Joy and Hopefulness in Difficult Times: Positive Political Action from The Hannah Arendt Center at Bard College
When we agree to practice joy through community, connection, and belonging in its own powerful way, it is an act of defiance to what’s going on around us. We must ask ourselves, particularly in these difficult times, what we are fighting for? We fight for a meaningful world that yields joy. This commitment to fostering shared happiness becomes the ultimate evidence of resilience and a deeply healing public force.
To discover how to find joy and hopefulness in difficult times, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen continues her conversation with Roger Berkowitz, Founder and Academic Director of the Hannah Arendt Center at Bard College and coordinator of the upcoming JOY: Loving the World in Dark Times conference.
Roger shares his intentions for the JOY: Loving the World in Dark Times conference, which are rooted in Hannah Arendt’s philosophy that freedom is not a private endeavor but is best found in the public sphere.
Original Air Date Wednesday, October 1, 2025
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Meet Our Guest:
Roger Berkowitz is the Founder and Academic Director of the Hannah Arendt Center at Bard College, where he also serves as Professor of Politics, Philosophy, and Human Rights.
He is an award-winning author and editor who explores ethics, truth, and political thought, including The Gift of Science: Leibniz and the Modern Legal Tradition, and is the host of the podcast, Reading Hannah Arendt with Roger Berkowitz.
The Hannah Arendt Center at Bard College will host the upcoming conference JOY: Loving the World in Dark Times (Thursday, October 16, and Friday, October 17, 2025, at Annandale-on-Hudson, NY). Register to attend in person or online.
Book: A World We Share: The Power of Friendship in a Time Without Truth, to be released in 2026
Roger Berkowitz—Joy & Hopefulness at Bard College:
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Grab More Joy Below:
Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now? Explore lifelong relationships as part of your journey to happiness.
H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day. Our lifelong relationships have a big influence on this journey.
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