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Dr. Arthur Brooks

@arthurbrooks • 141,137 subscribers

Dedicated to helping people live happier lives | #1 NYT Best-Selling Author | Vanderbilt Professor. Columnist with @TheFP | Try my newsletter:

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Graduation looks like an ending — it really isn't. It's the start of a harder, more important question: not just what they're going to do, but what their life is actually for. I’ve been thinking about that a lot in recent years, and it's part of why I wrote my new book, The Meaning of Your Life. If you have a graduate in your life and you’re looking for something worth giving them, consider getting them a copy.

Graduation looks like an ending — it really isn't. It's the start of a harder, more important question: not just what they're going to do, but what their life is actually for. I’ve been thinking about that a lot in recent years, and it's part of why I wrote my new book, The Meaning of Your Life. If you have a graduate in your life and you’re looking for something worth giving them, consider getting them a copy.

Dr. Arthur Brooks

120,540 views • 4 months ago

Four Ideas to Fix Your Marriage: 1. Have some fun together, instead of just focusing on grievances. 2. Praying together is intimate. 3. Increase your eye contact when talking with your partner. 4. Increase your physical touch with your partner when possible. With Tim Ferriss

Four Ideas to Fix Your Marriage: 1. Have some fun together, instead of just focusing on grievances. 2. Praying together is intimate. 3. Increase your eye contact when talking with your partner. 4. Increase your physical touch with your partner when possible. With Tim Ferriss

Dr. Arthur Brooks

92,898 views • 8 months ago

So many couples spend years managing the logistics of life together without ever stopping to ask the deeper questions: What does our love mean? Who are we becoming together? And what do we want our next chapter to look like? On June 19 - 22, 2026, Esther and I are gathering couples in Santa Fe for a retreat named The Meaning of Us. Just to be clear, this is not a couple therapy, but an opportunity to: - Gain a shared vocabulary for what you each most deeply want - Understand your relationship as the complex, living thing it actually is - Do the individual work that makes the relational work possible - See your differences as a source of depth rather than friction We'd love to have you join us:

So many couples spend years managing the logistics of life together without ever stopping to ask the deeper questions: What does our love mean? Who are we becoming together? And what do we want our next chapter to look like? On June 19 - 22, 2026, Esther and I are gathering couples in Santa Fe for a retreat named The Meaning of Us. Just to be clear, this is not a couple therapy, but an opportunity to: - Gain a shared vocabulary for what you each most deeply want - Understand your relationship as the complex, living thing it actually is - Do the individual work that makes the relational work possible - See your differences as a source of depth rather than friction We'd love to have you join us:

Dr. Arthur Brooks

32,592 views • 3 months ago

Family estrangement often brings relief at first because people don't walk away from relationships hoping to be unhappy. But research shows that for many people, the relief doesn't last. Over time, family estrangement is associated with higher rates of depression, poorer physical health, and chronic unhappiness. We're wired for connection with our kin. When those bonds break, something deep within us recognizes that the relationship isn't as it should be. Not every family conflict can be repaired. Not every relationship is safe. But before accepting permanent distance as the only answer, it's worth asking whether reconciliation is still possible.

Family estrangement often brings relief at first because people don't walk away from relationships hoping to be unhappy. But research shows that for many people, the relief doesn't last. Over time, family estrangement is associated with higher rates of depression, poorer physical health, and chronic unhappiness. We're wired for connection with our kin. When those bonds break, something deep within us recognizes that the relationship isn't as it should be. Not every family conflict can be repaired. Not every relationship is safe. But before accepting permanent distance as the only answer, it's worth asking whether reconciliation is still possible.

Dr. Arthur Brooks

26,363 views • 3 months ago

Phones are great. Phone addiction isn’t. That’s why I’m partnering with Noble Mobile—the phone company that actually pays you to use your phone less.

Phones are great. Phone addiction isn’t. That’s why I’m partnering with Noble Mobile—the phone company that actually pays you to use your phone less.

Dr. Arthur Brooks

25,464 views • 4 months ago

The world’s rewards are not bad, but they should never become the ultimate goals. Money, power, pleasure, and fame cannot give you what you are really looking for. That comes from faith, family, friendship, and meaningful work.

The world’s rewards are not bad, but they should never become the ultimate goals. Money, power, pleasure, and fame cannot give you what you are really looking for. That comes from faith, family, friendship, and meaningful work.

Dr. Arthur Brooks

12,610 views • 1 month ago

My new book, The Meaning of Your Life, has debuted as a #1 NYT Best-seller! I want to thank you for your support and for helping bring these ideas to others! I appreciate you.

My new book, The Meaning of Your Life, has debuted as a #1 NYT Best-seller! I want to thank you for your support and for helping bring these ideas to others! I appreciate you.

Dr. Arthur Brooks

31,341 views • 5 months ago

Your attention is valuable. Take back control of yours by switching to Noble Mobile to get cash back for unused data. Visit to learn more.

Your attention is valuable. Take back control of yours by switching to Noble Mobile to get cash back for unused data. Visit to learn more.

Dr. Arthur Brooks

23,732 views • 5 months ago

The first advance copy of my new book just arrived in the mail. It comes out March 31. If you’d like to preorder and join us for the live event on March 27, you can find everything here:

The first advance copy of my new book just arrived in the mail. It comes out March 31. If you’d like to preorder and join us for the live event on March 27, you can find everything here:

Dr. Arthur Brooks

27,737 views • 6 months ago

Imagine if your phone plan rewarded better habits. That's Noble Mobile. Get cash back for scrolling less.

Imagine if your phone plan rewarded better habits. That's Noble Mobile. Get cash back for scrolling less.

Dr. Arthur Brooks

16,359 views • 3 months ago

I’ve studied the secrets to a happier life, and it's simpler than you think. Check out Noble Mobile and start getting paid to live better.

I’ve studied the secrets to a happier life, and it's simpler than you think. Check out Noble Mobile and start getting paid to live better.

Dr. Arthur Brooks

19,176 views • 4 months ago

Research shows that people are often happier in the weeks before a vacation than during the vacation itself. The reason is anticipation. We tend to think happiness comes from the experience itself. But some of the pleasure comes from simply having something to look forward to. Watch more here:

Research shows that people are often happier in the weeks before a vacation than during the vacation itself. The reason is anticipation. We tend to think happiness comes from the experience itself. But some of the pleasure comes from simply having something to look forward to. Watch more here:

Dr. Arthur Brooks

13,343 views • 3 months ago

It's the hardest book I've ever written, but I think it's the most important book that I've ever written as well. The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness" is out on March 31st. Pre-order available here:

It's the hardest book I've ever written, but I think it's the most important book that I've ever written as well. The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness" is out on March 31st. Pre-order available here:

Dr. Arthur Brooks

26,791 views • 8 months ago

Friendships account for 60% of the difference in happiness between individuals. That’s an extraordinary number, and a reminder that friendship isn’t a nice extra in life. It’s central to human flourishing. In this week’s episode of Office Hours, I turn to Aristotle and his Nicomachean Ethics to ask an age-old question: what makes a good friend? I share Aristotle’s three types of friendship, and suggest something that might sound counterintuitive: the best of friends are perfectly useless. Watch the full episode here:

Friendships account for 60% of the difference in happiness between individuals. That’s an extraordinary number, and a reminder that friendship isn’t a nice extra in life. It’s central to human flourishing. In this week’s episode of Office Hours, I turn to Aristotle and his Nicomachean Ethics to ask an age-old question: what makes a good friend? I share Aristotle’s three types of friendship, and suggest something that might sound counterintuitive: the best of friends are perfectly useless. Watch the full episode here:

Dr. Arthur Brooks

13,125 views • 4 months ago

Trying to eliminate unhappiness is not the path to happiness. The problem isn’t suffering itself. It’s not knowing how to live with it.

Trying to eliminate unhappiness is not the path to happiness. The problem isn’t suffering itself. It’s not knowing how to live with it.

Dr. Arthur Brooks

14,742 views • 7 months ago

I’m excited to share that my new book, The Happiness Files, is now available for preorder. My hope is that it meets you where you are and offers something you can carry forward. Preorder now on Amazon to receive it on launch day: August 12.

I’m excited to share that my new book, The Happiness Files, is now available for preorder. My hope is that it meets you where you are and offers something you can carry forward. Preorder now on Amazon to receive it on launch day: August 12.

Dr. Arthur Brooks

20,103 views • 1 year ago

The world often tells us to “love things, use people, and worship ourselves.” But the truth is, to find real happiness, we must “use things, love people, and worship God.” Embrace this wisdom as you navigate life’s journey. Stay humble, seek truth, and let God’s will guide you.

The world often tells us to “love things, use people, and worship ourselves.” But the truth is, to find real happiness, we must “use things, love people, and worship God.” Embrace this wisdom as you navigate life’s journey. Stay humble, seek truth, and let God’s will guide you.

Dr. Arthur Brooks

31,668 views • 2 years ago

We’ve all faced heartbreak, failure, and loss. But what if those moments weren’t just obstacles? I ask my students to keep a failure and disappointment list. Every time something painful happens, they write it down, leave space, and come back later to reflect: — What did I learn? — What unexpected good came from this? Over time, you start to see a pattern: growth, meaning, and even joy hiding behind the hard stuff. Pain is real. But so is the transformation that follows. In conversation with richroll.

We’ve all faced heartbreak, failure, and loss. But what if those moments weren’t just obstacles? I ask my students to keep a failure and disappointment list. Every time something painful happens, they write it down, leave space, and come back later to reflect: — What did I learn? — What unexpected good came from this? Over time, you start to see a pattern: growth, meaning, and even joy hiding behind the hard stuff. Pain is real. But so is the transformation that follows. In conversation with richroll.

Dr. Arthur Brooks

12,794 views • 1 year ago

A clip from my talk at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference in London last week. Here, I touch on the idea that we risk losing what truly matters when our culture drifts from community and purpose. We have to embrace connection and meaning to spark real happiness every day.

A clip from my talk at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference in London last week. Here, I touch on the idea that we risk losing what truly matters when our culture drifts from community and purpose. We have to embrace connection and meaning to spark real happiness every day.

Dr. Arthur Brooks

11,453 views • 1 year ago