In this episode, we discuss: 0:00:00 - Intro 0:00:08 - Insights from Arthur’s career as a professional French horn player 0:11:17 - A radical shift away from music to a Ph.D. in quantitative policy 0:16:32 - Personal experience with shifting intelligence: fluid vs. crystallized intelligence 0:22:19 - An epiphany from a chance encounter on an airplane that shaped Arthur’s thinking 0:25:45 - The three main “macronutrients” of happiness 0:29:29 - Exploring the “purpose” component of happiness 0:33:43 - The importance of having a partner and true friendships 0:38:55 - The makeup of a true friendship, and why men tend to struggle with making real friends 0:45:10 - The “satisfaction” component of happiness and the importance of “wants management” 0:51:16 - The tyranny of social comparison 0:55:56 - Insights into happiness through Chinese art, and the concept of a “reverse bucket list” 1:00:02 - An exercise demonstrating the importance of relationships with others and the need to work on them 1:06:23 - The four main idols that drive us: money, fame, power, and pleasure 1:09:35 - Success addiction, workaholism, and their detriment to happiness 1:20:45 - A radical approach to overcome fear-the antithesis to love and happiness 1:35:03 - Ancient Hindu advice for the perfect life 1:40:57 - The end result of getting caught in the four idols 1:43:05 - The complexity of happiness

"People prefer be special rather than be happy." That's why many people are misery. The best quote of the year.

@arnaudgolenvaux299

Жыл бұрын

I don't understand why being an alcoholic or an addict is being special?..

@AnnTsungMD

Жыл бұрын

Their egos are destroying them.

I’m 40 minutes into this podcast and I just bought the book Strength To Strength. One of my favourite podcasts I’ve listened to from you Peter. Thank you. I’m 50 years old and this book could be a life changer for me. Great interview. On a side note, I played French Horn for 6 years and it is one hard instrument! Now.. on with the show!

@caroldean2596

Жыл бұрын

lol, I did the same thing!

Just when you think this podcast can’t get any better, here comes another one. I approach topics in the “happiness” realm with fairly low expectations, but decided hey, if this guy is vetted by Peter I’ll give it maybe 20 minutes. This was outstanding. Possibly life changing. Thank you Peter and Arthur.

@suzanneoleson7580

Жыл бұрын

I totally agree

I honestly walk through life thinking I’m smarter/more accomplished/have more common sense than just about anyone. Boy was this interview humbling.

Phenomenal content as always; the discussion regarding killing the ego and still being happy and successful is missed by 99.9% of people. It's a great point and one that needs wider discussion.

Wow - Arthur is really thinking deeply about the things that matter most!

so happy I found you Dr. Attia. I have been studying health, wealth and happiness for the past thirty years. For a short time I went strictly vegan, after my Dad died from heart disease and I had watched Forks over Knives. I got tremendous results. I have since switched to more of a plant based diet. I started playing tennis at age 59. I think tennis is one of the best activities for health, metal and physical. Since going plant based, and changing my exercise routine to be more cardio, I have felt 30 years younger than I am. I feel so blessed when I play tennis with people, and many my age are getting knee and hip replacements. I have hardly any aches and pains. Keep creating great content. I am starting my own podcast centering around health, success and wealth. Bravo Doctor.

@CliffYates

Жыл бұрын

@Richard Breeze yes please. Thank You

Peter, your say that in your case you can't think of any purpose except your kids. Your devotion and all the work you do is a great service to humanity. How about that? ; )

@jellybeanvinkler4878

Жыл бұрын

No kids here....guess I've lived a useless existence. 🤷‍♀️

@JesusChrist2000BC

Жыл бұрын

Anybody who uses kids as their purpose are always massive copers who can't deal with their own reality so they need kids to distract them. Common problem in the middle aged wealthy upper class that Peter is apart of. That's why they build these huge walled in fenced in neighborhoods which Karen helicopter moms etc.

@dr6627

Жыл бұрын

@@jellybeanvinkler4878 Thats not what peter was trying to say at all...

This is guy is priceless! "Why do you wanna be happy? You are already Peter Attia!

Wow!!! I’m already a huge fan of Peter and this podcast, and this episode was mind blowing. I can’t say enough about this one, definitely life changing if you care to take the advice. Thank you Peter and Arthur.

