Most people travel across the world chasing postcards and Instagram photos. But the kids at Buckingham Palace weren’t watching the guards — they were chasing pigeons.
In this solo episode, I break down why the little things might actually be the biggest sources of joy. From Yuval Noah Harari’s idea of “shared realities” to why our culture conditions us to love the Eiffel Tower more than our backyard, I explore:
• Why chasing happiness often leaves us disappointed
• How our expectations dilute joy
• Why children might be the real teachers of happiness
• What travel habits reveal about our deeper psychology
• How to find joy in ordinary places (yes, even pigeons)
If you’ve ever wondered why that big trip didn’t feel as magical as you expected, this episode is for you.
👉 If this resonates, share it with someone who’s been chasing the wrong thing. Let’s grow the Grateful community together.
Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2302168/support
📺 Listen on your favorite platform:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-grateful-podcast-with-jack-wagoner/id1725776061
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5EsTEpQAjU4BxUrDoFyZ6b
Subscribe for more deep conversations with thinkers, seekers, and soulful creators. 🙏
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🧠 More from Jack:
Newsletter (Magic, Meaning & Momentum): https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/aa6b0945-43aa-43c8-b320-0fde6998f852?email=%7B%7Bemail%7D%7D
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jack_wagoner_/
1:1 Coaching & Dream-Chasing Guidance: jackcwagoner@gmail.com
💬 If you found this conversation meaningful, send it to a friend and leave a review. It really helps more people find this kind of soul-nourishing content.
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🎙️ About Jack:
I’m an 18-year-old high school student with a big dream: to show the world that you can be grateful and ambitious at the same time. Through The Grateful Podcast, I explore what it means to live a meaningful life—one deep conversation at a time.
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