Philosophy

Polar scientist Felicity Aston reflects on her fascination with exploration and shares lessons on survival, risk, and adventure.

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Utopian vision and how it influenced Black thinkers and leaders in the 1960s is discussed by sociologist Ruha Benjamin and author Aaron Robertson.

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Dan Winter’s advocacy for ending his life is discussed by dementia researcher Lewis Cohen, hospice specialist Jeff Zesiger, and Winter’s husband John Forsgren.

New book ‘Winter’s End’ chronicles dementia and end of life choice

Dan Winter’s advocacy for ending his life is discussed by dementia researcher Lewis Cohen, hospice specialist Jeff Zesiger, and Winter’s husband John Forsgren.

from Life Examined

This week, Kelsey Johnson , astronomer and author of Into the Unknown:The Quest to Understand the Mysteries of the Cosmos talks about the Cosmos and the moral necessity of exploring…

Midweek Reset: On The Cosmos

This week, Kelsey Johnson , astronomer and author of Into the Unknown:The Quest to Understand the Mysteries of the Cosmos talks about the Cosmos and the moral necessity of exploring…

from Life Examined

Author Pico Iyer chronicles his 100+ retreats to a remote Benedictine hermitage in Big Sur, Northern California; exploring the transformative nature of silence, contemplation, and…

Learning from silence: Pico Iyer on the transformative power of solitude

Author Pico Iyer chronicles his 100+ retreats to a remote Benedictine hermitage in Big Sur, Northern California; exploring the transformative nature of silence, contemplation, and…

from Life Examined

Author and palliative care doctor Sunita Puri reflects on the hope that sustains life; endurance athlete and author Alex Hutchinson explores human endurance.

The edge of death: Unraveling the mysteries of human resilience

Author and palliative care doctor Sunita Puri reflects on the hope that sustains life; endurance athlete and author Alex Hutchinson explores human endurance.

from Life Examined

Traveler and author Pico Iyer explains what makes Japan so unique and why he’s made it his home.

The Japanese art of happiness: From ikigai, to ritual, to embracing old age

Traveler and author Pico Iyer explains what makes Japan so unique and why he’s made it his home.

from Life Examined

Writer and author Katherine May shares her love for winter, and explains why it is time for both joy and sadness.

Winter wisdom: Katherine May on grief, loss, and the power of celebration

Writer and author Katherine May shares her love for winter, and explains why it is time for both joy and sadness.

from Life Examined

Author Brad Stulberg shares hopeful observations from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, while also reflecting on the growing masculinity crisis.

Tragic optimism and the male identity crisis with Brad Stulberg

Author Brad Stulberg shares hopeful observations from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, while also reflecting on the growing masculinity crisis.

from Life Examined

KCRW’s Jonathan Bastian talks with renowned Buddhist teacher and psychologist Tara Brach about meditation, mindfulness, and trusting our “inner gold.”

Renowned psychologist Tara Brach on the power of Buddhism in modern therapy

KCRW’s Jonathan Bastian talks with renowned Buddhist teacher and psychologist Tara Brach about meditation, mindfulness, and trusting our “inner gold.”

from Life Examined

Botanist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer discusses her new book “The Serviceberry,” explaining how this plant serves as a metaphor for living in a “gift economy.”

The Serviceberry’: Robin Wall Kimmerer’s guide to the gift economy

Botanist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer discusses her new book “The Serviceberry,” explaining how this plant serves as a metaphor for living in a “gift economy.”

from Life Examined

This week clinical psychologist and author Dacher Keltner delves into the science and mysteries surrounding awe and shares that awe is not just found in nature or music but most often…

Midweek Reset: On Awe

This week clinical psychologist and author Dacher Keltner delves into the science and mysteries surrounding awe and shares that awe is not just found in nature or music but most often…

from Life Examined

“Meditations for Mortals” author Oliver Burkeman discusses the complexities of happiness, well-being, and productivity.

Oliver Burkeman and the art of imperfectionism

“Meditations for Mortals” author Oliver Burkeman discusses the complexities of happiness, well-being, and productivity.

from Life Examined

Lorraine Besser, philosophy professor and author of “The Art of the Interesting,” explores what it means to cultivate and live a good life.

Leading a good life doesn’t always mean leading an easy one

Lorraine Besser, philosophy professor and author of “The Art of the Interesting,” explores what it means to cultivate and live a good life.

from Life Examined

Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, unlocks some of the secrets discovered via 80 years of research on happiness.

In search of happiness: The secrets and science behind leading a good life

Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, unlocks some of the secrets discovered via 80 years of research on happiness.

from Life Examined

Welcome to the Midweek Reset from Life Examined, where host Jonathan Bastian takes a small pause for a new perspective.

Midweek Reset: Life: less itinerary - more flow

Welcome to the Midweek Reset from Life Examined, where host Jonathan Bastian takes a small pause for a new perspective.

from Life Examined

Devin Sean Moss is a chaplain, writer, and podcaster who explores the culture and mystery of death.

Can contemplating death inform a better life

Devin Sean Moss is a chaplain, writer, and podcaster who explores the culture and mystery of death.

from Life Examined

This week, Iza Kavedžija, a cultural anthropologist who lived in the Kansai region of Japan, while researching the older members of Japanese society, talks about how Japanese culture…

Midweek Reset: Ikigai

This week, Iza Kavedžija, a cultural anthropologist who lived in the Kansai region of Japan, while researching the older members of Japanese society, talks about how Japanese culture…

from Life Examined

Poet and writer Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer shares her latest collection of poems, All the Honey, and delves into the complex nature of grief and love following her son's death.

Wild Sorrow: Poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer on losing her son and finding her way forward

Poet and writer Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer shares her latest collection of poems, All the Honey, and delves into the complex nature of grief and love following her son's death.

from Life Examined

Traveler and author Rolf Potts shares his philosophy on meaningful travel and how embracing the unexpected can change us for the better.

The art of travel: A vagabond’s joys, essence, and philosophy

Traveler and author Rolf Potts shares his philosophy on meaningful travel and how embracing the unexpected can change us for the better.

from Life Examined