Paradoxically Speaking

There are two ways to access full episodes of Paradoxically Speaking: (1) Become a paid member of Brandon's Substack (https://strongstoic.substack.com/); (2) Become a paid member of Josh's Substack (https://perennial.substack.com/).

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Summary
The conversation explores the themes of self-reflection, the role of past experiences, the pursuit of happiness amidst suffering, the importance of character development, and the concept of surrendering to something beyond oneself. It delves into the idea that wisdom and transformation may require...

There are two ways to access full episodes of Paradoxically Speaking: (1) Become a paid member of Brandon's Substack (https://strongstoic.substack.com/); (2) Become a paid member of Josh's Substack (https://perennial.substack.com/).

By becoming a member of either of our Substacks, you'll gain full access to Paradoxically Speaking episodes.

The Hero’s Journey (Part II)

In this episode of Paradoxically Speaking, we explore the concept of adventure and calling in life. We delve into the experience of beauty, the hero's journey, and the importance of being present. The discussion also explores the th...

There are two ways to access full episodes of Paradoxically Speaking: (1) Become a paid member of Brandon's Substack (https://strongstoic.substack.com/); (2) Become a paid member of Josh's Substack (https://perennial.substack.com/).

By becoming a member of either of our Substacks, you'll gain full access to Paradoxically Speaking episodes.]

Summary
This conversation explores the power of myth and the resonance of stories, particularly in relation to Lord of the Rings and other epic tales. It delves into the hero's journey and the call to adventure, highlighting the importance of growth and maturity. The...

There are two ways to access full episodes of Paradoxically Speaking: (1) Become a paid member of Brandon's Substack (https://strongstoic.substack.com/); (2) Become a paid member of Josh's Substack (https://perennial.substack.com/).

By becoming a member of either of our Substacks, you'll gain full access to Paradoxically Speaking episodes.

Summary
This episode explores the themes of beauty, youth, aging, and mortality. Brandon and I discuss the novel 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' and its exploration of the consequences of eternal youth and beauty. We delve into the concept of the soul and how...

This conversation explores the themes of transcending the self and the importance of compassion and concern for others. It delves into the influence of beliefs and perspectives on connectedness and the challenges of balancing self-care and selflessness. The case studies of Mike Tyson and Arnold Schwarzenegger highlight the transformative power of vulnerability and the journey toward selflessness. 

The conversation emphasizes the need for clarity, acceptance, and honesty to navigate the complexities of selfishness and selflessness. The conversation explores the concepts of being useful and virtuous, and how they relate to personal growth and development. It emphasizes the i...

There are two ways to access full episodes of Paradoxically Speaking: (1) Become a paid member of Brandon's Substack (https://strongstoic.substack.com/); (2) Become a paid member of Josh's Substack (https://perennial.substack.com/).

By becoming a member of either of our Substacks, you'll gain full access to Paradoxically Speaking episodes.

Summary
In this episode of Paradoxically Speaking, Josh and Brandon explore the concept of love as an infinite resource and delve into the complexities and paradoxes of love. It discusses the impact of toxic relationships and the importance of self-preservation. The dark side of...

In this conversation, Brandon and Joshua discuss various aspects of life and how to navigate its challenges. They explore the concept of accepting life's events and finding faith and courage in the face of difficult circumstances. They also delve into the idea of being part of something bigger and finding harmony and alignment with the mysterious and uncertain aspects of life. The conversation touches on the topic of grief and loss, highlighting the importance of finding the right perspective and tools to navigate these experiences. They also discuss the difficulty of experiencing sadness and loss fully and the potential...

Paradoxes exist nearly everywhere — even in the area of self-improvement. In the classic On Becoming a Person, psychologist Carl Rogers wrote, “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” When you encounter a paradox, remember that there is potential and opportunity within the tension. What does it mean to become who you are? What is the tension in genuinely knowing ourselves?

