In this episode, Gary Arnell talks about the lessons we've learned from philosophy over the last 2,350 years on how to create a happy life and flourishing society.

My guest in this episode is Gary Arnell, a scholar who studies various fields including the philosophy of happiness, political philosophy, history, and much more.

In this conversation, Nicolas and Gary talk about the philosophy of happiness, virtue, politics, religion, and more. They discuss Aristotle's influence on the Declaration of Independence, John Locke's influence on our values, culture, and politics, and where the great thinkers have gotten our society today.

0:00 Intro

0:37 What Is Happiness?

6:12 Is There a Creator?

10:05 Why Should We Listen to Aristotle? What is Virtue?

16:42 What Makes a Complete, Happy Life?

22:00 Types of Friendships & Power Dynamics

29:54 Is the Declaration of Independence Based on Aristotle's Ideas?

31:28 How Do We Know What The Right Thing to Do Is?

36:06 John Locke's Influence on Our Values, Culture, and Politics

50:43 Effects on Contemporary Politics

1:02:05 What If Theism Is False?

1:12:58 Why Assume Reason Is Divine?

1:23:29 What Should People Learn First?

1:24:59 Where You Can Find Gary

1:27:47 Teaser for Greg Denning Interview

Gary's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@culturestack

Gary's Blog: https://www.culturestack.online/

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pLn_gO477-4

I talk to Greg Denning about the most important things he's learned after 30 years of study on how to make life better.

My guest in this episode is Greg Denning, who has spent his life since the age of 16 reading all kinds of books to make him a more effective and successful human. Greg coaches thousands of people all around the world on how to improve their lives and businesses. He is also my first mentor.

In this conversation, Nicolas and Greg discuss meaning, self improvement, the role of desperation in driving change, the most important lessons Greg has learned, and more. Greg shares how he started reading, his journey of overcoming social insecurities and building social skills, developing specific skills for success, and much more.

INTERVIEW WITH GARY ARNELL: https://youtu.be/pLn_gO477-4

0:00 Intro

0:35 Why Greg Started Reading

5:55 What Greg Thinks Everyone Should Know

9:49 Why Stories Resonate With Us

12:43 The First Book That Changed How Greg Sees the World

17:11 Greg's Rock Bottom

20:53 Is Desperation Necessary for Change?

24:08 On Your Deathbed, You Will Regret Your Life

26:25 Where Is Meaning Found?

37:21 How Greg Got Out of His Rock Bottom

49:25 How Greg Built His Social Skills

53:01 Why Greg Does What He Does

1:00:56 What Do You Say to Someone Who Doesn't Know They Can Change?

1:01:54 Thanking Greg For What He's Done

1:03:21 Can We Take Credit For Our Decisions?

1:05:25 Greg's Top 3 Books

1:07:35 Where You Can Find Greg

1:09:08 Greg's Recommended Guest

1:10:38 Teaser for Gary Arnell Interview

Greg's Reading List: https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/courses/greg-denning-booklist

Greg's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greg.denning/

Greg's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greghdenning

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Cee2sqXfXMo

An introduction to myself and the podcast.