Dr. Regan Lance Reitsma — Assistant Professor of Philosophy at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA — joins me to talk about similarities and differences between Stoicism and Christianity. We also talk about gratitude, prudence, integrity, humility, having proper perspective, goal-setting, minimalism, and finding meaning in life including one’s vocation.
Anna Murphy (songwriter, vocalist, hurdy gurdy player, and flutist) accompanied by Merlin Sutter (drummer and songwriter) joined me for a candid, humble, and insightful conversation – often coupled with laughter – about their applications of Stoicism in private and public life.
We explore overcoming adversity; the benefit of taking on challenges; creative expression; coping with negative emotions; balance between intense emotion and reason; self-reflection; finding meaning in life; courage; friendship, the importance of social connections; grief; death; anger; and mental health.
We also spoke about their appreciation for Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus which led them to include Stoic themes in their music namely in their song ‘Hullabaloo’ formerly titled ‘Tears of a Stoic’ among other songs on their new album ‘This is the Sound.’
We talk about Mr. Spock, emotions, deliberation, neuroscience, changing habits, self-improvement, and finding meaning in life amidst content presented in his new online course ‘Sci Phi: Science Fiction as Philosophy’ hosted by The Great Courses.
We talk about the psychological benefits of applying Stoicism, finding fulfillment in life, and changing bad habits amidst discussion of his chapters on judgments, externals, perspective, death, desire, emotion, and adversity.
