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Thirty-five years ago, I somehow convinced an extraordinary woman to marry me. Our relationship began like any other—attraction, a leap of faith, and eventually the decision to embark on the unknown journey ahead of us together.
In this episode of Office Hours, my wife, Ester Munt-Brooks, and I reflect on what we’ve learned over 35 years of choosing each other—from the risks we took early on, to why love is much more than a feeling. Drawing on the wisdom of Thomas Aquinas, we explore what it truly means to love—and how that understanding can transform every relationship.
—
Brought to you by:
• Noble Mobile—With Noble, there is only one plan: The No-Bull Plan. It’s simple. It’s transparent. And if you use less data, you get cash back. Get an exclusive offer at: https://noblemobile.com/arthurbrooks
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Where to find Ester Munt-Brooks:
• Website: https://www.fevaloryalegria.org/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/estermunt
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FAITHWITHJOYTALKS/
Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• In-person Retreats: https://retreats.arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(08:55) Arthur and Ester’s love story
(14:02) The risks they took to give it a shot
(19:30) How Ester came to embrace marriage
(24:36) The next stage: Marriage and children
(28:05) St. Thomas Aquinas’s definition of love
(45:20) What’s coming up in future episodes on love
(46:04) The three big love lessons
(49:26) Q&A: Personalizing a morning routine for your needs
(55:06) Q&A: How to think about faith while dating
(57:54) Q&A: How having children impacts happiness
(1:02:30) Q&A: How to meet people in person
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Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-of-your-life
• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership
• Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• The Meaning of Your Life Retreats: https://retreats.arthurbrooks.com
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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Do you find yourself chasing success, working long hours, doing far more than is required, and thinking about work all the time? Congratulations—you might be a workaholic. (There’s no trophy for this, by the way. I checked.)
In this episode of Office Hours, I dig into what workaholism is, where it comes from, and why it can be so damaging to your happiness and relationships. We discuss the connection between work addiction and the belief that love has to be earned (which turns out to be a surprisingly ineffective strategy). There’s good news: I also share three practical steps you can take to break the cycle, become more present for your loved ones, and find the deeper sources of happiness, meaning, and connection that no promotion will ever give you.
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Brought to you by:
• Noble Mobile—With Noble, there is only one plan: The No-Bull Plan. It’s simple. It’s transparent. And if you use less data, you get cash back. Get an exclusive offer at: https://noblemobile.com/arthurbrooks
• Magic Mind—Magic Mind is a mental performance shot with vitamins and clinically-backed ingredients like Ashwagandha and Lion’s Mane for a sharper mind and sustained energy. Get 50% off your first order at magicmind.com
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Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• In-person Retreats: https://retreats.arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(05:58) Why workaholism is so destructive
(09:31) Work culture in Spain vs. the U.S.
(11:11) The three classic signs of workaholism
(12:26) Why people become workaholics
(13:42) Four more signs of work addiction
(15:01) Intrinsic rewards vs. extrinsic rewards
(24:59) A thought experiment about intrinsic and extrinsic rewards
(27:52) Where workaholism comes from
(33:04) How to break your work addiction—Step 1: Face the truth
(34:39) Step 2: Give what you most want to receive
(36:02) Step 3: Make plans to change
(38:12) Summary of the three steps
(39:20) Q&A: The grief of divorce vs. death
(40:35) Q&A: Coping with betrayal
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Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: http://themeaningofyourlife.com
• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership
• Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• Workaholism: definition, measurement, and preliminary results: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16370875
• Workload, Workaholism, and Job Performance: Uncovering Their Complex Relationship: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7557789
• PANAS quiz: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/quiz/panas
• 3 Steps to Managing Your Emotions: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/podcast/3-steps-to-managing-your-emotions
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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If you feel emotionally exhausted, cynical about your work, or like you’re no longer enjoying parts of the job you used to, you may be experiencing burnout.
In this episode of Office Hours, I explain what burnout is, how psychologists define it, and what the research shows about its effects on the brain and body. We discuss the workplace conditions most likely to cause burnout, why some occupations experience it more than others, and the self-reinforcing cycle that makes even meaningful work feel draining.
I also share five things employers can do to protect their employees from burnout and three practical ways individuals can create healthier boundaries between work and life so that each supports, rather than undermines, the other.
—
Brought to you by:
• LMNT—A science-backed electrolyte drink mix that helps you feel and perform your best, without sugar, artificial ingredients, or gimmicks. Get a free sample pack at DrinkLMNT.com/Arthur.
• Helix Sleep—A mattress designed for every body. Go to helixsleep.com/brooks for 20% off sitewide, 25% off Luxe Mattresses, and 30% off Elite Mattresses for their Fourth of July Sale.
