Episode 167

October 2, 2026

Jonathan Rauch

Why Life Can Get Harder and Happier After 50 | Jonathan Rauch

Why Life Can Get Harder and Happier After 50 | Jonathan Rauch

Jonathan Rauch had reached the top of his career, yet each year he felt less satisfied. Then came the loss of his parents, his job, and a startup he had tried to build. To his surprise, his sense of contentment began to grow.

Rauch is a journalist and the author of The Happiness Curve, The Constitution of Knowledge, and Cross Purposes. He joins Chip Conley to explore what his personal experience and research reveal about getting older, and why the future looks more troubling for younger adults.

In this conversation:

  • Why achievement does not always bring the happiness we expect
  • Why life satisfaction often rises after 50, even through setbacks
  • Why young adults’ loss of hope concerns Rauch
  • Why free speech alone is not enough to establish what is true
  • How wisdom helps us navigate conflict, and why it can be taught

Watch for an honest, thought-provoking conversation about happiness, truth, and the value of staying curious throughout life.

Apple Podcast

Spotify

Youtube

Amazon

iHeart

More Episodes