William von Hippel on The Social Paradox: Why Autonomy Is Making Us Lonely | EP 665

In this insightful episode of Passion Struck , John R. Miles sits down with psychologist and author William von Hippel to unpack the central theme of his latest book, The Social Paradox: Autonomy, Connection, and Why We Need Both to Find Happiness . Together, they explore how modern life has tilted heavily toward autonomy—careers, smartphones, and endless options—often at the expense of deep connection and belonging. Drawing on research with the Hadza hunter-gatherers of Tanzania, von Hippel explains why our ancestors’ lives, though materially sparse, were rich in connection and happiness—and why our overemphasis on independence leaves many feeling lonely and invisible. Visit this link for the full show notes Go Deeper: The Ignited Life Substack If this episode stirred something in you, The Ignited Life is where the transformation continues. Each week, I share behind-the-scenes insights, science-backed tools, and personal reflections to help you turn intention into action. Subscribe 🔗 and get the companion resources delivered straight to your inbox. Catch more of William von Hippel: If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally. Get the full companion workbook at TheIgnitedLife.net Full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnRMiles Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify , or wherever you get your podcasts Everyone deserves to feel valued and important. Show it by wearing it: https://startmattering.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .