About this episode
Arthur Brooks, an economist and former head of the American Enterprise Institute, believes that there is only one remedy for our political polarization: love. In this 2021 episode, we ask if Brooks is a fool for thinking this — and if perhaps you are his kind of fool? SOURCES: Arthur Brooks , professor of public and nonprofit leadership at Harvard University. RESOURCES: “ Vital Statistics on Congress ,” by Molly Reynolds and Naomi Maehr ( Brookings Institute, 2024). Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence , by Anna Lembke (2021). “ Reading Too Much Political News Is Bad for Your Well-Being ,” by Arthur Brooks ( The Atlantic, 2020). Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt , by Arthur Brooks (2019). “ This 75-Year Harvard Study Found the 1 Secret to Leading a Fulfilling Life ,” by Melanie Curtin ( Inc., 2017). The Conservative Heart: How to Build a Fairer, Happier, and More Prosperous America , by Arthur Brooks (2015). “ Grin and Bear It: The Influence of Manipulated Facial Expression on the Stress Response ,” by Tara Kraft and Sarah Pressman ( Psychological Science, 2012). EXTRAS: “ Why Is U.S. Media So Negative? ” by Freakonomics Radio (2021). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.