The Philosopher's Compass

Meredith Alexander Kunz
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Welcome to the The Philosopher’s Compass podcast with your host, Meredith Alexander Kunz. I'm the creator of The Stoic Mom blog and Substack and co-author of Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers (North America), and Live Like a Philosopher (UK). Thanks for joining to explore how we can understand and apply practical philosophy in our lives today. I'll talk with a range of guests about finding meaning and purpose through our life philosophy, starting with modern Stoicism and spanning much more!

Episodios

  1. 2 FEB

    The Philosopher's Compass - Eden Blazejak

    I’m your host, Meredith Alexander Kunz, and in this episode of the Philosophers Compass podcast, I spoke with Eden Blazejak, a postdoctoral research fellow specializing in the political thought of Hellenistic philosophical schools, particularly Stoicism and Epicureanism. Eden shared his personal journey into Stoicism, highlighting how his initial interest was sparked by Seneca's writings, which resonated with his worldview. He discussed the practical applications of Stoicism in everyday life, emphasizing the importance of expectation setting and focusing on what is within our control. The conversation also dove into the differences between Stoicism and Epicureanism, exploring how both philosophies can be integrated into modern life for greater happiness and meaning. He has found particular meaning in the ancient Epicurean approach to life—not to be confused with modern “Epicureans.” Eden shared the relevance of both Stoic and Epicurean ancient philosophies in today's world, particularly in addressing the search for meaning. Our conversation led us to a thoughtful examination of how individuals can draw from both Stoic and Epicurean teachings to navigate life's complexities. That’s in keeping with my book, Beyond Stoicism (also titled Live Like a Philosopher in the UK), which makes a case for the value of curating our own life philosophy! (Please note: My audio had some issues in this episode- I hope you can still hear it clearly.)

    1 h 6 min

  2. 7 ENE

    The Philosopher's Compass - Kasey Pierce

    Join me for a new episode of The Philosopher's Compass! I'm your host, Meredith Alexander Kunz, and this time I spoke with Kasey Pierce. A writer/editor from the Metro Detroit area. Kasey is the co-author of The Stoicism Workbook: How the Wisdom of Socrates Can Help You Build Resilience and Overcome Anything Life Throws at You and the forthcoming The Rescuer Trap: A Guide to Overcoming Codependency, Compulsive Helping in Relationships, and People-Pleasing (New Harbinger). She is also the editor of Tim LeBon’s 365 Ways to Be More Stoic. In our conversation, we covered the pitfalls of being a people pleaser, and how cognitive behavioral approaches that stem from Stoic concepts can help with the tendency to "rescue" folks. Kasey shared her insights on finding a path in Stoicism and with Stoic mentors. She is a wise soul, and a wise mom too! If you'd like to learn more about the how Stoic ideas can make a difference in parenting, follow my work at The Stoic Mom Substack. I also invite you to check out my book Beyond Stoicism, co-authored with Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez (in the UK: Live Like a Philosopher) to learn more about 13 schools of ancient Greek and Roman philosophy. Thanks for listening!

    37 min

  3. 08/12/2025

    The Philosopher's Compass - Lisa Hill

    Join me for a new episode of The Philosopher's Compass! I'm your host, Meredith Alexander Kunz, and this time I spoke with Lisa Hill, Professor of Politics at the University of Adelaide. She co-authored the book Stoicism and the Western Political Tradition with Eden Blazejak. If you're interested in the unexpected connections between Stoicism and the Renaissance, Queen Elizabeth I, and the Enlightenment, as well as women in ancient Stoicism and how Star Wars Jedi were inspired by the Stoics, you won't want to miss this episode! Follow my work at The Stoic Mom Substack and The Philosopher's Compass podcast channel on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, and Amazon. Please also take a look at my book Beyond Stoicism, co-authored with Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez (in the UK: Live Like a Philosopher) to learn more about 13 schools of ancient Greek and Roman philosophy!

