

Perennial Wisdom
Perennial Leader Project
Perennial Wisdom is a podcast for seekers and curious minds. Join the search with J.W. Bertolotti to discover universal truths and enduring ideas from philosophical and spiritual traditions. Learn more at perennial.substack.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 21, 2023 • 1h 5min
Living the Questions | Simon Drew
📩 Want daily meditations (and courses) on the art of living? Sign up for Perennial Meditations: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Simon Drew from the Walled Garden Philosophical Society and the Soul Searching with Seneca podcast. Simon is a poet, musician, philosopher, and deeply curious about the art of living. Today’s episode is part 1 of a six-part series we’re calling Living the Questions. The title is inspired by a popular quote from the poet Rainer Maria Rilke who wrote in what is known today as Letters to a Young Poet, "Live the questions for now. Perhaps then, without even noticing it, you will gradually come, on some far-off day, to live your way into the answer."
Throughout the series, Simon and I will explore:
How to Live the Questions?
How to Live?
What is Wisdom?
What is Love?
How to Think About the Divine?
What is the Meaning of Life?
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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🖇️ Stay Connected:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods
Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods
Website: https://www.perennialleader.com/
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🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast:
Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archive
Listen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

Jun 14, 2023 • 54min
Andrew Lang | Unmasking the Inner Critic
📩 Want daily meditations (and courses) on the art of living? Sign up for Perennial Meditations: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode, my guest is Andrew Lang, the author of Unmasking the Inner Critic: Lessons for Living an Unconstricted Life. Andrew is an educator in the Pacific Northwest and an alumnus of Richard Rohr’s Living School for Action and Contemplation. His interests include somatic shadow work, introspective examination, contemplative spirituality, and an embodied focus on shifting how we show up in our communities.
In the conversation, Andrew and I discuss,
The inner critic
Constrictions in life
The Wisdom of Introspection
Finding clarity
Embodied awareness
Wisdom in daily life and much more
Learn more and connect with Andrew Lang.
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🖇️ Stay Connected:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods
Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods
Website: https://www.perennialleader.com/
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🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast:
Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archive
Listen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

Jun 7, 2023 • 59min
Will Johncock | Stoic Philosophy on Community and Connection
📩 Want daily meditations (and courses) on the art of living? Sign up for Perennial Meditations: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode, my guest is Prof. Will Johncock, the author of Beyond the Individual: Stoic Philosophy on Community and Connection. Will’s theoretical expertise includes 19th and 20th-century post-structuralist philosophy, ancient Stoic philosophy, social theory, and sociology.
In the conversation, Will and I discuss,
Stoicism
Rationality
The view from above
Community and connection
Happiness and well-being
Wisdom in daily life and much more
Learn more about Prof. Will Johncock here.
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🖇️ Stay Connected:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods
Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods
Website: https://www.perennialleader.com/
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🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast:
Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archive
Listen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

May 31, 2023 • 1h 22min
Derek Sivers | How to Live - 27 Conflicting Answers...
Derek Sivers, author of "How to Live: 27 Conflicting Answers and One Weird Conclusion," is a former musician and entrepreneur known for his clear and impactful ideas. In this chat, he explores the beauty of conflicting perspectives in life. He discusses navigating uncertainty and the importance of having flexible aspirations. Sivers also emphasizes understanding sufficiency to enhance self-worth and contrasts 'deep happiness' versus 'shallow happiness.' Ultimately, he advocates for self-discovery and questioning outdated beliefs for a more meaningful existence.

May 24, 2023 • 52min
Scott Samuelson | A Guide to the Good Life
Scott Samuelson, a professor of philosophy and author of "Rome as a Guide to the Good Life," shares insights on how ancient Rome can inspire modern living. He discusses the transformative power of life's detours and how they lead to personal growth. Samuelson emphasizes the wisdom of the Roman poet Horace, blending Stoic and Epicurean philosophies for a fulfilling life. The conversation also explores the connections between culinary art and philosophy, illustrating the deep impacts of wisdom on everyday experiences and relationships.

May 17, 2023 • 1h 3min
Ivo Brughmans | Searching for Paradoxical Wisdom
📩 Want daily meditations (and courses) on the art of living? Sign up for Perennial Meditations: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Ivo Brughmans, the author of Paradoxical Leadership: How to Make Complexity and Advantage. Ivo is a philosopher, political scientist, and management consultant. He is fascinated by paradoxes and the challenge of bringing together opposite approaches and opening new perspectives that combine the power of both sides.
In the conversation, Ivo and I discuss,
The meaning of paradoxes
Either/or thinking
The History of Paradoxes
The fundamentals of both/and thinking
What it means to be paradoxically competent and much more
I’m excited to share this conversation — Ivo is one of the world’s leading experts in paradoxical thinking, and you can learn more about his work and the book at paradoxical-leadership.com.
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🏛️ Virtual Event on The Art (and Wisdom) of Contemplative Practices (24 May at 7:00 pm EST). Although this virtual event is part of our Perennial Habits Course, everyone is welcome to attend! Learn more and register here.
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🖇️ Stay Connected:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods
Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods
Website: https://www.perennialleader.com/
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🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast:
How to Use Both/And Thinking with Wendy Smith
The Way of Paradox
The Paradox of Love

