Dr. John Sellars is a lecturer in philosophy at Royal Holloway, University of London, and is a leading expert in ancient philosophy, with a particular focus on Stoicism. In this interview, we'll be delving into the ancient philosophy of Stoicism, discussing its relevance to modern life, and exploring how we can apply its teachings to our daily lives. We'll also be discussing Sellars's books, "Lessons in Stoicism," "The Art of Living", and his most recent book on Aristotle. 

All of them provide a practical guide to applying Stoic philosophy in our modern world.

I hope you enjoy listening to this episode!

You can get John Sellars's   book here

John's ARTIDOTE page

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Ruth Millington’s wonderful book uncovers the hidden figures behind art history’s masterpieces. We tend to forget that each great artist, whether from the past or present, has their own unique muse who inspires them, gives them energy and influences their creativity.

For Picasso it was Dora Maar; for Rodin it was Camille Claudel; for Frida Kahlo it was her illness. Those muses had a significant impact on the artists we love, but they often get hidden behind the shadows of giants whom they inspired.

In this interview, Ruth and I talked about Muses who inspired artists such as Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso, Lucian Freud, Tim Walker, and many others.

Ruth spent years researching the relationship between artists and their Muses. I asked her to give us some tips about how you and I can mimic great artists so we can connect with our own Muses too.

You can get Ruth's  book here

Ruth's ARTIDOTE page

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In this episode, Adriana Barton - a journalist and former staff reporter at Canada's national newspaper, The Globe and Mail - tells Vashik Armenikus how we can get reconnected with the healing powers of music. 

She tells us about the power of music by combining medical studies, discoveries by pioneering neuroscientists, and research from biology and anthropology. She also tells us her personal story of studying cello for nearly two decades, a pursuit she had to leave with physical injuries and emotional scars.

And since we are getting very close to the Christmas holidays, I’ve to say that this book is a perfect gift for a person who’s passionate about music.

You can get Adriana's  book here

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In this episode Vashik Armenikus sits down with philosopher David Fideler, who wrote a brilliant book called Breakfast with Seneca.

Seneca was a stoic philosopher who is widely recognised as the most humane writer of the Stoic tradition. He teaches us to live with freedom and purpose.

In Breakfast with Seneca , David Fideler explores Seneca’s ideas in a series of focused chapters, clearly explaining Seneca’s ideas without oversimplifying them.

Those chapters can help you to overcome grief; find meaningful friendships; cope with anxiety; and live a truly fulfilling life.

Note: This conversation comes in two parts. In the first part we discuss Seneca and Stoic philosophy and in the second part we focus on David's next book on the Renaissance and how we can replicate it in our modern world. The part 2 will be released in a week.

You can get David Fideler's book here

David's ARTIDOTE page

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Rumi was a 13th-century Persian poet whose wisdom continues to echo and inspire souls around the world. 

Every person who has read at least a single line written by Rumi knows that his verse can heal one's heart. 

We wouldn't have known about Rumi and these mystical powers if not for talented translators like Haleh Liza Gafori.

Her recent beautiful translation of Rumi's poetry 'Gold' was published by The New York Review of Books in March 2022.  In this episode she told Vashik Armenikus how Rumi can heal our hearts by teaching us the religion that could unite all of us - the religion of Love.

You can find more about Haleh, her work and her book recommendation in the link below. 

Hope you will enjoy listening to this episode!

Vashik Armenikus

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How to lead a meaningful life?  How can we lead a good life and enjoy happiness in a world without a providential God?

"In Think Least of Death, Pulitzer Prize–finalist Steven Nadler connects Spinoza’s ideas with his life and times to offer a compelling account of how the philosopher can provide a guide to living one’s best life."

All the show notes  👉 https://artidote.uk/episodes/steven-nadler

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Stalin was an avid and voracious reader. In his recent book, Professor Geoffrey Roberts tells us about the life of Joseph Stalin through the books that the dictator read, collected, annotated, and banned.This book draws an extraordinary vivid portrait of Stalin as an intellectual who could never satiate his curiosity; who ardently believed in ideas; and who believed in mysterious powers of reading.

Geoffrey Roberts' profile on ARTIDOTE website

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Dr. Roberts' Website 

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This episode’s guest is Rachel Corbett, the author of a brilliant book called You Must Change Your Life, which tells the story of the brief and intense relationship between renowned sculptor Auguste Rodin and the poet Rainer Maria Rilke.

In 1902, Rainer Maria Rilke was a delicate young visitor from Prague in Paris, he was broke and suffering from writer’s block. He was commissioned to write a book on Rodin, who was already a renowned sculptor at the time, this is when everything changes

You Must Change Your Life reveals one of the great stories of modern art and literature:

Rodin and Rilke’s years together as master and disciple, their heartbreaking rift, and moving reconciliation.

In her vibrant debut, Rachel Corbett reveals how Rodin’s influence lead Rilke to write his most celebrated poems and inspired his beloved Letters to a Young Poet.

She captures the dawn of modernism with appearances by Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse, Lou Andreas Salome, George Bernard Show and Jean Cocteau.

In this interview I also wanted to ask Rachel about how Rodin and Rilke changed HER life, how she discovered them, and what are her favourite poems by Rilke and her favourite sculptures by Rodin.

I know this might sound cliche, but When I was reading this book I was getting a strong feeling as if I am reading the script for the second part of Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Get the Book: You Must Change Your Life by Rachel Corbett

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Exercise is our modern obsession.

The way we choose to exercise can tell us so much about our culture, our ambition or our mindset.

Ancient Greeks, for example, used to discuss philosophy at their gyms and believed that the intelligence of the mind needs to be in equilibrium with the fitness of the body.

In this wonderful book, ‘Sweat: A History of Exercise’, Bill Hayes explores the different ways in which we have approached exercise throughout history.

Hayes connects his own experience to the cultural and scientific history of exercise, from ancient times to the present day.

GET 'SWEAT: A History of Exercise'

BILL HAYES' RECOMMENDED BOOKS HERE

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In our age of immediacy John Ruskin’s ideas remain important more than ever. He can teach us how to see beauty, how to gain control over attention span and how to genuinely care about nature. He was a visionary who predicted many of the challenges we are facing today, such as climate change and culture of distraction.

Through his writings we can learn how to become better and live in harmony with the word.

In this episode, I interviewed Dr. Suzanne Fagence Cooper, who wrote a  brilliant biography of Ruskin. It is a wonderful introduction to his work for those, who like me, did not know where to start reading his works.

What would Ruskin think of modern architecture? What would be his advice to us on how to live a meaningful life?

These are just two of many questions I asked Dr. Fagence Cooper in this episode.

📌 DR. SUZANNE FAGENCE COOPER'S PROFILE

📌 CHECK HER BOOK HERE

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