About the Episode:
Are you living your actual life or just scrolling, swiping, and going through the motions? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with bestselling author and behavior change expert Karen Salmansohn to talk about how embracing the reality of death can lead to a more vibrant, meaningful life.
Karen’s latest book, Your to-die-For Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret Before Your Time Runs Out, invites readers to stop drifting through their days and start aligning their actions with their deepest values—before it’s too late. Together, Whitney and Karen explore what it looks like to escape the “near-life” trap and start showing up with intention, especially in motherhood.
From writing your own eulogy (yep!) to creating a monthly marble jar ritual, this conversation will give you practical tools to live more fully, connect more deeply, and redefine what it means to “do it all.”
About Our Guest:
Karen Salmansohn is a bestselling author, speaker, and expert in behavioral change. Known for her accessible and visually rich self-help books, Karen has sold over 2 million copies of her books globally and is the founder of the NotSalmon.com platform. Her newest book,
Your to-die-for Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret Before Your Time Runs Out, merges ancient wisdom with modern psychology to help readers wake up to their one precious life—and live it well.
A former creative director in advertising, Karen brings wit, warmth, and wisdom to everything she does. She's also a mom, a lifelong learner (hello, Aristotle tattoos!), and a firm believer that you don’t need to hit rock bottom to start living with intention.
📚 Explore her work at: yourtodieforlife.com and notsalmon.com
📲 Follow her @notsalmon on Instagram, Facebook, and Substack
Key Takeaways:
The concept of a “near-life experience”
Karen coined the term to describe the feeling of being adjacent to your life—physically present but mentally and emotionally elsewhere. She explains how this shows up in modern parenting, relationships, and daily routines—and why it’s so easy to miss out on what matters most.
Why contemplating your death can be a gift
It’s not morbid—it’s motivating. Karen shares how her father’s passing inspired her to live more intentionally and how death awareness can actually help us make decisions that reduce regret and increase joy.
How writing your eulogy now can transform your life
This isn’t about morbidity—it’s about clarity. Karen walks us through how imagining what you want people to say about you at the end of your life can help reverse-engineer the habits and mindset you need to adopt today.
The difference between a to-do list and a to-die list
Spoiler alert: your to-die list won’t include “clean out the junk drawer.” Instead, it’s about designing habits that align with your aspirational eulogy self—the version of you that lives fully, loves deeply, and leads with purpose.
The power of identity-based habits
Karen explains how shifting how we see ourselves (e.g., “I am a connected mom,” “I am a loving friend”) can naturally shift our behavior. This approach helps moms move from reactive to responsive parenting—even during chaotic days.
A simple but powerful marble jar ritual
One of Karen’s most talked-about tools, this visual practice helps you track time month by month to stay focused on what really matters—and avoid letting your days slip by on autopilot.
How to raise kids with core values that matter
Karen shares seven values she developed to help people avoid the top regrets of the dying—and how we can model and instill them in our children through everyday conversations and small intentional acts.
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