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Classical Wisdom Speaks

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May 19, 2022 • 39min

How have Plato and Socrates influenced Stoicism? With Nancy Sherman

Many people don’t see the connection between the key ancient philosophers, Plato, Socrates and Aristotle and the growing trend of Stoicism - but how was Stoicism influenced by these earlier thinkers? Nancy Sherman, who holds the rank of a distinguished University Professor at Georgetown university, and has been elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, discusses the practical tools of Stoicism, how its been influenced by previous philosophers as well as the NEED for Plato. Nancy Sherman is also a New York Times Notable Author and her most recent book is Stoic Wisdom: Ancient Lessons for Modern Resilience... she will be speaking LIVE on the topic of "Aristotle and the Stoics on Flourishing" this May 21st, 2022 at the inaugural conference for the Plato's Academy Centre. Co-hosted by Classical Wisdom, all donations will go to the reconstruction of Plato's Academy in Athens. Make sure to secure your tickets to this HISTORIC event HERE: https://platosacademycentre1.eventbrite.caYou can get Nancy's book, Stoic Wisdom, Here: https://www.amazon.com/Stoic-Wisdom-Ancient-Lessons-Resilience/dp/0197501834 
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Apr 28, 2022 • 55min

Bringing Beauty to Education

Has our modern system of education become obsessed with the practical and technical to the detriment of a contemplative view of education? Can we help students find awe, curiosity, contemplation - and most important of all - meaning? It’s time to recover the role of Beauty in education, to show how a liberal arts education can form us as integral persons—mind, body, and soul.Featuring Margarita Mooney Suarez of the Scala Foundation, Alexandra Hudson of Civic Renaissance and Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom.We discuss the nature of poetic knowledge, finding beauty in a multi-cultural world, and the French philosopher, La Jacques Maritain.This event is brought to you by Classical Wisdom and Civic Renassiancehttps://classicalwisdom.com/https://www.civic-renaissance.com/About the Speakers:Margarita Mooney Suarez is currently an Associate Professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, having served as faculty at institutions of higher education since 2005. She is also founder and executive director of Scala Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring meaning and purpose to universities and schools by promoting liberal arts education. As a woman whose work lies at the intersection of the social sciences with philosophy and theology, she excels at encouraging students, readers, listeners and audiences to think about important questions in beauty, education, femininity, vocation, hope and faith in new and different ways.You can find out more about Scala Foundation here: https://scalafoundation.org/Alexandra Hudson is an award winning journalist, author, and speaker, as well as the founder of Civic Renaissance, a newsletter and intellectual community dedicated to moral and cultural renewal.Anya Leonard is the founder and Director of Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. Anya studied philosophy and comparative literature at St. John’s College in Annapolis, a great books program and received her MA in Sociology at the University of Edinburgh. She has recently published a children’s book, Sappho: The Lost Poetess, dedicated to the life, works and remarkable recent discovery of a poem written by the 7th century Poetess, Sappho. She currently lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Apr 19, 2022 • 1h 32min

How Stoicism Can Help: Finding a Philosophy for Life

If Seneca said Luck is when preparation meets opportunity... is Resilience when preparation meets struggle?Even if you aren't suffering pain, loss, or anxiety now... the reality is one day you will, and how you handle it can be greatly influenced by how you prepare for it...Aka, it's always worthwhile to do the 'work', philosophically speaking that is... 😉Stoicism can help with health issues like Chronic pain, PTSD and anxiety...  it can improve your relationships as well as your home life...and it has useful tactics that stick... whether you learn them when you need them, or when you prepare for the inevitable. Listen to this fascinating panel bring together the philosophical and the practical on Stoicism: health, home and community. Featuring: Karen "Duff" Duffy, model, television personality, actress, and author of “Wise Up”; Donald Robertson, a cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist, trainer, writer as well as one of the founding members of the non-profit group, Modern Stoicism; and Nancy Sherman, Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University and New York Times Notable Author. Moderated by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. You can buy Duff's fantastic book, "Wise Up: Irreverent Enlightenment from a Mother Who's Been Through It" Here: https://www.sealpress.com/titles/karen-duffy/wise-up/9781541620483/You can learn more about Classical Wisdom and Classical Wisdom Speaks here: https://classicalwisdom.com/Get your FREE Guide: How to Be Happy: An Ethical Guide to ancient Philosophy here: https://classicalwisdom.com/how-to-be-happy/You can enjoy Donald's book, How to Think like a Roman Emperor here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Think-Like-Roman-Emperor/dp/1250196620#Get your own copy of Nancy's Book: Stoic Wisdom: Ancient Lessons for Resilience here:https://www.amazon.com/Stoic-Wisdom-Ancient-Lessons-Resilience/dp/0197501834About the speakers: Karen Duffy is the New York Times bestselling author of Model Patient... and most recently, "Wise Up: Irreverent Enlightenment from a Mother Who's Been Through It ". She is a producer, actress, and former MTV VJ. She has written for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and O, The Oprah Magazine. She lives in New York. Nancy Sherman is a New York Times Notable Author. Her most recent book is Stoic Wisdom: Ancient Lessons for Modern Resilience. She is also the author of Afterwar: Healing the Moral Wounds of our Soldiers; The Untold War: Inside the Hearts, Minds, and Souls of our Soldiers a New York Times Editors' pick; Stoic Warriors: The Ancient Philosophy Behind the Military Mind; Making a Necessity of Virtue: Aristotle and Kant on Virtue; The Fabric of Character: Aristotle's Theory of Virtue,  and the editor of Critical Essays on the Classics: Aristotle's Ethics. She has written over 60 articles in the area of ethics, military ethics, the history of moral philosophy, ancient ethics, the emotions, moral psychology, and psychoanalysis. She has delivered over 60 named or keynote lectures and plenary addresses here and abroad.  Nancy Sherman holds the distinguished rank of University Professor at Georgetown University.Donald Robertson, president of Plato’s Academy centre, is a writer, trainer, and cognitive-behavioural psychotherapist. He is a dual UK and Canadian citizen, with permanent residence in Greece. He is the author of six books on philosophy and psychotherapy, includin
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Apr 19, 2022 • 1h 12min

