The Pursuit of Happiness with Death, Sex and Money

The Pursuit of Happiness with Death, Sex and Money

From Selected Shorts by Symphony Space

June 4, 2026 · 58 min

About this episode

This episode explores issues of happiness through readings of works by Oscar Wilde and Kevin Brockmeier.

In the second of two programs created with the podcast Death, Sex, and Money and our live event host Anna Sale, we explore issues of happiness. Host Meg Wolitzer introduces a satirical romance by Oscar Wilde (did he write any other kind?). “The Model Millionaire” is read by Peter Francis James. In Kevin Brockmeier’s “Space,” a grieving widower and his son try to get past their loss, looking for light in the darkness. The reader is Michael Stuhlbarg.

People in this episode

Host: Meg Wolitzer

Guests: Peter Francis James, Michael Stuhlbarg

Topics covered

  • happiness
  • grief
  • satirical romance
  • loss
  • father-son relationship

Keywords

  • happiness
  • grief
  • Oscar Wilde
  • satirical romance
  • father-son relationship
  • Death, Sex, and Money

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Death, Sex, and Money, Symphony Space

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