How to Build a Life That Actually Feels Meaningful | Arthur Brooks - EP 748

What if the reason you feel stuck, empty, or disconnected isn't that you're failing—but because you're searching for meaning in the wrong places? Success, achievement, and productivity are supposed to make us happier. So why are so many people—especially high achievers—feeling more anxious, isolated, and unfulfilled than ever before? In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with bestselling author, Harvard professor, and happiness researcher Arthur Brooks to explore one of the biggest challenges of our time: the growing crisis of meaning. Drawing from his book The Meaning of Your Life, Arthur explains why so many people are succeeding on paper while quietly struggling inside—and what it actually takes to build a life rooted in purpose, connection, and lasting fulfillment. You'll learn: Why success alone can never create a meaningful life. The hidden reason anxiety, depression, and loneliness continue to rise. How achievement can become a substitute for purpose. Why love, service, and transcendence are essential for long-term happiness. The surprising ways technology and constant stimulation pull us away from meaning. Practical steps to build a life grounded in purpose instead of performance. How to recognize when you've been chasing achievement instead of fulfillment. Why the happiest people measure success differently. If you've ever looked at your life and wondered, "Why doesn't this feel the way I thought it would?" this conversation will help you rethink what it truly means to live a meaningful life.