John Kaag

John Kaag, a philosophy professor and co-author of "Henry at Work: Thoreau on Making a Living," dives into the often-overlooked practical side of Henry David Thoreau. They discuss Thoreau's hands-on work experiences, revealing how meaningful labor fosters personal fulfillment. Kaag emphasizes the spiritual satisfaction found in manual tasks, challenging listeners to rethink the balance between work and leisure. The conversation also prompts reflections on societal pressures in the workplace and the true value behind the jobs we pursue.

John Kaag, a renowned philosopher and author, shares his insights on aligning work with personal values. He emphasizes Thoreau's view on meaningful labor, urging listeners to find fulfillment beyond materialism. Topics include navigating the gig economy and reevaluating work-life balance for deeper satisfaction. Kaag encourages a simpler lifestyle, continuous self-discovery, and the moral responsibilities tied to our careers. His reflections inspire a fresh perspective on living intentionally while reconnecting with nature and self.

Henry David Thoreau was a philosopher, poet, and pencil-maker. He was a great resigner and, above all, a superb writer whose masterpiece, "Walden," is considered by many to be America's first environmentalist manifesto.But John Kaag has a different view."Thoreau's attempt to 'get back to nature,'" he and co-author Jonathan Van Belle write in their new book, "Henry at Work: Thoreau on Making a Living," was an "attempt to get away from the capitalist rat race." By resigning from that race, Thoreau was, in a sense, reclaiming life—he was making a conscious choice about what to respect and where to tap meaning. "The abiding message of 'Walden,'" according to John and Jonathan, is that "the frenetic busyness of modern life should never be confused with the essential business of living."Today on the show, John Kaag and our producer Caleb Bissinger explore Thoreau's life and career, and they come away with surprising lessons about why we work and how we can make it more meaningful—how we can, in Thoreau's words, "live deliberately."If you have questions, comments, or ideas for future guests, email us at podcast@nextbigideaclub.comGuest: John KaagBook: "Henry at Work: Thoreau on Making a Living"Host: Caleb BissingerThe Next Big Idea is produced in partnership with LinkedIn Presents

Friedrich Nietzsche is one of the most polarizing and misunderstood of modern philosophers. Dismissed by some and misinterpreted by others, the real philosophy of Nietzsche in fact holds some incredibly life-affirming truths for everyone, regardless of belief or age. My guest today has spent much of both his personal and professional life tracking down those insights. At the age of 19 and then again at age 37, he traveled to the Swiss town where Nietzsche wrote his famous work, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and learned something different on each trip from the mustachioed philosopher about living a life of meaning and significance. His name is John Kaag, and he’s a professor of philosophy and the author of Hiking With Nietzsche: On Becoming Who You Are. In this compelling conversation, John discusses what he learned about life hiking the same mountain Nietzsche hiked, including the role that walking itself played in Nietzsche's approach to thinking. We begin with the biggest misconceptions about the philosopher, including what he really meant when he said “God is dead." John then walks us through Nietzsche's idea of the will to power, how this impulse should be balanced with amor fati -- the love of fate -- in order to achieve Nietzsche's ideal of becoming who you are, and the different things his philosophy can mean to a young man and to one approaching middle age. Get the show notes at aom.is/kaag.

John Kaag, Chair and Professor of Philosophy at UMass Lowell and author of "Sick Souls, Healthy Minds," explores profound themes like existential anxiety and the meaning of life. He reflects on William James' philosophy and shares a personal near-death experience that reshaped his understanding of existence. The conversation dives into metaphysics, the balance between hope and resignation, and the importance of authentic living. Kaag also tackles the concept of spiritual narcissism and stresses the value of connection amidst life's challenges.