Wow this is such an important and timely conversation in this age of ‘pursuit of happiness through ego and materialism’.. and so needed at this time in my life. Thank you for this

A quiet house is wonderful and pure bliss.

Amazing. I need to listen to this one a few more times and take notes. Thanks for this podcast and thank you for doing the work, Dr. Brooks!

“Happiness comes when you are doing something because you really love to do it, and not because it gives you riches or makes you a prominent person.” - Jiddu Krishnamurti

I am a huge fan of Peter, who I discovered about 18 to 24 months ago, but I have been an Arthur Brooks fan for years! AEI is a brilliant organization. I always had a feeling Peter was libertarian and this seals the deal!

Treating everything like an algorithm that needs to be optimized is a great way to become unhappy. Ironically, even happiness itself is not immune to such treatment. "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." - Albert Einstein

Peter’s question about purpose is spot on. Grounded.

This is pure gold. Incredibly grateful for this!

Interesting to see Peter sincerely trying to learn from someone else

Extraordinary discussion between two brilliant and deep thinking people. Philosophical insights that we can all learn from.

Peter your work is improving my life massively. Thanks

What a great talk! It resonated so well with me in so many aspects. There where moments when my eyes watered because it brought thoughts so to the point. Thanks!

Thank you so much. So much knowledge shared with us for free without buying books or attending classes.

Always interesting, especially the parts with Peter talking about himself.

@AnnTsungMD

Жыл бұрын

Fantastic interview. One of my favorites so far.

Brilliant interview. Lot's of profound thought and wisdom about aging. Thank you.

This incredible podcast made me send a message for my therapist and feel way better about my fears. Can't wait for my first Death Medidation. It should be a great way for me to reconnect me with my stoic roots! Best, and thank you, guys. You are amazing and have the true power to help individuals like me to flourish.

Great, great interview! Cheers to most simple and most complicated feeling all over the 🌎, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! 🥂

Been waiting for this ☝️ Thank you Peter and Arthur for doing this!!!

Always cool. Always informative. Always educational. Thanks Peter. Keep up the great work, and great guests.

We procreate out of "fear" and our children are the ultimate expression of our "selfishness"

Arthur Brooks 0:40 I was laughing on the Apple podcast. Had to look for you again to share across platform. You guys are great! Thank You :)

Finding happiness for some people many NOT come from maximizing productivity and chasing it’s fruits BUT by actually simplifying your life and take the pressure of the productivity treadmill off yourself.

My 2 favorite bald guys 👦

With a nod towards Aristotle, Charles Murray (clutch your pearls children) defines happiness as lasting and justified satisfaction with life as a whole. He goes on to explain that this durable satisfaction is the product of success in at least 3/4 domains: vocation, religion, family, community. One would be wise to heed the advice of old Chuck; in doing so they might make Aristotle’s ghost, and their heart, smile. The comments suggest a civilization that has lost touch with the wisdom of the ages; on this matter, like so many others, it’s strange that what was old is new once again.

Well done. Really helpful!

Wonderful podcast! Thank you Peter

@peter attia md amazing video👏thanks for bringing @arthur brooks. Congratulations 💪😊

Peter thank you for keeping it real. I can see it on your face. I can see and agree with Arthur in some aspects but not all of his points. Don't let this dude school you!

AWESOME podcast! When you have a deep meaningful relationship with God, the happiness "problem" is solved. Science is obviously necessary to human beings but the body is built to last a relatively short time...the soul last forever. My father taught me this at a very young age and reiterated it often if I focused too much on exercise and/or longevity. He always said the Bible says " And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love". My father passed three years ago without fear...I will never forget the wise lessons he taught me. My prayer is that everyone who listened to this podcast will start a spiritual journey 🙏

@rgdden2702

Жыл бұрын

Very wise. God bless you and May your beloved father Rest In Peace.

Wow, another great conversation. Thank you.

The second religion comes up with these guys I tune out.

Don't love people. Love life. Love just being alive.. marvel at the opportunity to just be alive.

Goodness, what a giant tangle of concepts.

Epic - Arthur's answers are clear and concise

OMG I never thought I would here Vedic philosophy on this show. Awesome!

What a gem !🙂

Brilliant. Thank you

Loved! Fantastic! ❤

Very thought provoking and inspiring. Thank you both for such intelligent discussions.

