logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2023
31m 33s

Episode #190 ... Are emotions a waste of...

STEPHEN WEST
About this episode
Today we talk about the lessons found in the ancient Greek play titled Hecuba. We talk about the great Stoic ethicists Epictetus, Seneca and Marcus Aurelius. We talk about Martha Nussbaum and her work looking to infuse classical Stoic ideas with all that we've learned in the sciences over thousands of years. We talk about compassion. Shame and guilt. Her cap ... Show More
Up next
Aug 29
Episode #252 ... Slaughterhouse-Five - Kurt Vonnegut
Today we talk about Kurt Vonnegut’s book Slaughterhouse-Five. How war stories can distort the reality of war, how trauma can fracture our experience of time and identity, and why Billy Pilgrim becomes attracted to the strange philosophy of the Tralfamadorians. Hope you love it. : ... Show More
34m 41s
Aug 8
Episode #251 ... You Must Change Your Life, Pt. 2 - The Worlds That Make Us
Today we talk more about Peter Sloterdijk’s book You Must Change Your Life. We talk about Heidegger, the subject-object view of the world, how environments form us, symbolic immunity, modern cynicism, vertical tension, base camps, civilizations as collective immune systems, and w ... Show More
35m 25s
Jul 14
Episode #250 ... You Must Change Your Life. - Peter Sloterdijk
Today we talk about half of the book You Must Change Your Life by Peter Sloterdijk. From criticism towards views of change that he thinks are far too centered on belief and moral strength, to a reworking of how to view human beings at the level of anthropology. We talk about how ... Show More
35m 59s
Recommended Episodes
May 2025
How to Get Out of Your Own Way
In this episode, we explore how our judgments—not external events—shape our emotional world, from a child’s toy envy to ancient Stoic parables and the quiet wisdom of Nan Shepherd.Using Epictetus’s insights and Shepherd’s meditative reflections, we examine how reclaiming control ... Show More
5m 36s
Dec 2023
What Would Socrates Do?
<p>Humans have wrestled with questions about identity and purpose for millennia. So it’s no surprise that the insights of people who lived hundreds or even thousands of years ago have stood the test of time. This week, philosopher Tamar Gendler explores how three great thinkers f ... Show More
50m 27s
Jul 2024
Chatterbox #322 – The Stoicism explosion
Curious about the growing popularity of Stoicism but not sure what it's all about? In this engaging episode of Chatterbox, hosts Andrew and Anna dive into the philosophy of Stoicism. They unpack its principles, discuss why it has gained traction in recent years, and share practic ... Show More
33m 52s
Jan 2023
#309 — Vulnerability, Politics, and Moral Worth
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sam Harris speaks with Martha C. Nussbaum about her philosophical work. They discuss the relevance of philosophy to personal and political problems, the influence of religion, the problem of dogmatism, the importance of Greek and Roman philosoph ... Show More
45m 26s
May 2024
Stoic Morning Meditation For Resilience And Peace
A short guided morning meditation built on Marcus Aurelius and Seneca. You will notice thoughts as they arrive, make room for what the day may bring, and return attention to the one moment you can actually use. I practise this to start the day with a steadier head. It will not fi ... Show More
10 m
Nov 2022
Virtue Ethics and The Quest for Character
<p>Massimo Pigliucci, philosophy professor and author, joins Breht once again, this time to discuss his newest book <em><a href= "https://www.basicbooks.com/titles/massimo-pigliucci/the-quest-for-character/9781541646957/"> "The Quest for Character: What the Story of Socrates and ... Show More
1h 5m
Jul 2024
3 Pillars of Skilful Communication Cheatsheet
Most communication advice is a pile of tips. This one is a compact framework you can actually hold in your head. I draw on the CIT model (cognitive interpersonal therapy) and Stoic philosophy to lay out the few principles that quietly improve both your relationships and your inne ... Show More
15m 55s
Apr 2020
Freedom because of Expression. - Episode 12
In this episode of Podverse A child asks a very thought-provoking question. We take a stroll down memory lane and talk about past regret then examine the lesson it has taught. Then looking at selfishness and the impact it has on our conscience. Lastly,... 
8m 56s