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Explore every episode of the podcast Perennial Meditations

Dive into the complete episode list for Perennial Meditations. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
St. Thomas Aquinas: "The Things We Love" | Perennial Meditations23 juil. 202600:06:00

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“The things that we love tell us what we are.”

— Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica

We are very good at describing the person we intend to be. Generous—just waiting for the right moment. Present—once things settle down. Disciplined—starting Monday.

We carry these self-descriptions with considerable confidence, updating them periodically to account for recent failures while leaving the essential portrait intact. The person we are becoming is always just slightly ahead of the person we currently are.

We know who we mean to be. We are simply not there yet. [...]


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Dostoevsky: "Beauty Will Save the World" | Perennial Meditations20 juil. 202600:05:45

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“Beauty will save the world.”

— Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Idiot

He meant it literally. Fyodor Dostoevsky stood before a firing squad at twenty-eight, heard the order, and was reprieved at the last possible moment in a calculated act of cruelty.

He survived years of imprisonment in Siberia, epilepsy, gambling addiction, and grinding poverty. And he emerged from all of it with his faith not merely intact but deepened—convinced that he had seen something in the extremity of human suffering that a comfortable life conceals. [...]


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St. Teresa of Ávila on the Interior Castle | Perennial Meditations 11 juil. 202600:06:00

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“The important thing is not to think much, but to love much.”

— St. Teresa of Ávila, The Interior Castle


Most of us are more familiar with wisdom than we are changed by it.


We read carefully, reflect sincerely, and, over years of honest effort, gather a considerable understanding of what the interior life is meant to look like. And yet we remain, beneath all that understanding, somehow untouched.


The map is beautifully annotated. The territory has never been entered. [...]


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Montaigne on the Human Condition | Perennial Meditations09 juil. 202600:04:31

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“Every man carries the whole stamp of the human condition within him.”
— Montaigne, The Essays

This is either deeply humbling or quietly liberating, depending on the day.

We spend considerable energy maintaining the impression that we have things more or less together—that the anxiety, the pettiness, the envy, the self-doubt, the moments of cowardice and smallness are exceptions to who we really are rather than features of the common human inheritance.

We curate carefully. We present the edited version. We assume, without quite deciding to, that everyone else is managing better than we are. [...]


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Confucius on Two Kinds of Lost | Perennial Meditations22 juin 202600:04:06

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“Learning without reflection is labor lost. Reflection without learning is perilous.” 

— Confucius, Analects


The first type consumes everything—self-help, philosophy, psychology, spiritual wisdom. They can quote books, explain concepts, and pinpoint what needs to change in their lives. Yet, despite all this knowledge, nothing actually changes. Reading has become a substitute for action. 


They might know more about patience than anyone else, yet they remain the least patient person in the room.

The second type is always in motion. They've stayed in the same job, relationship, or recurring struggle for years, calling it experience. Yet it's not true experience; it’s the same year repeated endlessly, without pausing to reflect on the lessons it offers. 

They remain busy and exhausted, but rarely wiser. [...]

#philosophy #lifelessons #meditation #podcast


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0:25 Quote 
0:35 Meditation 
2:35 Practice 
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St. Francis and the open hand | Perennial Meditations18 juin 202600:04:02

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“It is in giving that we receive.” 

— St. Francis of Assisi


This sounds like a pleasantry, but it is actually a provocation.


Most of us are wired to assume that receiving comes first, that we give from surplus, and that generosity is what happens after our own needs have been sufficiently met. Put plainly, we will be more generous when we have more. 


We will give more time when we have more of it. We will open our hands when we feel secure enough to let go.


St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th-century Italian friar who gave away everything he owned, including the clothes on his back, lived as though this logic were exactly backward. He did not give because he had enough. He gave because giving was the only way to discover what enough actually meant. The open hand, he found, receives differently than the closed one. Not necessarily more, but more freely. [...]

#philosophy #spirituality #catholicsaints #podcast


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Plato on Conquering Oneself | Perennial Meditations15 juin 202600:03:59

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“For a man to conquer himself is the first and noblest of all victories.” 

— Plato, The Laws


Every tradition has a version of this. The Stoics called it discipline. The Buddhists called it renunciation. The Christian mystics called it mortification of the self. The language changes. The diagnosis is the same.


