Perennial Wisdom

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Todd May, author of A Decent Life: Morality for the Rest of Us. Todd is a philosopher and author of eighteen books, including A Significant Life, A Fragile Life, and a forthcoming book titled Should We Go Instinct?. Todd worked as a philosophical advisor on the hit show The Good Place and has written extensively on meaning, friendship, fragility, and other topics. Key Takeaways: The meaning of a moral life The art of knowing oneself Expanding our circles of compassion Practical wisdom for modern living --- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods Website: https://www.perennialleader.com/ --- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archive Listen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, I reflect on a previous meditation titled Think Like a Mortal (from Perennial Meditations on Substack) and explore what it means to live an intentional life. I discuss how realizing that we are “dying every day” can help us live in the present moment and lead more meaningful lives. Key Takeaways The wisdom of accepting life’s eternal truths The paradox of uncertainty The need for constraints and limits Happiness (and Life) is in the present --- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods Website: https://www.perennialleader.com/ --- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archive Listen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

Join renowned philosopher Jay Garfield, a professor at Smith College and Harvard Divinity School, as he dives into the transformative idea of losing oneself. He explores the profound distinction between conventional and ultimate truths and how understanding this duality enhances ethical living. Garfield humorously shares his unexpected journey into philosophy, discusses the varied perceptions of reality among different beings, and advocates for interdependence over individualism, emphasizing that gratitude fosters true happiness.

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe The Character Lab is a new series on In Search of Wisdom designed to explore various aspects of character development. The series is a joint venture with my friend and previous podcast guest, Shane Trotter (author of Setting the Bar). In this episode, Shane and I discuss the complex topic of objective morality and the shift towards moral relativism in society. We explore the role of judgment in ethics and the need for cognitive flexibility, the provisional nature of moral behavior, and the inherent insight humans have into right and wrong. We also touch on the tendency towards moral relativism, the need for clarity in virtues, and the importance of serving the greater good.  Key Takeaways Society has seen a shift towards moral relativism, where individuals believe that there is no objective good or bad. Moral objectivism suggests that there are universal truths of morality that humans have independently come to throughout history. The tension between pluralism and dogmatism highlights the need for open-mindedness and the recognition of competing moralities. Discerning right from wrong is challenging and requires wisdom, discussion, and the pursuit of excellence in character development. --- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods Website: https://www.perennialleader.com/ --- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archive Listen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe Perennial Lives is a new series on In Search of Wisdom exploring The Art of Living: From Socrates to Aquinas. Each episode examines the life and wisdom of one perennial figure in an attempt to keep learning how to live. 🔆 Read the transcript: https://perennial.substack.com/   --- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods --- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archive Listen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Samir Chopra, author of the new book Anxiety: A Philosophical Guide. Samir is a philosophical counselor and professor emeritus of Philosophy at Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. In the conversation, we discuss the meaning of anxiety and how it can help us learn more about ourselves and the world around us. You can learn more about Samir’s work at Samirchopra.com. Key Takeaways Philosophy can provide comfort and insight in dealing with personal challenges and emotions like anxiety. Anxiety can be a teacher, providing self-knowledge and insight into our values and priorities. Medicating anxiety can be a complex issue, as it may suppress opportunities for self-discovery and growth. Wisdom is an ongoing process of acquiring a vision of our place in the world and understanding the unalterable aspects of existence. 🎧 For more wisdom, subscribe to The Wisdom School (Apple Podcasts or Spotify). --- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods --- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archive Listen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Simon Drew from the Walled Garden Philosophical Society. As many of you know, Simon is a friend, poet, musician, philosopher, and someone deeply interested in life’s questions. Today’s episode is Part V of an ongoing series called Living the Questions (Catch up on previous volumes: I, II, III, & IV). The title is inspired by a famous quote from Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke, "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." Summary In this conversation, Simon and I explore the nature of God and the value of contemplating the question. We discuss the importance of living with the questions and embracing the mystery of God's nature. We also discuss the challenges of seeking and discerning the right way, the concept of living with unresolved questions, and the importance of embracing patience. We highlight the power of questions and the need for humility in the pursuit of truth and much more 🎧 For more wisdom, subscribe to The Wisdom School (Apple Podcasts or Spotify). --- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods --- 🦉 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

Ross D. Inman, author of *Christian Philosophy as a Way of Life*, dives deep into the bond between Christianity and philosophy. He highlights how wonder sparks curiosity and intellectual growth, making life's big questions essential. The conversation emphasizes integrating philosophical values into daily life for personal well-being. Inman also explores contemplation's power in uncovering truths, discussing wisdom through a Christian lens as a blend of knowledge and divine guidance.

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe The Character Lab is a new series on In Search of Wisdom designed to explore various aspects of character development. The series is a joint venture with my friend and previous podcast guest, Shane Trotter (author of Setting the Bar). In this episode, Shane and I introduce the new series and discuss the importance of character formation in today’s society. We explore the impact of technology on character development, the role of community in shaping character, the need for shared virtues, and much more.  Key Takeaways Character formation is more important than ever in today's society. Community plays a crucial role in character formation, providing support, mentorship, and shared values. Recognizing and avoiding vices is essential to character formation, as they can hinder personal growth. Pursuing wisdom and developing virtues are lifelong practices that contribute to personal growth and a meaningful life. 🎧 For more wisdom, subscribe to The Wisdom School (Apple Podcasts or Spotify). --- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods Website: https://www.perennialleader.com/ --- 🦉 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

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe 💀 Welcome to another episode of the Dying Every Day series on In Search of Wisdom. This series delivers Stoic meditations on the art of living. Each meditation provides a quote, a selected passage, and a daily exercise to consider contemplating. You can expect our normal interview-style episodes every Wednesday. 🎧 For more tools, subscribe to The Wisdom School on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. --- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods Website: https://www.perennialleader.com/ --- 🦉 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