May 10, 2023 • 44min
Best of Stoic Wisdom | Massimo Pigliucci, Donald Robertson, and William B. Irvine
📩 Want daily meditations (and courses) on the art of living? Sign up for Perennial Meditations: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode, I’m sharing a few of my favorite clips on Stoic wisdom from my conversations with Massimo Pigliucci (author of The Quest for Character), Donald Robertson (author of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor), and William B. Irvine (author of The Stoic Challenge).
In the episode, you’ll hear,
Choosing a Philosophy of Life
The Wisdom of Impermanence
Compassion and Stoicism
The Discipline of Desire
What would Seneca do? and much more
Learn more and stay connected:
Donald Robertson: Substack | Twitter | website
Massimo Pigliucci: Substack | Twitter | website
William B. Irvine: website
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🏛️ Virtual Event on The Art (and Practice) of Stoic Wisdom (10 May at 6:00 pm EST). Although this virtual event is part of our Perennial Habits Course, everyone is welcome to attend! Learn more and register here.
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🖇️ Stay Connected:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods
Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods
Website: https://www.perennialleader.com/
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🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast:
The Quest for Character with Massimo Pigliucci
Stoic Wisdom for Modern Leaders with Donald Robertson
How to Journal Like a Stoic with Brittany Polat

May 3, 2023 • 57min
Valerie Tiberius | What Do You Want Out of Life?
📩 Want daily meditations (and courses) on the art of living? Sign up for Perennial Meditations: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode, my guest is Valerie Tiberius, the author of What Do You Want Out of Life? Valerie is the Paul W. Frenzel Chair in Liberal Arts and professor of philosophy at the University of Minnesota. Her books include Well-Being as Value Fulfillment and The Reflective Life: Living Wisely with Our Limits.
In the conversation, Valerie and I discuss,
Strategies for figuring out what matters
Goals and values
Dealing with conflicting values
Existentialism and becoming who you are
Courage and values
Wisdom in daily life and much more
Learn about Prof. Valerie Tiberius here.
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🏛️ Virtual Event on The Art (and Practice) of Stoic Wisdom (10 May at 6:00 pm EST). Although this virtual event is part of our Perennial Habits Course, everyone is welcome to attend! Learn more and register here.
---
🖇️ Stay Connected:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods
Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods
Website: https://www.perennialleader.com/
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🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast:
Seneca | On the Shortness of Life
Life is Short with Dean Rickles
The Courage to Lead a Life
How to Avoid Leading a Life of Quiet Desperation

Apr 26, 2023 • 56min
Dilip Jeste, MD | Becoming Wiser Faster - The Scientific Roots of Wisdom
Dr. Dilip Jeste, a neuropsychiatrist and the author of 'Wiser,' explores the scientific roots of wisdom and its impact on healthy aging. He discusses how wisdom differs from mere intelligence, emphasizing traits like empathy and emotional regulation. The conversation covers the importance of learning from elders, navigating loneliness, and the societal need for compassion, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Jeste also introduces tools for self-reflection on personal wisdom, highlighting its dynamic nature and the benefits of intergenerational collaboration.

Apr 19, 2023 • 44min
Jamie Kreiner | The Wandering Mind - How to Avoid Distraction Like a Monk
📩 Want daily meditations on the art of living? Sign up for Perennial Meditations: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode, my guest is Jamie Kreiner, the author of The Wandering Mind: What Medieval Monks Can Tell Us About Distraction. Jamie is a professor of history at the University of Georgia. Her work has been awarded prizes from organizations such as the Medieval Academy of America and the American Society for Environmental History. Jamie’s new book has been called “A compelling call to address our current distracted moment with both more seriousness and more humility.”
In the conversation, Jamie and I discuss,
Discerning our way
Why distraction is a perennial problem
How to observe the mind
The role of reading in training the mind
Wisdom in daily life and much more
🏛️ Free 7-week Perennial Habits course on the Art (and Science) of Change (for Perennial Meditations members). The course consists of email meditations on Tuesday and Friday of each week, along with live meetups (Apr 26th, May 10th, & May 24th). Read the latest meditation on The Paradox of Small Changes to learn more.
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🖇️ Stay Connected:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods
Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods
Website: https://www.perennialleader.com/
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🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast:
How to “Think” About Change
Thinking 101 with Woo-kyoung Ahn
The Medieval Craft of Memory by Mary Carruthers
The Discipline of Discernment with Dr. Brian Russell