Why More Will Never Make You Happy with Arthur Brooks (#59)

Stop chasing happiness, start cultivating it, and here is how! Kevin sits down with Arthur Brooks, a renowned social scientist and Harvard professor to talk about the science of happiness. Arthur discusses the elusive nature of happiness, explaining how evolutionary biology and societal expectations shape our pursuit of joy. They cover the concept of the hedonic treadmill, practical strategies to achieve lasting fulfillment, and the four principles of happiness. They also discuss five things you can do with money to increase happiness. Lastly, Arthur emphasizes that true happiness comes from a balance of enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning, all of which require embracing both positive and negative experiences.

Guest Bio and Links:

Arthur C. Brooks is the Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Public and Nonprofit Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, and Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School, where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness. Brooks is the author of 13 books, including the 2023 #1 New York Times bestseller Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier with co-author Oprah Winfrey.

Listeners can learn more about Arthur Brooks at his website, on IG @arthurcbrooks, and X @arthurbrooks

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Resources:

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The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Mark Manson, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh

The Awakened Brain by Lisa Miller

Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke

Show Notes:

(0:00) Introduction
(1:00) NordVPN: discount + 4mo. free
(2:05) LMNT: Electrolyte drink mix. Grab a free sample pack.
(6:36) The hedonic treadmill explained
(8:30) Hacks to satisfaction
(10:24) The concept of the reverse bucket list
(13:27) Arthur on religion and his relationship with Dalai Lama
(16:55) Transcendence and the four core practices of happiness
(20:05) Forms of transcendence - one hour walk before dawn
(27:40) Manscaped: 20% off precision-engineered grooming tools
(28:50) Notion: Try Notion AI for free
(29:54) Fitness and its impact on health and happiness
(33:00) Four types of emotional intensity profiles
(43:15) “Happiness. It requires and contains unhappiness.” -A. Brooks
(47:40) Causes of a downward path of happiness worldwide
(51:30) Ways to find happiness in jobs and career paths that are not ‘socially accepted’
(58:00) Three downdrafts of happiness in the last 25 years
(58:10) The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
(1:01:20) Things to complement real-life experiences
(1:05:40) Mark Manson, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
(1:06:45) Question: What’s your opinion on doing psychedelics to increase happiness?
(1:12:14) Concept of human time travel
(1:14:45) The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
(1:17:30) Question: How does an atheist build on the religious practice of happiness?
(1:18:57) The Awakened Brain by Lisa Miller
(1:20:06) Kevin’s story on bankruptcy & the ultimate question: can money buy happiness?
(1:21:00) Chasing behavior explained
(1:24:40) Five things you can do with money to increase happiness
(1:28:29) How To Not Be Bored When You Have To Wait
(1:30:10) Mindfulness by Ellen Langer
(1:30:30) How boredom plays on your dopamine
(1:35:44) Arthur touches on his book in the works: All Things New
(1:37:13) Recommendations on how to raise conscious kids
(1:38:49) The #1 thing to do to take the edge off the “sh*tty day feeling”
(1:41:32) Build the Life You Want by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey