Around the Institute

Aspen Ideas to Go Podcast: What is Character?

April 28, 2015  • Tricia Johnson, Guest Blogger

The “Aspen Ideas to Go” podcast is a weekly show featuring fascinating speakers who have presented at the Aspen Ideas Festival and other public programs offered by the Aspen Institute — including Aspen Words, the Alma and Joseph Gildenhorn Book Series, and various events around the country. For a curated listening experience subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or listen to each episode on the Aspen Ideas website.

Some people seem to lead inner lives that are richer and more substantive than the rest of us. How do they do it? In this talk, author, New York Times columnist, and commentator David Brooks explores some of history’s leaders in terms of personal character. He asks how love, suffering, struggle, surrender, and obedience lead them to their depth.

Brooks’ latest book, “The Road to Character” was released in April. This talk, recorded last summer at the Aspen Ideas Festival, serves as a preview to many of the themes Brooks explores in the book.

Visit our podcast page to listen to past podcasts.

Tricia Johnson is editorial director of public programs at the Aspen Institute.