Alain de Botton (School of Life founder; author) has written 15 books about the philosophy of living – such as The Art of Travel; Status Anxiety; Art as Therapy; and The Course of Love – but he has recently turned his focus to mental health and how philosophy can be used as a therapeutic aid. Alain argues that a mental breakdown can provide the opening a despairing soul seeks. Indeed, anxiety so often is its own fix.
We sat down in WeAre8’s London office for this two-way conversation about the philosophical wisdoms we personally use to have a life of meaning in the face of despair. We also talk about the writing process (and why it’s a salve), the healing effects of figs and dark chocolate, how to love, plus a super fresh take on “adult boredom” (embrace your impatience, get to the point!).
SHOW NOTES
If you need to know a bit more about me… head to my "about" page
For more such conversations subscribe to my Substack newsletter, it’s where I interact the most!
Get your copy of my book, This One Wild and Precious Life
Let’s connect on Instagram and WeAre8
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
WILL STORR: How to play the status game (a fresh way to fix the world!)
TIM WINTON: On wild colonial boys + Big Daddy Gas
INGRID NEWKIRK: The PETA founder challenges my meat eating
GENEVIEVE BELL: Will AI wipe out humanity?
ROY BAUMEISTER: How the female orgasm shapes the world
THOMAS MAYO: The beautifully wild Voice to Parliament, explained
ANGELA SAINI: How men came to rule the world
ETHAN KROSS: How to tame your head chatter
BO SEO: How to fix polarization? By disagreeing…more!
MARCUS BUCKINGHAM: What do the “happiest women in the world” get right? They tilt!
STEPHEN JENKINSON: How to die well
DOUGLAS RUSHKOFF: Navigating the sad “Mindset” of the billionaire tech bros
DR MICHAEL E MANN: There is a new climate war and you need to get armed
MARGARET ATWOOD: The Doyenne of Dystopia turns to creating climate utopias
HELEN LEWIS: On slaying Jordan Peterson + declining Andrew Tate
REBECCA GIBLIN: Chokepoint capitalism is screwing creatives…and you!
NICK RIGGLE: A philosophical case for being awesome
DR SIMON LONGSTAFF: The world needs ethical heroes (here’s how to be one)
YAEL STONE: On loving the messiness of wokism and being wrong
BEST OF: TIM BROWN. This chat with my meditation teacher is one of the most
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
Hamish & Andy
The Howie Games
Motley Fool Money
Just the Gist
The Briefing