Alain de Botton: Happiness Only Lasts 15 Minutes. Stop Trying to Make It Permanent.

Alain de Botton: Happiness Only Lasts 15 Minutes. Stop Trying to Make It Permanent.

Author: Sarah Ann Macklin March 30, 2026 Duration: 8:09

If you've ever felt like you're failing because you can't hold it together all the time — this conversation with philosopher and author Alain de Botton will change how you see yourself. Science confirms that happiness comes in 15-minute bursts, and the relentless pursuit of permanent calm is the very thing driving burnout in high-achieving women. You'll also discover the simple eight-minute text that could transform how you ask for help — and finally let the people who love you actually show up.

Alain De Button in conversation with Sarah Ann


Listen to the full episode⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


Watch the full episode on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


***


This episode is sponsored by:

NOWATCH: The compassionate health tracker

Connecting body and mind with unique stress recovery insights so you can live fully today15% off with code LWBW15 at https://nowatch.com/


Mojo: the app for expert-led courses in better sex.Learn from world-class sex therapists and relationship experts with courses tailored to your needs.15% off with code LiveWell15 at mymojo.com/livewellbewell


***


The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more — not less.

👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/the-great-british-veg-outReset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout — this is where to start.

👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/reset-your-health-in-30-days

👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes

👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/


***


Let’s be friends!

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah

🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin

📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/


There's a lot of noise out there about what it means to be healthy, and Live Well Be Well with Sarah Ann Macklin cuts straight through it. Sarah Ann brings a grounded perspective shaped by both personal experience and formal study, moving beyond quick fixes to explore what sustainable wellness actually looks like. Each conversation in this podcast feels like a thoughtful exploration rather than a lecture, tackling the interconnected areas of holistic health, practical nutrition, and realistic lifestyle shifts. You'll hear from a range of insightful guests alongside Sarah Ann's own reflections, all aimed at making sense of the information overload. The tone is refreshingly human-this isn't about perfection, but about finding a smarter, more integrated approach to everyday living. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining a knowledgeable, empathetic friend who believes that feeling well shouldn't feel like a constant struggle. It’s a space for anyone wanting to move past the confusion and cultivate a genuine sense of vitality that fits into a real, busy life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Live Well Be Well with Sarah Ann Macklin | Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition
Podcast Episodes
The Biology of Health & Longevity | Top Expert Insights from 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:23
👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionat…
Happy Holidays | Thank You for Being Part of This Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:10
👉 Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/During this special holiday, I wanted to pause for a moment. Not to teach or a…