Episode notes
Why do so many people drift from faith in early adulthood, only to feel drawn back to it later in life? In this episode of Office Hours , I explore the Hindu concept of Ashramas and the parallels with what modern science tells us about how our priorities change with age. As we get older, the worldly rewards we once chased can start to feel less satisfying. We begin asking deeper questions about wisdom, meaning, and transcendence. That’s what happens when you enter Vanaprastha —the stage of life when we turn our attention inward. I also share five practical steps for beginning (or…
Podcast
Office Hours with Arthur Brooks
Arthur Brooks · Health · English
Hi Friends, I’m Arthur Brooks, a social scientist, Vanderbilt professor, and columnist at The Free Press. I write, speak, and teach about the science of human happiness, blending neuroscience, behavioral science, philosophy, and religion for insights on how to live better and be happier. Each…
More from Office Hours with Arthur Brooks All episodes →
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5 Oct 2026 · 47 min
3 Ways to Stop Letting Your Past Control Your Life
Are painful memories keeping you from enjoying your life today? Maybe you avoid a particular place or person because of an experience you can’t seem to let go of. In this episode of Office Hours , I explore how memory works, why our recollections are less reliable than we think, and how the past shapes the future we imagine. As always, I share practical steps to help you find more happiness, meaning, and gratitude as you move forward. — 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…
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28 Sep 2026 · 51 min
4 Ways to Avoid Your Professional Decline
What happens when the abilities that brought you professional success start to decline? In this episode of Office Hours , I explore how our strengths change with age and how to be happier as they do. Drawing on my book From Strength to Strength , I explain fluid and crystallized intelligence and contrast how Darwin and Bach responded to professional decline. As always, I leave you with practical steps to help you navigate this transition and find more happiness, meaning, and fulfillment as you age. — Brought to you by: • LMNT —A science-backed electrolyte drink mix that helps you feel and…
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21 Sep 2026 · 56 min
How to Be More Optimistic with Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek is an optimist, bestselling author of Start with Why , and founder of The Optimism Company. In this special episode of Office Hours , part of the Be Hope podcast takeover during the United Nations General Assembly, Simon joins me to explore what optimism really requires. We discuss how optimism differs from hope, why relationships help us sustain a belief in a better future, how our expectations shape others, and why pessimism has become so powerful. We also explain how leaders can turn optimism into action through a clear vision, and how each of us can become more optimistic by…
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14 Sep 2026 · 51 min
5 Ways to Kill Your Envy and Get Happier
Dante had a particularly gruesome punishment for the envious: their eyes were wired shut. In this episode of Office Hours , I explore why envy is such a powerful happiness killer—and how to stop feeding it in your own life. — 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:…
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7 Sep 2026 · 51 min
What Is the Happiest Personality? (It Actually Might Be Yours)
If you’re an introvert, you might not like what the research has to say: Extroverts tend to be happier. But before you start striking up conversations with strangers in the elevator, there’s more to the story. In this episode of Office Hours , I explore how your personality might shape your happiness, what introverts and extroverts can learn from each other, and why understanding your natural tendencies can help you cultivate habits towards a more connected and, therefore, happier life. — Brought to you by: • Noble Mobile —With Noble, there is only one plan: The No-Bull Plan. It’s simple.…
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24 Aug 2026 · 46 min
The Three Secrets to Raising Great Kids
Being a parent is one of the most meaningful things you can do with your life, and one of the easiest things to worry about getting wrong. Most of us ultimately want the same things for our children: for them to grow up to be good people and have a good life. But how much influence do parents actually have over those outcomes? In this episode of Office Hours , I explore what the research can teach us about raising happy, well-adjusted kids, including how much of our children’s personalities are inherited, where we as parents really can make a difference, and why what we model often matters…
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17 Aug 2026 · 49 min
Success Secret: Finding People Who Disagree With You
Most of us prefer spending time with people who are like us. They think like us, share our values, and make us feel comfortable. But while similarity may be easy, it isn't always what helps us grow. In this episode of Office Hours , I explain why some of the greatest benefits in life come from building relationships with people who think, believe, and live differently from us. I explore the science behind why diversity of thought can make us wiser and more successful, and share three practical ways to bring more variety of opinions and values into your life. And if you want to get better at…
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10 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 18 min
One Year of Office Hours: Lessons on Love and Friendship
In this special one-year anniversary episode of Office Hours, I'm joined by six young adults to discuss the modern crisis of meaning and why so many people feel disconnected despite having more ways to connect than ever. Together, we explore why friendship and romantic love seem harder to find and maintain, what gets in the way of deep connection, and what young adults are actually looking for in relationships, community, and life. Along the way, the participants share their experiences navigating friendship, dating, marriage, graduate school, and major life transitions. If there's one hope…
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3 Aug 2026 · 37 min
Why You Should Let People Help You More
We usually think generosity means helping other people. But what if accepting help is generous, too? In this episode of Office Hours , I explore why letting others help us can be a gift. We’ll look at the science of why helping makes people happier, why others enjoy doing us favors more than we expect, the four rules for asking well, and how receiving with grace creates a virtuous cycle of generosity. — 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:…
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27 Jul 2026 · 45 min
The Power of Sunlight: Protocols for Better Mood, Sleep & Happiness
It's easy to assume that we'd be happier if we lived somewhere with more sunshine. But how much does sunlight actually matter? In this episode of Office Hours , I examine what the research says about the relationship between sunlight and happiness, why some people benefit more than others, and how much sunlight you really need. I also share three practical ways to build healthier light habits. — 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:…
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