Listen to this powerful and inspiring conversation recorded live at Oakcrest School. In this special episode, you’ll hear from Ester Munt-Brooks and Dr. Arthur Brooks as they share their talk titled “Happiness Happens.”

To guide us in learning how to live that joy here and now, Oakcrest welcomed two incredible speakers, a husband and wife duo: Dr. Arthur Brooks—a Harvard professor, Ph.D., bestselling author, and renowned social scientist—and Mrs. Ester Munt Brooks—a Catholic educator and speaker with a passion for helping people deepen their faith and live it intentionally.

Together, they explore the different aspects of happiness and how we can create it in our everyday lives. This talk is inspired by a famous insight from St. Josemaría Escriva, who wrote, “I am every day more convinced that happiness in heaven is for those who know how to be happy on earth.”

Learning Specialist Maggie Musacchio shares her insight on how to approach the formation and development of executive functioning skills aligned with virtue. She provides practical tips for overcoming procrastination.

In this podcast, Head of School Christie Keuchel is joined by the Upper School Director of Mentoring, Mary Ann Messenger, and the Middle School Director of Mentoring, Jeannie Herrick. They discuss the Oakcrest mentoring program, which is the cornerstone of an Oakcrest education.

Learning Specialist Maggie Musacchio shares her tips and tricks for how to approach final exams. She provides study strategies and offers encouragement for both students and parents. 

Local painter Henry Wingate shares the ins and outs of classical art training, all while showing how artists can impart their profound impact on culture and society. This talk was delivered as the 9th annual O’Donovan Humanities Lecture, which aims to instill a deeper appreciation of the importance of the humanities in everyday life.

Laura O’Neill, Oakcrest Class of 1996 and psychotherapist at the Alpha Omega Clinic, discusses ways to foster well-being and growth in helping young girls thrive. In particular, she explores the current generation of children and offers tangible tips on how parents can support their child’s development.

In this podcast, Margaret Sweatman, Director of Middle School Athletics, discusses the role that physical fitness plays in the formation of young women.

In this podcast, Oakcrest dad and author Austin Ruse shares his insights on how to confront an often daunting cultural environment with joy and optimism for the benefit of our daughters, our families, and our community. Mr. Ruse is the author of Under Siege: No Finer Time to be Catholic which he discusses in this talk. 

In this podcast, Alexandre Havard, the founder of the Virtuous Leadership Institute and author of several books on virtuous leadership, shares his insights about temperament and character, while also discussing the harmony of the heart, the will, and the mind.

Theology teacher Holly Salls shares her insights about helping parents guide their daughters to navigate and thrive in our current culture. She provides practical tips to help parents cultivate peace and joy alongside the skills that are necessary for their daughters to stand strong.