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Build The Life You Want: Arthur C. Brooks on Happiness, Transcendence & Creating Greater Life Satisfaction

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Sep 18, 2023

Guest

Arthur C. Brooks

Join Arthur C. Brooks, a Harvard professor and social scientist, as he shares insights on finding true happiness through relationships, challenges, and contributions rather than material success. He emphasizes that genuine happiness is a journey, urging listeners to embrace discomfort for personal growth. Arthur introduces practical techniques like the 'reverse bucket list' and explores the vital role of emotional self-management. With a focus on connection and community, he advocates for building meaningful relationships as essential for a fulfilling life.

02:34:03

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INSIGHT

Happiness as a Direction

Happiness isn't a destination, but a direction involving enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose.
These are macronutrients that contribute to overall well-being, not just fleeting feelings.

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ADVICE

Enjoyment, Not Pleasure

Avoid solitary pleasure-seeking, as it can lead to addiction rather than enjoyment.
Pursue pleasure with people and create memories for lasting happiness.

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ANECDOTE

Arthur's Addiction

Arthur Brooks shares his personal struggle with alcohol addiction.
He explains how solitary drinking, focused on pleasure, prevented it from becoming a source of enjoyment.

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The Pursuit of Genuine Happiness

05:38 • 12min

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Finding Balance Through Emotional Self-Management

17:13 • 16min

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Confronting Discomfort for Personal Growth

33:12 • 5min

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Embracing Uncomfortable Emotions

38:27 • 24min

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Exploring Personality Traits and Emotional Dynamics

01:02:04 • 7min

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Exploring Emotional Nuance: The Science of Happiness

01:08:42 • 3min

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Navigating Negativity and Creativity

01:12:11 • 11min

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The Journey of Meaning and Suffering

01:22:45 • 16min

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Navigating Family Dynamics

01:38:58 • 8min

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Cultivating Happiness Through Connection

01:46:41 • 22min

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Navigating Relationships in Modern Life

02:08:42 • 16min

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The Paradox of Teaching Happiness

02:24:47 • 7min

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Navigating the Path to Neuroscience and Psychology Careers

02:32:02 • 2min

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Mutual Gratitude and Wellness Promotion

02:33:44 • 3min

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#98

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The Brothers Karamazov

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Fyodor Dostoevsky

Richard Pevear

Set in 19th-century Russia, 'The Brothers Karamazov' is a novel that delves into the lives of the Karamazov family, focusing on the three brothers—Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha—and their complex relationships with their father, Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov. The novel is a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry, faith, doubt, and reason. It examines the human psyche, moral dilemmas, and the search for meaning in a world fraught with suffering and uncertainty. The story revolves around the murder of Fyodor Pavlovich and the subsequent trial of Dmitri, accused of the crime, while exploring deeper themes of Russian life, social and spiritual striving, and the clash between faith and reason.

#142

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From Strength to Strength

Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life

Arthur C Brooks

In 'From Strength to Strength', Arthur C. Brooks addresses the inevitable decline in abilities that comes with aging and provides a practical guide on how to transform this period into an opportunity for growth. Drawing on social science, philosophy, biography, theology, and eastern wisdom, as well as interviews with everyday men and women, Brooks advocates for refocusing on priorities such as deep wisdom, detachment from empty rewards, connection and service to others, and spiritual progress. He argues that by adapting our expectations and focusing on these areas, we can achieve increased happiness and purpose in our later years.

#1908

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The Miracle of Mindfulness

An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation

Thich Nhat Hanh

This book, originally written as a long letter to a fellow Buddhist monk in 1974, provides a clear and simple introduction to the practice of mindfulness. Thich Nhat Hanh uses gentle anecdotes and practical exercises to teach readers how to be fully aware and awake in each moment, whether it be washing dishes, answering the phone, or peeling an orange. The book emphasizes the importance of living in the present and finding opportunities for self-understanding and peacefulness in everyday activities. It also includes practical advice on breathing techniques and other meditative practices to reduce stress and enhance focus and self-compassion.

#410

• Mentioned in 42 episodes

Build the Life You Want

The Art and Science of Getting Happier

Arthur C Brooks

Oprah Winfrey

In 'Build the Life You Want,' Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey offer a research-based approach to improving one's life by focusing on emotional self-management. The book emphasizes building the four pillars of happiness: family, friendship, work, and faith. It provides practical, science-backed strategies to manage emotions, turn challenges into opportunities, and find inner peace. The authors share their own experiences and those of others who have found joy despite hardships, highlighting the importance of enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose in achieving a happier life.

#190

• Mentioned in 68 episodes

Nicomachean Ethics

Aristotle

The Nicomachean Ethics is Aristotle's most renowned work on ethics, focusing on the science of the good for human life. The text is divided into ten books and discusses the concept of eudaimonia, often translated as 'happiness' or 'flourishing,' which is achieved through living a virtuous life. Aristotle argues that eudaimonia is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, emphasizing the importance of reason, moral virtues, and the pursuit of excellence. The work also explores the division of the soul, the role of rationality in human life, and the ultimate goal of human activity, which is to achieve happiness through virtuous actions and a complete life.

Everyone wants more happiness in their life, but most pursue it incorrectly, mistakenly believing it can be found in places like the promotion or the bank account.

Instead, happiness is the by-product of pursuits less appreciated. Like the quality of your relationships with friends and family. Doing hard things. Creating value for others. And being in communion with the transcendent.

Here to help us better orient our lives towards happiness is Arthur C. Brooks, returning for round two on the podcast.

Arthur is a social scientist, in-demand public speaker, and professor at both the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School where he teaches courses on leadership, happiness, and social entrepreneurship. In addition, he is the creator of the popular How to Build a Life column for The Atlantic, and the author of 13 books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller From Strength to Strength.

His latest offering—a book he co-authored with Oprah Winfrey—is entitled, Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier which is filled with practical, social science, and neuroscience-backed practices to strengthen what he dubs the four pillars of happiness: family, friendship, work, and faith.

In this conversation, we discuss what happiness is and isn’t, how to experience more of it, and the concrete steps and practical solutions you can adopt to build a better blueprint for a more fulfilling future.

Arthur is a treasure. I could have talked to him all day. This one is wisdom-packed and overflowing with life-changing and actionable advice.

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