Hi, I'm Jean "John" Crissien

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Several years ago, I was exposed to some hard truths: 

  • Our society is sadder and more hopeless than ever.
  • Our lives often lack purpose and meaning.
  • 3 out of 5 of our kids express feelings of anxiety or depression.

My ultimate goal is to make a positive contribution toward fixing this growing problem.

I never thought I’d find myself so focused on an idea as flowery as “happiness.” I’m a political scientist by training. You might have noticed that good feels aren’t our bread and butter. 

On top of that, the self-help space always seemed divided between two factions: those who trivialize happiness and those who expect you to be a philosopher king to find it. 

Today, after years of writing, I have a new truth to report: Each one of us has the potential to be happy. In fact, we’re hardwired for it. 

Happy is the destination to which all roads lead back. (Unless you’re looking for Happy, TX. That’s off I-27.)

Best of all, it’s both achievable and practical.

How my work will benefit you

Through countless hours of reading and writing, I’ve learned that explaining things to people does nothing for them. Simply put, the best version of yourself can’t be found in a book or podcast. 

Real, lasting change leans on actionable steps, helpful tools, and examples you can follow. In this sport, daily practice is as important as the game of life itself. Maybe more. 

To help as many people as possible, my work focuses on… 

  • Understanding the true nature of happiness (and exposing the myths).
  • How to integrate habits of happiness into daily life.
  • Addressing key life stages, like parenthood, mid-life, or retirement.
  • Finding the delicate balance between work, leisure, money, and freedom.
  • The cultivation of purpose and meaning as driving forces.

I look for wisdom from all corners of society, both today and historically.

Academics. Philosophers. Clinical psychologists. Neuro-scientists. Habit experts. Social theorists. Athletes. Daredevils. The living and the dead. I learn and borrow from all of them.

Seneca, Viktor Frankl, and Mike Tyson will be quoted in the same article. You’ll find serious paragraphs that abruptly end with an (often vain) attempt at humor.

My hope is that you’ll be, in every sense, uplifted. That each new tidbit becomes a new layer of knowledge toward a happier life. Can every problem be addressed here? Certainly not. But I’ve worked hard to make it a good place to start.

Dive into the articles when you have time. Most of all, thanks for whatever attention you put into my work. I know it’s a valuable resource.

More about me

Here’s a few other details on my professional and personal life:

Academic Background:

  • Recovering academic with too much loyalty to one discipline for far too long.
  • PhD, Political Science, Arizona State University
  • MA, Political Science, Colorado State University
  • BA, Political Science, Northern Arizona University

Writing & Teaching:

Personal Life:

  • Steadfast (obsessive?) dedication to personal improvement.
  • Spouse-fearing atheist dad.
  • Two girls. One wife. Zero Freedom. Infinite joy.

Author Images

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