The Human Upgrade with Dave Asprey podcast

Happiness Hacks That Actually Work (And What You’re Getting Wrong) with the World’s Leading Happiness Expert: Arthur Brooks : 1219

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What if everything you believe about happiness is wrong? 

In this episode, Harvard professor and world-renowned happiness expert Arthur Brooks joins Dave Asprey to unlock the secrets of real happiness, revealing the science behind joy, resilience, and lasting fulfillment. As a bestselling author and co-author with Oprah Winfrey of Build the Life You Want, Arthur has spent decades helping people rethink happiness through a blend of psychology, neuroscience, and ancient wisdom. 

Together, Dave and Arthur explore eye-opening topics like the “reverse bucket list,” why dopamine-driven goals often lead to disappointment, and how embracing discomfort can actually create deeper contentment. Arthur dives into why our common pursuits of fame, wealth, and success often fall short, and shares powerful strategies for mastering what’s within our control, building resilience, and finding meaning in life’s simplest moments. 

From managing dopamine to harnessing the power of small wins, this episode offers science-backed insights and practical tools to elevate your life with lasting joy and purpose. If you’re ready to transform your approach to happiness, tune in for strategies that truly work. 

 

Sponsors 

Leela Quantum | Head to https://leelaq.com/DAVE for 10% off. 

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Resources:  

Arthur Brooks’ Websitehttps://arthurbrooks.com  

Arthur Brooks’ TED Talk: A New Way to Think About Happiness https://www.ted.com/talks/arthur_brooks_the_art_and_science_of_happiness?subtitle=en&geo=es 

Arthur Brooks’ Weekly Column: How to Build a Life in The Atlantic – https://www.theatlantic.com/author/arthur-c-brooks/  

Dave Asprey’s Website – https://daveasprey.com  

Dave Asprey’s Book: Smarter Not Harder https://daveasprey.com/books  

Danger Coffee – https://dangercoffee.com  

Danger Coffee Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/dangercoffeeofficial/  

Dave Asprey’s Linktree – https://linktr.ee/daveasprey  

Upgrade Collective: Join The Human Upgrade Podcast Live – https://www.ourupgradecollective.com  

Own an Upgrade Labs – https://ownanupgradelabs.com  

Upgrade Labs – https://upgradelabs.com  

40 Years of Zen – Neurofeedback training for advanced cognitive enhancement – https://40yearsofzen.com    


Timestamps 

• 00:00 – Introduction to Reverse Bucket List 

• 00:35 – The Science of Happiness 

• 00:58 – Personal Journey to Happiness 

• 01:44 – Meet Arthur Brooks 

• 04:26 – The Role of Music in Emotions 

• 07:43 – Understanding Emotions and the Brain 

• 09:50 – Parenting and Influence 

• 18:06 – Public Speaking and Performance 

• 34:10 – Striving for Success and Happiness 

• 39:40 – The Struggle with Body Image and Nutrition 

• 40:03 – Reverse Bucket List: Assessing Attachments 

• 40:57 – The Science of Dopamine and Motivation 

• 43:09 – The Dangers of Pornography and Dopamine 

• 44:03 – Biohacking and Pain Management 

• 47:03 – The Importance of Small Wins 

• 48:48 – Embracing Pain and Discomfort 

• 53:01 – The Role of Pain in Personal Growth 

• 56:12 – The Concept of Non-Resistance 

• 57:17 – The Happiness of Strivers 

• 01:01:13 – The Importance of Relationships and Spiritual Life 

• 01:03:22 – The Role of Fame and Legacy 

• 01:16:31 – The Value of Truthfulness and Compassion 

• 01:17:59 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts 

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