We are not, by nature, unified. We contain competing appetites, contradictory impulses, and desires that pull us away from our deepest values. We want to be generous, yet we want to keep what is ours. We want to be present, yet we want to be elsewhere. We commit to change, only to see the old pattern reemerge before our resolve has cooled.


Plato saw this clearly. The soul, he argued, is not a single thing but a kind of inner republic—reason, spirit, and appetite each pressing their claim, each demanding to be heard. [...]

#philosophy #lifelessons #wisdom #podcast


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Socrates on the Examined Life | Perennial Meditations11 juin 202600:04:09

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“The unexamined life is not worth living.”
— Socrates, Plato’s Apology


He said these words at his trial. Not in a lecture hall or a private dialogue with friends, but standing before a jury of five hundred Athenians who were deciding whether he should live or die. He had been charged with corrupting the youth of Athens and impiety toward the gods. He was seventy years old. He could have apologized, softened his position, and said what they needed to hear. 


He refused. It cost him his life.


Socrates wrote nothing. Everything we know of him comes through his students, primarily Plato, which means what survived was not a system or a doctrine but a method. A way of questioning. He wandered the markets and streets of Athens, asking people to examine what they claimed to know—about justice, courage, beauty, the good life—and found, almost without exception, that the closer you looked, the less certain things became. [...]

#philosophy #lifelessons #wisdom #podcast


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3:10 Closing

Heraclitus on the Only Constant | Perennial Meditations08 juin 202600:04:10

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“The only constant is change.” 

— Heraclitus, Fragments


We have all heard this. We nod when we encounter it, the way you nod at something that sounds true without quite landing. Then life changes in a way we didn’t choose—a loss, a door closing, a season ending before we were ready—and we discover that we didn’t really accept it.


Heraclitus of Ephesus wrote in Greece around 500 BC, making him one of the oldest voices in the Western philosophical tradition. Almost nothing of his work survives except fragments—shards of thought passed down for twenty-five centuries. That so little remains, yet what remains feels so alive, is its own kind of argument for paying attention.


His central insight was not a comfort. It was a correction. [...]

#philosophy #lifelessons #wisdom #podcast


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3:20 Closing

Ep. 260: Monastic Wisdom for the Rhythms of Life | Perennial Wisdom31 janv. 202600:08:20

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You’ve likely experienced the optimistic reset: a fresh note, a new week, and a well-crafted routine. It includes things like reading, prayer, or exercise. Then life happens. A late night. A tough conversation. A sick day. A looming deadline. One miss becomes two, and suddenly the whole “system” feels like a verdict: “I’m inconsistent.”

A “Rule of Life” is designed to protect you from this cycle of success and failure.

Think of it less as “rules” and more as a trellis: a simple framework of practices and boundaries that supports what you most want to grow. It’s not an ideal schedule for an ideal self. It’s a pattern sturdy enough for your real life—especially the messy weeks. [...]


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Ep. 259: How to Quit - A Philosophical Guide | Perennial Wisdom24 janv. 202600:10:07

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Today’s essay is about something most of us rarely talk about.


Quitting.


From the time we’re young, we’re taught to admire perseverance.

  • “Finish what you start.”
  • “Never give up.”
  • “Stay the course.”
  • “Push through.”

And often, that advice is wise.

But not always.


Sometimes the bravest, clearest, most honest act is not to continue—but to quit. Not from laziness. Not from fear. But from truth. From discernment. From a deeper loyalty to what matters more than pride or the story we once told about ourselves.


Ancient philosophy and spiritual traditions understood something modern culture often forgets: Quitting is not always failure. Sometimes, it is loyalty to a higher calling.


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Ep. 258: Stop Fixing Yourself. Try This Instead. | Perennial Wisdom01 janv. 202600:10:48

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Many of us treat our inner life like a home renovation project.


If I could just fix my overthinking, my consistency issues, my need for approval, and my procrastination, I could finally become “the person I’m supposed to be.” Yet often, the more we try to fix ourselves, the more tense and self-doubting we become—it’s like we are managing a difficult employee in our heads.


Here’s the uncomfortable truth: much of self-improvement is just self-rejection in nicer clothes. Stay with me... 


Carl Rogers—one of the most respected psychologists of the 20th century—offers a different perspective: real change doesn’t come from forcing yourself into a new personality. It comes from accepting what’s true, without flinching.


