Jake Seliger On Cancer, Acceptance, And The Gift Of Life

Sep 23, 2023

Jake Seliger, a writer and cancer survivor, opens up about his transformative journey following a tongue cancer diagnosis. He discusses prioritizing relationships over work, embracing mortality, and making every moment count. Jake shares insights on creativity as a response to his struggles and the importance of authentic storytelling. The conversation touches on the bureaucratic challenges in cancer treatment and the societal implications of healthcare delays, urging a deeper connection to life's fleeting beauty.

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ADVICE

Prioritizing People

Prioritize people and learn to interact better with them.
Tell loved ones you appreciate them and encourage reciprocation.

insights

INSIGHT

Daily Actions & Long-Term Goals

Connect daily actions to long-term goals.
You are what you do every day.

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ANECDOTE

Early Goodbyes

Jake received a difficult diagnosis and said goodbyes, unsure of his remaining time.
He now prefers this problem to other problems, highlighting the strange balance of difficulty and appreciation.

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Embracing Mortality: Lessons in Acceptance and Wisdom

03:59 • 4min

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Confronting Mortality: Lessons and Support in Difficult Times

08:23 • 2min

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Connecting Through Mortality

10:26 • 19min

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Navigating Targeted Communication and Intentional Hiring

29:43 • 5min

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Navigating Mortality Through Writing

34:18 • 16min

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The Richness of Life Experiences and Modern Opportunities

49:58 • 4min

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Cherishing Life in the Face of Mortality

53:58 • 10min

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Confronting Cancer: Bureaucracy and Human Suffering

01:04:02 • 12min

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A Hopeful Conclusion and Insights into Corporate Rivalries

In 'Asking Anna', Steven Deutsch grapples with the idea of marriage while facing his past and health challenges. The novel is a humorous exploration of love and commitment, drawing comparisons to works by Alain de Botton and Nick Hornby. As Steven navigates his feelings and seeks advice from friends, he confronts unexpected complications that challenge his plans.

The Hook

Jake Seliger

The Hook by Jake Seliger delves into the life of Scott Sole, a high school English teacher whose personal life becomes the subject of interest and false accusations. The novel explores themes of public morality and the challenges faced by single adults, particularly men, under societal scrutiny. It is told through a series of short chapters, shifting between characters, and offers a realistic portrayal of the unrealistic demands placed on teachers.

On the Shortness of Life

Seneca

In this essay, Seneca addresses the common complaint that life is too short by arguing that life is sufficiently long if one uses it wisely. He contends that people waste much of their time in luxury, carelessness, and pointless activities. Seneca emphasizes the importance of living in the present, pursuing philosophical wisdom, and avoiding the distractions that make life seem short. He advises readers to organize each day as if it were their last and to avoid procrastination and the preoccupation with future or past concerns.

The fall

Albert Camus

In 'The Fall', Albert Camus explores themes of guilt, judgment, and the human condition through the narrative of Jean-Baptiste Clamence. Clamence, a self-proclaimed 'judge-penitent', recounts his life as a successful but hypocritical lawyer in Paris. His story is marked by a pivotal event where he failed to act when a woman jumped to her death from a bridge, leading to a deep sense of guilt and existential despair. Through his monologues, Clamence delves into the complexities of human nature, the inevitability of judgment, and the universal guilt that underlies human existence. The novel is set against the backdrop of Amsterdam and reflects on the broader implications of World War II and the Holocaust, inviting readers to confront their own moral failings and the inherent hypocrisy in human behavior.

Meditations

Marcus Aurelius

Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.

How to Be a Stoic

Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life.

Massimo Pigliucci

In this book, Massimo Pigliucci provides an introduction to Stoic philosophy, updating it for a contemporary scientific worldview. The book is divided into three main sections, focusing on the disciplines of desire, action, and assent. Pigliucci uses personal anecdotes and historical examples to illustrate how Stoic principles can be applied to everyday challenges, such as managing emotions, making moral decisions, and coping with life's uncertainties. The book emphasizes the distinction between what is within our control and what is not, and offers practical exercises to integrate Stoic practices into daily life.

Ryan speaks with Jake Seliger about how his cancer diagnosis and having his tongue removed have changed his perspective on life, why he is prioritizing people much more highly than work now, how he is making every single minute count, what he is trying to communicate with his recent outpouring of creativity, accepting death, and more.

Jake Seliger is a writer, editor, and researcher. He has written two novels: The Hook and Asking Anna, as well as many essays covering a wide range of social and scientific subjects. Jake is also the Principal of Seliger + Associates, a grant writing and grant source service for nonprofits, public agencies and selected businesses throughout the United States. In October of 2022, Jake was diagnosed with tongue cancer, which called for the complete removal of his tongue. Despite that surgery, a later diagnosis found that the cancer had spread more quickly than expected, and tumors were found in his neck and lungs. He and his family are now raising funds to undergo the next round of treatments. Jake’s own account of the surgeries and reflections on his experiences can be read here: jakeseliger.com/2023/09/09/life-swallowing-tasting-and-speaking-after-a-total-glossectomy-meaning-i-have-no-tongue. You can find Jake’s work on jakeseliger.com and on Twitter @seligerj, and please do visit his GoFundMe to help pay for his cancer treatment at www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-fight-against-cancer-with-jake-s.

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