Love what your doing rather than do what you love.. also map out trajectory of skills and ability. Physical and cognitive function will decline. What will you be able to enjoy then. What will you be able to be gratefull for. Also need to consider addressing fears and uncomfortable things. Expand the scope of what you handle as your abilities dwindle.

1:15:20 This one on MOOD DISORDERS having MORE creativity stopped me in my tracks! Yes! That makes a lot of sense.

@GUIDE_Nico

Жыл бұрын

1:06:00

Did Peter ever do that vid he discussed detailing his specific techniques and neuromechanical concepts to avoid typical deadlift issues or imbalances inherent in regular practice of the standard deadlift?

Just what I thought, "Happiness IS a warm puppy".

My take home: other focused

For purpose John Vervake has two good questions: What do you want to continue after you die? What is your connection to this?

Thank you for a great talk and pod cast. Arthur says that happiness is not a feeling. It consists of three macro nutrients, as he calls them. One I satisfaction. Is that not in itself a feeling? Happiness is not a feeling but is defined in part by a feeling. Perhaps it is explained at length in the book, but it seems somewhat circle to me. Please enlightening me on how to get around this. Thank you.

Success, or failure…which is more destructive?

great podcast! I really liked it , but please try to let him answer "full-length" before jumping into another question

WOW!!👌👌👌

This podcast felt like I should've paid fo0 itr. Buying Arthur's book then I guess. Thanks for this content!

Arthur Brooks/Peter - how does exposure/response work when the ultimate fear in death is of the permanent separation from those we love? It is exceedingly painful to contemplate permanent separation from all those we love. I almost feel that the only way to ‘live’ is to be on contemplation of our mortality/death almost continuously. It has to become something we accept as an imminent/urgently present possibility. I’ve been through the exposure therapy for death fear and found it only helped so much. It’s probably easier for a 30-something to “learn” not to fear death when it is conceivably many decades away. Not so for those of us over 50.

What was the drink Peter was sipping on?? Ghia? The non-alcoholic cocktail?

What is geeha? I couldn’t find anything about the drink they talked about at the opening.

What is the name of the drink in the beginning? Gaia? Trying to find but no luck

Looks so much like Jake Gyllenhaal!

@contentconsumer4145

Жыл бұрын

That's what I kept thinking lmao

What is the gheeya (sp?) drink referred to?

Auatachmemt is very interesting concept, fundamental for yoga, Buddhism, and all Easter religions... My question is how you get unattached to people you love? How you get unatachemt to your students admaiering? How you get unatachemt to your lover if all the hormones there are made for you to become attached?

Hindu/Zen/Kindergarten fusion: when you're happy and you know it do the one handed clap thing

Regarding the 16m mark on how after your 30s, you lose fluid/raw intelligence, but then crystallized intelligence starts to dominate.. I wonder if this may partially explains the Peter principle, in that you age into the position you are no longer competent in? BTW, regarding the 34m mark on relationships, I'm reminded of what Alain de Botton talks about on the 'Life Examined' podcast.. he suggests that a partner should be open/curious about anything that goes thru your mind. It's acceptable to talk about anything, no matter how strange, or threatening it may seem to the relationship. Ultimately, the ideal partner is listening, open-mindedly with tender curiosity. The ultimate aphrodisiac would be to periodically ask questions like: What's been on your mind lately? How have I been frustrating you? What is it about our relationship that sometimes get you down, what could we do better? How can I change to make things go better for you?

@bennguyen1313

Жыл бұрын

BTW, regarding the 1h44m mark on the difference between complicated problems (where you know there is a solution, like a jigsaw puzzle) vs complex bust basic problems (where you don't know it's solvable, like emergence of consciousness).. it kinda reminds me of the age-old P vs NP computer-science problem. Daniel Kahneman describes how we don't know what form the answer would even look like!

"the feeling of happiness is the evidence of happiness'? No that's the ideal of happiness, that's the cognitive representation of happiness. Enjoyment, Satisfaction and Purpose? Enjoyment and Satisfaction are more synonyms than requirements, Purpose is a requirement. Thee narrative you apply to a situation is very important in whether you find yourself happy or unhappy. what you would die for is more a measure of importance than purpose, a better word is meaning, people whose meaning in life centers around themselves are status seekers and need for social status is a thirst that is unquenchable, so it's important what kind of meaning you cultivate and not just meaning in general.

Why is fear the opposite of love and not apathy?

