In this episode of Sufferless with a Part-Time Monk, Tim Tamashiro explores the science of real happiness — what he calls Happimore. Discover why your brain’s two-million-year-old operating system keeps chasing dopamine highs and how to gently rewire it for calm, contentment, and lasting joy.

From Japan’s quiet streets to the neuroscience of craving, Tim shares how awareness and simple daily design can shift your chemistry from wanting to well-being. Learn how dopamine fuels endless scrolling and sugar cravings, while serotonin — the molecule of peace and connection — helps you feel grounded and fulfilled.

You’ll hear personal insights from Tim’s journey as a part-time monk, including how he uses self-hypnosis to manage cravings and how you can apply the same tools to your own life.

If you’ve ever wondered why happiness feels fleeting — or how to find peace that lasts — this episode is your practical guide to suffering less and Happimoring more.

Keywords: dopamine, serotonin, happiness, mindfulness, neuroscience, monk mindset, mental health, contentment, stress relief, self-improvement, meditation, Sufferless podcast, Tim Tamashiro, Ikigai, personal growth

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In this episode of Sufferless with a Part-Time Monk, Tim Tamashiro explores the hidden addictions we never meant to sign up for — dopamine pleasure loops. From sugar cravings to endless scrolling, our brains are wired to chase short-term hits of reward that leave us restless and unsatisfied.

You’ll learn why dopamine isn’t actually the “happiness chemical” but the wanting chemical, how our survival wiring has become outdated in the modern world, and why chasing likes, cookies, or online shopping never brings lasting peace.

Through the Sufferless Shift framework — Default → Deliberation → Design — Tim shows how to break free from these loops:

• Default: How dopamine hijacks your brain with sugar, social media, and quick fixes.
• Deliberation: The moment you see craving for what it really is — outdated survival software.
• Design: Simple swaps that replace dopamine hits with long-lasting serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins through walks, friendships, creativity, gratitude, and more.

If you’ve ever wondered why “just one more” never feels like enough, this episode will help you understand the science, spot the loops in your own life, and discover practices that bring calm, clarity, and real joy.

Listen now to learn how to suffer less and happy more by escaping the dopamine trap.

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In this episode of Sufferless with a Part-Time Monk, Tim Tamashiro unpacks the three stages of the Sufferless Shift—Living by Default, Living by Deliberation, and Living by Design. Through relatable stories, brain science, and a touch of humor, you’ll discover why your mind gets stuck on old loops, how to pause and see those patterns clearly, and simple practices to create more peace on purpose.

If you’ve ever felt like your inner critic is running the show, this conversation will help you step back, reset, and choose a calmer way forward. You’ll learn practical tools like self-distanced self-talk, mindful micro-pauses, and the “See it. File it. Free it.” method to quiet the noise and lighten your mental load.

Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, find more clarity, or design a life that feels intentional, this episode offers insight and action you can use today.

sufferless, part-time monk, mindfulness podcast, reduce stress, inner critic, self-talk, mental clarity, default brain, find peace, purpose, meditation, calm mind

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In this episode of Sufferless with a Part-Time Monk, bestselling author Tim Tamashiro (How to Ikigai) shows you why purpose doesn’t have to be a mystery or a midlife crisis. Through the Sufferless Shift (Default → Deliberation → Design), you’ll learn how to spot the everyday sparks that already give your life meaning.

You’ll discover:

• Why your brain’s “Default mode” tricks you into thinking purpose is missing.
• How to pause and notice small moments of joy and contribution.
• The That Counts exercise for gathering real-life evidence of your purpose.
• How positive psychology’s PERMA model (Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment) connects to living a purposeful life.
• Why naming your ikigai as a simple “to” statement turns purpose into a daily practice.

If you’ve ever asked “What’s my purpose in life?”—this episode will help you see that the answer isn’t far away. It’s right here, in the ordinary moments that matter most.

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A home run ball. A dad, a kid, and a fan who wanted it for herself. What started as a ballpark souvenir turned into boos, a viral video, and a worldwide pile-on. In this episode of Sufferless with a Part-Time Monk, Tim Tamashiro unpacks the drama from three points of view—the woman, the dad, and the crowd—to show how our Default brains hijack us in the heat of the moment.

You’ll learn why we crave outrage, why piling on feels good for about ten seconds, and how to shift into Deliberation and Design instead. If you’ve ever wondered why mob mentality takes over—or why you feel triggered just watching it—this episode is for you.

Listen now to discover how one messy baseball moment can teach us all to Sufferless and Happimore.

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Why does outrage feel so good, only to leave us drained, anxious, and hooked into arguments we never wanted to have? In this episode of Sufferless with a Part-Time Monk, Tim Tamashiro unpacks the science behind outrage, how social media exploits it, and why it creates a peace hangover instead of relief.

Through personal stories, research, and surprising examples from Sarah Silverman’s compassionate Twitter exchange to the “be curious, not judgmental” wisdom of Ted Lasso, you will learn a simple practice: See it. Name it. Free it. Discover how to step out of the outrage loop, design calmer responses, and reclaim your peace.

If you have ever felt stuck in online debates, overwhelmed by headlines, or exhausted by your own reactivity, this episode will give you tools to suffer less and happy more.

👉 Listen now, follow the show, and share this episode with someone who could use a little less outrage and a little more peace.

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Take a seat on The Bench in Iceland—a guided meditation story designed to help you slow down, breathe, and find peace in the middle of a busy mind.

In this special Sufferless Meditation Story, Tim Tamashiro (the Part-Time Monk) shares a simple moment he experienced in a quiet Icelandic town: discovering a bench, sitting down, and letting the noise inside finally settle. Using his easy three-step technique—get comfy, get focused, see what happens—you’ll be guided into a calm, refreshing meditation that clears mental clutter and restores perspective.

Whether you’re new to meditation or simply looking for a peaceful pause, this short practice will leave you feeling lighter, clearer, and a little more grounded.

In this episode you’ll experience:

• A story of mindfulness inspired by a quiet bench in Iceland
• A beginner-friendly meditation you can return to anytime
• A simple tool for reducing stress and finding everyday peace

Perfect for your morning reset, mid-day break, or evening wind-down.

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AI chatbots are everywhere—from late-night companions to “therapy” apps promising comfort at the tap of a screen. But can they really bring peace of mind?

In this episode of Sufferless with a Part-Time Monk, Tim Tamashiro explores the growing role of AI in mental health—what it gets right, where it falls short, and how you can use it responsibly without losing the wisdom that only real people and lived experience provide.

You’ll learn:

• Why AI chatbots feel so comforting (and dangerously validating).
• How states like Illinois, Utah, and Nevada are drawing boundaries around AI therapy.
• The power of the “middle way”—finding balance between technology and timeless human practices.
• Practical tools to pair AI clarity with stillness, community, and real-life action.

If you’ve ever wondered whether AI could support your mental health—or worried it might be replacing the depth of real human connection—this episode offers a compassionate, clear-eyed perspective.

Listen now to discover how to find balance in the age of AI, and why peace of mind comes not from extremes, but from walking the middle way.

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