
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

Mar 31, 2022 • 1h 2min
Stephen Cope | The Dharma in Difficult Times
In this episode, my guest is Stephen Cope the author of the new book The Dharma in Difficult Times: Finding Your Calling in Times of Loss, Change, Struggle, and Doubt. Stephen is a best-selling author and scholar who specializes in the relationship between the Eastern contemplative traditions and Western depth psychology. Stephen is a repeat guest on the show! We spoke around a year ago to discuss his book The Great Work of Your Life. In the conversation, Stephen and I discuss:The meaning of DharmaDisorienting Dilemma’sMaking sense of sufferingThe benefits of contemplationLetting go of the outcomeWisdom in daily life and much moreConnect with Stephen Cope: stephencope.com/Follow In Search of Wisdom:Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelTwitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). Get full access to Perennial Meditations at perennial.substack.com/subscribe

Mar 23, 2022 • 1h 3min
Cory Allen | The Wisdom of Mindfulness in Daily Life
In this episode, my guest is Cory Allen the author of Now is the Way: An Unconventional Approach to Modern Mindfulness. Cory is a meditation teacher, audio engineer, and host of the Astral Hustle podcast where he connects with experts in mindfulness, neuroscience, and philosophy.In the conversation, Cory and I discuss: Meditating on mortalityImpermanence in daily lifeThe limits of perceptionHow to think about self-improvementWisdom in daily life and much more Connect with Cory Allen: cory-allen.com/ Follow In Search of Wisdom:Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelTwitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). Get full access to Perennial Meditations at perennial.substack.com/subscribe

Mar 16, 2022 • 50min
Judith Valente & Br. Paul Quenon | How to Be in the World
In this episode, my guests are Judith Valente and Br. Paul Quenon the authors of the new book How to Be: A Monk and a Journalist Reflect on Living & Dying, Purpose & Prayer, Forgiveness & Friendship. In the conversation, we discuss: Discerning your pathBecoming a personThe purpose of lifeHow meditation helps us Be in the worldThe role of friendshipWisdom in daily life and much moreJudith Valente is an award-winning author, journalist, poet, and essayist. She is a former staff writer for The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. And today she is a sought-after speaker and retreat leader on living a more contemplative life, discovering inner wisdom through poetry, and finding meaning in your work.Brother Paul Quenon, OCSO, entered the Trappists in 1958 at the renowned Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky at the age of 17. Thomas Merton was his novice master and spiritual director. Quenon is the author of 9 collections of poetry and his memoir is titled, In Praise of the Useless Life. Follow In Search of Wisdom:Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelTwitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). Get full access to Perennial Meditations at perennial.substack.com/subscribe

Mar 13, 2022 • 5min
Beverly Lanzetta | Becoming Wisdom
In today’s episode, I'm sharing another response to the question What is wisdom? The response comes from my conversation with Dr. Beverly Lanzetta the author of many books from A New Silence, The Monk Within, and Sacred Seasons (a new daily reader). Beverly is a theologian, spiritual teacher, and the author of many groundbreaking books on global spirituality and new monasticism. Dedicated to a vision of theological openness and spiritual nonviolence, her work has won praise for its wisdom, eloquence, and mystical insight and is considered to be a major contribution to a feminine mystical path for the 21st century. Follow In Search of Wisdom:Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelTwitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). Get full access to Perennial Meditations at perennial.substack.com/subscribe

Mar 10, 2022 • 55min
Dr. Joshua Knabb | Searching for Wisdom in Spiritual Practices
In this episode, my guest is Dr. Joshua Knabb the author of Christian Meditation in Clinical Practice. Dr. Knabb is a Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist with research interests in mindfulness-based therapies, the psychology of religion and spirituality, and Christian meditative and contemplative practices.In the conversation, we discuss: Searching for wisdomContemplative practicesNavigating our thoughtsTranscending the selfWisdom in daily life and much moreBook mentioned: A Liberated Mind by Steven Hayes Connect with Dr. Joshua Knabb: joshuaknabb.com/Follow In Search of Wisdom:Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelTwitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). Get full access to Perennial Meditations at perennial.substack.com/subscribe