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Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• In-person Retreats: https://retreats.arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(04:45) The origins of burnout
(06:44) Herbert Freudenberger’s definition of burnout
(07:25) What the research shows about burnout today
(10:59) The three signs of burnout and Arthur’s experience
(16:40) The physiology of burnout
(20:14) The 7 causes of burnout
(30:29) The occupations with the most burnout
(35:10) Five things employers can do to safeguard against burnout
(38:10) #1 way to fight burnout: Create space
(40:54) #2 way to fight burnout: Work only in defined hours
(42:23) #3 way to fight burnout: Work on your spiritual/philosophical life
(44:15) Why remote work is not the answer to burnout
(45:35) Recap: 3 ways to fight burnout
(47:58) Q&A: Coping with being a full-time caregiver
(50:01) Q&A: Adapting protocols to your life
—
Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com
• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership
• Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• The Brothers Karamazov: https://www.amazon.com/Brothers-Karamazov-Fyodor-Dostoevsky/dp/0374528373
• Poor mental health costs UK employers £51 billion a year for employees: https://www.deloitte.com/uk/en/about/press-room/poor-mental-health-costs-uk-employers-51-billion-a-year-for-employees.html
• Beyond Burnout: https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/H0669W-PDF-ENG
• Burnout Test: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/tests/career/burnout-at-work
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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Many people come home from vacation feeling disappointed. Not because the trip was bad, but because they expected it to do more than any vacation possibly can.
In my previous episode on leisure, I discussed its importance to happiness and well-being. A vacation, done well, is really an opportunity to practice leisure more intentionally—whether that means a chance to reconnect with the people you love, lose yourself in nature or culture or read a book you've been meaning to for three years.
In this episode of Office Hours, I share nine research-backed protocols that can help you return from time away feeling happier, more fulfilled, and genuinely restored. We discuss why anticipation is one of the most enjoyable parts of any trip, why shorter vacations may be better than longer ones, and how taking too many photos or posting on social media can pull you out of the very experience you're trying to enjoy.
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Brought to you by:
• Noble Mobile—With Noble, there is only one plan: The No-Bull Plan. It’s simple. It’s transparent. And if you use less data, you get cash back. Get an exclusive offer at: https://noblemobile.com/arthurbrooks
—
Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• In-person Retreats: https://retreats.arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(06:08) America's culture of skipping vacations
(10:57) Vacation rule #1: Discern your motive
(15:24) Vacation rule #2: Savor the anticipation
(21:13) Vacation rule #3: Manage your expectations
(23:32) Vacation rule #4: Break your trip into vacation-ettes
(25:45) Vacation rule #5: Take fewer pictures
(28:48) Vacation rule #6: Don’t post
(30:43) Vacation rule #7: Leave work at home
(32:37) Vacation rule #8: Come home early
(34:00) Vacation rule #9: Brace yourself when you return
(35:50) Recap of the 9 vacation rules
(38:02) Q&A: Is music a distraction?
(39:57) Q&A: Using screens during meals and before sleep
—
Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com
• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership
• Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• The Meaning of Your Life Retreats: https://retreats.arthurbrooks.com
• The Science Behind Being Good at Leisure: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/podcast/the-science-behind-being-good-at-leisure
• 41% of American Workers Let Paid Vacation Days Go to Waste: https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/08/41-percent-of-american-workers-let-their-paid-vacation-go-to-waste/378950
• The Contribution of Vacations to Quality of Life: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256987230_The_Contribution_of_Vacations_to_Quality_of_Life
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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Finding the right person is hard. Being attracted to the wrong one is just as common.
In this episode of Office Hours, I explore why some people find themselves stuck in the same dating patterns over and over again, pursuing partners who are unavailable, manipulative, emotionally destructive, or struggling with addiction. I explain why attraction can override good judgment, why certain personality types are especially alluring, and how to learn from past mistakes and create healthier patterns in love.
This episode focuses on choosing the right person in the first place. If you haven't yet listened to my episode, 3 Rules to Fall in Love and Stay in Love, I recommend it as a companion to this conversation. Together, they offer a roadmap for both finding love and building a lasting relationship.
