In this episode, I share a personal story about nearly losing my temper on a train—a moment that reminded me, yet again, how far I am from sagehood and how important continuous attention (prosochē) is in Stoic practice. A long day in London, a rowdy group of teens, and a few minor annoyances were enough to push me near my breaking point. But in reflecting on ... Show More
Jun 19
Fear of Death? Listen to This (Meditations 4.5)
In this episode, I reflect on Meditations 4.5 and Marcus Aurelius’ effort to habituate acceptance of death as a natural and necessary part of life. Drawing from Marcus' experiences leading Rome through war and plague, I explore how his preoccupation with death wasn’t morbid, but ... Show More
27m 5s
Mar 2020
SPECIAL EPISODE! How To Fail: Alain De Botton on embracing vulnerability in the age of Coronavirus
In the second of two special episodes, the renowned philosopher Alain de Botton, returns to How To Fail With Elizabeth Day to talk about how to be human and how to stay (relatively) sane in the grip of a global pandemic. We talk about the fact that, right now, it's rational to be ... Show More
1 h
Apr 10
How To Get Through Life's Most Difficult Situations
If it happened, then it was meant to happen.
The great German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche would describe his formula for human greatness as amor fati—a love of fate. “That one wants nothing to be different, not forward, not backwards, not in all eternity. Not merely bear what ... Show More
14m 6s
Apr 2
How To Let People Feel Their Feelings
The concept of "letting people feel their feelings" may be confusing to some, however in this episode, Colter, Cayla and Lauren emphasize the importance of allowing others to experience emotions like anger, disappointment, or frustration without trying to fix, dismiss, or control ... Show More
47m 55s
Mar 2025
It’s Given Us More Of Ourselves | (Dis)integration
Adversity costs us, sure, but it also gives us more of ourselves. It unlocks something in us that was not reachable in ordinary circumstances, that we didn’t know was there.
🪙 Get your own Amor fati medallion, as a reminder to treat each and every moment—no matter how challengin ... Show More
10m 27s
Jun 2024
Silent Minds: How Life Changes Without an Inner Monologue w/John R. Miles EP 468
Do you have a voice that constantly speaks to you throughout the day? For most people, the answer is 'Yes.' This inner voice aids in decision-making, problem-solving, and self-reflection. However, some people live without this inner monologue, a phenomenon called anendophasia.In ... Show More
23m 18s