Louis Kim on Finding Purpose After Success: Why Money Won’t Fix Your Mental Health

What happens when you build the life you thought you were supposed to want—money, success, freedom, and still wake up feeling empty? In this raw and honest conversation, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Louis Kim to unpack the quiet truth so many people are afraid to admit: external success doesn’t heal internal pain. Lou shares his journey through identity struggles, multiple suicide attempts, and a decade-long path of self-discovery that forced him to rethink everything he believed about happiness, purpose, and what it really means to feel alive.

Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries.

Feedback Link Line

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here:
https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a

Special Announcements

Vote for Us — Women Podcasters Awards

I’m incredibly proud to share that we have been nominated in the 2026 Women Podcasters Awards in the Mindset & Mental Health category.

This recognition means more than words can capture. What started as honest, sometimes messy conversations has grown into something bigger—a space where people feel seen, heard, and a little less alone.

Now we have a chance to grow that impact even further, and your support would mean everything.

Vote here:
https://www.womenpodcasters.com/awards-voting

Voting is open now through April 30th at 6 PM PST

Voting is simple:
• Click the link
• Select the vote button
• Complete the form

Please note: only one vote per person and email address is allowed, and duplicate submissions will not be counted.

Thank you for being part of this journey—whether you’ve listened, shared, or supported in any way.

A Quick Word From Our Sponsor — Cozy Earth

This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth—and honestly, this one hits home.

We talk a lot on this show about burnout, anxiety, and carrying way too much for way too long. Cozy Earth is about bringing comfort back into those quiet, in-between moments—the ones where you finally get to exhale. Their robes and slippers are designed to feel like a deep breath at the end of a long day—soft, intentional, and made to support real life.

Think about the women in your life—the ones who give endlessly. When was the last time they got that same level of care back?

This is your reminder: comfort matters. And you deserve it, too.

Head to https://www.cozyearth.com and use code OURHEADS for 20% off.
Because the people who give the most should feel taken care of, too.

Meet Our Guest — Louis Kim

Louis Kim is a Korean-American entrepreneur, Founder of Yusan Capital, and a leader in what he calls “Connected Capitalism.” After building and selling a successful business, Louis found himself facing deep inner struggles that led him on a path of self-discovery, spiritual awakening, and heart-centered leadership. Today, he bridges the worlds of business and inner work, helping others understand that true success starts within.

Website: http://www.loukim.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/partsoflou/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@partsoflou/

Mental Health Quote

“If you’re unhappy without money, you’ll just be more miserable with it. Real fulfillment comes from within.” — Louis Kim

Episode Description

Louis Kim did everything right, built the business, made the money, and checked every box society tells us should equal happiness. But behind the success, he was struggling in silence. In this deeply honest conversation, Louis shares what it felt like to reach the top, realize something was still missing, and how that realization led him into one of the hardest, yet most transformative, chapters of his life.

Sitting down with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles, Louis opens up about surviving multiple suicide attempts, navigating identity struggles as the child of immigrants, and confronting the uncomfortable truth that external achievements can’t replace internal fulfillment. What followed wasn’t a quick fix—it was a decade-long journey of self-discovery, letting go, and rebuilding from the inside out.

This episode explores the power of gratitude, the importance of self-love, and why chasing joy will always take you further than chasing money. Louis also shares how his perspective on leadership has evolved, and what it really means to live authentically in a world that constantly pushes you to perform.

If you’ve ever felt like you should be happier than you are, this conversation will hit home—and remind you that purpose isn’t something you find outside of yourself. It’s something you build from within.

Keywords: Louis Kim, mental health podcast, finding purpose, success and happiness, suicide survival, self-discovery, gratitude practice, emotional wellness, burnout recovery, inner peace, personal growth, authenticity, joy vs money, mindset shift

Key Takeaways

• Success without purpose can feel just as empty as failure
• Gratitude is one of the most powerful tools for shifting your mindset
• External validation will never replace internal fulfillment
• Joy comes from connection and experiences—not material things
• Self-love is the foundation for meaningful relationships
• Your lowest moments can become the beginning of real transformation

 

Actionable Items

• Create a “joy folder” on your phone with moments that make you smile
• Practice daily gratitude by naming three things you appreciate
• Pause and ask yourself: Am I chasing this for validation or fulfillment?

 

References Mentioned

Marcus Aurelius (Stoic philosophy on presence and gratitude)
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — https://988lifeline.org

Important Chapters

• 00:00 – Welcome + meeting Louis Kim
• 07:00 – The illusion of success and feeling empty inside
• 15:00 – Suicide attempts and the turning point toward self-discovery
• 25:00 – Gratitude, presence, and learning to appreciate the moment
• 35:00 – Why experiences matter more than material success
• 45:00 – Advice to his younger self: authenticity and gratitude
• 52:00 – The hardest lesson: learning to love yourself first
• 01:00:00 – Closing thoughts + where to find Louis

 

Closing CTA

Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website:
https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews

#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #SelfDiscovery #PurposeDrivenLife #EmotionalWellness #InnerHealing #SuicideAwareness #GratitudePractice #MindsetShift #PersonalGrowthJourney #AuthenticLiving #JoyOverMoney #HealingJourney #MentalHealthMatters #PodcastLife

***************************************************************************

If You Need Support, Reach Out

If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.

• United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
• Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca
• Worldwide: Find a Helpline
• Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub

Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles

• Official Website: goesoninourheads.net
• Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads
• Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles
• LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
• Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/)
• Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop

Audio Editing by NJz Audio

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.