

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

Feb 8, 2025 • 15min
The Philosophy of Gratitude - An Ancient Guide to a Grateful Life
📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of the Perennial Wisdom podcast, we search for insights into the nature of suffering, gratitude, and the good life. Expect to learn why the Buddha said, “Life is suffering,” along with what philosophers and theologians can teach about gratitude and meditating on one’s life.📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaZDnvNAuwQ&t=23s---💀 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 31, 2025 • 14min
The Paradox of Emotions - Why Bad Feelings Make Life Good
📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore the paradoxical lessons on the nature of emotions. Expect to learn why “negative” emotions are not obstacles to the “good” life. The problem with psychological rigidity and the wisdom (and practice) of being open to life. 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdfQJbusyxA---💀 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 26, 2025 • 6min
"How to Live to Oneself" | Bonus Contemplation with Montaigne
📮 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 the Essays of Michel de Montaigne. 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=uN9pA_P38JE---💀 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 25, 2025 • 14min
How to Live (and Die) Like an Epicurean - The Philosophy of Pleasure
Dive into the world of Epicureanism, where pleasure is the key to a fulfilling life. Discover the importance of moderation and the value of meaningful friendships. Delve into reflections on life and death from Epicurus and Seneca, revealing how embracing mortality enriches the experience of living. These timeless philosophies offer modern insights on joy and dying well, merging ancient wisdom with contemporary ideals.

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