
Arthur Brooks: Meaning in Midlife & Beyond
From Good Life Project by Jonathan Fields / Acast
March 26, 2026 · 50 min
About this episode
Arthur Brooks discusses the search for meaning in midlife and beyond, exploring myths, neurological insights, and practical tools for fulfillment.
You’ve reached a point in life where you thought you’d feel different. You’ve checked a lot of the boxes of achievement, happiness, even success. And, still, something is missing. It is a quiet restlessness that age or achievement cannot seem to quiet. What you’re missing is meaning. Our guest today is Arthur Brooks. He is a Harvard professor and #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness . In this conversation, we explore: The myths we tell about how to find meaning, and how they delude us. The neurological reason why your phone is blocking purpose The 3 real keys to meaning and mattering, and finally feeling alive The arrival fallacy that explains why winning is not the same the meaning How to use a specific morning protocol to program your brain for mystery and wonder The counterintuitive reason you actually want suffering in your life If you are tired of the hustle and still feeling empty, it is time to look at the science of the soul, and learn how to bring more meaning into your life, starting with practical tools today. You can find Arthur at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript Next week, we're…
People in this episode
Host: Jonathan Fields
Guest: Arthur Brooks
Topics covered
- meaning in life
- midlife
- purpose
- happiness
- self-improvement
- neuroscience
Keywords
- meaning
- midlife
- purpose
- happiness
- self-improvement
- neuroscience
- suffering
- morning protocol
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Harvard
Books & works: The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness
More episodes of Good Life Project
- What Lucky People Do Differently, According to Science | Tina Seelig · June 11, 2026 · 49 min
- Why Rituals Matter More Than You Know, And How to Design Your Own | Bruce Feiler · June 8, 2026 · 55 min
- Dating in Midlife…Oh My! | Bela Gandhi · June 4, 2026 · 57 min
- Your Ambitions Might Not Be Yours | Tom Rath · June 1, 2026 · 46 min
- Why Can’t Anyone Tell Me What’s Wrong? | Alexandra Sifferlin · May 28, 2026 · 58 min
- How to Finally Have the Talk You've Been Avoiding | Jonathan Fields · May 25, 2026 · 46 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Good Life Project podcast page.