—
Brought to you by:
• LMNT—A science-backed electrolyte drink mix that helps you feel and perform your best, without sugar, artificial ingredients, or gimmicks. Get a free sample pack at DrinkLMNT.com/Arthur
—
Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• In-person Retreats: https://retreats.arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(05:19) Why dating feels so difficult
(06:29) Dating Groundhog Day
(10:12) Attraction to unavailable people
(15:25) Substance abuse
(18:29) The Dark Triad
(20:56) How the Dark Triad reels you in
(25:52) Why we ignore red flags
(27:19) Dating strategy #1: Stop relying on others' judgment
(28:48) Dating strategy #2: Address your emophilia
(30:16) Dating strategy #3: Expand your time horizon
(32:10) Dating strategy #4: Don’t focus on looks and status
(33:21) Dating strategy #5: Look in the right place
(35:15) Dating strategy #6: Stop looking for your ex
(37:29) Dating strategy #7: Stop romanticizing doomed love
(39:00) Q&A: How to reconcile being on your phone to learn more
(40:15) Q&A: The value of fun leisure
—
Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com
• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership
• Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• Nearly Half of U.S. Adults Say Dating Has Gotten Harder for Most People in the Last 10 Years: https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/08/20/nearly-half-of-u-s-adults-say-dating-has-gotten-harder-for-most-people-in-the-last-10-years
• Groundhog Day: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107048
• Mate Choice Copying in Humans: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26181063/
• The ability to judge the romantic interest of others: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19076319
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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Family estrangement is strangely common—affecting one-third of American adults today. While cutting ties can bring temporary relief, research suggests that, over time, it often resembles grief.
In this episode of Office Hours, I explore why family, one of the four pillars of happiness, is central to meaning, what is driving the rise in estrangement, and why conflicts over values and identity have become so difficult to repair. Most importantly, I discuss what it actually takes to mend broken relationships: the difference between healthy boundaries and permanent rupture, and the two qualities that help families overcome deep disagreement and stay connected.
—
Brought to you by:
• David Protein—The most effective portable protein on the planet https://davidprotein.com/arthur
• Noble Mobile—With Noble, there is only one plan: The No-Bull Plan. It’s simple. It’s transparent. And if you use less data, you get cash back. Get an exclusive offer at: https://noblemobile.com/arthurbrooks
—
Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• In-person Retreats: https://retreats.arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(05:09) Why family estrangement feels so painful
(15:57) How common is family estrangement
(19:30) Why family estrangement happens
(27:07) The rise of the “no-contact” movement
(31:34) What the data shows about going no-contact
(35:07) The two ingredients every family needs
(36:20) What tolerance really means
(37:43) Why forgiveness is essential in families
(39:20) The hidden incentives behind encouraging family division
(41:32) Q&A: Finding reciprocity in friendships
(43:38) Q&A: Attachment styles and finding love
(46:03) Q&A: Meeting a future spouse in person
—
Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-of-your-life
• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership
• Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• Family Estrangement Is a Tragedy: https://www.thefp.com/p/arthur-brooks-family-estrangement-is-a-tragedy
• What Makes Life Meaningful? Views From 17 Advanced Economies: https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2021/11/18/what-makes-life-meaningful-views-from-17-advanced-economies/
• Matthew 5:44: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205%3A44
• Fault Lines: Fractured Families and How to Mend Them: https://www.amazon.com/Fault-Lines-Fractured-Families-Mend/dp/0525539034
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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We obsess over diets, fasting, and weight-loss drugs in the name of health. But we rarely ask a more important question: what kind of eating actually makes us happier?
In this episode of Office Hours, I explore what the science say about the relationship between food and well-being. Eating gives us pleasure, but meals bring deeper enjoyment when they also combine people and memories. I explore what that means in practice along with seven other practical rules for “happy eating.”
In the end, happiness at the table depends less on the food than the company. As my Spanish wife likes to say: the point of eating is not the food—it’s the love.
—
Brought to you by:
• David Protein—The most effective portable protein on the planet https://davidprotein.com/arthur
• Noble Mobile—With Noble, there is only one plan: The No-Bull Plan. It’s simple. It’s transparent. And if you use less data, you get cash back. Get an exclusive offer at: https://noblemobile.com/arthurbrooks
—
Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• In-person Retreats: https://retreats.arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(09:55) Why eating is pleasurable—and why pleasure alone does not create happiness
(13:56) Two ways to turn pleasure into enjoyment
(17:12) How both positive and negative emotions influence eating
(18:43) Why eating moderately often is linked to greater happiness
(22:14) Dietary patterns associated with greater happiness
(25:19) What the research shows about alcohol and well-being
(28:16) Junk food’s impact on mood and well-being
(30:08) The pros and cons of a vegetarian diet
(32:19) Why crash diets are bad for your well-being and happiness
(35:59) Time-restricted eating and GLP-1 drugs
(37:13) #1: Balance across a variety of foods
(37:46) #2: Emphasize proteins and fats
(37:58) #3: Avoid junk food and refined sweets
(38:11) #4: Moderate alcohol consumption
(38:24) #5: No recreational drinking
(38:34) #6: Avoid obesity without starving yourself
(38:49) #7: Organized, regular, formal meal times
(39:00) #8: Meals in the company of others
(40:19) Q&A: The neuroscience behind how books affect our brains
(42:53) Q&A: Leisure vs. Sabbath
—
Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com
• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership
• Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• The pleasure of food: underlying brain mechanisms of eating and other pleasures: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13411-014-0029-2
• Health, Happiness and Eating Together: What Can a Large Thai Cohort Study Tell Us?: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4802060
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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We spend much of our lives building our careers. We chase success, recognition, and expansive networks—yet despite all of it, many of us still experience a quiet, persistent loneliness.
