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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we sit down with Søren Kierkegaard, the 19th-century Danish philosopher often considered the father of existentialism. Specifically, we explore insights from his book Either/Or, which addresses one of life’s toughest questions: How do we live when every choice feels like a loss?

Kierkegaard believed that to live at all is to make a choice. And every choice—whether we act or remain still—shapes who we become.

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore the moral and psychological depth of Fyodor Dostoevsky, one of the greatest novelists and spiritual thinkers in history. From his near-execution in 1849 to his rebirth in the prisons of Siberia, Dostoevsky’s life became a living parable of human suffering, redemption, and love.

Drawing from Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov, and The Idiot, we uncover three perennial lessons for the modern world:

• Freedom without responsibility leads to despair.
• Suffering is the path to self-knowledge.
• Love is the final answer to the problem of evil.

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore the life and thought of Immanuel Kant through the lens of three enduring philosophical questions: “What can I know?” “What should I do?” “What may I hope?” Drawing on Kant’s groundbreaking ideas from The Critique of Pure Reason and The Critique of Practical Reason, we walk through his views on knowledge, morality, and hope.

Kant’s philosophy offers us tools for navigating uncertainty, making ethical decisions, and sustaining hope in a complex world.

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we turn to the provocative thoughts of Friedrich Nietzsche (1844—1900) to explore one of the most overlooked yet essential inner struggles: the fear of change.

Building on the previous episodes—Socrates on the Fear of Death and Maslow on the Fear of Greatness—we now face Nietzsche’s challenge: to become who we are. Through poetic reflection and profound insights from Nietzsche, we explore how change is both essential and frightening.

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore a hidden but deeply human struggle: the fear not of failure—but of greatness. Drawing from Abraham Maslow's insights, we consider what it means to avoid our potential and why many of us unconsciously choose comfort over potential. 

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we turn to Plato’s Apology and the final words of Socrates to explore how philosophy can liberate us from the fear of death. Socrates stood trial, was sentenced to die, and yet he remained calm, unshaken, and grounded in virtue. For Socrates, living an unexamined life poses a greater danger than death.

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we turn to the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi to uncover a countercultural and liberating truth: true joy is not found in comfort, success, or status—but in humility, simplicity, and love.

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we discuss why we often struggle to see ourselves or life clearly, and how to calm restless minds while examining our perceptions and our place in the cosmos. We focus on what it means to “look again” at life—to pause, to notice, and to practice humility and wonder. 

This episode draws on insights from spiritual teacher Ram Dass, philosopher Socrates, psychologist Adam Grant, and astronomer Carl Sagan.

Key Takeaways

• We don’t always see clearly.
• Humility can foster growth.
• A broader perspective reveals what truly matters.

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In this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we examine an essay from the “Know Thyself” series on The Philosophy of Desire. You can expect to learn about the influence of desire in our daily lives. Why desire often shapes our decisions, self-image, and emotional states. This is volume one of a 10-part series on the art and science of self-awareness. If you’d like access to this series, consider becoming a Perennial Meditations member.

Key Takeaways

• Buddhism and the roots of suffering
• Stoicism and the discipline of desire
• Epicurus on having enough
• St. Thomas Aquinas on human desire

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Today, on this Sunday edition of Perennial Wisdom, we are turning to the pre-Socratic philosopher Heraclitus, who famously said,

Heraclitus believed that everything and everyone is in a constant state of change. While this idea might seem unsettling, he presents it not as a threat but as a vital key. To live well, we must live with change, not against it.

When Heraclitus wandered through the ancient streets of Ionia in the 6th century BCE, he was known not for power or prestige, but for speaking in paradoxes. His fragments are short and cryptic, yet they reveal wisdom. 

He saw what many refused to see: that stability is an illusion, and becoming is the ground of all being. “Everything flows; nothing stands still,” he stressed. [...]

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