    45 min

  4. 18/11/2025

    The Philosopher's Compass - Leonidas Konstantakos

    Join me for this episode of The Philosopher's Compass podcast, featuring a my conversation with Leonidas Konstantakos! If you're interested in ancient Greek history - including the history and culture of Sparta - and if you're curious to learn more about the lives of the philosophers who launched ancient Stoicism, don't miss this one!Leonidas is an international relations theorist specializing in Stoicism and just war theory. He's also a military veteran who who recalls reading Xenophon's histories during his deployment in Iraq. Leonidas teaches in both the philosophy and international relations departments at Florida International University, the philosophy department at Miami Dade College, and teaches Ancient Civilizations and Debate at Archimedean Schools. He is the co-author of Being Better: Stoicism for a World Worth Living In and is currently working on a new book on Stoicism and justice in conflict.Leonidas and I met at last month's Stoicon event, where we spoke on the same panel about practical applications of Stoicism in civic engagement today. We learned that we both cared deeply about education and about bringing philosophy down from the heavens into our world (to paraphrase Socrates) I truly enjoyed this conversation and hope you will too!You can follow my work on The Stoic Mom Substack and check out my book, Beyond Stoicism (North America) Live Like a Philosopher (UK)

    59 min

  5. 05/11/2025

    The Philosopher's Compass, Episode 6 - Sharon Lebell

    Join me - your host, Meredith Alexander Kunz - for this conversation with Sharon Lebell, an author, musician, and modern philosopher best known for The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness - an outstanding translation of the ancient Stoic Epictetus. When it appeared in 1995, it was ahead of its time - there was no "modern Stoicism." Sharon's book, a contemporary interpretation of Stoic wisdom, helped launch the popular Stoic revival. Through her writing, music, and speaking, Sharon helps people live with greater clarity and purpose. I loved speaking with her and learning from her in this episode of The Philosopher's Compass! For more episodes of this podcast, follow me here on YouTube or other podcast platforms, and check out my work on Substack, where I am the author of The Stoic Mom blog. Thanks for listening!

    58 min

  6. 22/10/2025

    The Philosopher's Compass Episode 5 - Benny Voncken

    This episode of The Philosopher's Compass podcast features a conversation with Benny Voncken, the co-founder of Via Stoica and the Via Stoica Podcast. His organization offers Stoic life coaching, corporate training, motivational speaking, and workshops to help people live better lives by applying a philosophy of life. Benny and I have met online and this summer, in Athens, at my seminar co-taught with Massimo Pigliucci, focused on our book Beyond Stoicism / Live Like a Philosopher. Benny and I talked about Stoicism (of course!), existentialism, coaching, and what's really important in life. Thanks for listening! You can find Benny at https://viastoica.com/benny-voncken or YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ViaStoicaCheck out my Substack: https://thestoicmom.substack.com/

    1 h 6 min

  7. 01/10/2025

    The Philosopher's Compass - Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez

    In this episode of The Philosopher's Compass podcast, I talked with Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez - both co-authors with me of the 2025 book Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers (in North America) and Live Like a Philosopher: What the Ancient Greeks and Romans Can Teach Us About Living a Happy Life (in the UK). Massimo and Greg shared their journeys into philosophy, the practical applications of Stoicism in modern life, and the importance of ethics. Our conversation also explored other philosophical schools, how philosophy can help bring us meaning and purpose, and the nature of joy in Stoic practice. Watch until the end and you will hear Massimo and Greg share their recommendations for reading and resources for those interested in exploring Stoicism further. Thanks for listening!Our book: https://theexperimentpublishing.com/catalogs/winter-2025/beyond-stoicism/ andhttps://geni.us/LiveLikeAPhilosopherFollow my work at The Stoic Mom Substack:https://thestoicmom.substack.com/Follow Massimo at the Figs in Winter Substack: https://figsinwinter.substack.com/Greg's website:https://greglopez.me/

