
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

Dec 22, 2021 • 46min
Kevin Griffin | One Breathe at a Time - Buddhist Wisdom for Daily Life
In this episode, my guest is Kevin Griffin. Kevin is a long-time meditation teacher and best known as the author of One Breathe at a Time. He also has a daily reader that I’m really enjoying called Buddhism and the Twelve Steps Daily Reflections. Kevin is a longtime Buddhist practitioner and 12 Step participant, he is a leader in the mindful recovery movement and one of the founders of the Buddhist Recovery Network. In the conversation, Kevin and I discuss:The search for wisdomThe wisdom of not knowingThe roots of sufferingSitting quietlyWisdom in daily life and much moreConnect with Kevin Griffin: kevingriffin.net/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

Dec 15, 2021 • 45min
Karen Swallow Prior | On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books
In this episode, I speak to Dr. Karen Swallow Prior the author of On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books. Karen is a Research Professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Her writing has appeared at Christianity Today, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, First Things, Vox, Relevant, Think Christian, The Gospel Coalition, Religion News Service, Books and Culture, and other places.In the conversation, Karen and I discuss:The connection between reading and virtueWhat it means to be prudentThe perils of perfectionismLanguage and loveHow to see love as a virtue and much more Connect with Karen Swallow Prior:Homepage: karenswallowprior.com/Twitter: twitter.com/KSPrior 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

Dec 13, 2021 • 6min
On the Shortness of Life | The PERENNIAL Podcast
Welcome and thank you for listening! In today’s episode, I am sharing a short reflection from The PERENNIAL Podcast another show we produce at the Perennial Leader Project. In addition to sharing this reflection with you. I wanted to announce that season two of PERENNIAL is starting just after the new year and it will be all about The Wisdom of Seneca. I’ll be taking a deep dive into Seneca’s writing and connecting with a few guests to discuss the wisdom of Seneca. If that sounds interesting, please join me – you can subscribe for free wherever you listen to podcasts and learn more at perennialleader.com. I hope you enjoy this episode on the shortness of life. 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

Dec 8, 2021 • 50min
Catherine Wilson | How to Be an Epicurean: The Ancient Art of Living Well
In this episode, I speak to Catherine Wilson the author of How to Be an Epicurean: The Ancient Art of Living Well. Catherine received her Ph.D. in philosophy from Princeton University and has taught at universities in the US, Canada, and Europe. Her research is focused on the relationship between the natural and social sciences and classical philosophical problems in the following areas: the history of atomism and materialism; theories of life and sensory awareness; visuality and aesthetics, and morality and emotions from an evolutionary perspective. In the conversation, Catherine and I discuss:Catherine’s path to philosophyThe pivotal figures in EpicureanismPleasure and PainThe virtue of Justice Managing our desires and much more 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

Dec 1, 2021 • 46min
Lodro Rinzler | Take Back Your Mind: Buddhist Advice for Anxious Times
In this episode, I speak to Lodro Rinzler the author of Take Back Your Mind: Buddhist Advice for Anxious Times. Lodro’s work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Good Morning America, CBS, and NBC. He is the author of seven meditation books including The Buddha Walks into a Bar and is the co-founder of MNDFL meditation studios in New York City. Lodro has taught meditation for 20 years in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and travels frequently for his books, having spoken across the world at conferences, universities, and businesses as diverse as Google, Harvard University, and the White House. In the conversation, Lodro and I discuss:Navigating anxiety and stressFinding wisdomCultivating compassionMeditation in daily life and much more Connect with Lodro Rinzler: lodrorinzler.com/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

Nov 25, 2021 • 10min
Gratitude to Grateful
In this episode, I am sharing a portion of the conversation we had with Kristi Nelson the author of Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted. Kristi has spent most of her adult life in non-profit leadership, fundraising, and organizational development. In a wide variety of roles, she has helped to lead, fund, and strengthen organizations committed to progressive social and spiritual change. In this portion of the conversation, Kristi provides an important distinction between gratitude and being grateful. Go to episode #10 of In Search of Wisdom to hear the full conversation. 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

Nov 24, 2021 • 51min
Susan Liautaud | The Power of Ethics: How to Make Good Choices in a Complicated World
In this episode, I speak to Susan Liautaud the author of The Power of Ethics: How to Make Good Choices in a Complicated World. Susan is the founder and managing director of Susan Liautaud & Associates Limited, which advises clients from global corporations to NGOs on complex ethics matters. She teaches cutting-edge ethics courses at Stanford and has a forthcoming book titled: The Little Book of Big Ethical Questions. In the conversation, Susan and I discuss:The Power of EthicsAvoiding perfectionism Ethical resilienceCourage and ethics The importance of expertise and much more Connect with Susan Liataud:Homepage: susanliautaud.com/Twitter: twitter.com/SusanLiautaud 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

Nov 17, 2021 • 1h 6min
Andrew Lynn | Classic Philosophy for Modern Life
In this episode, I speak to Andrew Lynn the author of the book Classic Philosophy for the Modern Man. Andrew is a lawyer, writer, and author of the ‘Classics for the Modern Man’ series. His mission as a writer is to draw upon classic texts and traditional wisdom in order to help us answer the most profound questions that we face as human beings. The Classics for the Modern Man series include Classic Spirituality, Classic Political Philosophy, and Classic Ethics. In the conversation, Andrew and I discuss:Classic philosophy for modern lifeAristotle and the golden meanAncient lessons from parablesWilliam Hazlitt on success Finding your path in life and much more Connect with Andrew Lynn:Homepage: andrewlynn.com/ 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

Nov 10, 2021 • 1h 4min
Simon Drew | The Poet & The Sage and The Walled Garden
In this episode, I speak to Simon Drew the author of the new book The Poet & The Sage. Simon is a poet, musician, photographer, and philosophical mentor. He is someone that I’ve listened to many times over the years through The Practical Stoic podcast which has now transformed into The Walled Garden. In the conversation, Simon and I discuss:The Poet & The SageSearching for wisdomHow to find our passionCultivating alignment in our livesWhere to begin a path to wisdom and much more Connect with Simon Drew:Homepage: simonjedrew.com/ 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

Nov 3, 2021 • 55min
Benjamin Lipscomb | How Four Philosophers Revolutionized Ethics
In this episode, I speak to Benjamin Lipscomb the author of the new book The Women are Up to Something: How Elizabeth Anscombe, Philippa Foot, Mary Midgley, and Iris Murdoch Revolutionized Ethics. Benjamin is a professor of philosophy, specializes in contemporary ethical theory, the history of philosophy (particularly the history of ethics), legal interpretation, town planning, and Christian worship. His overarching concern, across all these areas, is with issues of character formation. In the conversation, Benjamin and I discuss:His path to philosophyHow we think with othersThe meaning of ethics How four philosophers revolutionized ethicsWisdom for everyday life and much more Connect with Benjamin Lipscomb:Homepage: houghton.edu/staff-members/benjamin-lipscomb/ 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
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