More Happier: Our Longest-Lasting Relationships, a New Way to Think About Our Past & a Fun Quiz

9 snips

May 24, 2025

Explore the significance of your longest non-family relationships and how they shape happiness. Discover a Five-Senses Quiz to uncover neglected sensory experiences. Delve into how authors like Stephen King and Jane Austen offer fresh perspectives on personal memories. The hosts share light-hearted summer nostalgia while reflecting on the impact of social media on enduring friendships. Enjoy a blend of creativity, community, and the joy of personal connections.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Longest Non-Family Relationships

Elizabeth Craft reflected on her longest continuous relationships outside family, including a preschool friend seen mostly on social media and a neighbor friend from age 4 or 5 with ongoing contact.
Gretchen Rubin shared her longest friendship from kindergarten to now, showing how old ties persist in various forms over time.

INSIGHT

Value of Lifelong Connections

Relationships provide crucial continuity and happiness in life, even if some are superficial or distant through social media.
Social media can serve as a low-touch way to stay connected to many past acquaintances, maintaining a sense of coherence with one’s history.

ADVICE

Use Five-Senses Quiz

Take the Five-Senses Quiz at happiercast.com/quiz to identify which sense you might be neglecting.
Exploring a neglected sense can reveal simple ways to increase everyday enjoyment and deepen sensory experiences.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

The theory of moral sentiments

Adam Smith

Published in 1759, 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments' is Adam Smith's first major published work, based on his lectures at Glasgow University. The book argues that morality is driven by humanity's natural sociability and the need for approval from peers, rather than by rational calculation or innate moral sense. Smith introduces key concepts such as sympathy, the impartial spectator, and the invisible hand, which explain how individuals judge the conduct and character of themselves and others. The work delves into the emotional and social aspects of human behavior, highlighting the role of emotions like pity and compassion in shaping moral sentiments and behaviors[1][3][4].

On Writing

A Memoir of the Craft

Stephen King

This book is both a memoir and a writing guide. It details Stephen King's life, from his childhood and early writing endeavors to his struggles with addiction and his near-fatal accident in 1999. The book is divided into sections that cover King's life ('C.V.'), the nature of writing ('What Writing Is'), writing mechanics ('Toolbox'), his advice on the craft ('On Writing'), and his recovery from the accident ('On Living: A Postscript'). King offers practical tips on writing, including the importance of vocabulary, grammar, and style, as well as the need for consistent writing routines and ruthless editing. He emphasizes that good writing comes from within, driven by curiosity, wonder, and emotional honesty rather than commercial motives.

War and Peace

Leo Tolstoy

Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys. The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis. It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth. The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements[3][4][5].