The Stoic Salon Podcast

Kathryn Koromilas

We meet in a flourishing virtual café. We chat about life, love, work, play, the universe, and Stoicism. read less
Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes

Love Stoic Love - What can the Stoics teach us about love?
11-03-2023
Love Stoic Love - What can the Stoics teach us about love?
On the occasion of Valentine's Day and Brittany Polat's new online course on Stoic Love, we invite you to join us as we explore what the Stoics can teach us about love. We'll talk about self-love, love of others and the world, and love of wisdom. (See chapters/timestamps below)   Email hello@kathrynkoromilas and let me know if this episode resonated. I love mail and I respond to everyone. A special Stoic Salon Podcast episode on love. We'll talk about the foundations of Stoic love, how to start loving yourself, how to show compassion and cultivate goodwill, and how to love wisdom.  Recorded on Tuesday 14th February 2023.  Speakers:  Brittany Polat is the author of Journal Like a Stoic and founder of StoicareKathryn Koromilas is the host of The Stoic Salon Podcast and writes the Stoic State of Mind newsletter.  Chapters/timestamps 00:00 Welcome to the Stoic Salon Podcast & musical intro 00:13 Valentine's day edition & introducing Brittany Polat 02:00 Kathryn asks Brittany, What is Love? 03:00 Falling in love / reason / what to look for when falling in love / Jane Austen & moral exemplars vs modern romantic comedy movies/novels 11:09 Create a space to reason before jumping in / how do we communicate about reasoned love in a world that values spontaneous, stormy falling in love 13:00 If we were falling in love again, Brittany suggests an approach 16:05 Wedding vows and the promises we make when we and our partners will change 20:20 Falling in love as fulfilling a need? 24:40 Alain de Botton's definition of love; generosity to partner 26:20 Brittany suggests a Stoic daily practice to deal with a partner's seemingly negative behaviour, Brittany's apple 29:20 When is the right time for a relationship to end, breaking promises / Alain de Botton's 'love is admiration for strength and also tolerance for weakness,' / Brittany adds shared values 31:45 Shakespeare's sonnet 116 "Love is not love when it alters when it alteration finds" 33:33 Do we 'bear love to the end of doom?' Do we stay or go? 39:00 Another tip for enduring love and the ups and downs - humour 40:00 We can't control if others love us but we can love 41:55 Self-examination in a loving relationship 42:00 Virtue, not a moral duty to love but it's a potential we can cultivate  46:30 Sam Harris Waking Up app - meta meditation, thinking about a person as a child 47:30 Brittany's Stoic Love course 51:50 Pragma, love of duty and reason 54:10 Falling in love with yourself? Self-love always, not contingent on external things, scope for being proud of self for flourishing 56:45 Plato's Symposium and Diotima's love ladder with beauty and truth at the top of the ladder/ what's the ultimate Stoic love? 59:46 Brittany's Stoic Valentine's Day card message
How can I be beautiful? We talk about Stoicism and moral beauty on International Women’s Day 2023
11-03-2023
How can I be beautiful? We talk about Stoicism and moral beauty on International Women’s Day 2023
On the occasion of International Women's Day 2023, we talk about Stoicism and beauty. (See below for timestamps to skip forward to)   Sharon Lebell is the author of the bestselling book The Art of Living which has inspired philosophy lovers and the modern Stoicism movement. Jennifer Baker is Professor of philosophy at the College of Charleston. She also writes for PsychologyToday.comBrittany Polat is the author of Journal Like a Stoic, the founder of Stoicare, a board member of Modern Stoicism and writes the Stoicism for Humans newsletter. Sukhraj Gill is a London-based solicitor and the Aurelius Foundation manager. She enjoys reading around Stoic ideas and practice.Kathryn Koromilas is a writer, educator and coach. She is a board member of Modern Stoicism, hosts The Stoic Salon Podcast and writes the Stoic State of Mind newsletter. In the age of the Instagram Selfie, isn't it true that many of us focus, often as a priority, on our physical beauty so that we might attract a lover, a life partner, or even a reputation, a career, or a social media following?  But what if our real beauty is (and always was) found in the beauty of our mind and our reason, our character, our behaviour, our care for others?  How might we as women help each other (but also help our partners, friends, and children of all genders) become aware that we (and they) are valued for moral beauty above all else?  