History doesn’t necessarily repeat itself, but it does rhyme. And looking at current events through the lens of the Classics offers us an opportunity to see the parallels between ancient history and the current news cycle—and question what both sides want us to believe.

Anya Leonard is the Host of Classical Wisdom Speaks and the Cofounder and Director of Classical Wisdom, a platform that applies ancient philosophy, history and mythology to what’s happening now. Anya studied philosophy and history at St. John’s College and earned her MA in Sociology from the University of Edinburgh.

On this episode of The Wiggin Sessions, Anya joins me to explain how Classical Wisdom affords us a deeper perspective on current events, describing how ancient history is just as relevant to our political and economic wellbeing as it was 3,000 years ago.

Anya shares her experience under strict lockdown rules in Buenos Aires, exploring how her point of view on the pandemic is shaped by an understanding of the Classics and her upbringing as a third-culture kid.

Listen in for Anya’s insight on the power of myth around our political leaders (including examples she noticed in the 2020 election) and learn how the Classics can give you an edge in business and beyond.

Key Takeaways

Anya’s experience under strict lockdown rules in Buenos Aires

How seasonality and human behavior impacted the COVID numbers in Argentina and when cases there started to drop off

How Classical Wisdom affords us a deeper perspective on current events (e.g.: the pandemic and the US election)

Anya’s take on how ancient history can improve our lives right now

How living outside the US gives Anya a different perspective on the rhetoric of the presidential election

The benefits of growing up as a third-culture kid and how it makes Anya question the validity of ‘just about everything’

The power of myth around political leaders uncovered at the Power & Politics Symposium 2020

Anya’s insight on the myths surrounding the 2020 US presidential election and why we continue to believe in myths to justify our previous actions

How studying the Classics helps us suspend judgement, fully understand both sides of an argument and get to the truth of the matter

Why a willingness to change your mind is not a position of weakness

Why Anya considers philosophy to be a way of life rather than a field of study

How an understanding of the Classics gives us an edge in terms of handling stressful situations and making good decisions

Connect with Anya Leonard

Classical Wisdom Weekly

Connect with Addison Wiggin

Consilience Financial

Be sure to follow The Wiggin Sessions on your socials. You can find me on—

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Resources

How Can We Win an Argument? on Classical Wisdom Speaks

Victor Davis Hanson

Classical Wisdom’s Power & Politics Symposium 2020

A.A. Long

Massimo Pigliucci

Donald Robertson

Gods & Monsters: Myths & Tales by Liz Gloyn

James Romm

Neville Morley

Bonner Private Wines

Classical Wisdom’s Essential Greeks Course

The Iliad by Homer

The Odyssey by Homer