Arthur Brooks on How to Break Free from the Striver’s Curse in Midlife

What if everything you’ve been taught about happiness and success is upside down?

In this episode of Midlife Chrysalis, Chip Conley talks with Arthur Brooks, Harvard professor, bestselling author, and former French horn prodigy, about his remarkable journey from the concert stage to the world of behavioral science. Together, they unpack why strivers burn out, how our brains shift from fluid to crystallized intelligence, and the simple formula that can turn midlife from a crisis into a transformation.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation. Listen now and start rethinking your own second curve.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:06 Arthur Brooks’ origins and family background

02:59 Religious upbringing and conversion to Catholicism

04:56 Navigating academia and faith in secular environments

07:08 Early music training and struggles to become the best

13:06 Striver mentality and American entrepreneurship DNA

16:41 Leaving music for economics and behavioral science

20:52 Imposter syndrome and skills learned from performance

22:33 Becoming CEO of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI)

29:05 Burnout, midlife shift, and vital plane encounter

32:19 Plane encounter with a famous figure and reflection on decline

35:47 Realizing the need for a second curve

38:10 How we move from fluid to crystallized intelligence

42:43 Airbnb and the role of “modern elder” wisdom

45:02 Advice for shifting into careers built on crystallized intelligence

46:56 The danger of pride and Dante’s frozen Satan metaphor

49:40 Learning to want less: the secret to second-curve happiness

54:39 Editing life instead of accumulating - reverse bucket lists

55:55 Generativity, religion, and aging with meaning

57:16 Policy thoughts on midlife education and wisdom schools

1:01:59 Wisdom bumper sticker

1:05:28 Closing reflections from Chip

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