The Jordan Harbinger Show

174: A.J. Jacobs | Thanks a Thousand: A Gratitude Journey

Mar 19, 2019

A.J. Jacobs, a bestselling author known for his quirky social experiments, dives into the essence of gratitude. He explains the key distinction between genuine gratitude and mere positive thinking. A.J. also shares how acknowledging luck fosters empathy and compassion. Discover why expressing thanks, especially to parents on birthdays, can enhance happiness. With anecdotes and insights, he illustrates gratitude's transformative powers in daily life and relationships, making a compelling case for appreciating even the smallest contributions.

01:21:08

Episode guests

A.J. Jacobs

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

The Power of Fake It Till You Feel It

02:54

The Power of Delusional Optimism in Entrepreneurship

02:30

Greatful Thoughts Makes PeopleTo Pay It Forward

01:57

Intro

2min

Exploring Gratitude Through Unique Social Experiments

3min

Navigating Relationships and Community Wisdom

12min

Exploring the Largest Family Tree: Connections and Networking

3min

Distant Connections and Humorous Ancestry

1min

The Power of Gratitude and Connection

18min

The Balance of Optimism and Realism in Pursuing Opportunities

2min

Balancing Optimism and Creativity

21min

The Power of Gratitude and Design

20min

10.

Reflections on Eccentricity and Networking Wisdom

3min

A.J. Jacobs (@ajjacobs) is a journalist, lecturer, human guinea pig, and best-selling author; his latest book is Thanks a Thousand: A Gratitude Journey.

What We Discuss with A.J. Jacobs:

What's the difference between true gratitude and positive thinking?
How acknowledging the role of luck in our lives allows us to have compassion for and empathize with others.
The lifelong lessons that stick with A.J. long after the conclusion of his unique experiments.
Why gratitude leads to happiness -- not the other way around.
If possible, why you might consider thanking your parents on your birthday.
And much more...

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