E23 Oliver Burkeman on Happiness for Skeptics

For episode 23 I was joined on the phone by the always excellent Oliver Burkeman. Burkeman is an award winning columnist and author writing about the self-help culture, social psychology, philosophy, and the negative path to happiness.

During the episode we discuss:

• The pitfalls of modern positive thinking.


• How the Stoics can help us face the toughest parts of our lives.


• The benefits of embracing insecurity and vulnerability.


• How to reduce our fear of death, even slightly!

As well as his excellent column in the Guardian, Oliver has written 2 books, the latest of which, The Antidote: Happiness For People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking, explores society's obsession with positivity and how this obsession might actually make us less happy.

For links to all the stuff mentioned in the interview, as well as all the episode notes for this convesation, please visit inspirelandpodcast.com.

Enjoy. Dave