I wonder if the person on the plane is Buzz Aldrin

Interesting take, I think the satisfaction variable in the equation is not a strong metric, at least not for me. An example, is anyone consistently pushing limits will rarely operate in a state of satisfaction. Being dissatisfied is the foundation for those of us pushing our limits. Discomfort is required. No matter how well I do, I have an unwavering belief that I could do better (unsatisfied). Some would find that depressing, I do not. Quantifying human existence through any formula requires generalizations and stereotypes. Just like nutrition, the best diet is the one that uniquely works for you. Diet, Physical well being, Spirituality, Mental well being (happiness) is a personal journey. It takes time, understanding, and insight. The idea of here's the answer I find a bit silly. The formula for happiness is unique to a singular person and is custom. Here's my metrics for my happiness: Give all of myself to others and self + loyalty (to all loved ones) + celebrate the small things + never stop + gratitude + test everything + personal growth + commitment + doing (regardless of outcome) + belief = happiness. Take the personal journey and build your formula. Sidebar, I must confess I would place peace above happiness. Topic for another time.

Hi from Israel, looks you got some gains.. what’s that drink?

What is Peter drinking? How do I spell it?

Gea? Ghea?

It was a good podcast but there were a few dumb comments. I’ll just mention the one about western art being additive and eastern art being subtractive. Michelangelo said he chipped away at a block of marble to reveal the angel inside. And all forms of painting, eastern and western, involve adding pigment to a surface. I wouldn’t think that someone of Brooks’ sophistication would get caught up in eastern fetishism, but then lots of these self improvement guys use art instrumentally. They are not art historians and so engage art in superficial ways. But all he had to do was think about what he said to realize it was not true.

why Dr Attia said that the only thing he could think of, is kids.... i thought if you are a doctor, then the purpose of is rather simple: to save lives. ... but apparently it did not go into his mind. very strange.

Love is a cat not a toaster. My first tattoo. Well, maybe not.

What's the drink? Ghee ah?

What is Gia? Gea?

@lauraon

Жыл бұрын

Had same question, checked the transcript-it’s Ghia.

I actually hate spending time with my son. i do not know why dr Attia assumes that all parents enjoy spending time with their kids.... I suspect less than 20% of adults enjoy spending time with kids.

How does one embrace a religion? Seems important, especially as we age. Such intellect and brilliance and capable of believing..

@higherlove8886

Жыл бұрын

You don't need to embrace a religion to have a relationship with God.

@reginawhite993

8 ай бұрын

For me unloading my Catholic upbringing was one of the simplification things recommended to do in the second half of life. It was a ball and chain and once I didn't have to conform to its teachings, I was free to explore the truth of my own existence.

It’s a amazing how far off track people can get. This is the problem with developing non testable theories. Happiness is a state of mind. It’s intentional. It has nothing to do with pleasure or satisfaction.

😢😢, happy? Food insecure, can't afford housing, dental, medical, child care on 12.00$ an hour. Car breaks, too bad, can't afford gas, our planet is burning up due to fossil fuels, and corporations, medicine, unaffordable, vacations no, gifts for grandkids no, electricity outrageous, price of homes unaffordable. 😢😢 Hope you're enjoying yourselves. 😢😢

Love Attia's podcast, but I found this guest insufferable. Incredibly self-absorbed and its evident that he's barely stepped out of the ivory tower for more than an hour in his entire life.

@michaelhimes8778

Жыл бұрын

He a bachelors in night school in Trenton NJ and has a son in the marines. Then a degree from Syracuse. I think he actually has a pretty balanced outlook.

Ok .. this still has lots of traditional ideas of happiness. Family friends ect. It's baloney. We need to appreciate the outliers like monks or vagabons. People who are on the fringe of life with none of traditional markers of happiness.. these people can be extremely happy in how they conduct life and feelings that they can feel

Some people aren't aloud to be happy. , Then people say work hard towards ur dreams I worked hard all my life and learned u never work hard it was a mistake. No point of dreams or goals because some of us are controlled and not aloud to think for ourselves really life is nothing it means nothing and I can truly say I want nothing out of life I don't. Like or enjoy life . . I been made where I can't work fired non stop disabled now get threats with charges I say fuck life fuck it all people do whatever they want to me and get by with it I'm not even aloud to stand up for myself. I can't wait till life is over only thing I look forward to