Mar 6, 2022 • 5min
Steven Nadler | What is Wisdom?
In today’s episode, I’m sharing another response to the question "what is wisdom?" This short clip comes from my conversation with Steven Nadler the author of Think Least of Death: Spinoza on How to Live and How to Die. Professor Nadler’s research focuses on philosophy in the seventeenth century and he’s written extensively on Spinoza. Steven also has a new book coming out called When Bad Thinking Happens to Good People. If you enjoy this clip, please share it with others and you can check out our YouTube Channel to hear more clips from In Search of Wisdom. Follow In Search of Wisdom:Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). Get full access to Perennial Meditations at perennial.substack.com/subscribe

Mar 4, 2022 • 53min
Nic Bommarito | Buddhist Philosophy and Practice for Daily Life
In this episode, my guest is Dr. Nic Bommarito the author of Seeing Clearly: A Buddhist Guide to Life. Dr. Bommarito is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy and his research focuses on questions in virtue ethics, moral psychology, and Buddhist philosophy. Seeing Clearly is a guide to the good life that anyone can follow, laying out the basic philosophical ideas behind Buddhism’s teachings and offering practical techniques and practices. This episode was recorded early last year and was one of our first episodes released. Connect with Nic Bommarito: nicbommarito.com/In the conversation, we discuss: The Problem of SeeingThe Solution to Seeing ClearlyImpermanence and InterconnectionThe Four Noble TruthsBuddhist Practices and much more Follow In Search of Wisdom:Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelTwitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). Get full access to Perennial Meditations at perennial.substack.com/subscribe

Mar 2, 2022 • 45min
Brandon Tumblin | Stoicism, Happiness, and Love
In this episode, my guest is Brandon Tumblin the host of The Strong Stoic Podcast. Brandon is a friend, a deep thinker, and someone with an interesting perspective on life. I highly encourage you to check out his podcast; he explores a wide range of philosophical ideas both solo and with guests. In the conversation, Brandon and I discuss: StoicismHappinessLoveDesireThe Good Life and much more Connect with Brandon Tumblin:Homepage: brandontumblin.com/Twitter: twitter.com/TheStrongStoicInstagram: instagram.com/thestrongstoic/ Follow In Search of Wisdom:Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelTwitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). Get full access to Perennial Meditations at perennial.substack.com/subscribe

Feb 27, 2022 • 8min
Dilip Jeste | What is Wisdom?
In this episode, I share a short clip from my conversation with Dr. Dilip Jeste the author of Wiser: The Scientific Roots of Wisdom, Compassion, and What Makes Us Good. Dr. Jeste is a neuropsychiatrist who has spent more than 20 years studying aspects of wisdom and healthy aging. In the conversation, Dr. Jeste discusses the difference between intelligence and wisdom, and answers the question - What is wisdom?Subscribe to our YouTube channel to listen to more clips from In Search of Wisdom. Follow In Search of Wisdom:Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). Get full access to Perennial Meditations at perennial.substack.com/subscribe

Feb 23, 2022 • 55min
Brittany Polat | A Guide to Staying Calm, Mindful, and Engaged
In this episode, my guest is Brittany Polat the author of Tranquility Parenting: A Guide to Staying Calm, Mindful, and Engaged. Brittany believes that anyone who is willing to reflect carefully on life can make progress toward inner peace and contentment. She has a Ph.D. in applied linguistics and her website is livinginagreement.com. In the conversation, we discuss: Searching for wisdomFinding tranquilityPhilosophy for lifeThe Cardinal virtuesWisdom in daily life and much moreLearn more about Brittany's upcoming online conference - Stoics CareFollow In Search of Wisdom:Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). Get full access to Perennial Meditations at perennial.substack.com/subscribe
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