Paradoxically Speaking

What happens when a Stoic (Brandon Tumblin from The Strong Stoic) and a Seeker (J.W. Bertolotti from Perennial Meditations) get together for casual conversations? It usually results in lots of paradoxically speaking about what it means to live a good life. Our conversations (or, you might say, ramblings and ruminations) tend to explore the complexities and nuances around living our highest good in the modern world.

Paradoxes exist nearly everywhere — even in the area of self-improvement. In the classic On Becoming a Person, psychologist Carl Rogers wrote, “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” When you encounter a paradox, there is potential and opportunity within the tension. As the nineteenth-century Danish physicist Niels Bohr put it, “The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth.” You’ll find that most of our conversations explore principles and practices from all sides (which we understand may not be for everyone). For example, we are interested in human goodness (virtue) and our capacity for evil (vice). The wisdom of connection and the power of solitude. The importance of structure and the need for flexibility. Although we intentionally explore complex topics — we strive to keep things practical and for daily life.

***Moving forward, there are two ways to access full episodes of Paradoxically Speaking: (1) Become a paid member of Brandon's Substack (https://strongstoic.substack.com/); (2) Become a paid member of Josh's Substack (https://perennial.substack.com/). By becoming a member of either of our Substacks, you'll gain full access to Paradoxically Speaking episodes.

Who We Are?

• Brandon Tumblin is most well-known for his podcast, The Strong Stoic Podcast, which discusses philosophical ideas (solo and guest episodes). His podcast has more than 250 episodes published, so it is safe to say that he has already explored many of the topics we’ll discuss here. Brandon is also a writer, strength athlete & coach, and engineer.
• J.W. Bertolotti is probably best known for In Search of Wisdom, a conversational podcast interested in timeless principles and practices for everyday life. His more than 150 episodes (with leading thinkers in philosophy and theology) end with the question: What is wisdom?

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) discuss hardships and acts for the common good.

In the conversation, Brandon and Josh discuss:

* Discerning hardships

* Memories and nostalgia

* Legacy and interdependence

* Acts for the common good and much more

You can expect two free episodes of the podcast per month. To support the show, consider becoming a paid subscriber. You’ll get occasional bonus episodes on the writing and philosophy of figures like Fyodor Dostoevsky, Seneca, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Michel de Montaigne, Leo Tolstoy, and others.

Stay Connected

* Brandon Tumblin is most well-known for his podcast, The Strong Stoic Podcast, where he discusses philosophical ideas (solo and guest episodes).

* Follow The Strong Stoic Podcast: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

* J.W. Bertolotti is probably best known for In Search of Wisdom, a conversational podcast interested in timeless principles and practices for everyday life.

* Follow the Perennial Leader Project: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

Attention, Awareness, & Discipline

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) discuss attention, awareness, and discipline.

In the conversation, Brandon and Josh discuss:

* Humble beginnings; city life vs. community life

* Universal maxims

* Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary

* The mundaneness of life

* Fighting arrogance within ourselves

* And much more

Support the Show

You can expect two free episodes of the podcast per month. For the full paradoxical experience, we encourage you to consider becoming a paid subscriber. You’ll get access to upcoming bonus episodes and multi-part series on the writing and philosophy of figures like Fyodor Dostoevsky, Seneca, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Michel de Montaigne, Leo Tolstoy, and many others.

***If you’d like to become a paid member but cannot afford it. Feel free to contact us; we’ll happily provide a complimentary membership (no questions asked).

Stay Connected

* Brandon Tumblin is most well-known for his podcast, The Strong Stoic Podcast, where he discusses philosophical ideas (solo and guest episodes).

* Follow The Strong Stoic Podcast: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

* J.W. Bertolotti is probably best known for In Search of Wisdom, a conversational podcast interested in timeless principles and practices for everyday life.

* Follow the Perennial Leader Project: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) catch up on what they're reading and watching and discuss various aspects of the art of letting go.

In the conversation, Brandon and Josh discuss: Relationships and forgiveness; Leadership and responsibility; Communication and recognition; Free will and freedom; Self-transformation, Love, and much more

Brandon Tumblin is most well-known for his podcast, The Strong Stoic Podcast, where he discusses philosophical ideas (solo and guest episodes).

J.W. Bertolotti is probably best known for In Search of Wisdom, a conversational podcast interested in timeless principles and practices for everyday life.

Paradoxically Speaking is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.

Nihilism, Extreme Ownership, Major and Minor Failures, & Creativity

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) follow up their previous discussion. discuss Nihilism, extreme ownership, major vs. minor failures, creativity, and other topics.

Support the Show

You can expect two free episodes of the podcast per month. For the full paradoxical experience, we encourage you to consider becoming a paid subscriber. You’ll get access to upcoming bonus episodes and multi-part series on the writing and philosophy of figures like Fyodor Dostoevsky, Seneca, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Michel de Montaigne, Leo Tolstoy, and many others.

***If you’d like to become a paid member but cannot afford it. Feel free to contact us; we’ll happily provide a complimentary membership (no questions asked).

Stay Connected

* Brandon Tumblin is most well-known for his podcast, The Strong Stoic Podcast, where he discusses philosophical ideas (solo and guest episodes).

* Follow The Strong Stoic Podcast: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

* J.W. Bertolotti is probably best known for In Search of Wisdom, a conversational podcast interested in timeless principles and practices for everyday life.

