Explore every episode of the podcast PHILOSOPHER KINGS.
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11. GROWTH SPIRAL. | 27 Jul 2026 | 00:13:27 | |
This episode, we talk about three ways of thinking that can dynamically change how you gain belonging and respect on your work team and in your personal life. If you want to see this training in person and with a slide deck for taking some notes, visit the Philosopher Kings Youtube Channel. Plublilius Syrus once said: Would you have a great empire? First rule yourself. This episode is about how emotional health and relational intelligence is the best and truest way to rule your miniature empire. If you are just out of college or training, in your first five years of your career--We made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it Kings and Queens! Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: | |||
| 10. BE WHO YOU PRETEND TO BE. | 08 Jul 2026 | 00:06:31 | |
This episode, we invite you to take a walk with Mark cooling down on a running trail, and to think about who you are and who you want to become. Socrates says the fastest way to become virtuous is to be who you pretend to be. He means that most of us put on a pretty good show that we are a good person; we act like we possess all the qualities we assume others around us would admire. We might even change out the masks we wear from place to place to match a crowd like a chameleon. Socrates would say this a false-self and the best way to find the good life is to be yourself all the time and like yourself all of the time. And so Mark invites you to internal authority through actually being the things you KNOW would heal your soul and make you great. BE WHO YOU PRETEND TO BE, and goodness becomes simple. If you are just out of college or training, in your first five years of your career--We made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it Kings and Queens! Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: | |||
| 09. WORRY AND CONTROL. | 02 Jul 2026 | 00:07:30 | |
In this episode, Mark introduces an idea from his favorite ancient philosoopher, Epictetus. Epictetus says that we should divide all problems into what we can control and what we cannot. If we cannot control something in any way, he teaches that we should make the CHOICE not to worry about it. If you are just out of college or training, in your first five years of your career--We made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it Kings and Queens! Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: | |||
| 08. WHY VIRTUE WILL MAKE YOU AN UNCOMMONLY BETTER YOUNG PRO. | 20 Jun 2026 | 00:11:00 | |
In this episode, Mark explains how virtue + kindness equals uncommon greatness as a young pro and person. Mark gives a short list of virtues which can literally transform your character, bring you success, and give you internal authority:
No matter who you are or what you do for a living, virtue is for you. It does not belong to a religion or creed, and they are tried and true-- they have been informing the BEST of people for over 2000 years. If you are just out of college or training, in your first five years of your career--We made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it Kings and Queens! Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: | |||
| 07. TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE, YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE. | 08 Jun 2026 | 00:11:20 | |
In this episode, Mark challenges young professionals to categorically give up the vices of alcohol, weed, and casual relationships. Aristotle says we are what we repeatedly do. And so we can think ourselves to be very virtuous and put-together, but if we are compartmentalizing aspects of our life which stand in the way of the mountains we want to climb... it is time to rethink some things. What if you could feel way way better in a matter of weeks or even days by removing the cloud of chemicals affecting your brain and body on the cellular level, or truly believe yourself to be worthy of someone who deeply sees you, knows you, and shows up for you insted of hooking up? This episode is just a few thoughts on that. And it comes from a place of love. If you are just out of college or training, in your first five years of your career--We made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it Kings and Queens! Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: | |||
| 06. THE SUPERPOWER OF HUMILITY. | 03 Jun 2026 | 00:06:12 | |
In this episode, Mark explores why admitting that you are "new at this" and embodying humility is a superpower for young professionals and early careers. Socrates explained to the men of Athens that what made him so wise was that he was aware of his ignorance. He famously said that "he was the wisest because he knew that he knew nothing." There is a release valve that can lower the pressure of being new in your professional life, simply by owning that you are young, embracing the help of mentors, and thanking others for wisdom. If you are just out of college or training, in your first five years of your career--We made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it Kings and Queens! Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: | |||
| 05. WORK ON THE WEAKEST. | 26 May 2026 | 00:04:54 | |
In this episode, Mark explores why feedback is one of the fastest ways young professionals can grow. Instead of chasing externals like promotions, praise, and recognition, this episode challenges you to build internal authority by asking better questions, receiving correction, and training the traits that actually create trust. Whether your weakness is reliability, integrity, communication, or feedback itself, the path forward is simple: find the gap, train it daily, and become the kind of person people naturally trust, respect, and promote. Join the Philosopher Kings community here: For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: | |||
| 04. RELIABILITY. INTEGRITY. COMMUNICATION. FEEDBACK. | 26 May 2026 | 00:08:30 | |
In this episode, Mark breaks down the Big Four Core Competencies of Philosopher Kings: Reliability, Integrity, Communication, and Feedback. Instead of overwhelming young professionals with endless workplace advice, this episode simplifies what actually matters. Reliability builds trust. Integrity creates internal authority. Communication brings clarity. Feedback fuels growth. Master these four traits, and you become the kind of person people trust, respect, and rely on. Join the Philosopher Kings community here: For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: | |||
| 03. THE BIG FOUR. | 26 May 2026 | 00:07:30 | |
In this episode, Mark explores how young professionals can stop over-explaining and start embodying the qualities that earn real trust. Drawing from Epictetus’ line, “Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it,” this episode introduces the Big Four Core Competencies of Philosopher Kings: Reliability, Integrity, Communication, and Feedback. Master these fundamentals, and you quietly become the kind of person people trust, respect, and promote. Join the Philosopher Kings community here: For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: | |||
| 02. SHORT ON WISDOM AND VIRTUE. | 23 May 2026 | 00:06:35 | |
Episode Two is a deeper dive into Plato’s vision of the Philosopher King and what it means for young professionals today. In this episode, Mark explores the connection between knowledge, wisdom, and virtue—and why modern education and professional training often focus almost entirely on knowledge while falling short on wisdom and virtue. Knowledge is usually covered in college classrooms, certifications, and professional programs. But many young professionals are never taught wisdom: practical decision-making, good judgment, emotional intelligence, and how to navigate real life well. Even fewer are taught virtue: developing a personal moral code, ethical practices, integrity, discipline, and the kind of internal character that creates trust, leadership, and long-term success. This episode argues that the strongest professionals are not simply knowledgeable, but people who learn to think, speak, and act with knowledge, wisdom, and virtue. Join the Philosopher Kings community here: For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: | |||
| 01. WHAT IS A PHILOSOPHER KING? | 23 May 2026 | 00:10:19 | |
What does it mean to become a Philosopher King in the modern world? In this first episode of the Philosopher Kings podcast, Mark Shaffer explores the intersection of knowledge, wisdom, and virtue—and why the best young professionals build internal authority before chasing external success. We talk about:
As Plato argued, the ideal leader is not merely powerful, but formed by wisdom and virtue—a true “philosopher king.” This podcast is for people who want to think clearly, speak wisely, and live with integrity in work, relationships, leadership, and life. To join the Philosopher Kings community, start your free 7-day trial here: Inside the community, you’ll find conversations with Mark and the PK team, exclusive resources, and the Philosopher Kings Memo—designed to help young professionals level up both their careers and their character. Each edition of the PK Memo delivers profound growth through 4–5 short articles, a “sneaky link” to a free digital training, and other resources designed to help you build real internal authority. For everything Philosopher Kings, visit: | |||