We'll explore what the Stoics might teach us about valuing our own internal, moral beauty, and also what they say about physical beauty. How might we do this? What are the challenges today?    Two quotes to think about:  If we could examine the mind of a good woman, O what a beautiful, what a sacred sight we would see! What grandeur, what calm would shine forth in it, and what constellations of the virtues: justice on one side, courage on the other, moderation and prudence over there. Besides these, frugality, self-control, endurance, generosity, and cheerfulness would shed their light upon it … what grace, and, by god, what dignity would these bestow! How great its authority would be, and how much appreciated: beloved it would be, yet at the same time revered. Seneca, Letters on Ethics, 115.3   As soon as they reach the age of fourteen, women are called ladies or mistresses of the house; they've grown up and gained some power. And now they see that there's nothing more to gain except to become sexually attractive. So, they set to work to beautify themselves and place all their hopes in that. It is worth our while, then, to make them aware that they're valued for nothing other than attaining self-control and self-respect. Epictetus, Encheiridion, 40     Timestamps Chapters 00:00 A quote about the beautiful mind 01:15 Welcome to the podcast by Kathryn Koromilas 01:30 Introducing the speakers and the theme 04:10 We begin with an opening round, inviting speakers for general introduction and comment on beauty 05:45 Sharon Lebell begins 07:36 Jennifer Baker opening comments 10:25 Brittany Polat opening comments 12:59 Sukhraj Gill opening comments 16:45 Kathryn Koromilas opening comments 20:05 Kathryn reads Epictetus quote (Enchiridion 40) 21:50 Brittany on advice to her daughter and defining moral beauty and moral elevation 24:56 Kathryn reads Seneca quote on the beautiful mind 26:00 Sharon responds to Seneca and explores the power of moral beauty and also addresses the specific challenges that women face, the vulnerability that goes with beauty for females, beauty is complicated 30:07 Jennifer talks about children and how to manage comments/compliments about beauty 32:55 Sukhraj discusses physical beauty versus internal beauty as currency in the broader culture and also talks about praise referring to Marcus Aurelius - an emerald is an emerald even if not praised 41:45 Jennifer on how to be ugly to not attract people who are not good to have close to us 43:00 Sukhraj on beauty on dating apps 46:30 Jennifer on wanting to be beautiful once you have a partner but also admiring beautiful rhetorical, and also brings in Simon Blackburn who talks about selfies 48:05 Sharon Lebell asks a question about the good, the beautiful and the truth 51:45 Brittany asks a question about social media 55:00 Closing round. Final remarks from each speaker.
How does Stoicism define courage? w/ Chris Gill and Sukhraj Gill
28-08-2022
How does Stoicism define courage? w/ Chris Gill and Sukhraj Gill
"Courage is knowledge of which things are to be chosen and avoided and neither." Diogenes Laertius, 7.92     In this episode of The Stoic Salon Podcast, we discuss how Stoicism defines courage and how courage is connected with the other virtues of wisdom, justice, and balance. If you are interested in learning more, join us in October 2022 for our Courageous Paths to Flourishing, Stoicon Women. Our theme this year is courage and we invite women and everyone to join us to learn what the Stoics might have to say about courage and to find and grow our own natural capacity for courage. Information: https://pathstoflourishing.org   Discussion points: 0:00 Welcome to The Stoic Salon Podcast and introducing guests Professor Chris Gill and Sukhraj Gill (see bio links below). 4:25 Please subscribe, follow, support. Email hello@kathrynkoromilas.com with any questions. 5:10 Welcome to the guests and first question about personal notions of courage. 7:25 Chris mentions awesome example of his dad saving a man. 9:50 Sukhraj offers her own examples of courage 11:40 Question about external validation or reward of courage, what does it look like? What about less visible types of courage? 18:22 Courage as restraint or choosing silence 21:24 Courage beyond the military style. Courage is more universal. Chris talks about Plato's dialogue Laches. 