There are two ways to access full episodes of Paradoxically Speaking: 

There are two ways to access full episodes of Paradoxically Speaking: (1) Become a paid member of Brandon's Substack (https://strongstoic.substack.com/); (2) Become a paid member of Josh's Substack (https://perennial.substack.com/). By becoming a member of either of our Substacks, you'll gain full access to Paradoxically Speaking episodes.

Paradoxes exist nearly everywhere — even in the area of self-improvement. In the classic On Becoming a Person, psychologist Carl Rogers wrote, “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” When you encounter a paradox, remember that there is potent...

There are two ways to access full episodes of Paradoxically Speaking: (1) Become a paid member of Brandon's Substack (https://strongstoic.substack.com/); (2) Become a paid member of Josh's Substack (https://perennial.substack.com/). By becoming a member of either of our Substacks, you'll gain full access to Paradoxically Speaking episodes.

Paradoxes exist nearly everywhere — even in the area of self-improvement. In the classic On Becoming a Person, psychologist Carl Rogers wrote, “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” When you encounter a paradox, remember that there is potent...

What happens when a Stoic (Brandon Tumblin from The Strong Stoic) and a Seeker (J.W. Bertolotti from Perennial Meditations) get together for casual conversations? It usually results in lots of paradoxically speaking about what it means to live a good life. Our conversations (or, you might say, ramblings and ruminations) tend to explore the complexities and nuances around living our highest good in the modern world.

Paradoxes exist nearly everywhere — even in the area of self-improvement. In the classic On Becoming a Person, psychologist Carl Rogers wrote, “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just...

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) discuss hardships and acts for the common good.

In the conversation, Brandon and Josh discuss:

* Discerning hardships

* Memories and nostalgia

* Legacy and interdependence

* Acts for the common good and much more

You can expect two free episodes of the podcast per month. To support the show, consider becoming a paid subscriber. You’ll get occasional bonus episodes on the writing and philosophy of figures like Fyodor Dostoevsky, Seneca, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mi...

Attention, Awareness, & Discipline

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) discuss attention, awareness, and discipline.

In the conversation, Brandon and Josh discuss:

* Humble beginnings; city life vs. community life

* Universal maxims

* Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary

* The mundaneness of life

* Fighting arrogance within ourselves

* And much more

Support the Show

You can expect two free episodes of the podcast per month. For the full paradoxical experience, we encourage you...

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) catch up on what they're reading and watching and discuss various aspects of the art of letting go.

In the conversation, Brandon and Josh discuss: Relationships and forgiveness; Leadership and responsibility; Communication and recognition; Free will and freedom; Self-transformation, Love, and much more

Brandon Tumblin is most well-known for his podcast, The Strong Stoic Podcast, where he discusses philosophical ideas (solo and guest episodes).

J.W. Bertolotti is probably best known for In Search of Wisdom, a...

Paradoxically Speaking is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.

Nihilism, Extreme Ownership, Major and Minor Failures, & Creativity

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) follow up their previous discussion. discuss Nihilism, extreme ownership, major vs. minor failures, creativity, and other topics.

Support the Show

You can expect two free episodes of the podcast per month. For the full paradoxical experience, we encourage you to consider becoming a paid subscriber. You’ll get access to up...

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In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) discuss being alone, human nature, Existentialism, avoiding Nihilism, the meaning of life, and other topics.

Stay Connected:

Brandon Tumblin is most well-known for his podcast, The Strong Stoic Podcast, where he discusses philosophical ideas (solo and guest episodes).

- Follow The Strong Stoic Podcast: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

J.W. Bertolotti is pro...

This Too Shall Pass, Being Here Now, & Letting It Be

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) discuss the idea that everything, pleasant or unpleasant, comes and goes, the importance of being here now (and why it’s a privilege), letting things go, and much more.

We contemplate the following questions:

* Does revenge only take away from you?

* How significant is luck and timing in life?

* How can we have patience in life (i.e. “this too shall pass”)?

* Wh...

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In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) discuss the paradox of productivity. Specifically, organization, habits, relationships, dealing with challenges, and other topics.

