Arthur C. Brooks on Happiness, Excellence, and the Second Curve of Life | Enduring Excellence

Arthur C. Brooks joins Tyler Mathisen at the University of Chicago Graham School’s Enduring Excellence series to discuss what happiness is (and is not), how excellence differs from success, and why “enough” matters. Brooks explains happiness as a combination of enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning, and argues that excellence is tied to intrinsic goals, properly ordered desires, and relationships. They explore failure and frustration as necessary for growth, the “arrival fallacy,” hope versus optimism, and the midlife transition from fluid intelligence to crystallized intelligence. The conversation also touches on transcendence, social media and technology, leadership culture, adventure, and how to know when it’s time to move to the second curve of life. Chapters 00:00:01 Welcome and Opening Remarks 00:02:56 Tyler Mathisen Introduces Arthur Brooks’ Background 00:05:38 “Are You Happy?” Genetics, Circumstances, and Habits 00:07:34 Happiness Isn’t a Feeling: Enjoyment, Satisfaction, Meaning 00:08:48 Ikigai and a Definition of Excellence 00:10:45 Excellence vs. Success and Extrinsic Rewards 00:11:33 “Enough” and the Hedonic Treadmill 00:12:30 Wanting the Right Things and Ordering Desires 00:14:07 Burnout, Leaving AEI, and the Question of What’s Next 00:14:44 Walking the Camino and Finding a Mission 00:16:47 Gratitude for Difficulty: Discomfort, Growth, and Excellence 00:22:43 Macro Disciplines for a Good Life (Harvard Adult Development Study) 00:24:57 Excellence Is Its Own Reward and the Arrival Fallacy 00:26:39 Hope vs. Optimism and the Stockdale Paradox 00:27:45 Fluid vs. Crystallized Intelligence and Midlife Change 00:30:55 People Who Embody Excellence (Dalai Lama, Barron, Bush, Emerson, Bach) 00:35:19 Transcendence, Awe, and Faith 00:37:04 Perfectionism and “Addiction” to Details 00:39:12 Social Media, Devices, and Misery 00:40:46 “We’re Excellence Machines”: Purpose and the Rum Line 00:42:11 Leadership, Culture, and Lifting Others Up 00:44:43 Excellence Across Cultures: Adventure, Contentment, and Values 00:46:39 Audience Q: When to Move to the Second Curve (Gut / Interest) 00:49:32 Audience Q: Getting Comfortable with Mistakes Again 00:50:54 Failure Visualization / “Failure Meditation” Exercise 00:52:17 Discipline vs. Openness and Novel Experiences 00:53:41 Detachment: Intention Without Attachment (“Rumbo”) 00:55:05 “I’m Super Hopeful”: Closing Reflections and Thanks About the Speaker Arthur C. Brooks is the Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School and Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School. A social scientist and #1 New York Times bestselling author, his work focuses on the science of happiness, leadership, and human flourishing. He is the author of more than fifteen books, including From Strength to Strength and Build the Life You Want (with Oprah Winfrey), and previously served as President of the American Enterprise Institute. Before his academic career, Brooks spent over a decade as a professional French horn player in Spain. About the Interviewer Tyler Mathisen is a veteran journalist and former CNBC anchor who spent nearly five decades interviewing global business and political leaders. He now serves as a Distinguished Fellow at the University of Chicago Graham School and moderates the Enduring Excellence series. About Enduring Excellence Enduring Excellence is a speaker series presented by the University of Chicago Graham School and moderated by longtime CNBC anchor Tyler Mathisen. Through in-depth conversations, the series explores a central question: "How do extraordinary leaders sustain purpose and impact across generations?" Each installment features a leader who has not only achieved success, but evolved, adapted, and redefined excellence over time. About the Graham School This lecture is presented by the University of Chicago Graham School. The Graham School is a one-of-a-kind intellectual community that brings the best of the University of Chicago to lifelong learners who are seeking discovery and discernment. Through an array of distinctive programs and courses in the Great Books, the liberal arts, and advanced leadership, we welcome learners who seek to deepen their understanding of the world and lead examined lives of purpose. Learn more at https://graham.uchicago.edu This discussion has been edited for length.