Are Ancient Languages Necessary?

In 2021 Princeton University scrapped the Ancient Greek and Latin requirements for Classics students... and this sparked a huge debate, both within the classics community and the general classics loving public as well. We ask: Should ancient Greek and Latin be required for Classics students? What is the future of ancient languages?It used to be that you couldn't even enter university without knowledge of Latin and Ancient Greek...but as time goes on, these language requirements have been lowered... and today they have been almost completely dropped, even in the Classics department.Is this good? Is this bad? Should ancient Greek and Latin be required for Classics students? Or are our modern translations sufficient?Moreover, how can those who don't know ancient languages benefit from the wisdom of these texts? Beyond academe, can the lay person enjoy the wisdom of history to live a richer life?Featuring former Eton ancient Greek teacher, Lalya Lloyd, Alexandra Hudson of Civic Renassiance and Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom.Learn more about Classical Wisdom here: http://classicalwisdom.com/And about Civic Renassiance here: https://www.civic-renaissance.com/About the Speakers:Lalya Lloyd is an Athens-based teacher and writer who has spent a lifetime living and teaching classics. She was raised by a classicist and studied at Cambridge under Mary Beard. In between she won a prize for the Times Literary Supplement (TLS). More recently, she taught classics at Eton. She holds an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and is working on a book about ancient and modern Greece. Other current projects include editing a forthcoming biography of Marcus Aurelius for Yale UP.Alexandra Hudson is an award winning journalist, author, and speaker, as well as the founder of Civic Renaissance, a newsletter and intellectual community dedicated to moral and cultural renewal.Anya Leonard is the founder and Director of Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. Anya studied philosophy and comparative literature at St. John’s College in Annapolis, a great books program and received her MA in Sociology at the University of Edinburgh. She has recently published a children’s book, Sappho: The Lost Poetess, dedicated to the life, works and remarkable recent discovery of a poem written by the 7th century Poetess, Sappho. She currently lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Mar 30, 2022 • 56min

Ancient Greek Myths... REVISED

The Time has come... to tell the other side of the myth... the one where Medea isn't so bad... but Penelope is. What if Pandora didn’t have a box? And it wasn’t even filled with evils? What if Helen of Troy (nay Sparta) wasn’t really the face that launched a thousand ships?Perhaps it’s time to look at the Greek myths a bit more carefully... and see what versions we are choosing to reiterate... and why? Featuring  NATALIE HAYNES, author of six books, including A Thousand Ships, which was a national bestseller and shortlisted for the 2020 Women’s Prize for Fiction. Comedian and ardent proponent of making the classics accessible, Natalie has written and recorded seven series of Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics for the BBC. She has written for The Times, The Independent, The Guardian, and The Observer. Natalie join us from London.You can purchase Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Pandoras-Jar-Women-Greek-Myths/dp/1509873112/Want your own guide to the Greek Gods? Get a free e-book here: https://classicalwisdom.com/free-guide-to-the-greek-gods/ You can learn more about Classical Wisdom and Classical Wisdom Speaks here: https://classicalwisdom.com/
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Feb 25, 2022 • 55min

How Marcus Aurelius Got His 'Insulting' Nickname: ​​Verissimus

Donald Robertson's upcoming Graphic Novel tells the tale of Marcus Aurelius like never before... How did Marcus Aurelius get his nickname? And why was it such a slap in the face... to his brother? And how does this new medium teach about both the Roman emperor and Stoic philosophy at the same time? We delve into the man, the legend, and who exactly should play Marcus Aurelius in the next Hollywood blockbuster.You can pre-order your own copy of Verissimus HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Verissimus-Stoic-Philosophy-Marcus-Aurelius/dp/1250270952Donald Robertson is a cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist, trainer, writer as well as one of the founding members of the non-profit group, Modern Stoicism. He's the author of six books on philosophy and psychotherapy, including Stoicism and the Art of Happiness (2013), How to Think Like a Roman Emperor (2019) and his latest graphic novel on Marcus Aurelius, of which we speak about today...Was Alexander the Great REALLY that Great? Get a free magazine dedicated to the ancient Hellenic King and find out here: https://classicalwisdom.com/free-guide-alexander-the-great/ Thank you to our Classical Wisdom Society Members who make this podcast possible. If you would like to become a Society Member and help support the classics, please go to https://classicalwisdom.com/ and click Start here.
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Feb 9, 2022 • 53min