This is not a call for complacency. 

It’s a call for a more realistic kind of transformation—one based on honesty rather than self-conflict.


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Ep. 257: A Meditation on the "Present" of Christmas | Perennial Wisdom23 déc. 202500:12:03

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Christmas invites us to reflect on gifts, but the most meaningful one is the hardest to give. It isn’t bought or wrapped; it has nothing to do with ribbons or receipts. The true “present” of Christmas is presence itself—the quiet courage to be here, fully, without rushing past your own life. 


Before we offer anything to others, Christmas calls us to accept this moment as a gift. But that’s not usually how the season feels. 

The roads are jammed, inboxes fill with sales and invitations, and there’s always one more thing to buy, one more event to attend. Outwardly, everything speeds up. Inwardly, many of us feel scattered and thin. Precisely here, in the busyness and noise, the Christmas season can become a school for the inner life.


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Ep. 256: Sinner and Saint - The Paradox of Human Development | Perennial Wisdom20 déc. 202500:20:30

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Before we begin, it may help to name the kind of territory we’re entering—because this essay (or episode) is all about paradoxes and polarities.

A paradox is two things that seem to oppose each other but are both true. Similarly, a polarity is a pair of truths that don’t cancel each other out—they balance each other.

You experience this every day. You can want independence and connection at the same time. You can feel confident in one moment and insecure in the next. You can love someone deeply and still feel frustrated by them.

Wisdom traditions say this is not a mistake. This is what being human feels like.

The Zen tradition captures the sentiment beautifully in a single line:

“You are perfect just as you are… and you could use a little improvement.”

At first, it sounds impossible. 

But it points to something essential:

  • You are whole—and you’re still becoming.
  • You are worthy—and you’re unfinished.
  • You have goodness in you—and you have a shadow too.

Paradox isn’t a problem to solve. 

It’s a tension to live in.


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Ep. 255: The Saint's Guide to Happiness | Perennial Wisdom09 déc. 202500:11:03

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore the profound and surprising vision of happiness taught by the 13th-century theologian and philosopher St. Thomas Aquinas. Long before modern self-help, Aquinas argued that most of our suffering comes not from pain itself, but from aiming our deepest desires at things too small to satisfy them.


Through three core ideas, we examine why:

  • No finite thing can be our final happiness
  • The human heart longs for something infinite
  • Virtue is not moralism, but the reordering of desire

Throughout our journey, we draw on insights from Aquinas’ Treatise on Happiness and the modern philosopher Josef Pieper, revealing a vision of happiness rooted not in stimulation or control, but in truth and contemplation.


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Ep. 254: How to Be Bored - An Ancient Guide to Being Where You Are | Perennial Wisdom22 nov. 202500:13:07

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore the art of boredom: a journey through ancient philosophy, psychology, and modern thinkers like David Foster Wallace. From the desert monks who believed stillness revealed the soul, to Pascal’s warning that our fear of silence shapes our entire lives, to modern research showing boredom can unlock creativity. 


We talk about why boredom is so uncomfortable, how it shows us what we really want, and why we often use distractions to avoid facing ourselves. If you’ve struggled to slow down, sit still, or be with your own thoughts, this episode offers an ancient guide to being where you are.


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Ep. 253: The Art of Thinking - From Socrates to St. Augustine | Perennial Wisdom15 nov. 202500:11:53

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we trace a journey from the streets of ancient Athens to the inner life of a restless bishop. Socrates challenges us with the idea of the unexamined life, while Augustine encourages us to look inward and seek truth within the depths of our own souls. Along the way, we examine how ancient rhetoric, self-persuasion, and spiritual reflection can help us break free from groupthink and reclaim our inner freedom.


This episode offers a quiet, contemplative space for anyone overwhelmed by others' opinions and eager to reconnect with their own thoughts.


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Ep. 252: The Surprising Wisdom of Schopenhauer's Pessimism | Perennial Wisdom08 nov. 202500:11:23

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we enter the world of Arthur Schopenhauer—the philosopher of pessimism, and, unexpectedly, a teacher of compassion. Schopenhauer believed that happiness cannot be found by escaping suffering but by understanding it. Life, he wrote, “swings like a pendulum backward and forward between pain and boredom,” yet within that rhythm lies a quiet freedom—the freedom of acceptance.

