

Office Hours with Arthur Brooks
Arthur Brooks
Hi Friends, I’m Arthur Brooks, a social scientist, professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, 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 week on Office Hours, you’ll get a glimpse into the cutting edge research on happiness, and explore how you can use it to improve your life—and share what you learn with those you love. Join me in the movement to build a happier world–starting with you.
Episodes
Mentioned books

35 snips
Mar 30, 2026 • 40min
6 Protocols to Find Meaning and Build a Happier Life
A deep look at why many high-achieving people feel anxious, depressed, and lonely. Three vivid life stories reveal what is missing when meaning fades. Six practical protocols are offered to rebuild meaning through big questions, love, transcendence, calling, beauty, and transforming suffering. Short, actionable steps aimed at reclaiming a richer, more purposeful life.

65 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 42min
How the Meaning of Life Affects Your Brain: Part 2 of 3
They link rising anxiety and depression in young people to a growing sense of meaninglessness. They explore Zen examples and unanswerable questions as a way to reshape the mind. They compare right- and left-brain ways of knowing and show how tech narrows our mental life. They offer simple practices like scheduled contemplation and walking to reopen the right brain.

174 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 46min
Find the Meaning of Your Life Part 1 of 3: Get Better at Boredom
They explore why modern life hates waiting and how boredom can be a doorway to reflection. Studies and surprising experiments show people avoid boredom even at a cost. Time perception, the brain’s default mode, and how devices hijack our mental space are examined. Practical habits for phone-free thinking and the role of boredom in conversation, creativity, and spiritual life are highlighted.

48 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 38min
3 Steps to Embracing Your Fears
A conversation about why deliberately chosen danger can build resilience and meaning. Stories and research explain why some seek intense challenges and how that transforms life. Clear distinctions are made between bravery and recklessness. Practical three-step guidance helps you identify, envision, and prepare for risks that could deepen purpose.

48 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 38min
How to find your faith
A social scientist examines why faith and spirituality shape meaning and happiness. Trends in declining religiosity and the rise of the “nones” are explored. Neuroscience findings on spiritual experiences, theta waves, and stress reduction are discussed. A practical three-step plan to cultivate transcendence through practice, shifting self-focus, and questioning beliefs is presented.

225 snips
Feb 23, 2026 • 52min
The Science Behind Being Good at Leisure
They explore why some leisure drains you while other activities restore and deepen meaning. Topics include contemplative pursuits, art, nature, learning, and deep social connection. Science on beauty, music, and nature’s brain benefits gets coverage. Practical protocols for structuring, protecting, and setting goals for leisure are highlighted.

102 snips
Feb 16, 2026 • 1h 14min
How to Live Your Life Like a Start-up with Codie Sanchez
Codie Sanchez, founder of Contrarian Thinking and author of Main Street Millionaire, helps ordinary people buy and build profitable small businesses. She discusses ownership as a path to freedom. Topics include why unsexy businesses often win, how earned money shapes agency, and how progress, responsibility, and practical systems boost long-term satisfaction.

27 snips
Feb 9, 2026 • 59min
How to Find Love in 2026
Explores why romantic love is declining and why that matters for meaning. Traces the brain chemistry of falling in love and why bonds sometimes fail. Contrasts passionate attraction with long-term companionate love. Surveys philosophical, mystical, and cultural views of love. Offers three practical rules for taking risks, seeking complementarity, and learning from breakups.

93 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 38min
4 Ways to Be Less Lonely
A deep dive into the loneliness epidemic and why so many people feel unseen despite constant connectivity. Stories and science show the difference between being known and being understood. Practical habits are offered to push against isolation, learn about others, ask better questions, and put phones away to create real connection.

50 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 56min
6 Financial Rules for Greater Happiness with Dave Ramsey
Dave Ramsey, personal finance expert and founder of Ramsey Solutions, shares his journey from early wealth to bankruptcy and back. He discusses why borrowing undermines freedom, the dangers of easy credit and buy-now-pay-later, aligning money with values in relationships, and practical rules like budgeting, debt-free mortgages, and generous giving.