Is the Myth of Atlantis TRUE? With Angie Hobbs

The Myth of Atlantis has captured the imagination since ancient times... when even then people questioned whether it was true or not. Renowned British philosopher and academic, Angie Hobbs delves into the validity of Plato's myth... and what it means for us today. More about Angie: Angie Hobbs is Professor of the Public Understanding of Philosophy at the University of Sheffield.  She contributes regularly to radio and TV programmes and other media, including 24  appearances on BBC’s In Our Time on Radio 4.  She has spoken at the World Economic Forum at Davos, the Houses of Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and Westminster Abbey and been the guest on Desert Island Discs, Private Passions and Test Match Special.  She was a judge of the Man Booker International Prize 2019 and was on the World Economic Forum Global Future Council 2018-9 for Values, Ethics and Innovation. Her most recent publication for the general public is Plato’s Republic: a Ladybird Expert Book...which you can purchase here: https://www.amazon.com/Platos-Republic-Ladybird-Expert/dp/0718188527You can learn more about Classical Wisdom and Classical Wisdom Speaks here: https://classicalwisdom.com/Get your FREE Guide: How to Be Happy: An Ethical Guide to ancient Philosophy here: https://classicalwisdom.com/how-to-be-happy/
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Jan 25, 2022 • 35min

In Search of Sarcophagi with Barry Ferst

Sarcophagus comes from Greek, with "sarco" meaning flesh and "phagus" meaning eater... but what can a flesh eating box tell us about the ancient Romans? Dr. Ferst drove a hundred thousand miles across four continents in over fourteen expeditions in search of the remaining 2000 stone Sarcophagi scattered across the globe. Barry Ferst is Professor of Ancient Philosophy, Islam: Philosophy and Culture, Epistemology, and Philosophy of Art and Beauty, Carrol College. He  discusses his book, “Stone Sarcophagi of the Roman Empire” and the amazing journeys he embarked on to create it. You can purchase Barry’s book, Stone Sarcophagi of the Roman Empire Here:https://www.amazon.com/Stone-Sarcophagi-Roman-Empire-Barry/dp/1984544969You can learn more about Classical Wisdom and Classical Wisdom Speaks here: https://classicalwisdom.com/Get your FREE Guide: How to Be Happy: An Ethical Guide to ancient Philosophy here: https://classicalwisdom.com/how-to-be-happy/
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Dec 28, 2021 • 44min

Homer's Thebes... or lack thereof?

Why doesn't Homer mention Thebes? It was a powerful city-state, at one point the most powerful in the Mediterranean... and yet it's conspicuously not prevalent in the great epics. Perhaps its absence speaks volumes... This Classical Wisdom Speaks episode is with Elton Barker and Joel Christensen, joint authors of both Homer’s Thebes: Epic Rivalries and the Appropriation of Mythical Pasts as well as Homer: A Beginner's Guide. Elton Barker is Professor of Greek Literature and Culture at the School of Arts & Cultures at the Open University, in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. He is also the General Secretary at Pelagios Network and Author of “Entering the Agon: Dissent and Authority in Homer, Historiography, and Tragedy”. Joel Christensen is Professor and Chair at the Department of Classical Studies in Brandeis University. In addition to his and Elton’s joint books, he is Author of The Many-Minded Man: The "Odyssey," Psychology, and the Therapy of Epic (Myth and Poetics II)We’ll discuss women in Archaic Greece, the possibility of a Theban Epic and whether or not Homer stole... or sampled from other traditions. You can purchase Elton and Joel’s, book, Homer’s Thebes: Epic Rivalries and the Appropriation of Mythical Pasts here: https://chs.harvard.edu/book/barker-elton-and-joel-christensen-homers-thebes/ You can learn more about Classical Wisdom and Classical Wisdom Speaks here: https://classicalwisdom.com/Get your FREE Guide: How to Be Happy: An Ethical Guide to ancient Philosophy here: https://classicalwisdom.com/how-to-be-happy/
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Dec 3, 2021 • 21min

#50 - Sappho: The Lost Poetess

It was said her poetry will be sung as long as there are boats on the nile... There are still boats on the nile (last I checked) and yet almost no one know her works...So who exactly was Sappho? Why was she so controversial and what happened to her prolific body of work? Discover the remarkable life, work and loss of the 7th century BC poetess who was considered equal to Homer in this week's Classical Wisdom Speaks episode. You can help inspire the love of history, poetry and archeology in the next generation with Classical Wisdom's newest children's book - Sappho: The Lost Poetess. Purchase it on Amazon here: http://tick.news/i2 You can learn more about Classical Wisdom and Classical Wisdom Speaks here: https://classicalwisdom.com/Get your FREE Guide: How to Be Happy: An Ethical Guide to ancient Philosophy here: http://classicalwisdom.com/how-to-be-happy/

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