Drawing from The World as Will and Representation and On the Basis of Morality, this reflection examines how pessimism, properly understood, becomes a form of wisdom: an art of seeing clearly without illusion, feeling without resentment, and living without denial.


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Ep. 251: Kierkegaard on the courage to choose | Perennial Wisdom01 nov. 202500:11:04

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we sit down with Søren Kierkegaard, the 19th-century Danish philosopher often considered the father of existentialism. Specifically, we explore insights from his book Either/Or, which addresses one of life’s toughest questions: How do we live when every choice feels like a loss?


Kierkegaard believed that to live at all is to make a choice. And every choice—whether we act or remain still—shapes who we become.


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Ep. 250: Dostoevsky - Freedom, Suffering, and Love25 oct. 202500:11:20

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore the moral and psychological depth of Fyodor Dostoevsky, one of the greatest novelists and spiritual thinkers in history. From his near-execution in 1849 to his rebirth in the prisons of Siberia, Dostoevsky’s life became a living parable of human suffering, redemption, and love.


Drawing from Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov, and The Idiot, we uncover three perennial lessons for the modern world:

  • Freedom without responsibility leads to despair.
  • Suffering is the path to self-knowledge.
  • Love is the final answer to the problem of evil.


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Ep. 249: Immanuel Kant - The Three Fundamental Questions | Perennial Wisdom14 oct. 202500:10:08

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore the life and thought of Immanuel Kant through the lens of three enduring philosophical questions: “What can I know?” “What should I do?” “What may I hope?” Drawing on Kant’s groundbreaking ideas from The Critique of Pure Reason and The Critique of Practical Reason, we walk through his views on knowledge, morality, and hope.


Kant’s philosophy offers us tools for navigating uncertainty, making ethical decisions, and sustaining hope in a complex world.


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Ep. 248: Nietzsche on the Fear of Change | Perennial Wisdom07 oct. 202500:06:11

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we turn to the provocative thoughts of Friedrich Nietzsche (1844—1900) to explore one of the most overlooked yet essential inner struggles: the fear of change.


Building on the previous episodes—Socrates on the Fear of Death and Maslow on the Fear of Greatness—we now face Nietzsche’s challenge: to become who we are. Through poetic reflection and profound insights from Nietzsche, we explore how change is both essential and frightening.


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Ep. 247: Abraham Maslow on the Fear of Greatness | Perennial Wisdom20 sept. 202500:06:47

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore a hidden but deeply human struggle: the fear not of failure—but of greatness. Drawing from Abraham Maslow's insights, we consider what it means to avoid our potential and why many of us unconsciously choose comfort over potential. 

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Ep. 246: Socrates on the Fear of Death | Perennial Wisdom06 sept. 202500:07:08

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we turn to Plato’s Apology and the final words of Socrates to explore how philosophy can liberate us from the fear of death. Socrates stood trial, was sentenced to die, and yet he remained calm, unshaken, and grounded in virtue. For Socrates, living an unexamined life poses a greater danger than death.

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Ep. 245: St. Francis on the Paradox of Joy | Perennial Wisdom20 août 202500:06:49

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we turn to the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi to uncover a countercultural and liberating truth: true joy is not found in comfort, success, or status—but in humility, simplicity, and love.

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Ep. 244: How to "Look Again" at Life23 juil. 202500:05:47

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we discuss why we often struggle to see ourselves or life clearly, and how to calm restless minds while examining our perceptions and our place in the cosmos. We focus on what it means to “look again” at life—to pause, to notice, and to practice humility and wonder. 


This episode draws on insights from spiritual teacher Ram Dass, philosopher Socrates, psychologist Adam Grant, and astronomer Carl Sagan.


Key Takeaways

  • We don’t always see clearly.
  • Humility can foster growth.
  • A broader perspective reveals what truly matters.

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Ep. 243 — The Philosophy of Desire | Perennial Wisdom16 juil. 202500:20:00

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we examine an essay from the “Know Thyself” series on The Philosophy of Desire. You can expect to learn about the influence of desire in our daily lives. Why desire often shapes our decisions, self-image, and emotional states. This is volume one of a 10-part series on the art and science of self-awareness. If you’d like access to this series, consider becoming a Perennial Meditations member.


