#504: Finding Meaning In The Modern World: Arthur Brooks episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 24, 2026 · 58 MIN

#504: Finding Meaning In The Modern World: Arthur Brooks

from The Mark Groves Podcast

In this episode I sit down with Arthur Brooks to unpack why so many people feel lost, disconnected, and unsure of their purpose despite living in an age of endless opportunity. We explore what meaning actually is, how love, purpose, and belonging are built in real life not on screens, and why the path forward requires getting honest, getting off the dopamine treadmill, embracing boredom, and reconnecting to something greater than yourself. This conversation is an invitation to step out of autopilot, take your attention back, and start creating a life rooted in meaning instead of distraction. Arthur Brooks is a professor at Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, where he teaches leadership and happiness, as well as a CBS News Contributor, columnist for The Free Press, and host of the podcast Office Hours with Arthur Brooks. He is the author of 15 books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller Build the Life You Want (co-authored with Oprah Winfrey) and From Strength to Strength, with his upcoming book The Meaning of Your Life set for release on March 31. Widely regarded as a leading expert on the science of happiness, Brooks regularly speaks and teaches around the world, helping individuals and organizations cultivate greater well-being. —Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/   —Website: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/ —Pre order the book: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/meaning-of-your-life-event-registration  - Subscribe to Mark’s Substack to receive his weekly reflections and insights straight from his heart to your inbox. ⁠https://markgroves.substack.com/⁠  —Contact us at [email protected] for sponsor product support, questions, comments, or just to say hello!—This episode is sponsored by: Cozy Earth: Use code CHANGE for 20% off sitewide at http://www.cozyearth.com

In this episode I sit down with Arthur Brooks to unpack why so many people feel lost, disconnected, and unsure of their purpose despite living in an age of endless opportunity. We explore what meaning actually is, how love, purpose, and belonging are built in real life not on screens, and why the path forward requires getting honest, getting off the dopamine treadmill, embracing boredom, and reconnecting to something greater than yourself. This conversation is an invitation to step out of autopilot, take your attention back, and start creating a life rooted in meaning instead of distraction. Arthur Brooks is a professor at Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, where he teaches leadership and happiness, as well as a CBS News Contributor, columnist for The Free Press, and host of the podcast Office Hours with Arthur Brooks. He is the author of 15 books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller Build the Life You Want (co-authored with Oprah Winfrey) and From Strength to Strength, with his upcoming book The Meaning of Your Life set for release on March 31. Widely regarded as a leading expert on the science of happiness, Brooks regularly speaks and teaches around the world, helping individuals and organizations cultivate greater well-being. —Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/   —Website: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/ —Pre order the book: https://hub.arthurbrooks.com/meaning-of-your-life-event-registration  - Subscribe to Mark’s Substack to receive his weekly reflections and insights straight from his heart to your inbox. ⁠https://markgroves.substack.com/⁠  —Contact us at [email protected] for sponsor product support, questions, comments, or just to say hello!—This episode is sponsored by: Cozy Earth: Use code CHANGE for 20% off sitewide at http://www.cozyearth.com

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#504: Finding Meaning In The Modern World: Arthur Brooks

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This episode is 58 minutes long.

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This episode was published on March 24, 2026.

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In this episode I sit down with Arthur Brooks to unpack why so many people feel lost, disconnected, and unsure of their purpose despite living in an age of endless opportunity. We explore what meaning actually is, how love, purpose, and belonging...

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