In this episode of Office Hours, I turn to Aristotle and his work, the Nicomachean Ethics, to ask an age-old question: what makes a good friend? I’ll explore Aristotle’s three types of friendship, and suggest something that sounds counterintuitive: the best of friends are perfectly useless. I also share four practical ways to deepen the friendships you already have, and cultivate more of these useless relationships that create real meaning, deeper happiness, and a life well lived.
—
Brought to you by:
• Noble Mobile—With Noble, there is only one plan: The No-Bull Plan. It’s simple. It’s transparent. And if you use less data, you get cash back. Get an exclusive offer at: https://noblemobile.com/arthurbrooks
—
Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• In-person Retreats: https://retreats.arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(06:32) Why close friendships are essential to happiness
(11:42) What a healthy friendship ecosystem looks like
(14:54) Aristotle’s three types of friendship
(23:57) Real friends vs. deal friends
(31:17) Friendship step #1: Give yourself a friendship checkup
(32:39) Friendship step #2: Identify the people who truly know you
(35:06) Friendship step #3: Go deep or go home
(38:24) Friendship step #4: Make more friends that you don’t need
(41:32) Q&A: Adjusting to home after a year abroad
(44:12) Q&A: Building better habits
—
Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com
• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership
• Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• Why You Should Want to Be Alone: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/07/hermit-solitude-benefits-happiness/678955
• I Matter to My Friend, Therefore I am Happy: Friendship, Mattering, and Happiness: https://experts.nau.edu/en/publications/i-matter-to-my-friend-therefore-i-am-happy-friendship-mattering-a
• Friendship and personality as predictors of happiness: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10902-006-9012-7
•The average American has three best friends: https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/friends-adults-american-how-to-friendship-difficulty-a8906861.html
• Social Support, Social Strain, Loneliness, and Well-Being Among Older Adults: An Analysis of the Health and Retirement Study: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2014-05698-001
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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Sometimes, the most insidious thing someone can tell you to make you feel better is the age-old phrase, “but you’re perfect!” While research suggests this may ease emotional pain temporarily, it might actually be holding you back from growth and, consequently, satisfaction.
In this episode of Office Hours, I explore why we avoid uncomfortable truths when feeling down, and why the better path towards fulfillment is honest self-acceptance—embracing your imperfections, and taking on the challenge to improve.
—
Brought to you by:
• Noble Mobile—With Noble, there is only one plan: The No-Bull Plan. It’s simple. It’s transparent. And if you use less data, you get cash back. Get an exclusive offer at: https://noblemobile.com/arthurbrooks
—
Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• In-person Retreats: https://retreats.arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(06:50) The psychology of self-enhancement bias
(10:39) Who suffers most from self-enhancement bias
(15:50) Why we protect others with comforting lies
(17:16) What the research shows about self-enhancement bias
(22:57) #1: You’re not perfect but you’re normal
(25:37) #2: Accept yourself
(27:05) #3: Work to improve
(30:03) #4: Don’t blame other people
(32:05) #5: Reframe imperfections as puzzles
(35:48) Q&A: People pleasing and happiness
(37:33) Q&A: Finding time for happiness in a busy life
(39:24) Q&A: Teaching happiness habits to young children
—
Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com
• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• I'm OK--You're OK: The Pioneering and Bestselling Self-Help Guide: https://www.amazon.com/Im-OK-Youre-OK-Thomas-Harris/dp/0060724277
• Taking time seriously. A theory of socioemotional selectivity: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10199217
• Comparative perceptions of driver ability--a confirmation and expansion: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3730094
• The Illusion of Moral Superiority: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5641986
• Age and the better‐than‐average effect: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2011-10557-008
• The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex is selective for pain: Results from large-scale reverse inference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26582792
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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Want to miss (or forget) life’s sweetest moments? Easy: don’t savor anything. My late mother, an artist, knew this was a terrible strategy for happiness. Through her art, she was an expert at savoring—and the first to teach me its benefits.
In this episode of Office Hours, I connect her lesson to what we now know from behavioral science: because of our built-in negativity bias, we tend to overlook positive experiences unless we make an effort to notice them. I’ll share three simple ways to do that—so you can experience your life more deeply, remember it more clearly, and find meaning even in the hard moments.
