Perennial Meditations

In this episode, I speak to Dr. Karen Swallow Prior the author of On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books. Karen is a Research Professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Her writing has appeared at Christianity Today, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, First Things, Vox, Relevant, Think Christian, The Gospel Coalition, Religion News Service, Books and Culture, and other places.

In the conversation, Karen and I discuss:

• The connection between reading and virtue
• What it means to be prudent
• The perils of perfectionism
• Language and love
• How to see love as a virtue and much more

 Connect with Karen Swallow Prior:

• Homepage: karenswallowprior.com/
• Twitter: twitter.com/KSPrior

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Welcome and thank you for listening! In today’s episode, I am sharing a short reflection from The PERENNIAL Podcast another show we produce at the Perennial Leader Project. 

In addition to sharing this reflection with you. I wanted to announce that season two of PERENNIAL is starting just after the new year and it will be all about The Wisdom of Seneca. I’ll be taking a deep dive into Seneca’s writing and connecting with a few guests to discuss the wisdom of Seneca. 

If that sounds interesting, please join me – you can subscribe for free wherever you listen to podcasts and learn more at perennialleader.com. I hope you enjoy this episode on the shortness of life.   

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In this episode, I speak to Catherine Wilson the author of How to Be an Epicurean: The Ancient Art of Living Well.  Catherine received her Ph.D. in philosophy from Princeton University and has taught at universities in the US, Canada, and Europe. Her research is focused on the relationship between the natural and social sciences and classical philosophical problems in the following areas: the history of atomism and materialism; theories of life and sensory awareness; visuality and aesthetics, and morality and emotions from an evolutionary perspective. 

In the conversation, Catherine and I discuss:

• Catherine’s path to philosophy
• The pivotal figures in Epicureanism
• Pleasure and Pain
• The virtue of Justice 
• Managing our desires and much more 

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In this episode, I speak to Lodro Rinzler the author of Take Back Your Mind: Buddhist Advice for Anxious Times. Lodro’s work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Good Morning America, CBS, and NBC. 

He is the author of seven meditation books including The Buddha Walks into a Bar and is the co-founder of MNDFL meditation studios in New York City. Lodro has taught meditation for 20 years in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and travels frequently for his books, having spoken across the world at conferences, universities, and businesses as diverse as Google, Harvard University, and the White House. 

In the conversation, Lodro and I discuss:

• Navigating anxiety and stress
• Finding wisdom
• Cultivating compassion
• Meditation in daily life and much more 

 Connect with Lodro Rinzler: lodrorinzler.com/

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Get full access to Perennial Meditations at perennial.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I am sharing a portion of the conversation we had with Kristi Nelson the author of Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted. Kristi has spent most of her adult life in non-profit leadership, fundraising, and organizational development. In a wide variety of roles, she has helped to lead, fund, and strengthen organizations committed to progressive social and spiritual change. 

In this portion of the conversation, Kristi provides an important distinction between gratitude and being grateful. Go to episode #10 of In Search of Wisdom to hear the full conversation. 

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• Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast
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In this episode, I speak to Susan Liautaud the author of The Power of Ethics: How to Make Good Choices in a Complicated World. Susan is the founder and managing director of Susan Liautaud & Associates Limited, which advises clients from global corporations to NGOs on complex ethics matters. She teaches cutting-edge ethics courses at Stanford and has a forthcoming book titled: The Little Book of Big Ethical Questions. 

 In the conversation, Susan and I discuss:

• The Power of Ethics
• Avoiding perfectionism 
• Ethical resilience
• Courage and ethics  
• The importance of expertise and much more

 Connect with Susan Liataud:

• Homepage: susanliautaud.com/
• Twitter: twitter.com/SusanLiautaud

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• Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom
• Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast
• Sign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). 

Get full access to Perennial Meditations at perennial.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I speak to Andrew Lynn the author of the book Classic Philosophy for the Modern Man. Andrew is a lawyer, writer, and author of the ‘Classics for the Modern Man’ series. His mission as a writer is to draw upon classic texts and traditional wisdom in order to help us answer the most profound questions that we face as human beings. The Classics for the Modern Man series include Classic Spirituality, Classic Political Philosophy, and Classic Ethics.   

 In the conversation, Andrew and I discuss:

• Classic philosophy for modern life
• Aristotle and the golden mean
• Ancient lessons from parables
• William Hazlitt on success 
• Finding your path in life and much more

 Connect with Andrew Lynn:

• Homepage: andrewlynn.com/

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• Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom
• Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast
• Sign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). 

Get full access to Perennial Meditations at perennial.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I speak to Simon Drew the author of the new book The Poet & The Sage. Simon is a poet, musician, photographer, and philosophical mentor. He is someone that I’ve listened to many times over the years through The Practical Stoic podcast which has now transformed into The Walled Garden.  

 In the conversation, Simon and I discuss:

• The Poet & The Sage
• Searching for wisdom
• How to find our passion
• Cultivating alignment in our lives
• Where to begin a path to wisdom and much more

 Connect with Simon Drew:

• Homepage: simonjedrew.com/

 Follow In Search of Wisdom:

• Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom
• Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast
• Sign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). 

Get full access to Perennial Meditations at perennial.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I speak to Benjamin Lipscomb the author of the new book The Women are Up to Something: How Elizabeth Anscombe, Philippa Foot, Mary Midgley, and Iris Murdoch Revolutionized Ethics. Benjamin is a professor of philosophy, specializes in contemporary ethical theory, the history of philosophy (particularly the history of ethics), legal interpretation, town planning, and Christian worship. His overarching concern, across all these areas, is with issues of character formation.

 In the conversation, Benjamin and I discuss:

• His path to philosophy
• How we think with others
• The meaning of ethics 
• How four philosophers revolutionized ethics
• Wisdom for everyday life and much more

 Connect with Benjamin Lipscomb:

Homepage: houghton.edu/staff-members/benjamin-lipscomb/

 Follow In Search of Wisdom:

• Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom
• Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast
• Sign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). 

Get full access to Perennial Meditations at perennial.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I speak to Dr. Brian Russell the author of the new book Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life. Brian is an award-winning professor of biblical studies and a transformational coach for pastors and spiritually-minded professionals. He is also the host of the Deep Dive Spirituality Conversations podcast.

 In the conversation, Brian and I discuss:

• The Practice of Centering Prayer
• The Power of Sitting Quietly
• The Obstacles to Sitting in Silence 
• Humility and Confidence
• Love, Compassion, and much more

 Connect with Brian Russell:

• Homepage: brianrussellphd.com/
• Instagram: instagram.com/yourprofessorforlife/

 Follow In Search of Wisdom:

• Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom
• Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast
• Sign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). 

Get full access to Perennial Meditations at perennial.substack.com/subscribe