Stay Connected:

Brandon Tumblin is most well-known for his podcast, The Strong Stoic Podcast, where he discusses philosophical ideas (solo and guest episodes).

Follow The Strong Stoic Podcast: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

J.W. Bertolotti is probably bes...

Relaxing Into Life & Death, Grieving, Memento Mori, & Vulnerability

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) discuss grieving loved ones, the significance of rituals, the dying process, meditating on death, and relaxing into both life and death.

We contemplate the following questions:

* Are rituals important in grieving?

* Should we live each day as if it’s our last?

* Is life good to the degree that we believe it to be so?

* How can we relax into the dying process at...

Paradoxically Speaking is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Blending With Imperfection, Worrying Too Much, & the Hubris of Certainty

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) discuss how to blend with the imperfections that are inherent in life, worrying too much about humanity’s biggest problems, and how certainty leads to insanity.

We ponder the following questions:

* Should we focus on global issues or local issues?

* Ho...

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In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) continue the conversation on the topic of How to Be Free — According to the Stoics (Listen to Part I here).

Support the Show:

You can expect two free episodes of the podcast per month. For the full paradoxical experience, we encourage you to consider becoming a paid subscriber. You’ll get access to upcoming bonus episode...

📩 Want more Paradoxically Speaking? Sign up for Paradoxically Speaking for Essays & Podcasts on the Art of Living: https://paradoxicallyspeaking.substack.com/subscribe.

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from In Search of Wisdom & Perennial Meditations) spend the first 20-minutes of the conversation discussing the importance of paradoxes, the darkness of human nature, and the beauty of utilizing our strengths. Our primary topic is How to Be Free — According to the Stoics (Expect a Part II in a couple of weeks). [...]

Stay Connected:

- Brandon Tumblin (@theStrongStoic) is mo...

Paradoxically Speaking is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Disagreements, Progress, Trauma, Addiction & Forgiveness

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from In Search of Wisdom & Perennial Meditations) explore how to navigate disagreements, childhood trauma, addiction, recovery, and much more. In the conversation, we discuss:

* Philosophical debates vs. personal discussions and how to navigate disagreements in each (stemming from Episode 241 - Let's All Agree of The Strong Stoic Podcast

* Progress (and...

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In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from In Search of Wisdom & Perennial Meditations) explore aspects of Christianity, Epicureanism, and Stoicism in modern life. In the conversation, we discuss: Should we think about integrating Christian wisdom into daily life?; Are the Epicureans wrong about pleasure being the only good?; What do the Stoics mean by virtue being the only good?

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Brandon Tumblin is mos...

Paradoxically Speaking is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Wisdom Through Suffering

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from In Search of Wisdom & Perennial Meditations) explore the idea that we can gain wisdom, strength, and virtue through the not-so-pleasant experiences that life throws at us. They also discuss subjective versus objective truth, humility, and much more.

Specifically, the following are contemplated:

* The difficulty of inaction

* Suffering, and how we c...

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The Paradox of Goals

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from In Search of Wisdom & Perennial Meditations) explore the paradox of goals and perennial habits. What do you think about goals? Are you a New Year’s resolution maker? In the conversation, we discuss when and how to think about making goals.

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Brandon Tumblin is most well-known for h...

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The Practice of Gratitude

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from In Search of Wisdom & Perennial Meditations) discuss the practice of gratitude. Gratitude seems to be a practice that isn’t instinctual. Rather, we seem to gravitate more towards desiring more as opposed to being grateful for what we already have. In the conversation, we attempt to answer the following questions:

* Is gratitude an essen...

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What is Paradoxically Speaking?

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic Podcast) and J.W. Bertolotti (from In Search of Wisdom) connect for a quick and casual conversation on the meaning of paradoxically speaking. They attempt to answer the questions: What is paradoxically speaking? What types of topics do we plan to explore? Why it’s essential to understand and recognize paradoxes, and much more.

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