

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

Sep 15, 2021 • 1h 5min
Massimo Pigliucci | Think Like a Stoic: Ancient Wisdom for Today’s World
In this episode, I speak to Massimo Pigliucci the author of many books on Stoicism from How to Be a Stoic, A Handbook for New Stoics, and A Field Guide to a Happy Life to name a few. Massimo is currently a Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. His research interests include the relationship between science and philosophy and the practical philosophy of Stoicism. Massimo also recently came out with a series of lectures through The Great Courses titled Think Like a Stoic: Ancient Wisdom for Today’s World. In the conversation, Massimo and I discuss:The connection between science and philosophyWhat makes up a philosophy of lifeHow to choose a philosophy for your lifeThe importance of Stoic practicesHow to think about anger and much more Connect with Massimo Pigliucci:Homepage: philosophyasawayoflife.blog/Twitter: twitter.com/mpigliucci 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

Sep 8, 2021 • 54min
Matthew Barzun | The Power of Giving Away Power: How the Best Leaders Learn to Let Go
In this episode, I speak to Matthew Barzun the author of The Power of Giving Away Power: How the Best Leaders Learn to Let Go. Matthew is a former US Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Sweden and served as President Obama’s National Finance Chair. He has always been fascinated with how we can stand out and fit in at the same time. In the conversation, Matthew and I discuss:The constellation mindset Downsides of the traditional pyramid mindset The importance of broadening our perspectiveWhy we should embrace uncertaintyHow to think about wisdom and much more Connect with Matthew Barzun:Homepage: matthewbarzun.com/Twitter: twitter.com/matthewbarzun 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

Sep 1, 2021 • 1h 1min
Kai Whiting | Being Better: Stoicism for a World Worth Living In
In this episode, I speak to Kai Whiting the co-author of Being Better: Stoicism for a World Worth Living In. Kai is a researcher and lecturer in sustainability and Stoicism based at the Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium. His main research interests are how to better account for resource use and the practical application of Stoic philosophy to the challenges of the 21st century. In the conversation, Kai and I discuss:Sustainability and Stoicism Success and letting go of the outcomeWhy we are not our past mistakesThe difference between rules and principlesThe importance of perspective and much more Connect with Kai Whiting:Homepage: stoickai.com/Twitter: twitter.com/KaiWhiting 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

Aug 25, 2021 • 41min
Steven Nadler | Think Least of Death: Spinoza on How to Live and How to Die
In this episode, I speak to 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. In the conversation, Steven and I discuss:How to define wisdom The connection between wisdom and other virtues The philosophy of Spinoza How to think about death Living the good life and much more Connect with Steven Nadler:Homepage: philosophy.wisc.edu/staff/nadler-steven/ 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

Aug 21, 2021 • 60min
Jonathan Gustin | Discovering Your Soul-Level Purpose
In this episode, I speak to Jonathan Gustin. Jonathan is a psychotherapist, meditation teacher, and founder of the Purpose Guide Institute. He has taught at the California Institute of Integral Studies, Kaiser Permanente, Green Gulch Zen Center, Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Open Circle, Bay Area Integral, and The Nondual Wisdom & Mental Health Conference. In the conversation, Jonathan and I discuss:Discovering your soul-level purposeHow we grow into our purpose Navigating our inner voice How to think about fearLiving the questions and much more Connect with Jonathan Gustin:Homepage: purposeguides.org/ 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

Aug 16, 2021 • 38min
Tony Martignetti | Climbing the Right Mountain: Navigating the Journey to an Inspired Life
In this episode, I speak to Tony Martignetti the Founder of Inspired Purpose Coaching, author of Climbing the Right Mountain, and host of The Virtual Campfire podcast. Tony is a leadership coach, entrepreneur, idea generator, people connector, and a curious adventurer. He integrates practical experience, formal training, and extreme curiosity, to elevate leaders and equip them with the tools to navigate change.In the conversation, Tony and I discuss:The power of purposeHow to redefine success Discovering your values Embracing uncertainty and much more Connect with Tony Martignetti:Homepage: inspiredpurposecoach.com/Twitter: twitter.com/TonyMartignett1Instagram: instagram.com/inspiredpurposecoach/ 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

Aug 11, 2021 • 49min
Julian Baggini | The Great Guide: What David Hume Can Teach Us About Being Human and Living Well
In this episode, I speak to Julian Baggini the author of The Great Guide: What David Hume Can Teach Us on Being Human and Living Well and How the World Thinks: A Global History of Philosophy. Julian is a philosopher, writer, and author of more than 20 books covering a wide range of topics. In the conversation, Julian and I discuss:What we can learn from David HumeHow to be open mindedThe limits of human understandingThe wisdom of experiencePerception of mind and much more Connect with Julian Baggini:Homepage: julianbaggini.com/Twitter: twitter.com/JulianBagginiInstagram: instagram.com/julianbaggini/ 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

Aug 8, 2021 • 4min
Don’t Aim at Success
On this weekend edition of the podcast, we reflect on an excerpt from Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. The episode discusses the timeless principle of letting go of the outcome and how it can lead us towards a meaningful 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

Aug 4, 2021 • 55min
Julie Lythcott-Haims | Your Turn: How to Be an Adult
In this episode, I speak to Julie Lythcott-Haims the author of Your Turn: How to Be an Adult. Julie is also the author of the New York Times bestseller How to Raise an Adult, a book on overparenting (with a popular TED Talk on the topic), and Real American: A Memoir. Julie believes in humans and is deeply interested in what gets in our way. Her work encompasses writing, speaking, mentoring, and activism.In the conversation, Julie and I discuss:Vulnerability and confidencePlanning and flexibilityHow to avoid perfectionismChoosing your own path in life Forgiveness and much more Connect with Julie Lythcott-Haims:Homepage: julielythcotthaims.com/Twitter: twitter.com/jlythcotthaimsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlythcotthaims/ 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

Aug 1, 2021 • 4min
This is Not Bad Luck
On this weekend edition of In Search of Wisdom, we look to Marcus Aurelius for wisdom. In this podcast, Joshua reflects on a short passage from Meditations (4.49) and discusses how to think about hardship and the impermanence of distress. 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