23:10 Chris mentions Euripides' Medea (rather stand in battle than have a baby) and Sukhraj talks about courage for women 28:53 Chris talks about courage and unity of the virtues, can't separate courage from the other virtues 31:10 Chris talks about the importance of facing death and its link with courage and Musonius Rufus quote 32:30 Courage as knowledge and Chris brings in personal examples 36:10 Sukhraj talks about the unity of the virtues 42:20 A quote from Seneca 42:50 Fear. Stoic vs Aristotelian view. Chris's definition of courage - knowing how to act correctly in facing fear. 50:15 A comment about women, fear, courage and a personal example 55:00 How to know how to be courageous in a world where there are so many causes to stand up for. About the guests: Christopher Gill: https://platosacademy.org/christopher... Christopher Gill is a scholar of ancient Greek and Roman philosophy (Emeritus Professor of Ancient Thought at the University of Exeter, UK). Much of his recent work has been centred on Stoic philosophy, including Marcus Aurelius, Meditations Books 1-6, translated with an introduction and commentary (2013), and the introduction and notes to the Oxford World’s Classics translations (by Robin Hard) of Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. Also, since 2012, He has been closely involved with Modern Stoicism, a collaborative project and organization designed to make Stoic principles accessible as life-guidance to a broad public audience. In that connection, He has given many talks at Stoicon conferences, including one in Athens in 2019, written many blog-posts for Stoicism Today, and worked with others on the handbook for the annual on-line Stoic Week course.   Sukhraj Gill Sukhraj lives in London and practises as a solicitor at a law firm. She was introduced to Stoicism through the Aurelius Foundation and enjoys reading around Stoic ideas and practice. In her free-time she enjoys yoga, voluntary work for a children’s charity and reading. https://aureliusfoundation.com/founders/ About the host: Kathryn Koromilas (https://kathrynkoromilas.com/) is an author, educator, writing instructor, and a mindset and creativity coach. She uses ancient wisdom and writing practices to help her reignite creativity, reimagine purpose, and foster a thriving writing practice. Her interest in living an examined life has led her to be a lifelong student of philosophy and recently explore the philosophies of Stoicism and Buddhism. In 2017, she founded The Stoic Salon where she meets with like-minded and life-hearted souls to read and write with the Stoics. In 2021, she co-founded Paths to Flourishing with philosopher Brittany Polat to give a stronger voice to women in Stoicism. #Stoicism #KathrynKoromilas #courage
What is courage? | Stoicism | The Stoic Salon Podcast w/ Brittany Polat & Kathryn Koromilas
25-07-2022
What is courage? | Stoicism | The Stoic Salon Podcast w/ Brittany Polat & Kathryn Koromilas
"Courage is knowledge of which things are to be chosen and avoided and neither." Diogenes Laertius, 7.92     In this episode of The Stoic Salon Podcast, we explore our own popular understandings of courage and discuss some Stoic definitions of courage. If you are interested in learning more, join us in October 2022 for our Courageous Paths to Flourishing, Stoicon Women. Our theme this year is courage and we invite women and everyone to join us to learn what the Stoics might have to say about courage and to find and grow our own natural capacity for courage. Information: https://pathstoflourishing.org About the speakers: Brittany Polat (https://www.livinginagreement.com/) is a writer and presenter on Stoicism as a way of life. She is a board member for Modern Stoicism and The Stoic Fellowship, and author of the book Tranquility Parenting: A Guide to Staying Calm, Mindful, and Engaged. Brittany also hosts conferences, such as Stoicon Women: Paths to Flourishing and Stoics Care. She holds a Ph.D. in applied linguistics but currently writes about Stoic psychology and philosophy at her website Living in Agreement. About the host: Kathryn Koromilas (https://kathrynkoromilas.com/) is an author, educator, writing instructor, and a mindset and creativity coach. She uses ancient wisdom and writing practices to help her reignite creativity, reimagine purpose, and foster a thriving writing practice. Her interest in living an examined life has led her to be a lifelong student of philosophy and recently explore the philosophies of Stoicism and Buddhism. In 2017, she founded The Stoic Salon where she meets with like-minded and life-hearted souls to read and write with the Stoics. In 2021, she co-founded Paths to Flourishing with philosopher Brittany Polat to give a stronger voice to women in Stoicism.
How to Live Like a Stoic for a Year with Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez
27-02-2022
How to Live Like a Stoic for a Year with Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez
I get to talk with Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez, authors of "Live Like a Stoic" (UK edition) and "A Handbook for New Stoics" (USA edition).      Stoic Salon member, Sofia Koutlaki, has invited us all to join her to "Live Like A Stoic" for a year with this book as our guide and on our first group check-in of the year, the authors have joined us to answer our questions. Their answers are incredibly insightful and practical. We share them with you here.  Join us here if you'd like to work through the book with a group. Join us anytime throughout the year no matter where you are in the book. Sign up here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thestoicsalon/639919  ⏰   Chapters ⏰   00:00 Welcome to The Stoic Salon Podcast 00:15 Musical intro 00:29 Introducing The Stoic Salon's commitment to Living Like A Stoic for a Year with Massimo and Greg's book, a journey led by Sofia Koutlaki.  03:00 Welcoming Stoic Salon members and Massimo and Greg to the first check-in of the year. 04:55 First question to Sofia Koutlaki: Brief rationale, why you, why this book, why do this together in the Stoic Salon community. 06:57 First question to Massimo and Greg: How should we work with the book. What transformation can we expect after a year? 07:38 Massimo answers the above question 10:03 Greg answers 12:30 Since writing the book, what (if anything) has persisted as a daily practice for you? (Scott Bennett) 12:46 Greg tells us about his practice 15:32 Massimo tells us about 5 exercises he does 19:26 What would Massimo and Greg do - real-life scenario No. 1: how to respond to a bully in the workplace 22:07 Greg tells us what he would do in response to the above scenario 29:29 What would Massimo and Greg do - real-life scenario No. 2: how to respond to someone being abused on public transport 30:43 Massimo tells us what he would do in response to the above scenario 37:41 Jerry Everard asks about taking another person’s perspective 39:43 Greg answers Jerry's question 40:57 Massimo answers Jerry's question 44:00 Michelle asks a question about the emotions 45:24 Massimo answers Michelle's question 49:08 Greg answers Michelle's question 51:04 Scott Bennett's question: What are your thoughts on using Stoicism to focus more on benefiting others in the cosmopolis (family, friends, people in our society, the world at large), and as less of a solipsistic self help philosophy?  52:09 Massimo answers Scott's question 54:20 Greg answers Scott's question 56:10 Hanneke asks about the war in Ukraine: What do you think would be the proper Stoic way to look at the war Putin started so aggressively? 58:03 Massimo answers Hanneke's question 1:02:13 Greg answers Hanneke's question 1:06:16 Thank you to Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez
Dr. Ranjini George: Mindfulness, Stoicism, Buddhism, Creative Writing.
25-09-2021
Dr. Ranjini George: Mindfulness, Stoicism, Buddhism, Creative Writing.
I get to talk with Ranjini George who teaches Stoicism, Mindfulness and Creative Writing at SCS, University of Toronto. We spoke before the very first women's conference on Stoicism, Paths to Flourishing which took place in June 2021: https://pathstoflourishing.org/     Dr. Ranjini George holds a PhD in English Literature from Northern Illinois University, USA, an MA in English Literature from St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi, and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia, Canada. More recently, she won first place in Canada’s inaugural Coffee Shop Author Contest for her travel memoir, a work-in-progress, Miracle of Flowers: In the Footsteps of an Emperor, a Goddess, a Story and a Tiffin-Stall. She was an Associate Professor of English at Zayed University, Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. She currently teaches Stoicism, Mindfulness and Creative Writing at SCS, University of Toronto, classes such as Pilgrimage to the Sacred Feminine; Stoicism and the Good Life; Dear Diary: Marcus Aurelius, Anne Frank and Thich Nhat Hanh; Mindfulness, Stoicism and Writing for Discipline and Productivity; and, Meditation and Writing. In 2019, she received the SCS, University of Toronto Excellence in Teaching award. Her book, Through My Mother’s Window: Emirati Women Tell their Stories and Recipes, was published in Dubai in December 2016. Her most recent publication is an excerpt from her novel, Blue Flowers, a chapter entitled, “Marcus Aurelius at the Lebanese Cafe” published on Stoicism Today. #Stoicism​ #StoicSalon​ #KathrynKoromilas
Nancy Sherman: Stockdale, Emotions, Connection & Dance.
