
The Walled Garden
The Walled Garden is the foundational podcast within the Walled Garden Philosophical Society, exploring a wide range of themes including philosophy, theology, mysticism, poetry, music, and creativity. The show is hosted by Simon J. E. Drew, an Australian poet, musician, philosopher, and CEO. Episodes vary between interviews with world-changing thought leaders and solo episodes exploring paths to a flourishing life. To join these conversations live, and to find out more about The Walled Garden Philosophical Society, go to thewalledgarden.com.
Latest episodes

Nov 9, 2022 • 49min
The Heroism of Marcus Aurelius with Juan Perez
Juan Perez facilitates an event in The Walled Garden focusing on the heroism of Marcus Aurelius. Juan has been a Business Consultant for more than 8 years and has implemented successful Change Management projects worldwide. He's created a method for change at a personal and professional level using Innovation Tools, Organizational Psychology and Stoicism. He's a proud father of 2 little kids, he has a podcast, a book on the way, and a passion for philosophy and music. Go to thewalledgarden.com/events to see more upcoming events. Go to thewalledgarden.com/mentoring to apply for philosophical mentoring with Juan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 3, 2022 • 1h 1min
On God and the Environment with Kai Whiting
In this episode, Kai Whiting talks with members of The Walled Garden Philosophical Society about God and the Environment. Kai Whiting is a Stoicism and sustainability researcher and university lecturer based at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. He is the co-author of Being Better: Stoicism for a World Worth Living in, where he and Leonidas Konstantakos discuss how people influenced by Stoic philosophy might approach many contemporary issues, including education, socioeconomic inequality, and climate breakdown. To register for any upcoming events in The Walled Garden, go to thewalledgarden.com/events/ Register for Stoicon X Midwest here: stoiconxmidwest.com To get mentoring with Kai or any of our philosophers, go to thewalledgarden.com/mentoring/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 31, 2022 • 1h 1min
On Community & Shepherdship with Scott Balentine
Register for Stoicon X Midwest: stoiconxmidwest.com Simon Drew and Scott Balentine discuss the Stoic path and the current yearning for community and shepherdship. As President of the Board of Directors, Scott works collaboratively with Board members and Founding members to set organizational goals. Additionally, he is responsible for working with the Board to set short- and long-term organizational goals and evaluate progress of the planned outcomes and the strategic plan to grow organizational capacity while connecting daily work with the vision and mission of the organization. As Chief Financial Officer, Scott oversees finance, budgeting, cash flow and accounting for The Walled Garden. With over 20 years’ of experience in healthcare and information technology, Scott currently serves as the manager of Methodist Le Bonheur’s Disaster Recovery program in addition to his role with The Walled Garden. Previously, Scott managed the IT Project Management Office for Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare. Mr. Balentine began his career in healthcare with Transnetyx, a genetic research firm and later at Baptist Memorial Healthcare serving in a variety of technical and management roles. He has also worked as an IT Project Manager for ALSAC/St. Jude. Additionally, Scott has served on the Board of Directors for the MidSouth Health Care Executives for eight years and currently serves as its President. Scott is a graduate of Harding University with a B.A. and from Western Governors University with an MBA with an emphasis in Healthcare Management. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 26, 2022 • 1h 10min
Leadership, Learning, & Personal Responsibility with David Casteal
Simon Drew and Nicholas Davis talk with David Casteal about leadership, learning, and personal responsibility. David Casteal played running back for the University of Alabama before moving to Spokane to pursue a career of coaching high school football and teaching at an elementary school. He has a PhD in ethnomusicology, and he studied drumming in Mali, Ghana, Guinea, and Uganda. Dave has travelled all over the world to learn, and teach, and the wisdom he shares with his many students is proof of this well-rounded life experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 16, 2022 • 1h 43min
Rediscovering Unity in the Midst of Fragmentation
