Ep 120. David Brooks; 'Personal Shopper'

David Brooks, the well-known journalist and author, joins Charlie Rose on the 120th episode of season 25 to discuss his newest book, "The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life." In this in-depth conversation, Brooks delves deep into the themes of his book and shares his personal experiences that led him to write about the importance of moral character.

The conversation kicks off with Brooks discussing his personal life and the experiences that led him to write "The Second Mountain." He shares his struggles with divorce and his search for spiritual fulfillment, which ultimately led him to focus on the concept of character. Brooks speaks candidly about his journey and the tough questions he had to ask himself about his own character before he could understand and write about the subject.

From there, the conversation turns to the book's main themes, starting with the idea of climbing a metaphorical mountain. Brooks explains that we all start on the first mountain, which is focused on our own personal achievements and accolades. However, at some point, we realize that this mountain alone is not enough, and we seek a second mountain that is focused on creating a life of purpose and impact.

Brooks then discusses the idea of "eulogy virtues" versus "resume virtues." The former refers to the qualities that people remember and celebrate about us at our funerals, such as kindness and generosity, while the latter pertains to our professional accomplishments and status. Brooks emphasizes that while resume virtues are important, it is the eulogy virtues that ultimately matter more and lead to a life of meaning.

The conversation also touches on the importance of relationships in building a moral life. Brooks explains that we need to cultivate deep, meaningful relationships with others in order to truly understand ourselves and our purpose. He argues that our relationships are a reflection of our values and character.

In addition to discussing his book, Brooks also shares his thoughts on the current political and cultural climate in America. He argues that as a society, we have lost sight of the importance of moral character and that we need to re-embrace it in order to move forward.

The episode wraps up with a segment on personal shopping, featuring a stylist who helps people curate their wardrobes to reflect their personal style and values. The stylist explains that personal shopping is not about buying lots of expensive clothes, but rather about finding pieces that bring joy and express who you are.

Overall, the 120th episode of season 25 featuring David Brooks is an engaging and insightful conversation about the importance of moral character in finding purpose and meaning in life. Brooks shares his personal journey and experiences, as well as his thoughtful analysis of the current cultural climate. The segment on personal shopping provides a lighthearted and relatable contrast to the deep philosophical themes of the episode.