Key Takeaways

  • Buddhism and the roots of suffering
  • Stoicism and the discipline of desire
  • Epicurus on having enough
  • St. Thomas Aquinas on human desire

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Heraclitus on the Wisdom of Change13 juil. 202500:06:02

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Today, on this Sunday edition of Perennial Wisdom, we are turning to the pre-Socratic philosopher Heraclitus, who famously said,

No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it is not the same river and he is not the same man. — Fragments

Heraclitus believed that everything and everyone is in a constant state of change. While this idea might seem unsettling, he presents it not as a threat but as a vital key. To live well, we must live with change, not against it.


When Heraclitus wandered through the ancient streets of Ionia in the 6th century BCE, he was known not for power or prestige, but for speaking in paradoxes. His fragments are short and cryptic, yet they reveal wisdom. 


He saw what many refused to see: that stability is an illusion, and becoming is the ground of all being. “Everything flows; nothing stands still,” he stressed. [...]


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The Timeless Art of Leading a Life | Perennial Wisdom09 juil. 202500:11:33

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we discuss the timeless truths shared across cultures and traditions that guide us in cultivating a life well-lived. Rather than chasing life hacks, quick fixes, or fleeting trends, expect to learn why perennial wisdom invites us to slow down and return to what truly matters: cultivating character and finding meaning beyond ourselves.


Key Takeaways

  • Timeless truths about human nature and the good life
  • The importance of cultivating inner clarity and character
  • Why these enduring insights still matter today

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St. Benedict on the Ladder of Humility | Perennial Meditation06 juil. 202500:05:05

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Today, on this Sunday edition of Perennial Wisdom, we reflect on humility—not as weakness or self-negation, but as wisdom—through the voice of one of the great spiritual teachers: St. Benedict of Nursia.


St. Benedict lived in the sixth century, during a period of political chaos and moral confusion. From this turmoil, he initiated a quiet revolution—a rule of life centered on prayer, work, and stability. His Rule became the basis for Western monasticism and continues to serve as a guide for spiritual seekers today. At the heart of his teaching is a single word: humility. [...]


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Plato on Seeking the Good | Perennial Meditation29 juin 202500:06:00

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Today, on this Sunday edition of Perennial Wisdom, we turn to one of the great pillars of Western philosophy—Plato—and his vision of the Good. Not just goodness in the moral sense but the ultimate source of truth, beauty, and being.


Plato held that each human soul is inherently attracted to something ultimate. Though we might not always be conscious of it, beneath our pursuits for success, pleasure, approval, or knowledge lies a deeper desire—a longing for what is most real, whole, and divine.

Writing in 4th-century BCE Athens, Plato watched his teacher Socrates face execution for asking questions and “corrupting the youth.” From this injustice, Plato dedicated his life to awakening the soul, proving that truth and goodness are more than mere ideals. [...]


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Philosophy as Therapy for the Soul | Perennial Wisdom25 juin 202500:14:03

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we delve into how philosophy offers healing, not by curing mental illness, but by guiding us to live with clarity, freedom, and meaning. By drawing insights from ancient philosophy, theology, and Therapy for the Saneby Lou Marinoff, this episode explores philosophy’s role as a medicine for the soul. 


Key Takeaways

  • Philosophy and Suffering 
  • Philosophy and Inner Freedom
  • Philosophy and the Quest for Meaning


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Think Like a Monk: A Monastic Guide to Life12 juin 202500:12:33

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we turn to monks and the monastic life for wisdom. In this video essay, we explore how to “Think like a Monk” by drawing from The Wandering Mind by historian (and previous podcast guest) Jamie Kreiner, as well as the wisdom of early Church Fathers. Expect to learn how medieval monks battled distraction, cultivated silence, practiced simplicity, lived lives of service, and much more. 


Key Takeaways

  • The art of silence
  • The wisdom of simplicity
  • The path of service


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The Art of Responsibility | Shane Trotter04 juin 202500:43:47

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is Shane Trotter (author of Setting the Bar). In our conversation, Shane and I explore the complexities of character development, focusing on themes such as responsibility, discipline, and societal context. We also discuss the challenges of balancing personal and professional responsibilities, the importance of clarity in priorities, the distinction between duty and obligation, and much more. 


