Rutger Bregman thinks happiness is overrated episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 18, 2026 · 54 MIN

Rutger Bregman thinks happiness is overrated

from The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition

In his 30s, Rutger Bregman, the Dutch historian, had what he described as "an early midlife crisis".   After a decade spent as a pundit, commenting on the global state of politics and economics, as well as publishing optimistic titles such as Utopia for Realists and Humankind: A Hopeful History - Bregman felt stuck. Something had to change.   And if he wanted to see that change in the world, he needed to make that change in himself.   In January he joined Oli Dugmore for an extended interview, delving into the prospects of a moral life, how morality has changed history, and how it could serve our current moment.  

NOW PLAYING

Rutger Bregman thinks happiness is overrated

0:00 54:59

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition?

This episode is 54 minutes long.

When was this The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition episode published?

This episode was published on February 18, 2026.

What is this episode about?

In his 30s, Rutger Bregman, the Dutch historian, had what he described as "an early midlife crisis".   After a decade spent as a pundit, commenting on the global state of politics and economics, as well as publishing optimistic titles such as Utopia...

Can I download this The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!