Want to go deeper on this—and other ideas from the podcast—and actually put them into practice? If you’re ready to do that work in person, I’ve partnered with MEA, a transformational science-backed retreat center, to bring these principles to life through a series of retreats in Santa Fe. You can find the details at retreats.arthurbrooks.com.
—
Brought to you by:
• David Protein—The most effective portable protein on the planet https://davidprotein.com/arthur
—
Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(09:52) What savoring really is
(10:39) How savoring affects your brain and body
(14:54) How savoring shapes your memory
(17:16) Negativity bias and why it’s hard to savor
(20:18) #1: Savor in all three time zones
(24:34) #2: Expand your savoring techniques
(27:21) #3: How I do it–what are you looking forward to
(29:12) How to savor difficult experiences to support growth
(31:19) Q&A: Making space for relationships in a demanding season of work
(32:39) Q&A: Finding a religion that resonates
(34:08) Q&A: Finding a calling
—
Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com
• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership
• Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• Savoring the past: Positive memories evoke value representations in the striatum: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4254527
• The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation: https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Mindfulness-Introduction-Practice-Meditation/dp/0807012394
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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Grief is part of the human experience. If you love, you will lose. And when you do, the pain is inescapable. It can be disorienting, overwhelming, and in the case of acute grief, the symptoms can even resemble something like psychosis.
In this episode of Office Hours, I explore what grief actually is, how it is lived and felt by those who are bereaved, and why these reactions—however unsettling—are not signs of dysfunction. They are, in fact, evidence of something profoundly good: the depth of our love and devotion to one another.
The aim is not to eliminate grief—that is neither possible nor desirable—but to approach it with understanding. In doing so, we can move toward our suffering rather than away from it, extend compassion to others walking a similar path, and begin to discover meaning within our loss.
—
Brought to you by:
• David Protein—The most effective portable protein on the planet https://davidprotein.com/arthur
—
Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(05:13) The story of Itaru Sasaki’s wind phone
(07:26) What grief is
(09:33) Grief vs. bereavement
(10:03) Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s five stages of grief and newer research
(14:42) The brain’s response to grief
(18:24) How long does it take to get through grief
(20:45) Post-traumatic growth and the five areas that often improve
(23:45) #1. Look for meaning
(26:56) #2. Change your identity
(29:15) #3. Adopt rituals
(30:53) #4. Let yourself be happy again
(32:10) #5. Help others with grief
(34:10) Q&A: How failure helps your career
(35:24) Q&A: Getting married in a church after leaving it
(37:24) Q&A: Breaking the cycle of self-blame
—
Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com
• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership
• Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• My Wind Phone (wind phone directory): https://www.mywindphone.com
• Treatment of complicated grief: a randomized controlled trial: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15928281
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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In a previous episode on leisure, I talked about how fewer and fewer people are spending time outdoors. Today, the average child spends just minutes outside each day, a dramatic shift from how most of us grew up and from how humans have lived for thousands of years.
In today’s episode of Office Hours, I explain why reconnecting with nature is essential for your happiness and well-being. Drawing on research from psychology and neuroscience, I show how time outdoors can reduce anxiety and depression, improve cognitive function, and even help you break free from the constant cycle of comparison and rumination.
You might think your life is not compatible with spending more time outside. But the evidence suggests the opposite: you can’t afford not to. I share with you three practical ways to bring nature back into your daily life. I hope you try them and get outside to touch some grass!
—
Brought to you by:
Noble Mobile—With Noble, there is only one plan: The No-Bull Plan. It’s simple. It’s transparent. And if you use less data, you get cash back. Get an exclusive offer at: https://noblemobile.com/arthurbrooks
—
Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(05:14) How much time do people spend outdoors today?
(07:10) Why we’re spending more time inside
(11:05) What happens when you don’t get enough time outdoors
(12:31) What happens when you add nature back in
(19:08) #1: Spend as much time as you can outside
(22:04) #2: Witness/touch nature
(24:27) #3: Start a walking routine
(26:36) Why you’ll enjoy being in nature more than you think
(27:23) Lessons from transcendentalism
(28:46) Q&A: The difference between happiness and joy
(30:24) Q&A: Serving others without resentment
—
Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com
• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership
• Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• Global survey finds we’re lacking fresh air and natural light, as we spend less time in nature: https://press.velux.com/new-global-survey-finds-were-lacking-fresh-air-and-natural-light-as-we-spend-less-time-in-nature
• The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness: https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036
• Stanford researchers find mental health prescription: Nature: https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2015/06/hiking-mental-health-063015
• Why Is Nature Beneficial? The Role of Connectedness to Nature: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d8921893ec7066969f68df5/t/5d94da7035bc6f4984f509d1/1570036337561/the_role_of_connectedness_to_nature_on_positive_affect_2009.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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Sahil Bloom is an entrepreneur and investor, and the author of the New York Times bestselling book The 5 Types of Wealth.