Key Takeaways

  • How to see responsibility as a gift instead of a burden.
  • The difference between duty and obligation.
  • Why discipline and responsibility are interconnected.


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Life is Short | Dean Rickles28 mai 202500:49:59

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is Prof. Dean Rickles, the author of Life is Short: An Appropriately Brief Guide to Making it More Meaningful. Dean is a professor of history and philosophy of modern physics at the University of Sydney, where he is also the director of the Sydney Centre for Time. ***Rebroadcast: This episode was recorded on March 22, 2023. 


 Key Takeaways

  • Why the shortness of life is what makes it meaningful
  • Overcoming the fear of death
  • Seneca’s influence on the book
  • The need for uncertainty
  • How to connect with the future you
  • Discerning our path in life and much more

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Practical Stoicism | Brittany Polat21 mai 202500:57:19

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is Brittany Polat (co-author of Stoic Ethics: The Basics). In the conversation, we explore the application of Stoicism in relationships, love, and ethics. You can expect to learn the importance of stepping back to gain perspective in relationships, the dichotomy of control in family dynamics, and the concept of indifference in Stoicism. 


Key Takeaways

  • Why cultivating a Stoic mindset takes time and practice
  • How self-awareness connects with personal growth
  • The role of compassion in Stoic philosophy
  • Understanding our beliefs helps us manage our emotions


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The Art of Spiritual Formation | Dr. Brian Russell14 mai 202500:56:26

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, I welcome Dr. Brian Russell back to the show. Brian is an author, professor of biblical studies, and transformational coach. He is also the host of Deep Dive Spirituality Conversations, a podcast dedicated to spiritual and missional formation. 

In this conversation, we explore the concept of spiritual formation, the doctrine of original sin, and its implications for understanding Christianity. We also delve into the relationship between virtue and sin, the role of grace, the importance of prayer, spiritual practices that nurture wisdom, and much more. 


Key Takeaways

  • Why self-compassion is crucial for the spiritual journey
  • How prayer connects with seeking grace and truth
  • The spiritual practices that nurture wisdom and growth 


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The Wisdom to Know the Difference | Carl Erik Fisher07 mai 202500:53:59

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is Dr. Carl Erik Fisher (author of The Urge: Our History of Addiction). In the conversation, Dr. Fisher, an addiction psychiatrist and bioethicist, shares insights on the multifaceted nature of addiction and its implications on human behavior. Expect to learn the importance of flexibility in psychological health, the need for balance in seeking wisdom, and the cyclical nature of personal growth. To learn more and stay connected, check out: Rat Park with Carl Erik Fisher. 


Key Takeaways

  • Willingness to accept uncertainty is more active than mere acceptance.
  • The desire for control can lead to anxiety and addictive behaviors.
  • Wisdom involves knowing when to accept and when to change. 


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The Common Good with Shane Trotter | The Character Lab30 avr. 202500:54:58

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is Shane Trotter (author of Setting the Bar). In the conversation, Shane and I explore the intersection of character and the common good. We discuss the role of community in character development and the value of adopting timeless virtues. Expect to learn practical approaches to fostering compassion, understanding human limitations, seeking the common good, and much more. Check out Shane’s Substack: Setting the Bar!


Key Takeaways

  • Human flourishing relies on social connections and shared values
  • A sense of the common good is essential for individual well-being
  • Ancient virtues provide a solid foundation for modern values

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Beyond Stoicism with Massimo Pigliucci23 avr. 202500:58:35

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest Massimo Pigliucci (co-author of the new book Beyond Stoicism) discusses the importance of seeking wisdom beyond Stoicism. We explore the distinctions between virtue and pleasure, the nature of courage, and the interconnectedness of virtues. Prof. Pigliucci explains why we need a balanced approach to happiness, the significance of relationships in leading a meaningful life, and much more. 


Key Takeaways

  • The ancient debate between virtue and pleasure
  • Understanding virtues as interconnected can clarify moral dilemmas
  • Why skepticism is a necessary ingredient of any philosophy of life
  • Exploring various philosophies can enrich our understanding of life


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The Way of Zen with Henry Shukman26 mars 202500:42:57

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is Henry Shukman. Henry is a poet, author, meditation teacher, and co-founder of the single-path meditation app The Way. His most recent books are Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening and the Zen memoir One Blade of Grass. He has taught at Google, the New York Times, Harvard Business School and Medical School, and the Institute of American Indian Arts. He has written several award-winning and bestselling books of fiction and poetry. His poems have appeared in The New Yorker, Guardian, Times, and Sunday Times.


