My name is Joshua Topolsky and I have a new podcast called What Future.

But I want to tell you that I'm being forced by my producer to record a promo telling you about my show.

And I'm not trying to force you to listen to it.

And maybe you're not interested in internet culture and the future of life on planet Earth.

And why John Carpenter movies are so good.

You may just want to listen to a podcast about, I don't know, sports or whatever Joe Rogan talks about.

And that's fine, you know, no judgment.

But if you like what you're hearing and I know that you do, you can listen to all of what future on the I Heart Radio app, Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hi everyone, I'm Katie Curric and this is next question.

Today we're going to be exploring happiness because we seem to be obsessed with that as a culture.

Just look to higher ed some of the most elite universities, tout courses on happiness, the science of it, the value of it,

the history and future of it.

There are podcasts about happiness.

Whole genres of earnest TV shows built to temporarily evoke it.

I'm looking at you Ted Lasso.

Why are we all so smitten with happiness?

Is it because the world is burning because we're doom scrolling?

Because the internet makes us want what we can't have?

Let's find out.

My guest today is none other than happiness expert and one of those aforementioned happiness scholars Arthur C. Brooks.

Arthur also writes a regular column for the Atlantic on happiness and his most recent book is called From Strength to Strength, finding success, happiness and deep purpose in the second half of life.

Here's our conversation.

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