Often is the case that I will happen upon a book, begin reading and find that I am hard-pressed to put it down as it has become engrossing for any number of reasons.

Perhaps it is a book addressing questions I am grappling with at the time, perhaps it is a book that deepens my understanding on a topic that intrigues me, perhaps it is simply a book about some aspect of the French culture or perhaps it is a classic that amazes and delights me with its relevancy well after the author has passed on.

The latter was such the case, culminating with the reation of episode #131.

Bertrand Russell’s book The Conquest of Happiness, while not meaty in physical size, is weighty in the insights he provides about the concept of happiness. Written many decades previously, I remember reading this book on a weekend during the past winter after having stumbled upon it at my local bookstore. Needless to say, yet another gift that was found while in the company of books.

Today’s top episode from The Simple Sophisticate‘s second season is nearly an hour long, so sit down, settle in, head out on a long walk or take it into the kitchen with you as you make a multi-course meal or complex recipe. I think you will enjoy this episode as much as I loved reading the book.

~Click here to read the original show notes for Episode #131 – 38 Invaluable Lessons About Attaining Happiness

~Thank you for tuning in and remember, next Monday I will share the top episode of Season 3, and then on TUESDAY January 1st, I will be airing a brand new episode of the podcast. After all, it is the beginning of a new year, and I could not wait until the 7th to kick off the first month of 2019. So that means, you will have a top episode from the archives airing on Monday December 31st and the next day, Tuesday January 1st – a brand new episode to inspire you as you step into the new year. 

~Below is the calendar for Season 5 of The Simple Sophisticate podcast which began in September and runs through August 2019. Learn more about the schedule and the months the show will be on holiday in this detailed post.

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~image via TSLL, captured at Claude Monet’s Giverny garden in July 2018