* Follow the Perennial Leader Project: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

📩 Want more Paradoxically Speaking? Sign up for Paradoxically Speaking for Essays & Podcasts on the Art of Living: https://paradoxicallyspeaking.substack.com/subscribe.

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) discuss being alone, human nature, Existentialism, avoiding Nihilism, the meaning of life, and other topics.

Stay Connected:

Brandon Tumblin is most well-known for his podcast, The Strong Stoic Podcast, where he discusses philosophical ideas (solo and guest episodes).

- Follow The Strong Stoic Podcast: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

J.W. Bertolotti is probably best known for In Search of Wisdom, a conversational podcast interested in timeless principles and practices for everyday life.

- Follow the Perennial Leader Project: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

This Too Shall Pass, Being Here Now, & Letting It Be

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) discuss the idea that everything, pleasant or unpleasant, comes and goes, the importance of being here now (and why it’s a privilege), letting things go, and much more.

We contemplate the following questions:

* Does revenge only take away from you?

* How significant is luck and timing in life?

* How can we have patience in life (i.e. “this too shall pass”)?

* Why is it important to “let it be”?

* & much more!

Support the Show

You can expect two free episodes of the podcast per month. For the full paradoxical experience, we encourage you to consider becoming a paid subscriber. You’ll get access to upcoming bonus episodes and multi-part series on the writing and philosophy of figures like Fyodor Dostoevsky, Seneca, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Michel de Montaigne, Leo Tolstoy, and many others.

***If you’d like to become a paid member but cannot afford it. Feel free to contact us; we’ll happily provide a complimentary membership (no questions asked).

Stay Connected

* Brandon Tumblin is most well-known for his podcast, The Strong Stoic Podcast, where he discusses philosophical ideas (solo and guest episodes).

* Follow The Strong Stoic Podcast: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

* J.W. Bertolotti is probably best known for In Search of Wisdom, a conversational podcast interested in timeless principles and practices for everyday life.

* Follow the Perennial Leader Project: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

📩 Want more Paradoxically Speaking? Sign up for Paradoxically Speaking for Essays & Podcasts on the Art of Living: https://paradoxicallyspeaking.substack.com/subscribe.

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) discuss the paradox of productivity. Specifically, organization, habits, relationships, dealing with challenges, and other topics.

Stay Connected:

Brandon Tumblin is most well-known for his podcast, The Strong Stoic Podcast, where he discusses philosophical ideas (solo and guest episodes).

Follow The Strong Stoic Podcast: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

J.W. Bertolotti is probably best known for In Search of Wisdom, a conversational podcast interested in timeless principles and practices for everyday life.

Follow the Perennial Leader Project: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

Relaxing Into Life & Death, Grieving, Memento Mori, & Vulnerability

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) discuss grieving loved ones, the significance of rituals, the dying process, meditating on death, and relaxing into both life and death.

We contemplate the following questions:

* Are rituals important in grieving?

* Should we live each day as if it’s our last?

* Is life good to the degree that we believe it to be so?

* How can we relax into the dying process at the end of life?

* & much more!

Support the Show

You can expect two free episodes of the podcast per month. For the full paradoxical experience, we encourage you to consider becoming a paid subscriber. You’ll get access to upcoming bonus episodes and multi-part series on the writing and philosophy of figures like Fyodor Dostoevsky, Seneca, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Michel de Montaigne, Leo Tolstoy, and many others.

***If you’d like to become a paid member but cannot afford it. Feel free to contact us; we’ll happily provide a complimentary membership (no questions asked).

Stay Connected

* Brandon Tumblin is most well-known for his podcast, The Strong Stoic Podcast, where he discusses philosophical ideas (solo and guest episodes).

* Follow The Strong Stoic Podcast: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

* J.W. Bertolotti is probably best known for In Search of Wisdom, a conversational podcast interested in timeless principles and practices for everyday life.

* Follow the Perennial Leader Project: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

Paradoxically Speaking is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Blending With Imperfection, Worrying Too Much, & the Hubris of Certainty

In this episode, Brandon Tumblin (from The Strong Stoic) and J.W. Bertolotti (from Perennial Meditations) discuss how to blend with the imperfections that are inherent in life, worrying too much about humanity’s biggest problems, and how certainty leads to insanity.

We ponder the following questions:

* Should we focus on global issues or local issues?

* How do we harmonize with the imperfections inherent in life?

* Can we actually make “bad'“ decisions?

* Can and should we love others despite their flaws or, perhaps, even because of them?

* & much more!

Support the Show

You can expect two free episodes of the podcast per month. For the full paradoxical experience, we encourage you to consider becoming a paid subscriber. You’ll get access to upcoming bonus episodes and multi-part series on the writing and philosophy of figures like Fyodor Dostoevsky, Seneca, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Michel de Montaigne, Leo Tolstoy, and many others.

***If you’d like to become a paid member but cannot afford it. Feel free to contact us; we’ll happily provide a complimentary membership (no questions asked).

Stay Connected

* Brandon Tumblin is most well-known for his podcast, The Strong Stoic Podcast, where he discusses philosophical ideas (solo and guest episodes).

* Follow The Strong Stoic Podcast: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

* J.W. Bertolotti is probably best known for In Search of Wisdom, a conversational podcast interested in timeless principles and practices for everyday life.

* Follow the Perennial Leader Project: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube