If one ember is left alight, no matter how dimly it smolders, a fire will eventually break out.

The less you say, the more intimidating and powerful you are. Always say less than necessary. When you do speak, make it vague and ambiguous, leaving the meaning to others to interpret. They'll be frustrated and obsessed with trying to figure you out.

One of the members of Alcoholic Anonymous define ego as "conscious separation from." From what? From everything and everyone, including our own nature. When we are in the sway of ego, we are arrogant, selfish, shortsighted. We are mean, we are superficial, we are insecure, we are fragile. In short, we are everything a Stoic is not supposed to be.

"To practice death is to practice freedom. A man who has learned how to die has unlearned how to be a slave.” - Michel de Montaigne

Is there comedy so offensive that it shouldn’t be allowed? Do some jokes encourage bigotry and hatred? Could edgy comedy ever be good for society? These are some of the questions we’re asking in this week’s show on Comedy and the Culture Wars. It’s our first new show since Ken died last month (apart from the tribute episode we made), so I hope Ken would be happy to see that we are keeping the torch lit and his legacy alive.

Today you might find yourself dealing with something tough. Stuck in a new situation. Hit with a situation that's been developing for some time, but only now is bringing you pain. In tight situations like these, you need

In my opinion, a good leader must possess three main characteristics; the ability to move a nation with their ethical speeches and civic-minded

Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, had a complex relationship with democracy. While he lived during the heyday of Athenian democracy, he was critical of its flaws and voiced concerns about its limitations.

“What a lovely surprise to finally discover how unlonely being alone can be.”

Can you reason your way into being a good person? Or are your feelings a better guide for doing the right thing? Should morality be the same for everybody? This week we’re thinking about German enlightenment philosopher Immanuel Kant and his view of a universal morality based on reason.

"A true test of a man's character is what he does when no one was watching." - John Wooden

"Everyone sees what you appear to be; few really know what you are." - Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince

"Why regret anything? Where does it get you to regret anything you've ever done in your life? It gets you nowhere. It's a pathetic emotion that you can wallow in."

Plato's Allegory of the Cave is a thought-provoking and enlightening lesson that I initially overlooked in high school. However, upon exploring the story more deeply, I found it to be intriguing and profound.

Shouldn’t we get angry at injustice? Don’t some things deserve our rage? Or will rage just beget more rage? These are some of the questions we're thinking about on this week's show, "Righteous Rage."

The phrase "pragmatic over emphatic" implies a preference for practicality and effectiveness over emotional or passionate approaches. It suggests valuing practical considerations, rationality, and logical reasoning when making decisions or approaching problems, rather than being driven primarily by emotional or sentimental factors.

One of the most misleading things about our world today is the increased sense of comfort we feel.

The Stoics talk over and over again about studying the lives of the "greats." Why? To learn what to do and what not to do.

Remember that Stoicism isn't about judging other people. It's not a moral philosophy you're supposed to project and enforce onto the world. No, it's a personal philosophy that's designed to direct your behavior. This is what Marcus Aurelius meant when he said: "Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself."

Flow is more than just concentrating or paying attention; it's a unique mental state of effortless engagement. And those who more frequently experience flow report higher levels of positive emotions, creativity, and feelings of accomplishment.

In the pursuit of self-improvement and success, the prevailing wisdom often advocates for rationality, logic, and objective decision-making.

Are essays a good way to do philosophy? What if they’re full of digressions and contradictions? Could that possibly make them more philosophical, not less?

It is said that comparison is the thief of joy and is, therefore, mostly to be avoided. This is true. You're on your own journey with your own unique circumstances.

This week we’re asking why we should trust science—which may sound like a weird question. After all, why would we doubt the method that helps us build bridges and skyscrapers, formulate life saving medicines, and understand the cosmos?

When a thoughtless or unkind word is spoken, best tune out. Reacting in anger or annoyance will not advance one's ability to persuade.