Arthur C. Brooks is an unlikely happiness guru.
He’s not a psychologist, philosopher, or mystic. He’s an economist and public policy analyst who, for years, ran a prominent think tank.
But rubbing shoulders with heads of state and titans of industry made him miserable. Confronted with the sobering realization that for too long he’d privileged work over con ... Show More
Mar 2
Do We Even Need Politicians?
“The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers,” sneers a rebel henchman in Shakespeare’s “Henry VI.” Hélène Landemore, a political scientist at Yale, has another idea: let’s fire all the politicians. She has a point, doesn’t she? Most of ’em are beholden to donors, allergic ... Show More
54m 55s
Feb 26
Inside the Most Creative Friendship in History
On the surface, Ian Leslie's book John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs is a dual biography of the greatest songwriting duo the world has ever seen. So not exactly standard Next Big Idea territory. But what’s remarkable about Ian's book, which I've been pressing on everyone I know, ... Show More
1h 1m
Feb 23
Michael Pollan on the Mystery of Consciousness
Five years ago, Michael Pollan — the acclaimed author of The Botany of Desire, The Omnivore's Dilemma, and How to Change Your Mind — went looking for an answer to one of life's great mysteries: "How does three pounds of brain matter generate subjective experience?" The result is ... Show More
1h 16m
Jan 2025
181. Why Happiness is a Direction, Not a Destination: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing
<p><em>Why connection is the key to a life well lived.</em></p><p>The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explo ... Show More
25m 39s
Sep 2025
Your Instincts Know What You Want with Author Arthur Brooks
<p>Your instincts aren’t just whispers. They’re a compass pointing you toward the life you’re meant to live. But in a world obsessed with speed, metrics, and outcomes, most of us forget how to listen.</p><p>Arthur Brooks, bestselling author and Harvard Business School professor, ... Show More
55m 54s
Sep 2024
Understand these 4 key concepts for a happier life | Arthur Brooks
How does one become truly happy? Arthur Brooks, author and Harvard professor, explains.
Throughout his career, Brooks has pinpointed the essence of real happiness. His key insight? Happiness is not just a feeling, it’s a state of mind.
In this interview, Brooks shares three prima ... Show More
13m 4s
Dec 2024
E069 - Harvard Professor's 4-Step Method to Find Purpose Through Loneliness | Dr. Arthur Brooks
<strong>Joining me today is Dr. Arthur Brooks</strong>, a Harvard professor, behavioural scientist, and best-selling author known for his groundbreaking work on the science of happiness. Once a professional classical musician, Dr. Brooks made a transformative leap into academia, ... Show More
1h 52m
May 2020
One Billion Happy: Learning To Be Happy In A Pandemic
Learning to be happy is hard enough. Learning to be happy in the middle of a pandemic should be nigh on impossible. Not so, according to Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Google [X], serial entrepreneur and author of “Solve for Happy: Engineering Your Path to Joy” (2017 ... Show More
56m 41s
Oct 2024
Episode 100: Leadership, Fulfillment, and Impact: Lessons from Arthur C. Brooks for Educational Leaders
In this milestone 100th episode of Leader Chat, Jeff speaks to Arthur C. Brooks discusses his latest book, "Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier." Arthur is a Harvard professor, columnist for The Atlantic, and an accomplished author of 13 books. Jeff an ... Show More
55m 11s
Jul 2024
How Much Money Ankur Nagpal Needs to be Happy for Life
<p>How much money do you need to be happy?</p><p>Money alone is not going to make you a happy person, but it can sure as hell help you get there. Money can buy you security, time, health, and safety for you and your loved ones, and it can relieve stress when it comes to life's fi ... Show More
29m 13s
Oct 2025
The Science of Happiness with Arthur Brooks
Join us for an insightful conversation with Arthur Brooks, one of today’s leading voices on happiness, purpose, and living a meaningful life. We dive into what truly makes us fulfilled, how to navigate life’s transitions, and practical ways to build a life you love. Whether you’r ... Show More
1h 8m