You’ll never achieve perfect happiness. This might sound like bad news, but it’s actually a good thing. Because being happy is not a final destination, it’s an ongoing practice. In short, it’s happier-ness.

That’s a term Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey coined in their new book “Build the Life You Want” where together they lay out a blueprint for a better life. And they would know: Arthur has studied the science of happiness for over 25 years, and I have never had a conversation with him that I haven’t left with a life-changing perspective on what it means to live a meaningful life. 

This conversation was no different.

This… is a Bit of Optimism.

Happier-ness with author Arthur Brooks

The future is always bright…if you know where to look. Join me each week for A Bit of Optimism - I talk to inspiring people who teach me more about life, leadership and general interesting things.

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In 2005, Neil Strauss published The Game, a book about his years living in the pickup artist community. The Game sold millions of copies, stirred up huge controversy, and made Neil a bestselling author. 
Neil has totally reinvented himself since writing The Game, and I wanted to talk with him about walking away from that identity of success. This led to a much deeper conversation about what success even is. Is meaning tied to outcomes, or is intention enough? 
Neil and I don't see eye-to-eye on everything in this conversation, but I love talking with him because he challenges my ideas. I hope this episode challenges you as well, to continue questioning what the definition of success should be. 
This...is A Bit of Optimism.
To learn more about Neil and his work, check out:
neilstrauss.com
The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists
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The Definition of Success with author Neil Strauss

Society treats marriage like the end goal of human intimacy. Platonic friends can never be as important as romantic partners. 

What would life look like if we made friendship the goal? Journalist and producer Rhaina Cohen tackles this question in her book The Other Significant Others. She tells the stories of people who made platonic friends the closest people in their lives, doing things together like buying houses, executing a will, and raising children. 

I wanted to talk with Rhaina because redefining what friendship means in our lives lets us connect in new and deeper ways outside the rigid boundaries of a marriage or relationship. And it might take the pressure off our romantic partners to fulfill every one of our social needs.

This...is A Bit of Optimism.

To learn more about Rhaina and her work, check out:
rhainacohen.com
her book The Other Significant Others See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happily Friended with author Rhaina Cohen

It's not just what we eat but how we eat it that counts. Eating the same meal in a different order can dramatically change how we feel!
Glucose Goddess is the viral Instagram account of Jessie Inchauspé, who's inspired millions of people to change how they eat. With simple and easy dietary hacks, Jessie teaches people how to prevent glucose spikes -- large influxes of sugar into our bodies that make us tired, stress our organs, and cause us to age.
Since adopting her eating habits, my energy has never been better. I was thrilled to talk with Jessie about creating Glucose Goddess and her personal story behind showing people a better way to eat.

This...is A Bit of Optimism.
For more on Jessie and her work, check out:
@glucosegoddess
glucosegoddess.com



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How To Eat with Glucose Goddess Jessie Inchauspé

Relationships are hard. No matter how much we like, respect, or love someone, conflict seems inevitable.
But even as we fight and disagree, we can also learn the skills we need to resolve our problems. For over two decades, Shawn McBride has helped thousands of couples do the work to strengthen their relationships. And he has tons of practical advice.
Shawn sat down with me to discuss the three biggest problems couples face, why I'm a huge fan of his Instagram, and how love can keep relationships afloat, but it's often not enough.

This...is A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Shawn and his work, check out:
@couples_counseling_center
@shawnmcbridespeaks

and couplescounselingcenter.org
  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Love Is Not Enough with couples therapist Shawn McBride

Loneliness is now an epidemic, with devastating impacts on our health. How can we rekindle the deep human connection we need now more than ever?
For Rabbi Sharon Brous, this question is the focus of her work. Considered one of the most influential rabbis in the U.S., she's founded her own congregation and has led multiple White House faith events. In her new book, The Amen Effect, Sharon explores how grief and heartbreak can be gateways to truly seeing each other.

Sharon and I talk about what it means to be present to someone else's pain and how a 2,000-year old ritual taught her the meaning of healing together. 

This...is A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Sharon and her work, check out:

her book The Amen Effect
her congregation iKAR See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happier-ness with author Arthur Brooks

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