Perennial Wisdom
Perennial Wisdom (formerly In Search of Wisdom) is a podcast for seekers and curious minds. Join the search with J.W. Bertolotti (creator of the Perennial Meditations newsletter) to discover practical wisdom from philosophical and spiritual traditions. Learn more at perennial.substack.com.
Life is Short | Dean Rickles
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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
Practical Stoicism | Brittany Polat
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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
The Art of Spiritual Formation | Dr. Brian Russell
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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 g...
The Wisdom to Know the Difference | Carl Erik Fisher
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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 wit...
The Common Good with Shane Trotter | The Character Lab
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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
Beyond Stoicism with Massimo Pigliucci
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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 Way of Zen with Henry Shukman
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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 boo...
Embracing Mortality: Lessons from Seneca | James Romm
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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 other...
How Socrates Can Change Your Life | Donald J. Robertson
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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 lif...
The Self-Directed Life - Making Sense of Free Will with Ken Sheldon
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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.
How to Live - The Life and Philosophy of Socrates | Perennial Lives
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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 Life
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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 Good
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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 Montaigne
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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 Pleasure
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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 Aurelius
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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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"One Must Imagine Sisyphus Happy" | Bonus Contemplation with Albert Camus
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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, I share a short guided contemplation inspired by Albert Camus's The Myth of Sisyphus. It's part of a new series here on the podcast and the Perennial Meditations YouTube Channel.
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How to Find Meaning in the Mundane
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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, I explore the challenges of creating meaning in the mundane aspects of life. The episode is delivered in a video essay format (Watch on YouTube here). Expect to learn the role of courage in creation, how to accept the eternal truths of life, and what it means to say “yes” to life
Read on Substack here: https://perennial.substack.com/p/how-to-find-meaning-in-the-mundane
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A Look Back at 2024 | Anxiety, Big Questions, and Losing Ourselves
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Welcome back to the podcast, and happy new year to you all! Today, we’re pausing to revisit a few episodes from last year. This is not necessarily a “best of” collection; it’s just a few clips that I found particularly insightful or helpful.
In the first clip, you’ll hear a portion of my conversation with Samir Chopra (author of Anxiety: A Philosophical Guide) on the meaning of anxiety. Next, you’ll get a clip from my con...
Thoreau on 'Living Deliberately'
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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, I discuss selected passages from the American essayist and philosopher Henry David Thoreau's classic Walden. As the year comes to an end, Thoreau’s wisdom offers much-needed reflection and insight into what it means to live deliberately.
Key Takeaways:
Learning to ‘think’ for yourselfThe wisdom of simplicityWhen to change directions---
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The Contemplative Life with Patrick Boland
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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Patrick Boland, author of The Contemplative Leader. Patrick is an Executive Coach, Leadership Consultant, and Psychotherapist. Our conversation focuses on the meaning of contemplation and how we might lead a more contemplative life.
Key Takeaways:
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How to Be 'Seriously Happy' with Ben Aldridge
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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Ben Aldridge, author of the new book Seriously Happy. Ben has spoken to audiences worldwide, encouraging others to build resilience by stepping outside their comfort zones in various ways. His writing and methods are inspired by ancient philosophy and modern psychology. You can learn more about Ben and his work at BenAldridge.com.
Key Takeaways:
What Socrates can teach us about critical thinking.How Buddhism can help...Carl Jung, the Shadow, and Becoming Whole | Leslie Stein
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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Leslie Stein, the author of Becoming Whole: Jung’s Equation for Realizing God. Prof. Stein is a Jungian analyst and graduate of the C.G. Jung Institute of New York and is in private practice in Sydney, Australia. Today’s episode is a rebroadcast. Since we’re exploring Carl Jung’s ideas for ‘Reading and the Good Life’ this month (our Book Club for the Perennial Meditations newsletter), I thought it would...
The Perils of Blame | Stoic Meditation
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The Dying Every Day series delivers guided meditations on the art of living. Each meditation provides a quote, a selected passage (from an original Stoic text), and a reflection prompt to consider. These meditations are designed to help you (and me) reflect on what it means to live a good life.
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Happiness & the Meaning of Life
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When you look up the word happiness, it's usually defined as “the state of being happy” or “a state of well-being and contentment.” But what does it actually mean to ‘be’ happy in everyday life? Strangely, it's a more challenging question than one might think.
On this episode of In Search of Wisdom, I share a meditation from our upcoming course, Happiness & the Meaning of Life (beginning 19 September). This 10-week philosophical study explores happiness and the art of living a meani...
The Art of Living with Dr. Daniel McInerny
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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Dr. Daniel McInerny, author of the new book Beauty and Imitation. Dr. McInerny is an associate professor and chair of the philosophy department at Christendom College, as well as a novelist and dramatist. In the conversation, we discuss the wisdom of imitation, the art of contemplation, the way of beauty, and much more.
