Office Hours with Arthur Brooks

Join actor and writer Rainn Wilson, best known as Dwight Schrute on The Office, as he shares his enlightening journey through faith and fame. Explore how the Baha'i faith offers profound teachings on happiness and interconnectedness. Rainn reveals how fame can leave you feeling empty, emphasizing the importance of surrendering to a greater purpose. Laugh and reflect on the transformative power of humor and spirituality in tackling modern mental health challenges, all while advocating for a brighter, more harmonious future.

Anxiety affects millions in the U.S., especially among young people, who have seen a sharp increase. Discover how anxiety can be redefined as 'unfocused fear' and transformed into a performance enhancer. Social media amplifies mental health issues, particularly for young women. Embrace negative emotions instead of avoiding them, as avoidance can lead to serious consequences, including the opioid crisis. Explore practical strategies for managing anxiety and learn how to turn it into a source of personal growth.

Explore the chilling traits of the Dark Triad: narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Learn how to recognize these toxic personalities before they wreak havoc in your life. Discover the manipulation tactics they employ, like DARVO, and contrast their behaviors with the uplifting qualities of the Light Triad. Gain insights into how these traits surface in relationships, workplaces, and even on social media. Plus, find out strategies to protect your happiness and foster authentic connections.

Discover how happiness at work is a key driver of productivity and loyalty. Learn about six science-backed factors that elevate workplace joy, including the power of direct communication and the significance of a manager's mood. Explore effective leadership styles that inspire rather than fail employees. Find out how investing in growth and mentorship boosts engagement. Delve into the intriguing relationship between genetics and happiness, urging listeners to actively pursue joy in their work lives.

Discover practical strategies to enhance your happiness, grounded in cutting-edge research. Strengthen your relationships to unlock lasting joy, and explore how joining community clubs fosters deep connections. Lifelong learning is celebrated as a powerful tool for ongoing satisfaction. Learn how transcending ego through faith or philosophy brings peace, and understand why physical exercise is essential for well-being. Uncover the emotional insights that truly lead to happiness and find ways to heal from heartbreak with the power of music.

Hi Friends, I’m Arthur Brooks. I’m a social scientist, a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, and a columnist at The Atlantic. I write, speak, and teach about the science of human happiness. This is a field that blends neuroscience, behavioral science, philosophy, and religion for insights on how all of us can live better, and be happier. This work is more important now than ever. Happiness has been falling, and unhappiness rising, marked by increases in depression, anxiety, loneliness, and polarization. My life’s work aims to address these problems head-on, and turn them into opportunities for growth and learning. I have dedicated the remainder of my life to lifting people up and bringing them together, in bonds of love and happiness, using science and ideas. And that’s the purpose of my show, Office Hours. Each week, I will give you a glimpse into the cutting edge research on happiness, and explore how you can use it right now to improve your life—and share what you learn with those you love. So join me in the movement to build a happier world–starting with you.