
Perennial Wisdom
Perennial Wisdom (formerly In Search of Wisdom) is a podcast for seekers and curious minds. Join the search with J.W. Bertolotti (creator of the Perennial Meditations newsletter) to discover practical wisdom from philosophical and spiritual traditions. Learn more at perennial.substack.com.
Latest episodes

Jan 19, 2025 • 5min
"Think of Yourself as Dead" | Bonus Contemplation with Marcus Aurelius
📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, I share a short guided contemplation inspired by Marcus Aurelius's Meditations. It's part of a new series on the podcast and the Perennial Meditations YouTube Channel. 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KNZQ5INN9A&t=2s---💀 Subscribe to Dying Every Day (Stoicism in a Year) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

Jan 12, 2025 • 7min
"One Must Imagine Sisyphus Happy" | Bonus Contemplation with Albert Camus
📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, I share a short guided contemplation inspired by Albert Camus's The Myth of Sisyphus. It's part of a new series here on the podcast and the Perennial Meditations YouTube Channel. ---💀 Subscribe to Dying Every Day (Stoicism in a Year) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

Jan 11, 2025 • 14min
How to Find Meaning in the Mundane
📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, I explore the challenges of creating meaning in the mundane aspects of life. The episode is delivered in a video essay format (Watch on YouTube here). Expect to learn the role of courage in creation, how to accept the eternal truths of life, and what it means to say “yes” to lifeRead on Substack here: https://perennial.substack.com/p/how-to-find-meaning-in-the-mundane---💀 Subscribe to Dying Every Day (Stoicism in a Year) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: X: https://x.com/StoicisminaYearInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

Jan 2, 2025 • 49min
A Look Back at 2024 | Anxiety, Big Questions, and Losing Ourselves
📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeWelcome back to the podcast, and happy new year to you all! Today, we’re pausing to revisit a few episodes from last year. This is not necessarily a “best of” collection; it’s just a few clips that I found particularly insightful or helpful. In the first clip, you’ll hear a portion of my conversation with Samir Chopra (author of Anxiety: A Philosophical Guide) on the meaning of anxiety. Next, you’ll get a clip from my conversation with Prof. Ross D. Inman (author of Christian Philosophy as a Way of Life) on the wisdom of wrestling with “big” questions. Finally, I conclude the episode with a portion of my conversation with Prof. Jay Garfield (author of Losing Ourselves), discussing what it means to live as a selfless “person” in the world.Key Takeaways:Why anxiety can be our greatest teacherHow "big questions" can unlock intellectual and spiritual growthWhat it means to live without a self---💀 Subscribe to Dying Every Day (Stoicism in a Year) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: X: https://x.com/StoicisminaYearInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

Dec 21, 2024 • 8min
Thoreau on 'Living Deliberately'
Explore the profound insights of Henry David Thoreau on intentional living. Discover the art of thinking for yourself and the wisdom that comes from simplicity. Reflect on when it's time to change direction in your life. This discussion encourages questioning societal norms and pursuing your dreams with confidence, all while embracing the transformative power of living deliberately.

Nov 27, 2024 • 50min
The Contemplative Life with Patrick Boland
📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Patrick Boland, author of The Contemplative Leader. Patrick is an Executive Coach, Leadership Consultant, and Psychotherapist. Our conversation focuses on the meaning of contemplation and how we might lead a more contemplative life. Key Takeaways:How to ‘think’ about contemplation. What it means to change ourselves internally.The difference between a goal and desire.The keys to living a contemplative life. --- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

Oct 30, 2024 • 37min
How to Be 'Seriously Happy' with Ben Aldridge
📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Ben Aldridge, author of the new book Seriously Happy. Ben has spoken to audiences worldwide, encouraging others to build resilience by stepping outside their comfort zones in various ways. His writing and methods are inspired by ancient philosophy and modern psychology. You can learn more about Ben and his work at BenAldridge.com.Key Takeaways:What Socrates can teach us about critical thinking.How Buddhism can help us be more resilient.The power of writing a setback diary.Why the concept of impermanence can help create mental toughness.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

Sep 18, 2024 • 58min
Carl Jung, the Shadow, and Becoming Whole | Leslie Stein
📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Leslie Stein, the author of Becoming Whole: Jung’s Equation for Realizing God. Prof. Stein is a Jungian analyst and graduate of the C.G. Jung Institute of New York and is in private practice in Sydney, Australia. Today’s episode is a rebroadcast. Since we’re exploring Carl Jung’s ideas for ‘Reading and the Good Life’ this month (our Book Club for the Perennial Meditations newsletter), I thought it would be a good time to share it. Key Takeaways:The meaning of IndividuationObstacles to understanding the ‘Self’Why we ‘seek wisdom’ The role of the ‘Ego’ in daily life --- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

Sep 13, 2024 • 4min
The Perils of Blame | Stoic Meditation
Delve into Stoic philosophy as it tackles the challenges of blame and external judgment. The discussion emphasizes that our perceptions shape our reactions, encouraging a shift from criticism to self-improvement. Explore how compassionate responses can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and enhance the art of living.

Sep 11, 2024 • 7min
Happiness & the Meaning of Life
📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe When you look up the word happiness, it's usually defined as “the state of being happy” or “a state of well-being and contentment.” But what does it actually mean to ‘be’ happy in everyday life? Strangely, it's a more challenging question than one might think. On this episode of In Search of Wisdom, I share a meditation from our upcoming course, Happiness & the Meaning of Life (beginning 19 September). This 10-week philosophical study explores happiness and the art of living a meaningful life. Some of the lessons we’ll cover are “The Science of Well-Being,” “A Buddhist Guide to Happiness,” “Saying ‘Yes’ to Life,” and others.Today, I share a portion of a meditation titled Being and Becoming. Some of you who are longtime subscribers may remember a meditation titled The Art of Being Where You Are. But what if ‘being’ is only one side of the equation? Wisdom traditions also stress the idea of ‘becoming’ who we are. One might ask, “What is more important, being or becoming?” […]--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts
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