15-06-2021
Nancy Sherman: Stockdale, Emotions, Connection & Dance.
I get to talk with distinguished professor Nancy Sherman about her work teaching ethics in the military, about emotions, about Stoicism being group-help rather than self-help, and about dance!     Nancy Sherman's new book Stoic Wisdom out now and the UK hardcover is coming 1 July: https://amzn.to/3cCFf9C Learn more about Nancy Sherman below and here: https://www.nancysherman.com/about   ⏰  Chapters ⏰ 00:00 Podcast intro [Chapters coming soon]   Follow Nancy on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Nancy-Sherma... Follow Nancy on Twitter http://twitter.com/drnancysherman Find Nancy on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/pub/nancy-she... Nancy Sherman is a New York Times notable author. A distinguished University Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown, she writes on ethics and military ethics. She served as the inaugural Distinguished Chair in Ethics at the U.S. Naval Academy. A Guggenheim Fellow, she has awards from the National Endowment from the Humanities, the Mellon Fellowship, the Wilson Center, the NYU Center for Ballet and the Arts, among others. She has research training in psychoanalysis. Sherman has written six books, edited others, and authored more than 60 articles. She lectures nationally and internationally on Stoicism, moral injury, ethics, and military ethics. She holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University. Sherman's work on military and ancient ethics has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, Newsweek, The Boston Globe, The San Diego Tribune, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Baltimore Sun, The Hartford Courant as well as in many other newspapers. She has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, PBS, WB11, FOX news, and Bob Abernathy's Religion and Ethics Newsweekly. She has been a featured guest on over 50 radio stations nationwide, including NPR's "Diane Rehm Show," "This American Life," and the "Kojo Nnamdi Show," the BBC, and more. She is a frequent guest on podcasts on Stoicism and Stoic meditation and online fora. She has also been featured on radio stations abroad, including the Australian Broadcasting Company. Sherman lives in the Washington D.C. area with her husband, Marshall Presser. They have two grown married children and grandchildren. She is a modern dancer, swims outdoors year-round, and adores hiking with the family. Gardening is also a passion. In the summer, you can find her playing in the mud in the garden! #Stoicism​ #StoicSalon​ #KathrynKoromilas
Kasey Pierce: Impermanence, Illness, & Emotions.
29-05-2021
Kasey Pierce: Impermanence, Illness, & Emotions.
I get to talk with Kasey Pierce about impermanence, illness, emotions, running a business, being part of a club called Stoicism, editing a graphic novel about Marcus Aurelius, and lots more.   Kasey Pierce is an author and editor from the Metro Detroit area. She’s one of the editors of Donald Robertson’s graphic novel, “Verissimus: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius”–a sweeping epic about the life of Marcus Aurelius. Kasey Pierce is speaking on creativity and Stoicism at Practical Paths to Flourishing, a virtual event celebrating women in Stoicism. Learn more here: https://pathstoflourishing.org/ [More about Kasey below] ⏰ Chapters ⏰ 00:00 Welcome to The Stoic Salon Podcast [Chapters coming soon] Kasey Pierce is an author and editor from the Metro Detroit area. She’s one of the editors of Donald Robertson’s graphic novel, “Verissimus: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius”–a sweeping epic about the life of Marcus Aurelius. Her prose horror novella, “Pieces of Madness”, gave her residency on the comic convention circuit in 2015. She joined the ranks of Source Point Press shortly after and created the “Norah” series. This acclaimed movie-optioned sci-fi made her a household name in indie comics–eventually becoming a flagship creator for the company. Kasey has sold-out at many conventions in the US, Canada, and overseas where she’s also presented her panel on marketing and direct sales in indie comics, “Good Luck with That”. Source Point Press released her Viking horror series, “Seeress“, in 2019 and “Norah Vol. 2″ in 2020. Her next work, scheduled for release in 2021, is “Norah Vol. 3” and a space opera about Alzheimer’s, “The Other People Who Live Here”. Currently, she’s one of the editors of Donald Robertson’s graphic novel, “Verissimus: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius”–a sweeping epic about the life of Marcus Aurelius. On her Stoic practice: Although I have to remind myself of this all the time…never ever let yourself be intimidated–it’s illogical. No matter how much money the other guy has, or how much experience they have on you, we’re all meeting at the same place: the graveyard. Hence, they’re not better than you in any way, shape, or form. Once you embrace the reality of impermanence, it makes the difference between what matters and what doesn’t crystal clear. In the grand scheme, the only thing that matters, in the end, is who you loved, how you loved, and your legacy. Everything else is merely a collection of data that no one will hardly remember. Follow Kasey on Instagram @kcdwrites and Twitter @kosmickasey. #Stoicism​ #StoicSalon​ #KathrynKoromilas
Jennifer Baker: Tragedy, Economy, Ethics & Stoicism.
23-05-2021
Jennifer Baker: Tragedy, Economy, Ethics & Stoicism.
I get to talk with Jennifer Baker about tragedy, economy, marketing, business, death, laughter, Stoicism and lots more.     Jennifer Baker teaches Stoic ethics at the College of Charleston and writes on how to apply Stoicism to contemporary ethical issues in life and in fields like economics. She is the author over two dozen articles in philosophy and co-editor of Economics and the Virtues for Oxford University Press. She is working on a book manuscript on economics and moral indifferents.   ⏰ Chapters ⏰ 00:00 Welcome to The Stoic Salon Podcast 00:25 Introducing Dr. Jennifer Baker 02:38 Jennifer's path to Stoicism, Aristotle, Nussbaum, Julia Annas, the Tragic 13:37 Do the Stoics have an account of the tragic? 17:00 Death: "I think people are bad in this subject!" 18:43 What would the news be like is we were all Stoics? 21:18 Economy, a Stoic economy? Money, Budgeting. Markets. Marketing products. Adam Smith. 44:17 Jennifer Baker's forthcoming book: Economics and Moral Indifferents. Business Ethics. Morality in the market since ancient times. 44:50 "Of course, I think the Stoic option is the best." 49:25 Are your children fans of Stoicism? 50:27 Age and Stoicism. Congenital Stoicism. Natural Stoicism. 54:00 Laughter Jennifer Baker is speaking about The Power to Care: How a Stoic approach to life helps in raising children and care-taking 🌿 Stoicon-x Women: Practical Paths to Flourishing 2021 🌿 https://pathstoflourishing.org/ Jennifer argues that: I argue that a stoic approach to life helps in raising children and care-taking for five reasons: it keeps one from being selfish while being assertive, it encourages to "say no" to unpromising commitments and identities, it regards ethics as active and a comprehensive check on your choices, encourages joy and helps one to prepare for loss and crises. Connect with Jennifer on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.baker.35325074 Read her articles on Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-love-wisdom Jennifer recommends approaching Stoicism via Julia Annas' The Morality of Happiness. https://amzn.to/3bNm8cH #Stoicism​ #StoicSalon​ #KathrynKoromilas
Eve Riches: Emotions, Disability, Sex & Stoicism.
08-05-2021
Eve Riches: Emotions, Disability, Sex & Stoicism.