Simon Drew and renowned Stoic scholar and professor William O. Stephens discuss the theology and cosmology of the Stoic school of philosophy. William O. Stephens is the Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Creighton University. His interests include ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, Stoicism as a way of life, Stoicism and popular culture, ethics, animals, and the environment. He has published multiple scholarly books, including Marcus Aurelius: A Guide for the Perplexed, Stoic Ethics: Epictetus and Happiness as Freedom, and The Ethics of the Stoic Epictetus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 10, 2022 • 37min
The Poetic Wisdom of Heraclitus with Joshua Bertolotti
J.W. Bertolotti joins The Walled Garden Philosophical Society as a contributor, beginning with this event on the poetic wisdom of Heraclitus. Joshua is a retired veteran, avid reader, and lifelong learner. He hosts In Search of Wisdom to engage in meaningful conversations on how to live in a complex world. He enjoys exploring the integration of timeless principles and practices with everyday life. Joshua is an ICF-trained Leadership Coach with a passion for collaborative partnerships. Joshua is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in strategic leadership and holds a Master of Science in management. He has executive certificates in the Psychology of Leadership, Organizational Consulting and Change Leadership, Brain-Based Coaching, and Leadership Coaching for Organizational Well-Being. You can find out more about Joshua’s work at www.perennialleader.com. To attend this week's event, please go to thewalledgarden.com/events/ To get mentoring with J.W. Bertolotti, go to thewalledgarden.com/mentoring/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 5, 2022 • 42min
On Holiness with Sharon Lebell
Sharon Lebell gives a talk and performance on holiness at The Walled Garden Philosophical Society meetup. To apply for philosophical mentoring with Sharon Lebell, go to thewalledgarden.com/mentoring To register for upcoming events, go to: thewalledgarden.com/events Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 28, 2022 • 1h 31min
Brandon Tumblin: A Philosophical Dialogue
Brandon Tumblin is the host of the Strong Stoic Podcast, and we're now honoured to say that he's joining us in The Walled Garden Philosophical Society as a mentor and contributor. In this conversation, you'll find a genuine philosophical dialogue and one which touches on many subjects from the divine light to the future of TWG. To register for tomorrow's event in TWG, go to: https://thewalledgarden.com/philosophy-and-music-a-dialog-and-a-dance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 21, 2022 • 38min
Albert Ellis, Stoicism and CBT with David Alexander
Go to thewalledgarden.com/events to register for this week's events. David Alexander is an American psychotherapist and philosopher. On his podcast, Between Two Ravens, David explores the heights and depths of Norse mythology. David is interested particularly in Jungian psychology, classical Stoicism, and mythology, and he now brings these interests to The Walled Garden Philosophical Society as an official contributor in our community. The Walled Garden Philosophical Society now offers one-on-one philosophical mentoring with our stellar philosophers from around the world. Go to thewalledgarden.com/mentoring to apply today. Philosophical Mentoring, simply put, is a service of soul doctoring wherein the philosopher and mentee engage in meaningful and thoughtful dialogue concerning the most effective ways to deal with the various challenges and opportunities faced by the client. Go to thewalledgarden.com/mentoring to apply today. Go to thewalledgarden.com/join to become a caretaker in The Walled Garden Philosophical Society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 12, 2022 • 1h 9min
Kai Whiting: The Path to Flourishing with Philosophical Mentoring
Kai Whiting and Simon Drew discuss the power and tradition of philosophical mentoring as a path toward greater meaning and flourishing in life. The Walled Garden Philosophical Society now offers one-on-one philosophical mentoring with our stellar philosophers from around the world. Go to thewalledgarden.com/mentoring to apply today. Philosophical Mentoring, simply put, is a service of soul doctoring wherein the philosopher and mentee engage in meaningful and thoughtful dialogue concerning the most effective ways to deal with the various challenges and opportunities faced by the client. Go to thewalledgarden.com/mentoring to apply today. Go to thewalledgarden.com/join to become a caretaker in The Walled Garden Philosophical Society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices