Stoicism for a Better Life
170 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 36 ratingsIn the pursuit of a purposeful and anxiety-free life, this is a podcast series dedicated to practical applications of Stoic philosophy in our daily lives.
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Episodes
Episode 35 - BBQ Season Meditations from Epictetus
October 04, 2020 05:00 - 6 minutes - 6.46 MBWhether introverted or extraverted, we are all guilty of dodging social gatherings sometimes. Whether we look for excuses to leave early, cancel at the last minute, or avoid them altogether, we all too often pass up on an opportunity to cultivate our relationships. Epictetus reminds us this is a reaction of our primitive minds...not us. Especially today, it is still possible to interact with people while wearing a mask and social distancing. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm...
Season 2; Episode 15 (35) - BBQ SESASON MEDITATIONS FROM EPICTETUS - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
October 04, 2020 05:00 - 6 minutes - 6.46 MBWhether introverted or extraverted, we are all guilty of dodging social gatherings sometimes. Whether we look for excuses to leave early, cancel at the last minute, or avoid them altogether, we all too often pass up on an opportunity to cultivate our relationships. Epictetus reminds us this is a reaction of our primitive minds...not us. Especially today, it is still possible to interact with people while wearing a mask and social distancing. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcaster...
Season 2; Episode 14 (34) - SOCIAL MEDIA DECISIONS - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
September 30, 2020 05:00 - 7 minutes - 6.51 MBWe are all aware of the perils of social media, but we can also acknowledge it can be a great and powerful tool. So avoiding social media would not be a good choice, we have much to benefit from it. Instead we should try and make conscious decisions on how and when we use social media. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Episode 34 - Social Media Decisions
September 30, 2020 05:00 - 7 minutes - 6.51 MBWe are all aware of the perils of social media, but we can also acknowledge it can be a great and powerful tool. So avoiding social media would not be a good choice, we have much to benefit from it. Instead we should try and make conscious decisions on how and when we use social media. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Season 2; Episode 13 (33) - ACTIVELY SEEK OPPORTUNITIES FOR KINDNESS - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
September 26, 2020 05:00 - 6 minutes - 5.97 MBWe all want to be kind. And we all like to think we are a kind person. Yet most of us do not prioritize looking for acts of kindness throughout our days. Time is short so if you want to be a kind person, look for an active way in which to be kind for other people. It's easy to be kind when it's called upon, but you can definitely find additional proactive ways to be kind. And you should do this simply because you can. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/an...
Episode 33 - Actively Seek Opportunities for Kindness
September 26, 2020 05:00 - 6 minutes - 5.97 MBWe all want to be kind. And we all like to think we are a kind person. Yet most of us do not prioritize looking for acts of kindness throughout our days. Time is short so if you want to be a kind person, look for an active way in which to be kind for other people. It's easy to be kind when it's called upon, but you can definitely find additional proactive ways to be kind. And you should do this simply because you can. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Season 2; Episode 12 (32) - DON'T FOCUS ON RESULTS, FOCUS ON CHOICES - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
September 22, 2020 05:00 - 8 minutes - 7.67 MBWe tend to judge our accomplishments on results. Even when it comes to our moral decision making, we tend to look at the final result in evaluating how good/bad we were. However, let us never forget that results are not entirely dependent on us. Intentions for actions are entirely within our control, but as results get away from us in time and space, the less control we have over the final result. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Episode 32 - Don't Focus on Result, Focus on Choices
September 22, 2020 05:00 - 8 minutes - 7.67 MBWe tend to judge our accomplishments on results. Even when it comes to our moral decision making, we tend to look at the final result in evaluating how good/bad we were. However, let us never forget that results are not entirely dependent on us. Intentions for actions are entirely within our control, but as results get away from us in time and space, the less control we have over the final result. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Episode 31 - Better Yourself Today, While You Still Can
September 18, 2020 05:00 - 7 minutes - 6.99 MBIf your goal is to improve yourself and make yourself better, do it with a sense of urgency, for you do not have much time left in this temporal existence. Every day we die...one day closer to the final death. So don't waste time. Make your virtue and bettering yourself a priority and actively work on it as often as you can. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Season 2; Episode 11 (31) - BETTER YOURSELF TODAY, WHILE YOU STILL CAN - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
September 18, 2020 05:00 - 7 minutes - 6.99 MBIf your goal is to improve yourself and make yourself better, do it with a sense of urgency, for you do not have much time left in this temporal existence. Every day we die...one day closer to the final death. So don't waste time. Make your virtue and bettering yourself a priority and actively work on it as often as you can. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Episode 30 - Take a Break Sometimes
September 14, 2020 05:00 - 7 minutes - 6.56 MBOur bodies and our minds are like tools or muscles. We use them to perceive the world external to our thoughts, and we use them to interact with the same external world. As with any tool or muscle, overuse without rest and repair, we can damage them...some times even beyond repair. So take care of your mind, which we tend to neglect. And take care of your body. It is not selfish to rest sometimes. It is virtuous because it helps you be a better person. --- Send in a voice message: https:/...
Season 2; Episode 10 (30) - TAKE A BREAK SOMETIMES - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
September 14, 2020 05:00 - 7 minutes - 6.56 MBOur bodies and our minds are like tools or muscles. We use them to perceive the world external to our thoughts, and we use them to interact with the same external world. As with any tool or muscle, overuse without rest and repair, we can damage them...some times even beyond repair. So take care of your mind, which we tend to neglect. And take care of your body. It is not selfish to rest sometimes. It is virtuous because it helps you be a better person. --- Send in a voice message: https:/...
Season 2; Episode 9 (29) - INVENTORY THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
September 10, 2020 05:00 - 6 minutes - 6.43 MBIt is undeniable that who we hang out with impacts our personality. One way or another, tow people who spend time with each other will rub off certain traits on now another. Some people will absorb more than other, but everyone gets affected by the company they keep. So make a conscious effort in who you spend time with and how you spend it. Give yourself the best chance to be virtuous. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Episode 29 - Inventory the People Around You
September 10, 2020 05:00 - 6 minutes - 6.43 MBIt is undeniable that who we hang out with impacts our personality. One way or another, tow people who spend time with each other will rub off certain traits on now another. Some people will absorb more than other, but everyone gets affected by the company they keep. So make a conscious effort in who you spend time with and how you spend it. Give yourself the best chance to be virtuous. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Season 2; Episode 8 (28) - REJECT KNEE-JERK REACTIONS - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
September 06, 2020 05:00 - 6 minutes - 6.15 MBWe exist in these imperfect vessels we call a body. These bodies come with their own emotions and defence mechanisms. As such, it is impossible to be emotionless. We will always have knee-jerk emotional responses, this we cannot change. We can, however, control how quickly we get back to ourselves. So try and curb your body's response as quickly as you can and get back to being a reasonable rational person. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilve...
Episode 28 - Reject Knee-Jerk Reactions
September 06, 2020 05:00 - 6 minutes - 6.15 MBWe exist in these imperfect vessels we call a body. These bodies come with their own emotions and defence mechanisms. As such, it is impossible to be emotionless. We will always have knee-jerk emotional responses, this we cannot change. We can, however, control how quickly we get back to ourselves. So try and curb your body's response as quickly as you can and get back to being a reasonable rational person. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Season 2; Episode 7 (27) - YOU HAVE FREE WILL, SO USE IT TO BE HAPPY - Stoicism For a Better Life
September 02, 2020 05:00 - 8 minutes - 7.81 MBIt is up for debate whether our free-will is an illusion or a real thing. But one thing is for sure: From our perspective, we feel like we definitely have free-will. Life essentially can be boiled down to making choices and decisions in the present moment. So use your free-will actively. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Episode 27 - You Have Free Will, So Use It to be Happy.
September 02, 2020 05:00 - 8 minutes - 7.81 MBIt is up for debate whether our free-will is an illusion or a real thing. But one thing is for sure: From our perspective, we feel like we definitely have free-will. Life essentially can be boiled down to making choices and decisions in the present moment. So use your free-will actively. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Episode 26 - Give Up a Vice for a Few Days
August 29, 2020 05:00 - 9 minutes - 9.23 MBAddictions...we all have them. Some are more obvious, others more clandestine. Here is an opportunity to identify one, accept it distracts us from being mindful in the present moment, and actively work to remove it with a reasonable short term goal. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Season 2; Episode 6 (26) - GIVE UP A VICE FOR A FEW DAYS - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
August 29, 2020 05:00 - 9 minutes - 9.23 MBAddictions...we all have them. Some are more obvious, others more clandestine. Here is an opportunity to identify one, accept it distracts us from being mindful in the present moment, and actively work to remove it with a reasonable short term goal. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Season 2; Episode 5 (25) - HELP OTHERS BY CHEERING FOR THEM - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
August 25, 2020 05:00 - 6 minutes - 5.71 MBWe often forget that there are 7.6 billion other people on this planet. We get so lost in our own self-involvement. This episode is all about recognizing other people and their own journeys and supporting them. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Episode 25 - Help Others by Cheering for Them
August 25, 2020 05:00 - 6 minutes - 5.71 MBWe often forget that there are 7.6 billion other people on this planet. We get so lost in our own self-involvement. This episode is all about recognizing other people and their own journeys and supporting them. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Episode 24 - You Can't Learn What you Think You Already Know
August 21, 2020 07:16 - 9 minutes - 8.94 MBThe more my island of knowledge grows, so does my shore of ignorance. Knowledge is power and philosophy is the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. However, we make the grave mistake of overestimating our knowledge. The same way Socrates was the wisest man in all of Athens because he knew what he did not know, we must admit not only what we do not know, but also that what we know can be improved upon. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Season 2; Episode 4 (24) - YOU CAN'T LEARN WHAT YOU THINK YOU ALREADY KNOW - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
August 21, 2020 07:16 - 9 minutes - 8.94 MBThe more my island of knowledge grows, so does my shore of ignorance. Knowledge is power and philosophy is the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. However, we make the grave mistake of overestimating our knowledge. The same way Socrates was the wisest man in all of Athens because he knew what he did not know, we must admit not only what we do not know, but also that what we know can be improved upon. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Episode 23 - Question from a listener - "Nothing is Good or Bad" vs "Our Moral Good"
May 21, 2020 05:00 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBI received a great question (voicemail) from a listener that I had to take some time to answer. We keep saying "Nothing can be good or bad" yet we also preach moral goodness. How can we reconcile the two? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Season 2; Episode 3 (23) - QUESTION FROM A LISTENER: "NOTHING IS GOOD OR BAD" vs "OUR OWN MORAL GOOD" - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
May 21, 2020 05:00 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBI received a great question (voicemail) from a listener that I had to take some time to answer. We keep saying "Nothing can be good or bad" yet we also preach moral goodness. How can we reconcile the two? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Season 2; Episode 2 (22) - SPECIAL COVID-19 RELEASE #2 - FIVE HELPFUL PRACTICES - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
April 21, 2020 05:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBA special COVID-19 release: I've released two episodes to help with the current Pandemic situation and give some very pertinent Stoic practices to help you through these uncertain, anxious and though times. Here are five additional useful Stoic practices for you. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Episode 22 - Special COVID-19 Release #2 - Five Helpful Practices
April 21, 2020 05:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBA special COVID-19 release: I've released two episodes to help with the current Pandemic situation and give some very pertinent Stoic practices to help you through these uncertain, anxious and though times. Here are five additional useful Stoic practices for you. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Episode 21 - Wish for Things to be Exactly the Way They Are
April 14, 2020 15:00 - 9 minutes - 9.08 MBA special COVID-19 release: I'm releasing two episodes to help with the current Pandemic situation and give some very pertinent Stoic practices to help you through these uncertain, anxious and though times. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Season 2; Episode 1 (21) - WISH FOR THINGS TO BE EXACTLY THE WAY THEY ARE - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
April 14, 2020 15:00 - 9 minutes - 9.08 MBA special COVID-19 release: I'm releasing two episodes to help with the current Pandemic situation and give some very pertinent Stoic practices to help you through these uncertain, anxious and though times. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Episode 20 - The logical key to a good life
February 18, 2020 06:00 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBHere's the final exercise for Season 1 of Stoicism for a Better Life, and boy is it a doozie! Let's walk through a logical mental exercise to narrow down what it is we can actually and tangibly do to live the best possible life we can. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Season 1; Episode 20 (20) - THE LOGICAL KEY TO A GOOD LIFE - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
February 18, 2020 06:00 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBHere's the final exercise for Season 1 of Stoicism for a Better Life, and boy is it a doozie! Let's walk through a logical mental exercise to narrow down what it is we can actually and tangibly do to live the best possible life we can. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Episode 19 - Self deprivation is not a virtue
February 14, 2020 06:00 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBBeing tough, having self-control (say enough to be able to take cold showers) and depriving yourself of luxuries is NOT virtuous. Virtue is found in our effort, not in our self-punishment. However, often a virtuous mindset will lead to a simpler life. The motivation, however, remains the gauge for whether your act is virtuous or not. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Season 1; Episode 19 (19) - SELF DEPRIVATION IS NOT A VIRTUE - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
February 14, 2020 06:00 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBBeing tough, having self-control (say enough to be able to take cold showers) and depriving yourself of luxuries is NOT virtuous. Virtue is found in our effort, not in our self-punishment. However, often a virtuous mindset will lead to a simpler life. The motivation, however, remains the gauge for whether your act is virtuous or not. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Episode 18 - Spend time with the ones you love while you can
February 10, 2020 06:00 - 6 minutes - 5.56 MBWe know for a fact that our time here is limited. Moreover, our loved ones' time here is limited. So spend time with them while you can. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Season 1; Episode 18 (18) - SPEND TIME WITH THE ONES YOU LOVE...WHILE YOU CAN - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
February 10, 2020 06:00 - 6 minutes - 5.56 MBWe know for a fact that our time here is limited. Moreover, our loved ones' time here is limited. So spend time with them while you can. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Season 1; Episode 17 (17) - ONE PRESENT MOMENT AFTER ANOTHER - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
February 06, 2020 06:00 - 8 minutes - 7.56 MBThe past is in the past, the future is uncertain. The only time when we can interact with the world is in our present moment, right here, right now. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Episode 17 - One present moment after another
February 06, 2020 06:00 - 8 minutes - 7.56 MBThe past is in the past, the future is uncertain. The only time when we can interact with the world is in our present moment, right here, right now. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Episode 16 - Do you need your stuff?
February 02, 2020 06:00 - 6 minutes - 6.01 MBWe live in a culture of consumerism. Buy, buy, buy...own, collect and have. But do we really need all that we own? Do you really need your stuff? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Season 1; Episode 16 (16) - DO YOU NEED YOUR STUFF - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
February 02, 2020 06:00 - 6 minutes - 6.01 MBWe live in a culture of consumerism. Buy, buy, buy...own, collect and have. But do we really need all that we own? Do you really need your stuff? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Season 1; Episode 15 (15) - YOU HAVE ONE JOB - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
January 29, 2020 06:00 - 5 minutes - 4.74 MBNo matter where we are in life or what's happening around us, we only have one job: Be a good human being. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Episode 15 - You have one job
January 29, 2020 06:00 - 5 minutes - 4.74 MBNo matter where we are in life or what's happening around us, we only have one job: Be a good human being. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Episode 14 - Don't be a Negative Nelly
January 25, 2020 06:00 - 7 minutes - 7.37 MBAlthough we can't really control our proto-emotions (your knee jerk reactions to stimuli), we really do have a choice to gain back control of our emotions and means. Even when something "bad" happens, we can always find something "good" to find in that situation to focus on. We can and should make a conscious and concerted effort to think more positively when possible. This is how we can shift our emotional spectrum to a healthier one. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/anders...
Season 1; Episode 14 (14) - DON'T BE A NEGATIVE NELLY - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
January 25, 2020 06:00 - 7 minutes - 7.37 MBAlthough we can't really control our proto-emotions (your knee jerk reactions to stimuli), we really do have a choice to gain back control of our emotions and means. Even when something "bad" happens, we can always find something "good" to find in that situation to focus on. We can and should make a conscious and concerted effort to think more positively when possible. This is how we can shift our emotional spectrum to a healthier one. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spoti...
Episode 13 - Don't be busy for the wrong reasons
January 21, 2020 06:00 - 5 minutes - 4.9 MBWe tend to busy ourselves thinking we will get more out of life. But one who enjoys life gets more from it then one who employs it (Lao Tzu). However, our time is very limited, so we don't want to be lethargic. We want to accomplish good things that are truly meaningful to us. So let us identify what these reasons are and make sure we are busy working towards them, as opposed to working towards the wrong reasons. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Season 1; Episode 13 (13) - DON'T BE BUSY FOR THE WRONG REASONS - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
January 21, 2020 06:00 - 5 minutes - 4.9 MBWe tend to busy ourselves thinking we will get more out of life. But one who enjoys life gets more from it then one who employs it (Lao Tzu). However, our time is very limited, so we don't want to be lethargic. We want to accomplish good things that are truly meaningful to us. So let us identify what these reasons are and make sure we are busy working towards them, as opposed to working towards the wrong reasons. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anderso...
Season 1; Episode 12 (12) - SPEND YOUR TIME PURPOSEFULLY - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
January 17, 2020 06:00 - 5 minutes - 5.52 MBYou've heard me say it time and time again: Virtue is not about perfection, but about trying your best. In order to try your best, however, you must make good decisions and judgments as often as possible. To that end, we must make an effort to use our time purposefully, in order to be the best we can be, as often as we can be. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Episode 12 - Spend your time purposefully
January 17, 2020 06:00 - 5 minutes - 5.52 MBYou've heard me say it time and time again: Virtue is not about perfection, but about trying your best. In order to try your best, however, you must make good decisions and judgments as often as possible. To that end, we must make an effort to use our time purposefully, in order to be the best we can be, as often as we can be. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message
Season 1; Episode 11 (11) - PHILOSOPHY IS A WAY OF LIFE, NOT A DISTRACTION FROM IT - Stoicism For a Better Life Podcast
January 13, 2020 06:00 - 4 minutes - 4.62 MBWhy are you listening to this podcast? I've heard them myself, and it can't possibly be for my voice. No, you're here listening to this in order to better yourself through the use and application of philosophy. Philosophy, then, is not a trifle, game or form of entertainment. Embrace it as a guide for life that should be used and applied more regularly, for more regular results. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Episode 11 - Philosophy is a way of life, not a distraction from it
January 13, 2020 06:00 - 4 minutes - 4.62 MBWhy are you listening to this podcast? I've heard them myself, and it can't possibly be for my voice. No, you're here listening to this in order to better yourself through the use and application of philosophy. Philosophy, then, is not a trifle, game or form of entertainment. Embrace it as a guide for life that should be used and applied more regularly, for more regular results. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andersonsilver/message