    1 h

  8. 18/09/2025

    The Philosopher's Compass - Donald J. Robertson

    Welcome to The Philosopher’s Compass podcast!I’m your host, Meredith Alexander Kunz. I’m the creator of The Stoic Mom Substack, helping parents and kids benefit from Stoic philosophy, and the co-author of the books Beyond Stoicism, and Live Like a Philosopher. I launched this podcast to focus on how people are using practical philosophy, especially Stoicism, in their everyday lives, and how they turn to philosophical thinking to find purpose and meaning.In this episode my guest is Donald J. Robertson. Donald is a psychotherapist and author, and one of the founders of the Modern Stoicism nonprofit. He’s also the founder and president of the Plato’s Academy Centre in Athens. He is the Author of Stoicism and the Art of Happiness, How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, Verissimus: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius, and How to Think Like Socrates. In addition, Donald is the creator of numerous courses,. He was the first person I interviewed for The Stoic Mom blog, back in 2017! And I learned so much from him about anger, resilience, and perfectionism and Stoicism, and more. Every time I speak with him or listen to his interviews, I learn so much - and I think you will too! Follow my Substack at: https://thestoicmom.substack.com/

    1 h 48 min
  9. The Philosopher's Compass - Gregory Sadler

    03/09/2025

    The Philosopher's Compass - Gregory Sadler

    Welcome to the second episode of The Philosopher’s Compass podcast! I'm your host, Meredith Alexander Kunz, creator of The Stoic Mom Substack and co-author of Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers (North America), and Live Like a Philosopher (UK). In this episode, I have a guest who's deeply immersed in this work: Gregory B. Sadler, a speaker, author, educator, consultant, and philosophical counselor who brings philosophy into practice. Greg is a faculty member at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, as well as president of the philosophical consulting firm ReasonIO. He hosts a highly successful YouTube channel on philosophy and is co-host of the Wisdom for Life radio show. We had an awesome conversation about Greg's teaching on a huge range of philosophical topics and thinkers on YouTube and beyond, bringing philosophy to wider audiences and working against the gatekeeping of philosophical thinking, the importance of ethics and how we apply it today, using Stoic philosophy at the gym, how Greg became tops on Google searches - and his special role as a "cat whisperer"! Follow Greg on YouTube, and follow me on Substack: https://thestoicmom.substack.com

    1 h 26 min

  10. 16/06/2025

    Practical Stoicism with Brittany Polat

    Welcome to the first episode of The Philosopher's Compass podcast, with your host Meredith Alexander Kunz (creator of The Stoic Mom Substack and co-author of Beyond Stoicism and Live Like a Philosopher)! Thanks for joining me in this exploration of meaning and purpose through practical philosophy. In this episode, I talked with philosophical writer Brittany Polat, co-author of Stoic Ethics: The Basics and Journal Like a Stoic, to explore the benefits of applying Stoicism in everyday life. Brittany and I are both mothers and independent writers/scholars who care about living by our philosophy - which has helped create real change in how we think about our actions and choices. This wide-ranging discussion touched on what we, as 21st century people, tend to misunderstand about Stoic philosophy and ancient philosophy in general, and about Brittany's interest in Confucianism. We also delved into the sense of purpose that Brittany has gained from pursuing practical philosophy, and the work we've done to build our own life's purpose statements. Hope you'll enjoy this free-flowing conversation with one of our great modern Stoics! Edited by Shannon Kunz

    35 min
  • 10 episodios

Información

Welcome to the The Philosopher’s Compass podcast with your host, Meredith Alexander Kunz. I'm the creator of The Stoic Mom blog and Substack and co-author of Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers (North America), and Live Like a Philosopher (UK). Thanks for joining to explore how we can understand and apply practical philosophy in our lives today. I'll talk with a range of guests about finding meaning and purpose through our life philosophy, starting with modern Stoicism and spanning much more!

Ficha técnica

  • Creado por
    Meredith Alexander Kunz
  • Años en activo
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodios
    10
  • Clasificación
    Explícito
  • Derechos de autor
    © Meredith Alexander Kunz
  • Sitio web del podcast
    The Philosopher's Compass