Send us a textWhat you choose to read matters more than you may think. In this episode, I discuss the importance of choosing books wisely to bring joy and knowledge through the love of reading. Reading books can impact your life more than you think and reading the right books can help you live a good life. I hope you enjoy the video!• COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. The Best Writing Journals: • https://amzn.to/4hrj5XESubstack: https://substack.com/@robpirieSupport the show

Send us a textAn old man told me that his kids have never known hunger. And that has stuck with me ever since he uttered the words. I miss you, Mr. Neal!• COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. The Best Writing Journals: • https://amzn.to/4hrj5XESubstack: https://substack.com/@robpirieSupport the show

Send us a textToday we discuss the hardest book I have read, what I learned, and how anyone can read hard books. Some books are more challenging than others but that should not stop us from reading them.  Paradise Lost is a book that challenges you as a reader on many levels. The poem is written in blank verse in iambic pentameter. The poem makes music when read correctly which allows the poem to have a charm and enchantment I have never experienced in any other book. Not to mention the devil shows up in many of the details such as the numerology and symbology. I hope you enjoy the video! • COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. The Best Writing Journals: • https://amzn.to/4hrj5XESubstack: https://substack.com/@robpirieSupport the show

Send us a textOften I find myself mindlessly scrolling on a phone when I could be writing or creating something of my own. I get caught up in the entertainment of others instead of using my abilities for something constructive and good. I have journaled for a good while but never achieved the consistency I think is needed to be effective. This episode discusses how I plan to fix that and write more in 2025. I hope you enjoy the show!• COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. The Best Writing Journals: • https://amzn.to/4hrj5XESubstack: https://substack.com/@robpirieSupport the show

Send us a textIn this video, we discuss taking ownership of your education. The quality of your life and the longevity of your freedoms depend on it. I truly hope you enjoy this Coffee Break Tuesday! Pick up a set of books and get to work self-educating over the holidays!  If you would like to support this series please consider purchasing my coffee linked below or checking out some of my favorite books below. • COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. The Best Writing Journals: • https://amzn.to/4hrj5XESubstack: https://substack.com/@robpirieSupport the show

Send us a textDo you read to discover or read to validate? This is a question I have to ask myself. If you can't open your mind to a book, then what is the purpose of reading? True knowledge can only be found when we open our minds to the idea that our ideas or perspectives on the world may be flawed. In this video, I discuss why you should allow the book to change you and see things differently. I hope you enjoy it! If you would like to support this series please consider purchasing my coffee linked below or checking out some of my favorite books below. • COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. The Best Writing Journals: • https://amzn.to/4hrj5XESubstack: https://substack.com/@robpirieSupport the show

Send us a textParadise Lost by John Milton is an epic poem that tells the story of the rise of Satan out of the depths of hell and his campaign to conquer the will of man on Earth. This episode covers books 11 and 12 of Paradise Lost. Join us as we witness the healing between Adam and Eve as they repent and pray for forgiveness. The Son of God hears their prayers and the angel Michael is sent down to deliver their punishment and justice. The two are humbled and kicked out of Eden but not before seeing what the earth, God created, will become because of their actions. Paradise Lost by John Milton is truly an epic poem. I hope you enjoy my explanation of Paradise Lost books 11 and 12.Paradise Lost Summary of Books 11 and 12Substack: https://substack.com/@robpirieSome Resources Covered In Video: • Paradise Lost: On Audible: https://amzn.to/3xMiTQH• John Milton - Complete Works - https://amzn.to/3TsFiuM• Harvard Classics Complete Kindle Set - https://amzn.to/3OStaAmIf you would like to support this series please consider purchasing my coffee linked below or checking out some of my favorite books below. • COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. Support the show

Send us a textThe Great Books of the Western World and the Harvard Classics are amazing collections of classical literature. There are many differences between the two sets, but each provides a unique experience to the reader. In this video, I cover the differences between the Great Books and Harvard Classics, the study ability of each, the purchase price, and where to purchase! If you would like to support this series please consider purchasing my coffee linked below or checking out some of my favorite books below. • COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. The Resources Mentioned In The Video In Order: • Great Books: https://amzn.to/4hriPIa• Harvard Classics (Easton Press): https://amzn.to/40i8gRP• Harvard Classics $2 Kindle: https://amzn.to/4f3tc3mThe Best Writing Journals: • https://amzn.to/4hrj5XESubstack: https://substack.com/@robpirieSupport the show

Send us a textI enjoy reading about Stoicism but sometimes living it out can be difficult. Thinking about the hard things in life is much easier than living them out. This video covers some quotes from Seneca's Letters and how I plan to apply the meaning to my life. It is time to lace up the running shoes and get back to running. I truly hope you enjoy the video and stay blessed! If you would like to support this series please consider purchasing my coffee linked below or checking out some of my favorite books below. • COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. The Resources Mentioned In The Video In Order: • Seneca - Letters From a Stoic: https://amzn.to/3A2tGrjSubstack: https://substack.com/@robpirieSupport the show

Send us a textWhy Plato’s Republic Is Still ImportantPlato's "Republic" explores justice, the ideal state, and the nature of the soul through a dialogue led by Socrates. The work is structured as a discussion among several characters, primarily Socrates and Glaucon.Key themes include:1. Justice: Socrates seeks to define justice, arguing that it is about harmony in both the state and the individual. Justice involves each part fulfilling its role.2. The Ideal State: Plato outlines a tripartite society: rulers (philosopher-kings), warriors, and producers. Each class corresponds to a part of the soul: rational, spirited, and appetitive.3. The Allegory of the Cave: This metaphor illustrates the difference between the world of appearances and the world of forms (true reality). It suggests that many people live in ignorance, mistaking shadows for reality.4. Theory of Forms: Plato posits that non-material abstract forms (like beauty and justice) are the most real, as they represent true knowledge.5. Education: The importance of education in shaping the soul and preparing individuals for their roles in society is emphasized, particularly for future leaders.Overall, "Republic" is a foundational text in Western philosophy, posing deep questions about ethics, governance, and the human condition.I hope you enjoy the video1. A Defense Of Classical Education: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/mp/a-defence-of-classical-education/2. Weapons Of Mass Instruction: https://amzn.to/3RojPS13. The Republic: https://amzn.to/45kkp9o4. The Social Contract: https://amzn.to/4cl1Ns95. The Abolition Of Man: https://amzn.to/3VD5X926. Discourse On Voluntary Servitude: https://amzn.to/3x3AFPv7. The Road to Serfdom: https://amzn.to/3Xq8hSp8. The Political Theory Of The American Founding: https://amzn.to/4chLD2xIf you would like to support this series please consider purchasing my coffee linked below or checking out some of my favorite books below. • COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. Support the show