Episode 37: “Stoic Wisdom, Moral Emotion, and the 'Good Soul' of Flourishing Leadership” with Professor Nancy Sherman

What does it mean to be a flourishing leader in a world marked by stress, division, and moral complexity?

In this powerful episode, Dr. Scott Parsons sits down with Professor Nancy Sherman—Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University and acclaimed author of Stoic Wisdom: Ancient Lessons for Modern Resilience, Stoic Warriors, The Untold War, and Afterwar. 

Nancy offers a grounded, human vision of leadership—rooted in character, collaboration, and what she memorably calls “a good soul.” Together, Scott and Nancy explore Stoicism, Aristotle, Kant, moral emotion, military resilience, and the difference between suppressing feelings and cultivating them wisely.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Flourishing leadership as character in action: mission clarity, collaboration, and humor
• Stoicism with a little “s” vs. Stoicism with a big “S”
• Why Stoicism is not emotional numbness, but emotional training and discernment
• Two Stoic “life hacks” for resilience: pre-rehearsal and mental reservation
• The military’s “suck it up and truck on” culture—its gifts and its costs
• Aristotle’s virtue ethics: responding at the right time, in the right way, for the right reasons
• Why fortune and vulnerability matter in any realistic account of flourishing
• Kant, virtue, and moral emotion: respect, beneficence, and the moral psychology of duty
• A preview of Nancy’s forthcoming Yale University Press book:
   How to Have a Soul: What Aristotle Teaches Us about Lasting Happiness 

If you care about resilience, moral injury, character, virtue ethics, military leadership, or practical wisdom, this episode will leave you both steadier and more thoughtful.

🎧 Listen now and let us know what stood out most.

Question for reflection:

Where do you need less “stiff upper lip”… and more wise emotional cultivation—in your leadership and life?

Thank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast!
Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey.

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