Author of Four Thousand Weeks Oliver Burkeman on How To Live Well (Part Two)

Intelligence Squared

Arts, News, Society & Culture, News Commentary

4.2 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 4 May 2025

⏱️ 38 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Acclaimed author and journalist Oliver Burkeman has captivated readers with his refreshing insights on how to embrace the finiteness of existence and find meaning in the everyday. Author of the bestselling book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals and formerly a columnist for the Guardian, Burkeman challenges conventional productivity advice, offering a more realistic perspective on how to live well. In April 2025 Burkeman came to the Intelligence Squared stage, where he was in conversation with Financial Times Columnist Tim Harford, to discuss Meditation for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts – the sequel to Four Thousand Weeks. Together, they explored how letting go of the relentless pursuit of productivity and accepting our imperfections can lead to a more fulfilling life. ----- This is the first instalment of a two-part episode. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:58.7	cheapest free. T's and C's apply. Welcome to Intelligence Squared, where great minds meet. I'm producer
1:05.3	Mia Serrenti. Today's episode is part two of our live conversation with Oliver Bergman, recorded recently at Union Chapel in London.
1:13.6	If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, do just jump back an episode to catch up on the conversation.
1:19.6	In this second half, Oliver continues his conversation with Tim Harford, diving deeper into the key ideas of his new book, Meditation for Mortals.
1:28.3	Together, they explore how to find clarity amid chaos, how to stop measuring life by to-do lists,
1:33.9	and how to make time for what really matters.
1:36.3	Let's return to their conversation now.
	...

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