Think briefly for a second about the excitement of learning something new as a child. That sense of curiosity, wonder, and accomplishment when you first figured out how to write a bike, solve a puzzle, or read a book. That joy doesn't have to end with childhood, and in fact, lifelong learning is the secret to maintaining that spark of happiness throughout our lifetime.

To find out the art of unlocking happiness, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with the founder and president of the Catherine Project, Dr. Zena Hitz.

Zena shares examples of individuals, real and imagined, who enrich themselves with life-long learning to discover the pleasures of curiosity and intellectual development. She also shares key elements of her book, Lost in Thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life.

Dr. Zena Hitz PhD — Unlocking Happiness:

• Zena describes the concept of learning for its own sake. {3:32}
• Giving the mind time to process can lead to profound experiences. {12:39}
• No matter your walk of life, there are spaces to tap into that increase your capacity to contemplate and learn.{18:37}
• If all tasks are results-driven people won’t have a chance to connect with their humanity. {24:18}
• Zena originally considered the title The Hidden Life of Learning for her book. {25:25}

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About Lisa’s guest:

Dr. Zena Hitz PhD, is a scholar of classical philosophy, especially questions about law, character, friendship, and the human good. She writes about freedom, education, happiness, the decline of institutions, faith, hope, and love.

Her book, Lost in Thought: Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life, has received positive media recognition in periodicals such as The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, El Mundo, and The Irish Times. She received the Hiett Prize in the Humanities in 2020 and is the founder and president of the Catherine Project, a tuition-free online learning community.

“The definition of learning and contemplation is very individual.” - Lisa Cypers Kamen

Searching for more inspiration? Visit www.harvestinghappiness.com!