About this episode
In this episode Sal, Adam & Justin speak with New York Times best selling author, Harvard professor and happiness expert, Arthur Brooks on what happiness is and how to achieve it. What is a social scientist? (3:33) Why does academia lack humility? (4:38) The massive human experiment that is the coronavirus pandemic. (7:58) Is fear or control the biggest deterrent to your pursuit of happiness? (10:23) Why there is fear-based polarity in the US. (16:32) The comparison trap, that is social media. (19:05) Why do parents tend to overprotect their children? (21:40) What motivated him to write his new book? (25:50) The commonalities of the happy as they age. (30:42) Why wisdom is knowing how to use what you know. (33:20) How life is not that interesting when you don't have diversity. (36:50) The importance of having a spiritual practice. (41:05) The big problems created by the coronavirus and how to combat them. (45:14) When you hate, someone is profiting. (50:12) Arthur's hopeful mindset for the future. (53:37) The Opposite Signal Strategy (OSS) to combat loneliness. (55:42) The thought experiment of understanding your intrinsic vs. extrinsic reward system. (57:39) Do not let success ruin your happiness! (1:03:13) How critical is the partner we choose to do this life with? (1:07:02) Beware of success addiction. (1:09:26) The practices of a healthy relationship. (1:16:50) Being the child of a social scientist. (1:21:33) Mind Pump, the happiness podcast. (1:26:40) What is the secret to communicating with people with opposing views? (1:27:47) Related Links/Products Mentioned NEW PROGRAM LAUNCH SPECIAL PROMOTION: Get MAPS Symmetry + 2 free eBooks for $97!! **Promo code "SYM50" at checkout** April Promotion: Get MAPS Anywhere, MAPS Prime and Prime Pro all for $99.99! Visit Chili Sleep for an exclusive offer for Mind Pump listeners! From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life - Book by Arthur C. Brooks Good genes are nice, but joy is better Fluid Intelligence vs. Crystallized Intelligence Obesity One of the Biggest Risk Factors in COVID-19 Hospitalizations, Study Suggests Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order: Why Nations Succeed and Fail – Book by Ray Dalio The Problem With 'No Regrets' The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward – Book by Daniel Pink Mind Pump Podcast – YouTube Mind Pump Free Resources Featured Guest/People Mentioned Arthur Brooks ( @arthurcbrooks ) Instagram Arthur Brooks Website Ray Dalio ( @raydalio ) Instagram