Key Takeaways:
The Better Angels of Our Nature
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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, we explore what it means to answer the call to the “better angels of our nature,” as Abraham Lincoln put it. We discuss whether or not we have better (and worse) angels of our nature. And if so, what can we do to lead a life that’s guided by the wiser sides of our nature?
Key Takeaways:
The wisdom of dignityThe wisdom of opposing ideasThe call to co...The Art of Not Knowing | Wisdom is the Way
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What can we know for sure? A curious paradox of wisdom is the need to let go of the traditional idea of knowing (or learning). In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, we explore the art of not knowing; another meditation from our Wisdom is the Way course. Today’s episode discusses how and why we must practice not knowing, working with our assumptions, and much more.
Key Takeaways:
The Art of Connection | Wisdom is the Way
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If philosophical and spiritual traditions point to interconnectedness as an eternal truth, why do we ever feel disconnected? In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, we explore the art of connection, a topic from our Wisdom is the Way course. Today’s solo episode discusses how and why connection plays an integral role in shaping our philosophy of life.
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The Art of Impermanence | Wisdom is the Way
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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, we explore impermanence, a topic from our Wisdom is the Way course. We discuss why understanding how the world works is an integral part of a philosophy of life and the various ways that philosophical and spiritual traditions think about impermanence. We also discuss how embracing uncertainty can help us lead an intentional life.
Key Takeaways:
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An Epicurean Guide to Life with Emily Austin
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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Prof. Emily Austin, the author of Living for Pleasure: An Epicurean Guide to Life. Living for Pleasure is part of the Guides to the Good Life series by Oxford University Press. I’m a big fan of the series; it’s dedicated to the idea that philosophy can, as it was for hundreds of years in the ancient world – be a way of life.
***This episode is a rebro...
The Wisdom of Fasting with John Oakes
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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is John Oakes, author of The Fast: The History, Science, Philosophy, and Promise of Doing Without. In the conversation, we explore John's spontaneous initiation into fasting and his insights from the practice. We delve into the historical prevalence across various cultures and religions, its philosophical and spiritual dimensions, its effects on the mind and body, and much more.
Key Takeaways:
The Perils of Anger | Stoic Meditation
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The Dying Every Day series delivers guided meditations on the art of living. Each meditation provides a quote, a selected passage (from an original Stoic text), and a reflection prompt to consider. These meditations are designed to help you (and me) reflect on what it means to live a good life.
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On Changing Our Minds | Contemplation
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The Way of Contemplation is a weekly series that delivers meditations, prompts, and practices on the art of living. These short guided contemplations are designed to help us think deeply about perennial ideas, questions, insights, and what it means to live an intentional life.
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The Art of Focus | Dying Every Day
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The Dying Every Day series delivers guided meditations on the art of living. Each meditation provides a quote, a selected passage (from an original Stoic text), and a reflection prompt to consider. These meditations are designed to help you (and me) reflect on what it means to live a good life.
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Who is Your Socrates? with Shane Trotter | The Character Lab
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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, I welcome my friend Shane Trotter (author and creator of
Setting the Bar) back to show for another edition of The Character Lab. In Part Three of our series, we explore the importance of role models in character formation. We discuss the need for a standard to measure ourselves and how the lives of others can help us realize our potential.
***Listen to Parts One and Two of the C...
What Makes Life Meaningful, Happiness, and the Art of Hope | The Muse
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Today’s episode is an audio version of the Monday Muse on Perennial Meditations. A little about this series, for anyone not familiar. It’s a weekly collection of what I call perennial reminders, insights, and maxims on the art of living. The term muse is an ancient one; it derives from ancient Greece and mythology. It typically has two meanings today: (1) a state of deep thought; (2) a source of inspiration. As I mentioned in a previous episode, each of the new...
On the Shortness of Life (Pt. II) | Sundays with Seneca
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Welcome to Sundays with Seneca on In Search of Wisdom. On today’s episode, I’m sharing part II of Seneca’s essay, ‘On the Shortness of Life.’ If you would like to read these in your email each week, you can subscribe to Perennial Meditations (on Substack). You can also help support the podcast and my work by becoming a member. There are multiple options to do so, and there’s even a free membership link for anyone who cannot afford it...
The Inner Experience | Contemplation
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The Way of Contemplation is a weekly series on In Search of Wisdom that delivers meditations, prompts, and practices on the art of living. These short guided contemplations are designed to help us think deeply about perennial ideas, questions, insights, and what it means to live an intentional life.
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The Perils of Comparison | Dying Every Day
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The Dying Every Day series delivers guided meditations on the art of living. Each meditation provides a quote, a selected passage (from an original Stoic text), and a reflection prompt to consider. These meditations are designed to help you (and me) reflect on what it means to live a good life.
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