The future of happiness

Series

3

: Episode

6

mins

30 August 2020

In his latest book ‘Can we be Happier?’ economist and former government czar for happiness Richard Layard argues that the goal for society must be the greatest possible all-round happiness. In this fascinating interview, again set against a backdrop of COVID-19, Richard examines some of the ways he believes we can be happier.

More about this topic Listen to the Podcast

The future of happiness

Can we be happier?

Series

3

: Episode

6

mins

30 August 2020

Close

Download the audio file Subscribe to the Podcast

Rate this page

Rate Audio:

How to download the audio

You can listen to this audio immediately on this website by clicking the audio bar at the top of this page, or you can download to listen offline later by clicking the download icon under the image above.

Listen and subscribe

In a series of future-shaping films, podcasts and essays, Rathbones has brought together some of the world’s leading political, cultural and philosophical thinkers, sharing their ideas on the world of tomorrow.

Explore more topics

The future of happiness

Can we be happier?

The future of work

A world without work

The future of justice

Give back to society, defend what is right

The future of race and genetics

How to argue with a racist

The future of biodiversity

Rewilding a British farm

The future of morality

The making of the Western mind

The future of engineering

20 October 2019

Making physical things in a digital world

The future of teaching

22 September 2019

Andrea Catherwood talks to Kate Clanchy about building a culture of success and confidence around teaching poetry in a multi-cultural school where 30 different languages are spoken.

The future of technology

How can we attract more women into science and computing?

The future of leadership

How can today's business leaders keep up with seismic geopolitical and economic shifts that include Brexit, inflation and the unseating of traditional political powers, and what do these mean for their own leadership narratives? What will happen with trade after Brexit?

The future of brands

Why is Red Bull so popular - even though no one likes the taste? Why do we prefer stripy toothpaste? And why do we think branded painkillers are more effective?

The future of society

Is our welfare state fit for purpose?

The future of the countryside

Economist, Professor Dieter Helm CBE, shares his radical but tangible plan for positive change.

The future of democracy

Novelist and political scientist Elif Shafak talks about the future of democracy and how recent political events have brought liberal democracy to the edge.

The future of politics

9 December 2018

We find ourselves in unchartered political times. Philip Collins helps us examine how things have fundamentally changed and how to fix the UK’s broken politics.

The future of education

4 November 2018

How do we ensure that children continue to develop the skills of critical thinking and creativity? Alex Beard speaks to Rathbones on the future of education.

The future of spirituality

Alan Lightman explores how it is still possible to be be a scientist and a spiritual person connected to something larger than oneself.

The future of free speech

9 September 2018

Hate: why we should resist it with free speech, not censorship.

The future of genetics

Dr Sharad Paul looks at what the future of genetics can hold for our health, and explores his preventative ideas on treating wellness, not illness.

The future of AI

Sir Nigel Shadbolt, world-leading artificial intelligence expert, explains the concept of The Digital Ape and the future of augmented humankind.

Plastics and the environment

In discussion with journalist and environmental campaigner Lucy Siegle, we ask “how long have we got?”

Truth and lies

Allan Little, former BBC special correspondent, discusses the pursuit and ideal of the truth.