The Science of Lasting Happiness with Arthur Brooks
Author: Chris Hutchins
August 19, 2026
Duration: 58:29
#291: Behavioral social scientist Arthur Brooks joins Chris to reveal why success and happiness follow different rules as we age. They dig into fluid vs. crystallized intelligence, success addiction and dopamine, the reverse bucket list, and how to actually buy happiness.
Arthur C. Brooks is a Harvard Professor, musician, and columnist for the Atlantic, where he writes the weekly "How to Build a Life" column. He is the bestselling author of numerous books on happiness and human flourishing.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/arthur-brooks-happiness-success-purpose/
Partner Deals
Gelt: Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth
Trust & Will: Get 20% off personalized, legally binding estate plans
Zocdoc: Find and instantly book a doctor you love today
NetSuite: Free KPI checklist to upgrade your business performance
Quince: Affordable luxury essentials with free shipping + 365 day returns
For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: chrishutchins.com/deals
Resources Mentioned
Arthur: Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Some of Arthur's Books
From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life
Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt
Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism -- America's Charity Divide -- Who Gives, Who Doesn't, and Why It Matters
Selected Works from the Atlantic
How to Build a Life - Arthur's Column
Are you Epicurus or Epictetus Article
Books
Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending by Elizabeth Dunn and Dr Michael Norton
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Confessions by Saint Augustine
The Bible
Barcelona Recommendations
Roman Ruins
Sagrada Familia
Romanesque Churches and Gothic Cathedrals
ATH Podcast
#36: Bucket Lists, Audacious Goals and Living the Life You Want with Ben Nemtin
Hotel Upgrade Program
Best Cards Page
Gift Cards Page
Newsletter
AMA: Submit Questions
Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com
Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(02:17) How Arthur Defines Happiness
(03:50) Quizzes to Diagnose Your Happiness
(04:38) Fluid vs. Crystallized Intelligence
(05:55) The Two Types of Geniuses
(09:01) How to Jump the Curve
(13:18) Darwin and Bach's Success Curves
(16:56) Success Addiction and Dopamine
(19:00) Hustle Culture, Workism and Metacognition
(21:19) How Often You Really Need to Journal
(22:46) When Love and Money Are Idols
(24:40) The Good Four: Faith, Family, Friends and Work
(29:13) The Happiness Algorithm: Understand, Apply, Share
(30:41) Why Sharing and Teaching Happiness Matters
(31:45) Bringing Faith and Meditation Into Your Life
(34:15) Lectio Divina: Divine Reading
(35:23) The Science of Satisfaction
(37:49) Social Comparison, the Thief of Joy
(38:39) How to Make a Better Bucket List
(43:34) How to Actually Buy Happiness
(47:09) Technology, Loneliness and Happiness
(48:54) Turning Weakness Into Strength
(50:51) Why Negative Emotions Make Us More Effective
(51:20) Optimism vs. Hope
(52:23) When It's Time to Leave a Job
(54:18) Arthur's Recommendations for Barcelona
(55:26) The Airplane Story That Inspired From Strength to Strength
(57:33) Where to Find More From Arthur
Connect with Chris
Newsletter | Membership | X | Instagram | LinkedIn
Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
