Happiness in Work and Life

A Conversation with Arthur Brooks, Acclaimed Author and Happiness Expert


  • Venue: Online
  • Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
  • Time: 12:30-1:30 PM ET / 9:30-10:30 AM PT
  • Price: Free

How do we cultivate lasting happiness, love, and meaning in our work and lives?

On September 16, 2025, the Greater Good Science Center hosted an inspiring conversation with Arthur C. Brooks, best-selling author and Harvard professor, about his latest book, The Happiness Files. Dr. Brooks was interviewed by Kia Afcari, director of the GGSC’s Greater Good Workplaces program. Together, they explored practical ways to bring more joy, connection, and purpose into daily life—at home and at work.

The conversation covered:

  • Surprising ways our daily choices shape long-term fulfillment  
  • How to embrace risks, failure, and success as pathways to growth 
  • Simple, science-backed practices for joy and resilience 
  • Practical tips to strengthen relationships at work and in life

Drawing from decades of research, Dr. Brooks shared practical wisdom for finding meaning and connection in today’s complex world.

Whether you’re seeking personal growth, professional fulfillment, or simply curious about the science of a meaningful life, this event offered guidance, inspiration, and a sense of purpose.

Watch the free livestream recording here:

Up Next: Why Kind Leaders Win

Do kind leaders finish last—or does kindness actually pay off?
Join us on December 1, 2025, for Why Kind Leaders Win, an inspiring on-stage conversation at Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theater (and online via livestream). Hosted by the Greater Good Science Center and the Berkeley Center for Workplace Culture and Innovation at Haas, this event will feature UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons, alongside changemaking leaders and prosocial scientists, exploring how kindness shapes workplace success. Learn more and register to reserve your spot!

  • Arthur Brooks

    Arthur Brooks is a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Harvard Business School, where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness. He is also a columnist at The Atlantic, where he writes the popular weekly “How to Build a Life” column.

    Brooks is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 15 books, including Build the Life You Want in 2023, co-authored with Oprah Winfrey, and From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life.

    Brooks is one of the world’s leading experts on the science of human happiness, appearing in the media and traveling the world to teach people in private companies, universities, public agencies, and faith communities how they can live happier lives and bring greater well-being to others.

  • Kia Afcari

    Kia Afcari is the Director of Greater Good Workplaces at GGSC. He has over 20 years of experience helping leaders, teams, and organizations with collaborative change and has served as a consultant to a wide variety of organizations, including tech, biotech, and fintech companies, healthcare organizations, universities, NGOs, UN agencies, and nonprofits. Kia grounds his work in the science of prosociality and uses creative methods like “instant dance parties” and Boal-informed theater techniques to achieve results.  He is a certified executive coach, an Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator, Zenger Folkman 360 Extraordinary Leader Facilitator, and Core Strengths Facilitator.

    Kia’s TEDx talk on How We Can Reshape Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Together has over 77,000 views, and for his work supporting major culture change efforts at scale, Kia was awarded the Chief Learning Officer Magazine’s Silver Award for Innovation for his accomplishments in helping to shift the organizational culture of UC Berkeley’s 8,000 staff.