Show Notes
Jonathan Rauch had reached the top of his career, yet each year he felt less satisfied. Then came the loss of his parents, his job, and a startup he had tried to build. To his surprise, his sense of contentment began to grow.
Rauch is a journalist and the author of The Happiness Curve, The Constitution of Knowledge, and Cross Purposes. He joins Chip Conley to explore what his personal experience and research reveal about getting older, and why the future looks more troubling for younger adults.
In this conversation: Why achievement does not always bring the happiness we expect Why life satisfaction often rises after 50, even through setbacks Why young adults’ loss of hope concerns Rauch Why free speech alone is not enough to establish what is true How wisdom helps us navigate conflict, and why it can be taught
Watch for an honest, thought-provoking conversation about happiness, truth, and the value of staying curious throughout life.
Timestamps: 03:49 Seeing what others miss06:59 The midlife happiness curve10:31 Why life can get better after 5012:21 Why young adults are losing hope15:49 How society knows what is true20:57 Wisdom in an age of disinformation24:53 Advice for the next generation26:34 Staying curious as we age Learn more about MEA at https://www.meawisdom.com/
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Watch a great film, then share dinner with the person who made it. That’s the spirit of the MEA Film Fest, where stories on screen spark conversations and connections in real life.