Most of us chase success that doesn’t reflect what we truly value. In this episode, Sahil and I explore how to close that gap and live more intentionally—starting with the bold decision he made to move his family for more time with loved ones.
We unpack the difference between what you want and what you wish you wanted, dive into the five types of wealth, and end with six practical lessons to help you build a life that actually aligns with your values.
—
Where to find Sahil Bloom:
• X: https://x.com/SahilBloom
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sahilbloom
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Sahil-Bloom-100086913108285
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0vZSXQHRGPNZMFAKPLJcww
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahilbloom
• Website: https://www.sahilbloom.com
• Newsletter: https://www.sahilbloom.com/newsletter
—
Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(03:33) Why Sahil relocated to live near his parents
(08:58) The five types of wealth
(10:51) Why it never hurts to reach out
(13:07) When your actions don’t match your values
(16:15) The case for auditing how your values and actions align
(20:14) Why achievement alone doesn’t bring happiness
(24:02) What a successful life actually is
(30:40) Why struggle is necessary for true satisfaction
(37:01) Suffering as proof of living
(40:53) Sahil’s mistakes
(45:30) 6 lessons to build the life you want
—
Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com
• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• The 5 Types of Wealth: A Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life: https://www.amazon.com/Types-Wealth-Transformative-Guide-Design/dp/059372318X
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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Your professional calling is a mysterious idea. It’s the ineffable sense that you are meant to do something. Many people get tripped up in their pursuit of their calling, because they conceive of it like buried treasure—something hidden that they must find. In truth, your calling can be built no matter your present circumstances. So, how do you do it?
In this episode, I explain how to move from chasing an objective career—titles, status, money—to building a more subjective one based on what you care about and what genuinely interests you. I also share three simple steps to help you evaluate and shape your calling. If you stick with them, you’ll be more likely to end up doing work that feels meaningful—and, in turn, you’ll get happier.
If you want to go deeper, check out my book, The Meaning of Your Life.
—
Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:19) How to find what you’re meant to do
(04:15) Work-ism and workaholism
(06:04) 4 habits of the happiest people
(07:13) What can we learn about our callings from religion?
(13:33) Subjective vs. objective careers
(15:19) Work-life balance vs. work-life integration
(18:05) A misconception people make: calling isn’t just unusual talent
(19:39) How do you find your calling?
(19:42) #1. Look within
(22:41) #2. Focus on fascination
(27:45) #3. Serve others
(31:35) Q&A #1: How can you positively influence others?
(33:34) Q&A #2: Is retracing a career path not making progress?
(34:53) Q&A #3: How can we help teenagers build their own happiness habits?
(35:50) Outro
—
Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com
• Meaning Membership: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-membership
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• 6 science-backed ways to raise happiness at work: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/podcast/6-science-backed-ways-to-raise-happiness-and-success-at-work
• If I work harder, will you love me? https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/09/workaholic-love-practical-solutions/684353/
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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Pre-order The Meaning of Your Life (out March 31).
This is the final episode in my 3-part series on meaning, and it begins with a question I couldn’t ignore when I returned to campus five years ago: why do so many successful, driven people feel anxious, depressed, and lonely?
In this episode, I share three real-life stories from my new book, The Meaning of Your Life. These stories reveal what’s missing—and why the problem isn’t a lack of enjoyment or satisfaction, but rather the third macronutrient of happiness, meaning.
I finish by sharing the six protocols from my book to help you move beyond distraction and build a more meaningful life in six months. If you want to go deeper, I hope you’ll consider the book.
—
Brought to you by:
Noble Mobile—With Noble, there is only one plan: The No-Bull Plan. It’s simple. It’s transparent. And if you use less data, you get cash back. Get an exclusive offer at: https://noblemobile.com/arthurbrooks
—
Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:52) Recap of Part 1 and Part 2
(07:56) Why I wrote The Meaning of Your Life
(14:37) The connection between lack of meaning, anxiety, and depression
(17:05) Why case studies matter
(19:43) Story #1: The garbage disposal
(24:13) Story #2: Just stay busy
(26:40) Story #3: A long hike to…somewhere
(30:02) What these stories reveal
(33:18) Six protocols from The Meaning of Your Life
—
Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: themeaningofyourlife.com
• Why Your Perfect Life Feels So Empty (Sneak Peek): https://www.thefp.com/p/arthur-brooks-why-your-perfect-life-feels-so-empty
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• Self-inflicted pain out of boredom: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178116301524?via%3Dihub
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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Don’t miss The Meaning of Your Life Virtual Experience, my free live global book launch event this Friday (3/27), where I’m joined by an extraordinary lineup of guests to dive into all things meaning. Learn more at themeaningofyourlife.com.