I get to talk with Eve Riches about life, emotions, disability, laughter, sex, & Stoicism. Eve Riches is a mentor and teacher working across disability employment support, Stoicism and Psychology teaching, mentoring looked after children and promoting disability equality. She is particularly focused on improving emotional resilience and applying Stoicism to everyday life. Eve runs a monthly Stoicism online learning group as well as a research project with the Modern Stoicism organisation, where she is a steering committee member and she is also an advisor to the Aurelius Foundation. She is speaking on compassionate self-care and caring for others at Stoicon-x Women: Practical Paths to Flourishing 2021: https://pathstoflourishing.org/ She co-founded, with Brittany Polat, Stoicare.com: stoicare.com   0:00​​ Welcome to The Stoic Salon Podcast 0:11​​ Musical intro 0:26​​ Introducing today's guest: Eve Riches 3:26​ Eve's path to Stoicism 11:37​ Two paths to Stoicism: youth/age 17:07​ The Stoics at university: meeting the Stoics in psychology class 24:05​ Stoic/stoic 25:53​ Stoic theory of emotions 51:01​ Stoic care Stoicare.com. Women, roles, burnout, self-care. Volunteering - duty with temperance 1:10:00​ Marcus Aurelius's challenges versus women's challenges 1:11:50​ Being a Stoic parent, life is hard and complex 1:18:10​ Marcus Aurelius is funny and would have been a great dad 1:22:07​ Seneca's letter writing 1:38:40​ Sex
Sharon Lebell on Women, Duty, Music, & Meaning
01-05-2021
Sharon Lebell on Women, Duty, Music, & Meaning
I get to talk with Sharon Lebell about Stoicism, women, duty, meaning and more. For over 25 years Sharon Lebell’s international bestseller, The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness, has inspired philosophy lovers and the modern Stoicism movement. A modern interpretation of Epictetus’ teachings, it is a perennial classic cherished as a daily spiritual guide for readers from all walks of life.     0:00 Welcome to The Stoic Salon Podcast 0:11 Musical intro 0:26 Introducing today's guest: Sharon Lebell 3:38 Sharon enters here. "We've had a date with destiny." 4:10 Setting tone for beginning the conversation; interested in the personal, Stoic concept of flow, and story of before Stoicism and the meeting of Sharon and Stoicism. 5:24 What was the "Before Stoicism" for you, Sharon? 6:00 Always interested in the "Big Questions." 7:00 "Being a human being is really hard." 8:45 Buddhism & the fruits of a contemplative life 9:03 From Buddhism to Stoicism 10:16 The language of virtue in Stoicism 10:20 Sharon's encounter with Stoicism 13:00 Stoics in philosophy textbooks and academia for Sharon and me 14:58 Sharon asks me about my encounter with the Stoics 17:47 Is Stoicism easier when you get older 19:17 Stoicism's imperative to trust yourself. Choice. Responsibility. 25:50 Seneca's "If you wish to be loved, love." Love. 31:50 The quintessential female burden with regards being loved, to matter 31:52 The gender issue. Stoicism and the female experience. Refinement. Feelings. The messiness of life. 40:29 Important for females to have a loud voice within Stoicism, philosophy generally, and within the world because in touch with the fragility of everything. 42:12 I talk about Seneca's letter to Lucilius on anger and about why we don't learn Stoicism once and for all but instead keep having to work on it. 45:33 Sharon asks me "What do you think Stoicism is for?" 46:43 Rumination and writing practice 48:03 I ask Sharon "What do you think Stoicism is for? 49:03 The fundamental problem of being a human being - no evident meaning. And Stoicism's invitation. 51:10 My story about choosing philosophy. 51:12 Falling in love with Marcus Aurelius's Stoicism, via Pierre Hadot and Gregory Hays. And beginning a discussion of creativity. 55:33 Creativity & Stoicism, Piotr Stankiewicz's book & Sharon talks about duty 58:49 For Sharon, the link between Stoicism and creativity is "Duty." 1:02:01 Sharon plays music! 1:05:00 Sharon continues her thoughts on a duty to create, to make, to use the media we are given. 1:06:00 Thanks and endnotes 1:09:00 Hugs, goodbyes, and musical outro . Sharon Lebell www.sharonlebell.com . #Stoicism #StoicSalon #KathrynKoromilas