Sharon is one of the pioneers of the contemporary Stoicism movement, and the author behind the best-selling interpretation of Epictetus’ writings, “The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness.” As a musician and prominent writer, Sharon seeks to liberate the wisdom of the past in order to facilitate deeper meaning-making and personal flourishing. In this episode, Sharon gives a talk titled "The Meaning of Your Life Will Never Be Convenient." 

Sharon Lebell | The Meaning of Your Life Will Never Be Convenient

The Walled Garden is the foundational podcast within the Walled Garden Philosophical Society, exploring a wide range of themes including philosophy, theology, mysticism, poetry, music, and creativity. The show is hosted by Simon J. E. Drew, an Australian poet, musician, philosopher, and CEO. Episodes vary between interviews with world-changing thought leaders and solo episodes exploring paths to a flourishing life. To join these conversations live, and to find out more about The Walled Garden Philosophical Society, go to thewalledgarden.com.

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William O. Stephens, Ph.D., retired Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Creighton University with interests in ancient philosophy, ethics, and Stoicism, has contributed significantly to the field through interviews, podcasts, and translations, including a revised edition of "The Ethics of the Stoic Epictetus."Scott Aikin is a Professor of phiolosophy at Vanderbilt University. His research encompasses the theory of knowledge, ancient philosophy, informal logic, and philosophy of religion, focusing on the justification of beliefs, conceptions of knowing in ancient philosophy, epistemic appraisal of arguments, and conditions for knowledge of God, seamlessly integrating his research interests with his teaching in formal logic, ancient philosophy, and epistemology.Matthew Sharpe, an accomplished author and Associate Professor, has a rich background in philosophy with over two decades of teaching and supervision, contributing significant works and numerous articles across a broad spectrum of philosophical disciplines, including the history of ideas and Stoic thought, and is actively involved in the modern Stoic community and Stoicon events.Matthew Sharpe, an accomplished author and Professor at the Australian Catholic University, has a rich background in philosophy with over two decades of teaching and supervision, contributing significant works and numerous articles across a broad spectrum of philosophical disciplines, including the history of ideas and Stoic thought, and is actively involved in the modern Stoic community and Stoicon events.

William O. Stephens, Scott Aikin & Matthew Sharpe | The Enchiridion of Epictetus

Shane Trotter is the author of Setting the Bar: Preparing Our Kids to Thrive in an Era of Distraction, Dependency, and Entitlement. As a writer, educator, and High-School Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, he has been challenging youth development norms for over a decade. Shane believes that too much emphasis on comfort and a lost sense of community standards has left people feeling purposeless, disconnected, and trapped in self-limiting patterns. Shane has been featured by multiple coaching clinics and Spartan.com. His articles have been published by websites with millions of readers, such as Quillette, Areo, and Breaking Muscle, where he was an Expert Coach in Residence and helped start the Breaking Muscle podcast. His blog, Inspired Human Development, focuses on exploring the principles of human thriving. Subscribe to get his newsletter, Stuff They Never Told You, for free each week.

Shane Trotter & Brandon Tumblin | On Manhood & Becoming

Brittany Polat is a writer, researcher, and presenter on practical Stoicism. Her books help people from all walks of life find inner peace and long-lasting happiness through tried-and-true Stoic techniques. Brittany holds a Ph.D. in applied linguistics, but she currently studies human nature through the lens of Stoic psychology and philosophy. She is a steering committee member of Modern Stoicism, a board member of The Stoic Fellowship, and co-founder of the new nonprofit Stoicare (www.stoicare.com). Brittany strongly believes in the power of Stoicism to help us flourish as individuals and as a society.Join us on March 23rd for a collaborative conference by The Walled Garden Philosophical Society and Stoicare: Lighting The Way: Philosophical Role Models of the Past & Present

Brittany Polat | Mentorship, Role Models & Initiation

Martha Alter Hines is a multifaceted professional with a rich background as a clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and body worker, boasting twenty years of experience. In addition to her roles as a mother, astrologer, channel, and healer, Hines has made significant contributions to the field of social work, particularly in her capacity as a supervisor of social workers. Her career took a pivotal turn in 2018 following a profound spiritual awakening that redirected her path away from traditional social work towards embracing her roles as a channel and healer. Guided by this spiritual call, Hines now utilizes astrology, channeling, and various spirit-guided healing modalities to facilitate deep, transformative experiences for individuals, helping them to reconnect with their true essence across all dimensions of existence.Hines is dedicated to creating grounded, safe spaces that enable beings to rediscover their identities on a soul level, drawing upon her extensive experience in psychotherapy and bodywork. She believes firmly in the urgency communicated by the spirit world for individuals to remember their true selves, encompassing their connections to the Earth, spirit, soul, body, heart, mind, cosmos, and the divine. In her current practice, Hines integrates her professional background with the wisdom of the spirit world and the inherent knowledge within every being as part of the infinite divine. Her approach transcends traditional therapy, rooted in robust trauma-informed skills, to offer a holistic path to healing and self-discovery.In this episode, Martha gives a talk and offers a meditation as a part of our online event, Lighting Candles: A Vigil for Humanity. The full event video is available to members of The Walled Garden Philosophical Society at https://thewalledgarden.com/lighting-candles-a-vigil-for-humanity/.

Martha Hines | Reuniting the Masculine & Feminine

Rocco Jarman is a renowned poet, philosopher, and mystic, recognized for his commitment to personal and societal transformation. With a deep belief in the infinite potential of humans, Jarman has overcome his own struggles with brokenness, disconnection, and confusion, finding a profound sense of gratitude and belonging through his journey. His life's work revolves around a transformative formula that shifts individuals from a state of brokenness to wholeness, and from confusion to understanding.Jarman possesses exceptional insights into psychology, human behavior, and societal dysfunctions, blending science and mysticism to offer solutions to contemporary challenges. His unique perspective aims to demystify both science and mysticism, encouraging a focus on essence over unnecessary complexities.In addition to his philosophical endeavors, Jarman boasts a 25-year career in corporate transformation and leadership. His expertise spans organisational development, strategy, project management, and technology. He is dedicated to contributing his vast knowledge and experience to The Walled Garden and its community, driven by a profound sense of love and a commitment to being a force for good in a world he views as in need of healing and enlightenment.In this episode, Rocco gives a talk titled "Lighting Candles." This talk was a part of our online event, Lighting Candles: A Vigil for Humanity. The full event video is available to members of The Walled Garden Philosophical Society at https://thewalledgarden.com/lighting-candles-a-vigil-for-humanity/. 

Sharon Lebell | The Meaning of Your Life Will Never Be Convenient

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