Live Well and Flourish Craig Van Slyke

Do algorithms control your attention? Wander no further, as Craig peel back the curtain on the unseen battle for your most precious resource - your attention. Discover why attention, not time, is your true currency, and learn how to guard and maximize its value in a world that's increasingly vying for your focus. He also delves into the art of mindful attention and how this simple practice can steer you towards more intentional decisions and experiences.

In the second half, he switches gears to examine the transformative power of attention in human interactions. Consider this: every time we lend our attention to someone, we are essentially giving them a piece of our most valuable resource. Explore how this act of generosity can help us foster more meaningful relationships while contributing positively to those around us. Don't just take my word for it, share your insights with others and join us in creating a movement towards living well and flourishing. For more on this intriguing journey, visit livewellandflourish.com.
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Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/
The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, hazel.crossler@gmail.com.
Production assistant - Paul Robert

What if the world could be transformed by a simple act of kindness? Imagine a chain reaction of generosity and empathy sparked by one considerate gesture. In today’s enlightening episode, we examine the profound power and ripple effects of kindness. Delving into teachings from as far back as Proverbs and Aristotle, we dissect the essence of kindness and why it’s not just rewarding to the giver and receiver but society at large.

We take a fascinating journey into the psychology of kindness, exploring how it becomes a habit and its contagious nature. Be inspired by stories of small kindness gestures and the enormous dividends they yield. Learn how letting someone go ahead of you in a grocery line could have far-reaching effects. We illuminate how you can incorporate more kindness into your everyday life and the positive repercussions it can bring. Join us on this exploration of the kindness dividend and how it can enrich your life.
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Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/
The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, hazel.crossler@gmail.com.
Production assistant - Paul Robert

Have you ever contemplated the fleeting nature of life, and the unsettling yet profound truth of impermanence? There's a saying in Stoicism: 'Memento Mori', remember that you will die. It's not meant to dishearten us, but rather to inspire us to live fully, cherishing each moment and the relationships we have. We dive deep into the philosophies of Stoicism and Buddhism, exploring how these ancient wisdoms guide us to accept and embrace impermanence. Listen to how personal stories and concepts like 'preferred indifference' can help you harness this understanding to live a more meaningful, fulfilling life.

But it's not just about introspection. It's also about how we interact with the world around us. Seneca, one of the prominent Stoic philosophers, reminds us of the impermanence of our dear ones, emphasizing the urgency to cherish and deepen our relationships. This knowledge of impermanence can also fuel our pursuit of purpose and meaning in life. Therefore, if this message resonates with you, join us on this journey and share it with others. We are all in this together - helping each other live an excellent life!
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Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/
The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, hazel.crossler@gmail.com.
Production assistant - Paul Robert

Imagine you're standing at a crossroads, with infinite paths before you. Do you know which route aligns best with your core values, purpose, and leads to enduring fulfillment? Craig dives into the concept of Practical Wisdom, an ancient cardinal virtue, also known as 'phronesis', that serves as your guiding compass. In his discussion, he discusses how practical wisdom binds reason and virtues together, helping you make decisions that not only align with your virtues but also put them into action. Craig unravels how it goes beyond mere knowledge or intelligence, enabling you to see the bigger picture and understand how to take actions that resonate with your core values and contribute to the greater good.

In this enlightening conversation, Craig uses everyday life scenarios to demonstrate how practical wisdom can be applied to navigate life's tricky choices and avoid pitfalls. He wraps up the episode by exploring the journey of developing practical wisdom through self-knowledge, self-awareness, and critical reflection. Discover how practical wisdom can indeed make your road to excellence less rocky, guiding your decision-making, relationship building, professional life, lifestyle choices, and even how you treat the environment. Tune in and learn how to put your wisdom into practice to not just live an excellent life, but to become an excellent person.
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Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/
The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, hazel.crossler@gmail.com.
Production assistant - Paul Robert

Do you harbor an illusion of control? Or perhaps you feel like an imposter, despite your proven competence? Are you aware of the stories you tell yourself that might not be entirely true, and yet, they shape your reality? These are the self-delusions we unravel in this episode of Live Well and Flourish. Craig explores the power and danger of these deceptions, and how they can either boost your confidence or lead you down a path of counterproductive behaviors. He discusses common self-delusions such as the false consensus effect, the halo effect, and the illusion of control - drawing from personal experiences and anecdotes.

Craig delves not only into the nature of these delusions but also their categorization into avoidance, adjustment, and motivating delusions. These categories help you understand how self-delusions can be either harmful or helpful in different scenarios. For instance, an avoidance delusion might offer comfort in the face of an overwhelming challenge, while an adjustment delusion could stimulate personal growth. Whether it's about recognizing your personal growth, dealing with failure, or simply understanding the stories you tell yourself, this episode invites you to confront your self-delusions, navigate their power, and harness them for your wellbeing. Tune in and step into a more self-aware version of you.
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Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/
The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, hazel.crossler@gmail.com.
Production assistant - Paul Robert

There's a pernicious trend in society, punishing the free expression of contrary ideas. Using a recent incident from academia, Craig discusses the dangers silencing free expression poses for a free society.  Drawing insights from John Stuart Mill's essay on liberty of thought and discussion, he explores the grave implications of the chilling effect on societal progress

How can we progress as a society if we are afraid to challenge orthodox thinking and engage in open debate? This is the pressing question we wrestle with in today's discussion. Open and honest debate is more than just a fundamental right - it is the bedrock of intellectual and societal advancement. Craig emphasizes the critical role of debate in testing our beliefs and values, and the importance of diverse perspectives in our collective growth. Engaging in a spirited evaluation of the risks, repercussions, and rewards of dissent, he underscores the need to foster an academic environment that values diverse opinions and encourages intellectual challenges. After all, it's through the clash of contrasting ideas that the light of truth is often kindled.
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Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/
The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, hazel.crossler@gmail.com.
Production assistant - Paul Robert