Dave Evans

Lecturer, Product Design Program; co-founder, Life Design Lab, Stanford University

Search every verified Dave Evans interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Dave Evans, co-founder of Stanford University's Life Design Lab and lecturer in the Product Design Program, appeared in a recorded discussion with fellow Stanford educator Bill Burnett and Scott Galloway at the Odoo Experience event in San Francisco. During the conversation, Evans and Burnett discussed their latest book, How to Live a Meaningful Life, and argued against the common advice to "follow your passion" or seek a single "true purpose." Evans described three ways to view work—jobs, careers, and callings—stating that these are not inherently hierarchical, and cited a heart surgeon who treats his work as a job done for money while remaining highly effective. He also said that he and Burnett focus on "joy and aliveness" rather than happiness, referencing the positive psychology movement's shift from happiness to concepts like flourishing. Evans also shared personal perspectives during the event, attributing his willingness to take risks to his atheism, which he said reduces fear of failure or embarrassment. He remarked that the awareness of mortality makes worrying about others' opinions a waste of time. The discussion also touched on changing life roles, with Galloway reflecting on sending his son to college, and the panel addressed how small experiments can help people move forward when feeling stuck.