In the conversation, Henry and I discussed the concept of original love. We delve into the beginner's mind and how embracing our fallibility can lead to a more fulfilling existence. Finally, we touch on the essence of wisdom and how it relates to living well and fostering interconnectedness. 


Learn more about Henry Shukman


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Embracing Mortality: Lessons from Seneca | James Romm12 mars 202500:38:30

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is James Romm (editor of How to Die and How to Have a Life). In the conversation, James and I discuss the importance of preparing for death, the role of virtue in achieving happiness, and the art of self-reflection. As you’ll hear in the episode, James is highly knowledgeable of Seneca's life and philosophy. He is the author of Dying Every Day: Seneca at the Court of Nero and several others, including a forthcoming book titled Plato and the Tyrant.


Key Takeaways

  • Seneca’s view on preparing for death.
  • Why self-knowledge is essential for ethical living.
  • The connection between forgiveness and self-improvement.


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How Socrates Can Change Your Life | Donald J. Robertson26 févr. 202501:05:59

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is Donald J. Robertson, author of How to Think Like Socrates. Donald is a psychotherapist, the author of several phenomenal books on Stoic philosophy, and a return guest on the podcast. In this conversation, we discuss the connections between Socrates and Stoicism. We delve into the Socratic method and its relevance in modern cognitive therapy. Donald emphasizes the importance of cognitive flexibility and the practical applications of Socratic techniques in everyday life. 


Key Takeaways

  • The Socratic method is a form of psychological therapy.
  • Cognitive flexibility is crucial for emotional resilience.
  • Wisdom involves dynamic cognitive skills, not just knowledge.
  • Self-knowledge requires deep questioning of one's beliefs.


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The Self-Directed Life - Making Sense of Free Will with Ken Sheldon13 févr. 202500:39:18

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is Ken Sheldon, author of Freely Determined. Ken is a psychology researcher and professor; his areas of study are positive psychology, motivation, and well-being. Today, you can expect to learn the complex interplay between free will, determinism, and happiness. The importance of autonomy and the role of personal choices in achieving well-being. Along with the downsides of a deterministic worldview and the significance of mistakes in personal growth. 


📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsZwcUIaxgA


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How to Live - The Life and Philosophy of Socrates | Perennial Lives12 févr. 202500:09:19

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we search for lessons from the life and philosophy of Socrates. Expect to learn the key to simple living, the role of testing your assumptions, and much more. 


📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNDsjS8smf0&t=337s


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The Philosophy of Gratitude - An Ancient Guide to a Grateful Life08 févr. 202500:15:00

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In this episode of the Perennial Wisdom podcast, we search for insights into the nature of suffering, gratitude, and the good life. Expect to learn why the Buddha said, “Life is suffering,” along with what philosophers and theologians can teach about gratitude and meditating on one’s life.


📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaZDnvNAuwQ&t=23s

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The Paradox of Emotions - Why Bad Feelings Make Life Good31 janv. 202500:14:05

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore the paradoxical lessons on the nature of emotions. Expect to learn why “negative” emotions are not obstacles to the “good” life. The problem with psychological rigidity and the wisdom (and practice) of being open to life. 


📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdfQJbusyxA

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"How to Live to Oneself" | Bonus Contemplation with Montaigne26 janv. 202500:06:27

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, I share a short guided contemplation inspired by the Essays of Michel de Montaigne. It's part of a new series on the podcast and the Perennial Meditations YouTube Channel.

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN9pA_P38JE


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How to Live (and Die) Like an Epicurean - The Philosophy of Pleasure25 janv. 202500:13:33

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore the ancient philosophy of pleasure (Epicureanism) to find three lessons for modern living. Expect to learn what the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus thought about having enough, friendship, and the art of dying well.


📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2gLGg4PcN8&t=68s

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"Think of Yourself as Dead" | Bonus Contemplation with Marcus Aurelius19 janv. 202500:05:14

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, I share a short guided contemplation inspired by Marcus Aurelius's Meditations. It's part of a new series on the podcast and the Perennial Meditations YouTube Channel.

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KNZQ5INN9A&t=2s


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