This is Part Two of my series on meaning, where I explore the science behind the meaning crisis, a central theme in my upcoming book, The Meaning of Your Life (out March 31).
In the last episode, we looked at boredom. Today, I dive into the link between a lack of meaning and rising anxiety and depression—and why avoiding life’s biggest questions may be part of the problem. Why do we avoid the questions that matter most? Easy: These questions are uncomfortable—they don’t have clear answers and can’t be solved “once and for all.” However, the process of asking these unanswerable, ineffable questions changes the way we understand our lives, even if we cannot neatly articulate that understanding. As always, I share practical steps to get you to the “right” side of your brain, so that you can start building a life with greater meaning.
—
Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(04:59) The link between meaning and well-being
(07:04) Lessons from Zen Buddhism
(13:44) Two big questions for meaning
(16:00) Hemispheric lateralization
(19:43) Complicated vs. complex problems
(25:33) Why left-brain logic fails for complex problems
(26:54) Using questions to find meaning
(33:20) Step #1: Schedule your mental workout
(34:50) Step #2: Go for a long walk
(37:25) Q&A: Combating contempt
(39:55) Q&A: Travel protocols
—
Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life Virtual Event: themeaningofyourlife.com
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Your-Life-Finding-Emptiness/dp/0593545427
• Why Your Perfect Life Feels So Empty (Sneak Peek): https://www.thefp.com/p/arthur-brooks-why-your-perfect-life-feels-so-empty
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• Zen in the Art of Archery: https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Art-Archery-Eugen-Herrigel/dp/0375705090
• Hakuin Ekaku: What is the Sound of One Hand Clapping?: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373390412_Hakuin_Ekaku_What_is_the_Sound_of_One_Hand_Clapping
• Carl Jung’s quote: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/723830-the-greatest-and-most-important-problems-of-life-are-all
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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Most of us hate waiting. Whether it’s standing in line, sitting in traffic, or waiting for a delayed flight, those idle moments feel irritating and pointless. Our instinct is to escape them as quickly as possible, almost always by reaching for our phones. But what if those moments of boredom are actually valuable?
Today’s episode of Office Hours is the first of my three-part series on The Meaning of Your Life, about boredom and how learning to sit with it can help us reconnect with reflection, insight, and the search for meaning.
I often talk about the trap of trying to eliminate discomfort from our lives. Boredom is no different. When we constantly distract ourselves, we miss the very mental space where insight and reflection occur. The truth is that boredom can be a gift. One that opens the door to deeper thought and a clearer sense of meaning.
—
Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(04:02) Why we need to get better at being bored
(07:40) Research on boredom
(10:55) Why time slows down when we’re bored
(14:33) The benefits of boredom
(18:20) How Tolstoy found meaning
(23:49) The doom loop
(26:33) A different orientation to your devices
(30:46) The practice of boredom
(36:37) Q&A: What is a highly sensitive person?
(39:20) Q&A: Should you “trust God’s plan” when looking for a partner?
(42:38) Q&A: How do you avoid wasting your time and talent?
—
Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Your-Life-Finding-Emptiness/dp/0593545427
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• Just think: The challenges of the disengaged mind: https://dtg.sites.fas.harvard.edu/WILSON%20ET%20AL%202014.pdf
• Self-inflicted pain out of boredom: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178116301524?via%3Dihub
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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Some of the experiences that scare us most are also the ones that can change us for the better. The right kind of challenge increases confidence, deepens courage, helps us feel more fully alive, and connects us to a deeper sense of meaning. But not all risk is the same, and learning the difference matters.
In this episode of Office Hours, I explore why deliberately stepping outside your comfort zone is almost always beneficial when approached wisely. I discuss how to distinguish bravery from recklessness, how to think about fear in a healthier way, and how to identify challenges that are genuinely right for you. Because our fears are deeply personal, the challenges that build happiness and meaning differ for each of us, and only you can decide which ones are right for you. But I offer advice to help you uncover what is most beneficial to you.
If you’re ready to discover what else can give your life meaning, pre-order my new book The Meaning of Your Life, available March 31.
