse engineer a meaningful present. Mortality awareness isn’t morbid—it’s motivating. Take Bold, Ballsy Action: Whether in business or life, “being ballsy”—taking risks and going beyond the minimal effort—opens up greater opportunities, especially for women seeking to break the mold. Sound Bytes: “Stop staring at what could go wrong and start focusing on what could go right.” “Mortality awareness gives you urgency. Life is short, it’s fleeting, and that inspires action.” “Be your own best friend—what you believe you deserve, you create around you.” Connect & Discover Karen: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notsalmon/ YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/user/NotsalmonTV Webiste: https://www.notsalmon.com/ Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Notsalmon/ Book: Your To-Die-For Life 🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥 Mick Hunt’s brand-new book , How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One: The Blueprint for Modern Leadership , is here to light a fire under your ambition and arm you with the real-talk strategies that only Mick delivers. 👉 Grab your copy now and level up your life → Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Books A Million FOLLOW MICK ON: Spotify: MickUnplugged Instagram: @mickunplugged Facebook : @mickunplugged YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast LinkedIn: @mickhunt Website : MickHuntOfficial.com Apple :<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/po

Are you living fully—or just going through the motions? In this episode of the Mama Work It podcast, I sit down with Karen Salmansohn, best-selling author, Behavioral Change Expert, and founder of NotSalmon.com, where over 1.5 million followers turn for science-based strategies on happiness and fulfillment. With more than two million books and courses sold—and appearances on Oprah and in Psychology Today—Karen is known for blending psychology, neuroscience, and humor to deliver life-changing tools in a relatable way. We dive into her latest book, Your To Die For Life , and explore what it means to stop “sleepwalking” through life and start making intentional, meaningful choices. In this conversation, we cover: How motherhood has shaped Karen’s journey as a writer and change-maker What “near-life experiences” are and how to know if you’re stuck in one Why fear, distraction, and busyness hold so many of us back The surprising connection between thinking about death and living more fully Misconceptions about happiness and what research really says about fulfillment Practical steps for moms to break autopilot and lead a purpose-driven life If you’ve ever felt like you’re just checking boxes instead of truly living, this episode will give you the clarity and motivation to step into your most intentional, energized, and joyful self. 👉 Tune in now, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Mama Work It podcast so you never miss an episode! Connect with Karen and purchase her book: Website: https://www.notsalmon.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notsalmon/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Notsalmon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/NotsalmonTV Your To Die For Life Book: https://yourtodieforlife.com/ And don’t forget to listen to Karen’s go-to song: I Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvlTJrNJ5lA For more resources on mom life, work life, wife life, fill in the blank, head over to www.mamaworkit.com and subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CEO & Publisher Kristen McGuiness is joined by multi-bestselling author and leading Behavioral Change Expert Karen Salmansohn . An inspiring conversation, not to be missed, these two dive into topics about life and death, writing the book that needs to be written, and the power of female friendships.

