What’s the best way to grow old? Are we over-parenting our kids? And how can I strike the right work-life balance?

These are just a few of the questions Ravi Patel was struggling with. So the actor, filmmaker, husband and dad decided to explore how foreign cultures grapple with them. The result is Ravi Patel’s Pursuit of Happiness, a docu-series in which Ravi enlists his friends and family in overseas adventures in search of answers to life’s questions.

Perhaps you caught Ravi’s 2014 hit documentary Meet The Patels, a funny and touching first-person family adventure in which Ravi enlists his traditional Indian parents in his search for love, leading him down a rabbit hole into the world of arranged marriages.

Streaming on HBO Max, the new show digs even deeper — a poignant and timely deconstruction of American exceptionalism that ventures beyond buddy travelogue tropes.

Today Ravi shares his story — and the many lessons learned along the way.

Hardly your ordinary actor, this conversation begins with an exploration of Ravi’s unique path. His past life in investment banking. His current interest in health and wellness. His grapple with identity and indoctrination. And his sundry adventures navigating the vicissitudes of Hollywood.

We then pivot to the many nuggets of wisdom Ravi has gleaned from his personal journey. And we tug on the questions explored in his Pursuit of Happiness travels to Japan, Denmark, South Korea and Mexico:

Why are Americans so unhappy? How can you be a good parent? How do you find work life balance? And how can we responsibly promote inclusion for all?

Recorded pre-election, this conversation is equal parts light-hearted and profound — a mix of laughs and uppercase Truths on all things love, partnership, parenting, purpose, and passion.

It’s also a friendship origin story. The first of what I anticipate will be more conversations to come.

The visually inclined can watch our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

I love this guy and everything he’s about. And I hope you find this conversation as refreshing and uplifting as I did.

Peace + Plants,

Listen, Watch & Subscribe

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Thanks to this week’s sponsors

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For a complete list of all RRP sponsors, vanity URLs & discount codes, visit Our Sponsors.

SHOW NOTES

• Connect with Ravi: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
• Documentary: Meet The Patels
• HBO Max: Ravi Patel’s Pursuit of Happiness
• IMBD: Ravi Patel
• Deadline: CNN Original Series ‘Ravi Patel’s Pursuit of Happiness’ Moves To HBO Max, Gets Premiere Date
• LA Times: An Angeleno searched the globe for the meaning of happiness. Here’s what he learned
• NPR: Ravi Patel On His New ‘Pursuit of Happiness’ Docuseries
• Shondaland: Ravi Patel is Pursuing Happiness Just When We Need It Most
• CNBC: A documentarian finds the perfect solution to happiness—what happened when he faked his own death
• Primetimer: Ravi Patel Is Googling the World To Solve His Life Problems
• Decider: Ravi Patel Proves Himself To Be A Charming, Personable, And Authentic Host During His ‘Pursuit Of Happiness’
• Hollywood Outbreak: How Ravi Patel Wound Up Getting His ‘Happiness’
• Your Tango: Ravi Patel’s Parents Are The Most Darling Couple On TV Right Now
• Yahoo News: Ravi Patel discusses docuseries ‘Ravi Patel’s Pursuit of Happiness’
• NOSH: This Saves Lives Launches in Texas H-E-B Stores
• This Saves Lives: Snack Bar
• Book: The Blue Zones of Happiness

I'm proud to announce my new book 'Voicing Change'. To learn more & pre-order now, visit, richroll.com/vc

HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE PODCAST? Tell Your Friends & Share Online!

Subscribe & Review: Please make sure to review, share comments and subscribe to the show on the various platforms (Apple Podcasts, YouTube & Spotify). This helps tremendously!

Patronize Our Sponsors: Supporting the companies that support the show! For a complete list of all RRP sponsors and their respective vanity URLs and discount codes, click the 'Sponsors' tab in the 'Shop' menu.

Spread The Word: Help grow our reach by sharing your enthusiasm for the podcast and/or your favorite episodes by posting about it on social media.

Thank The Team: I do not do this alone. Send your love to Jason Camiolo for production, audio engineering and show notes; Margo Lubin and Blake Curtis for video, editing and graphics; portraits by Ali Rogers & Davy Greenberg; and theme music by Tyler Piatt. Trapper Piatt & Hari Mathis.

Amazon Disclosure: Books and products denoted with an asterisk are hyperlinked to the Amazon affiliate program. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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