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Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(05:57) Why you should find your “running of the bulls”
(13:37) Bravery vs. recklessness
(16:50) When the benefits of risk actually arrive
(19:20) Find your running of the bulls
(22:31) Envision facing the danger
(24:54) Make a plan
(31:27) Q&A: How to know if it’s time for a new job
(33:23) Q&A: Preparing for the death of a loved one
(34:55) Q&A: Giving advice without offending
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Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Your-Life-Finding-Emptiness/dp/0593545427
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/w/arthur-brooks
• The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness: https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036
• Multiple motives for participating in adventure sports: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1469029212000490
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
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Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
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Faith and spirituality are on the decline—but what does that mean for our happiness and sense of meaning?
In this episode of Office Hours, I approach that question not as a theologian, but as a social scientist. I explore a fundamental truth: human beings are wired to seek meaning beyond themselves. The problem today is that we're missing out on this essential part of human life.
I’ll share a three-part plan to help you transcend yourself—one that helps you manage anxiety and loneliness—and invite you to reflect more deeply on what you believe, and why it matters. And to learn more on this, check out my new book, The Meaning of Your Life (out March 31).
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Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:40) Why faith and spirituality matter for meaning
(03:00) Decline of traditional religiosity in the U.S.
(05:20) The rise of the “nones” and generational shifts
(07:45) Americans vs. other wealthy nations on religion
(09:30) Is society inevitably becoming secular?
(11:45) What brain science tells us about spirituality
(14:20) Spiritual experiences and reduced stress responses
(16:40) Mystical memory, theta waves, and altered states
(18:55) How spirituality protects against depression and anxiety
(21:10) Spirituality, loneliness, and social connection
(23:40) Make yourself smaller: why self-focus makes us miserable
(29:10) Why thinking less about yourself improves performance
(31:20) Transcendence across religions and philosophies
(34:00) Faith without conversion: meaning beyond belief
(36:10) How to explore faith (and my new book, The Meaning of Your Life)
(37:50) Q&A: loving someone who is depressed
(40:10) Q&A: missionaries vs. psychologists and happiness
(42:15) Q&A: grief, loss, and where to turn
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Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Your-Life-Finding-Emptiness/dp/0593545427
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• U.S. church membership falls below majority for first time: https://news.gallup.com/poll/341963/church-membership-falls-below-majority-first-time.aspx
• “Nones” on the rise: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2012/10/09/nones-on-the-rise/
• More Americans say they’re spiritual, but not religious: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2017/09/06/more-americans-now-say-theyre-spiritual-but-not-religious/
• Awakened Brain: https://www.amazon.com/Awakened-Brain-Science-Spirituality-Inspired/dp/198485562X
• EEG activity in Carmelite nuns during a mystical experience: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18721862/
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
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Not all leisure is created equal—some of it feels good in the moment (pleasure) but leaves you depleted afterward. Other forms of leisure actually restore you (enjoyment). They lift you up, deepen your sense of meaning, and make you more fully alive. The difference matters, and leisure well used is a skill—and it’s one you can cultivate.
In this episode of Office Hours, I explore what leisure truly is and why it’s essential to happiness. Drawing on both philosophy and modern behavioral science, I explain why contemplation, art, time in nature, learning, and deep connection with others feed you in ways that passive diversion can’t.
The goal is not to squeeze more activity into your life. It’s to live more deliberately, in ways that genuinely support your happiness. And if you’re not sure where you stand, take The Happiness Scale to see whether enjoyment is an area that needs strengthening.
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Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• Website: https://arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• X: https://x.com/arthurbrooks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/
• Email: [email protected]
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(06:15) What enjoyment is, and why pleasure falls short
(12:37) Pieper’s case for leisure as the basis of culture
(15:22) The kind of leisure to avoid
(19:22) What true leisure is
(23:58) How connecting with beauty affects your brain
(30:50) The benefits of time in nature
(35:56) Structure your leisure
(39:50) Don’t waste your leisure
(42:11) Set leisure goals
(44:48) Why our culture focuses too much on work
(46:48) Q&A: The benefits of volunteering
(48:01) Q&A: Helping others with cynicism and skepticism
(49:53) Q&A: Teaching happiness to kids
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Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness: https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Your-Life-Finding-Emptiness/dp/0593545427
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Four Cardinal Virtues: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Cardinal-Virtues-Josef-Pieper/dp/0268001030
• Leisure the Basis of Culture: https://www.amazon.com/Leisure-Basis-Culture-Josef-Pieper/dp/0865972109
• The Three Macronutrients of Happiness, and How to Measure Yours: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/podcast/the-three-macronutrients-of-happiness-and-how-to-measure-yours
• Brahmamuhurta: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmamuhurta
• Routine and Project-Based Leisure, Happiness, and Meaning in Life: https://www.nrpa.org/globalassets/journals/jlr/2012/volume-44/jlr-volume-44-number-2-pp-139-154.pdf
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
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Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
- Visa fler
