Podcast Summary
Stoicism, News: Stoicism offers perspective and wisdom during uncertain times, news from unfamiliar places can bring new insights, and applying Stoic principles can help find calm and clarity in our lives.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties in the world, we have the power to find perspective and wisdom through ancient philosophies like Stoicism. With Wondery Plus, listeners can access the Daily Stoic Podcast early and ad-free to incorporate these practices into their daily lives. The legacy we leave behind is not static, but ever-changing, and our understanding of it can be shaped by our reactions to the news and the world around us. As Bill Bryson reminds us, reading the news from unfamiliar places can bring excitement and new insights. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the negativity in the news, we can use it as an opportunity to broaden our horizons and apply Stoic principles to find calm and clarity in our own lives.
Perspective Change: Changing our perspective can make even troubling situations more interesting and offer valuable lessons. Bill Bryson's travels and talks provide opportunities to broaden horizons and gain new insights.
Changing our perspective can provide new insights and make even seemingly mundane or troubling situations more interesting. Bill Bryson's experiences of reading about distant scandals and conflicts, and finding humor in them, illustrate this idea. The ancient Roman turmoil may be alarming up close, but from a distance, it can offer valuable lessons. Similarly, our own modern-day turmoil may make us queasy, but looking at it from a different angle or through a different lens can make it more understandable and even amusing. Bryson's upcoming travels and talks in various parts of the world will give him new perspectives and opportunities to learn and grow. By attending his talks and engaging in discussions, we too can broaden our horizons and gain new insights. So, let's embrace the opportunity to change our perspectives and discover the hidden gems in even the most challenging situations. For more information on Bryson's talks and tickets, visit RyanHolliday.net/tour.
Adaptability: Adapting to unexpected situations is crucial for success and personal growth, as demonstrated by Ryan's ability to buy a new pair of shoes and deliver his talk despite a mishap.
Learning from Ryan's story at the Naval Academy is the importance of adaptability. Despite the unexpected mishap with his shoes, Ryan managed to adjust and buy a new pair, allowing him to deliver his talk without any further issues. This incident reflects the Stoic philosophy of accepting the reality of situations and finding ways to make the best of them. The midshipmen's question about adapting to different times also highlights the relevance of this virtue in various aspects of life. The Naval Academy's Stutt Ethics Lecture Series and the Stockdale Center's support for Ryan's work and stoicism further underscore the significance of adaptability in personal growth and leadership.
Morality and Competence: Both morality and competence are crucial for making a difference. It's not enough to know what's right, we need the ability to navigate complex systems and build relationships to bring about change.
Doing the right thing and having the ability to get things done are both essential components of making a difference. It's not enough to simply know what's right; we also need the competence and acumen to navigate complex systems and build relationships to bring about change. This process can be tough and may require us to challenge ourselves and push beyond our comfort zones. While we may be inspired by those who speak eloquently about moral issues, it's often those who have the ability to make things happen behind the scenes who truly drive progress. Ultimately, cultivating this tension between morality and competence is a lifelong journey. It's not always easy, but it's worth it.
Campaigning vs leading: Appealing to all constituencies during campaigning is necessary, but as a leader, following through on promises and doing the hard right thing, even if it goes against the status quo, is crucial.
Being a radical or disruptive figure may hinder your ability to advance in your career or gain support, but once you reach a position of power, it's crucial to follow through on your promises and do the hard right thing, even if it means going against the status quo or pleasing all constituencies. Jimmy Carter's example illustrates this tension between campaigning and leading, as he had to appeal to conservative voters to win office but later implemented progressive policies as president. The constant delay of doing the hard thing can result in becoming more risk-averse and less empowered to make significant changes.
Stoicism and societal change: Stoicism can help individuals find inner peace but it falls short in addressing societal issues, and recognizing the need for power and influence to bring change is crucial.
Stoicism, as a philosophy, encourages individuals to focus on what they can control and let go of what they cannot. However, it's important to remember that Stoics lived in a time of vast inequality and did not question certain societal norms. While they emphasized personal ethics and inner peace, they could have done more to address external issues. Jimmy Carter's leadership serves as an example of someone who recognized the need for power and influence to bring about change. The Stoics' teachings can help us navigate our own lives, but it's crucial to critically evaluate their limitations and consider how we can apply their principles to make a positive impact on the world.
Controllable vs Uncontrollable: Focus on what's in your control to increase chances of success, while expressing gratitude for support and acknowledging the role of uncontrollable factors.
While some aspects of life are beyond our control, there are still actions we can take to increase our chances of success. Using Carter's example, he may have done the right thing, but there were areas where he could have been more effective. This concept applies to various aspects of life, such as career advancement. We can write the best book or work hard on a project, but marketing and sales efforts can also play a significant role in achieving our goals. It's essential to recognize the distinction between what is in our control and what isn't and focus on the areas where we can make a difference. Additionally, expressing gratitude and appreciation for the support and success we've received is a valuable practice. So, in summary, while we cannot control everything, we can influence outcomes by taking action and focusing on the areas within our control.
Teapot Dome scandal, American history: The Teapot Dome scandal is the greatest corruption scheme in US history, explored in depth in the 'American Scandal' podcast on Wondery, with more historical insights available through other Wondery podcasts and a free binge of the season with Wondery Plus.
The "American Scandal" podcast by Lindsay Graham on Wondery explores some of the most significant controversies in US history, including financial scandals like Enron and Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme, as well as political scandals like the Teapot Dome scandal. This podcast offers listeners a deeper understanding of events that have shaped American history and continue to define the American experience. You can listen to the latest season on the Teapot Dome scandal, which is the greatest corruption scheme in US history, on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. After finishing "American Scandal," you can deepen your knowledge by exploring Wondery's other top history podcasts, such as "American Historytellers," "Legacy," and even "The Royals." By subscribing to Wondery Plus, you can binge the entire season of "American Scandal: Teapot Dome" for free.
We Australians can be a funny bunch, and when it comes to politics we're often more interested in the quality of our democracy sausage than the quality of our democracy.
Combine politics with faith and then you've really got something combustible. The ultimate no-win, conversation-killing, relationship wrecking social sin.
Over 5 half-hour episodes, we'll bust open this social phobia.
We'll talk to with key influencers from all sides of politics, we won't tell you who to vote for, but we will explore some of the most compelling questions Christians should be thinking about:
