Extended Interviews: Oprah Winfrey and Drew Barrymore

In this segment, Oprah Winfrey discusses her new book 'Build the Life You Want' with Harvard Professor Arthur Brooks. Oprah reflects on her influential career hosting 'The Oprah Winfrey Show,' interviewing over 37,000 people and learning about the common pursuit of happiness. She emphasizes the importance of defining what happiness looks like for oneself and shares her personal journey, including her decision not to pursue a Broadway career and focusing on what truly makes her happy, such as being surrounded by nature in Chicago.

Oprah and Arthur Brooks delve into the concept of happiness in their book, explaining that happiness is not a constant state but a direction. They discuss the destructive nature of envy, especially in the context of social media, and how it can hinder true happiness. Oprah shares her personal experiences and insights on how to define and achieve happiness, emphasizing the need for self-reflection and understanding one's own desires.

Oprah talks about the importance of recognizing and managing emotions, rather than letting them control you. She shares how she found inspiration in Arthur Brooks' writings during the pandemic, which led to their collaboration on the book. The conversation highlights the idea that emotions are temporary and should not dictate one's overall state of happiness. Oprah also discusses her personal growth and how she has become more open to new experiences.

Oprah outlines the key ingredients to happiness, which include family, friendships, work, and faith. She emphasizes that faith is not necessarily religious but a belief in something greater than oneself, such as nature or art. Oprah shares her personal practices and the importance of having a spiritual practice in achieving a sense of fulfillment and happiness.

The conversation shifts to Drew Barrymore, who discusses her career, her talk show, and her approach to life. Drew talks about the importance of focusing on the positive aspects of life and how her show aims to bring heart and humanity to the news. She shares her personal experiences and the lessons she has learned, emphasizing the value of human connection and the joy of living authentically.

Drew Barrymore reflects on her experiences launching her talk show during unprecedented times and the lessons she has learned. She emphasizes the importance of curiosity and the joy of learning about different aspects of life through her show. Drew also discusses her personal growth, her focus on real-life experiences, and her desire to explore and understand the world around her.

Drew talks about her show's segment 'Drew's News,' which highlights positive and uplifting stories. She discusses the importance of sharing good news in a world that often focuses on negative events. Drew also mentions her plans to turn 'Drew's News' into a podcast, emphasizing the need for positive content in people's lives.

Drew Barrymore shares her experience of dancing in the rain and the joy it brought her. She encourages people to seize the moment and not overthink actions that can bring happiness. Drew discusses the importance of spontaneity and how it can help break out of routine and bring a sense of freedom and joy.

The conversation concludes with Drew Barrymore reflecting on her career, her role as an entrepreneur, and her approach to life. She discusses her various ventures, including her makeup line and kitchen products, and how she strives to create products that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Drew also talks about the importance of personal growth and the joy of seeing positive results from hard work.

Drew shares the best advice she has received, which involves writing down lessons learned and keeping them visible for constant reflection. She discusses her practice of keeping a gratitude journal and how it has helped her and her children maintain a positive outlook on life. Drew emphasizes the importance of documenting and revisiting these moments to reinforce their impact.