What if the secret to a happy life isn't about productivity, but about confronting your own mortality? In this episode of Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors, Erica Rooney sits down with Karen Salmansohn, a bestselling author, wellness expert, and the founder of NotSalmon.com. With a blend of psychology, humor, and a no-BS approach, Karen empowers women to live their happiest, most successful lives. Her new book, Your To Die for Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret Before Your Time Runs Out , challenges us to think about life's end to get the most out of our today. Join them as they explore the power of "mortality awareness" as a motivator for change, the science behind rewiring your brain for confidence, and why humor is one of the most effective tools for managing challenging emotions. Inside the Episode: From Ad Exec to Author: Karen's fascinating journey from a high-stakes, high-stress advertising career to becoming a best-selling author and wellness guru with a book titled How to Succeed in Business Without a Penis . The Stop and Swap: A powerful behavioral change strategy rooted in neuroplasticity. Learn why you can't just stop a bad habit or a negative thought—you must replace it with a positive one. The Power of Your Eulogy: Why writing your own eulogy is a life-changing exercise for reverse-engineering your life's purpose and ensuring you live a life of meaning, not just milestones. The Top Regrets of the Dying: Karen shares how a personal tragedy—the death of her father—inspired her to confront the regrets of the dying and change her life's trajectory, leading her to have a son on the same day her father died. The Identity-Based Statement: Learn this powerful psychological tool for changing your habits by first changing how you see yourself. Core Values Over Goals: The difference between a to-do list and a "to-die list," and why living a life aligned with your core values is the only way to minimize regret. Humor as a Superpower: How to use humor as a strategic tool to navigate challenging emotions and move past self-doubt. If you're an ambitious woman who wants to live a bolder, more authentic life—one with no regrets—this episode is an urgent and inspiring wake-up call. 🔗 Resources: Find Karen's new book, Your To Die for Life , wherever books are sold. Explore her work at NotSalmon.com Connect with Erica Rooney on LinkedIn The AI GAP: Women, AI and the Next Great Leap Forward - https://amzn.to/3OAXAdL Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors - The Book: https://amzn.to/3YDS10f Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericarooney/ Join our Facebook Group!: https://urlgeni.us/facebook/fromNOWtoNEXTtribe https://www.facebook.com/joinHERCollective.ER Find me on Instagram: https://urlgeni.us/instagram/EricaAndersonRooney And YES — I’m on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericaandersonrooney

Meet Karen Salmansohn. Bestselling author & leading Behavioral Change Expert with 2 million books sold. Community of 1.5 million social media followers. Founder of NotSalmon.com and YourToDieForLife.com ... as well as Brand Honey Consulting. Wake up your inner ostrich. Time's ticking. Life's finite. Turn “someday” dreams into “today” actions. Her research-based mortality awareness methods will turn your "What Ifs" into "Remember Whens."

Delanie Fischer is joined by Behavioral Change Expert and Bestselling Author, Karen Salmansohn, to discuss insights from her latest book, Your To-Die-For Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret . . . Before Your Time Runs Out. Karen combines neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and personal stories to share effective mindset hacks, exercises, and the core values that will help you avoid the top regrets of the dying, be present, and have more fun—more often. Plus: + 7 Core Values That Ward Off Top Regrets of the Dying + The Marble Jar, Greater Than Sign, and Your To-Die List + Beast Mode vs. Best Mode and Pleasure vs. Happiness Self-Helpless on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/selfhelpless Your Host, Delanie Fischer: https://www.delaniefischer.com EPISODES RELATED TO THIS TOPIC: Flip the Script on Aging: Strength, Vitality, and Purpose with 74 Year-Old Icon Babette Davis: https://www.delaniefischer.com/selfhelplesspodcast/episode/23c49ad2/flip-the-script-on-aging-strength-vitality-and-purpose-with-74-year-old-icon-babette-davis Overcoming the Fear of Death with Kelvin Chin: https://www.delaniefischer.com/selfhelplesspodcast/episode/20d70e6d/overcoming-the-fear-of-death-with-kelvin-chin Compounded Grief: Coping With Multiple Losses At Once with Stephanie Edwards: https://www.delaniefischer.com/selfhelplesspodcast/episode/250aef7a/compounded-grief-coping-with-multiple-losses-at-once-with-stephanie-edwards My Dad Was Diagnosed With Lewy Body Dementia with Erika Martin: https://www.delaniefischer.com/selfhelplesspodcast/episode/21b228bf/my-dad-was-diagnosed-with-lewy-body-dementia-with-erika-martin 20+ Years Thriving With Stage IV Cancer with Kris Carr: https://www.delaniefischer.com/selfhelplesspodcast/episode/22f2b084/20-years-thriving-with-stage-iv-cancer-with-kris-carr When I Found Out I Had A Brain Tumor with Athena Trombly: https://www.delaniefischer.com/selfhelplesspodcast/episode/25e37bb7/when-i-found-out-i-had-a-brain-tumor-with-athena-trombly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices