Episode Date June 21, 2022
Featured Guest Arthur Brooks
Featured Book "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius

Episode Summary

Arthur Brooks reading from Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations and discussing the nature of being fully alive.

Michael’s new book How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters is now available at www.HowToBegin.com.

There’s no doubt that I am a purpose-driven person, but I can’t actually pinpoint the origin of this sense of purpose. I’m both an atheist, and an existentialist, so where does this drive of mine come from? Let me ask you – where do you find your sense of purpose?

Arthur C. Brooks is a thinker and a writer about leadership, and, more broadly, a good life. He holds academic positions at Harvard, he was previously head of a conservative think tank, and he writes a regular article in The Atlantic called ‘How to Build a Life.’ But, those are just his jobs. What’s Arthur C. Brooks Why?

Arthur reads two pages from book 4 of ‘Meditations’ by Marcus Aurelius. [reading begins at 21:00]

Hear us discuss:

  • Discernment of your purpose. [12:41]
  • Mastering transgressive acts: “Love your enemies; pray for those who persecute you.” [28:12]
  • Building I-Thou relationships: “Never use your values as a weapon, only as a gift.” [32:15]
  • Transitions between different strengths in life. [35:23]
  • What it takes to become an elder. [38:06]

Join our free membership site, The Duke Humfrey’s, and get access to full transcripts, past episodes, exclusive downloads and more. You’ll find it all at www.MBS.works/podcast

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Resources:

Arthur Brooks | Website | From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life | Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt

Marcus Aurelius | Meditations

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Michael Bungay Stanier

Michael Bungay Stanier

I'm the author of five books that have collectively sold more than a million copies. I'm the founder of Box of Crayons, a learning and development company that helps organizations move from advice-driven to curiosity-led. I'm the host of the *2 Pages with MBS* podcast.

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