The Practical Philosopher

Welcome to July the exact halfway point of the year. I want you to be honest. How many of your January goals are still alive? If the answer is not something your proud of this episode is for you. Because the problem was never that you stopped. Is the story you told yourself about what stopping meant. In this episode, I break down the philosophy of starting over. From re-sparking a dead resolution...

Overthinking might be the quietest thing standing between you and the life you want. As someone who loves data and analysis, learning when not to think has been one of my hardest lessons. In this episode, I unpack why your brain is wired to imagine the worst there are no tigers in modern life, but your nervous system hasn't gotten the memo and share the three tools that help me most to beat ov...

What would you do if you really accepted that your time is limited? In this episode, Colin explores why impermanence isn't the enemy of purpose it's the engine. Drawing from Buddhist teachings, the Stoic practice of memento mori, existentialist philosophy, and the concept of being 1% better every day, this episode walks through the two traps people fall into when facing mortality (nihilism...

In this episode of The Practical Philosopher , I reframe discipline as something radically different: not self-punishment, but self-respect. Not intensity, but consistency. Not hype, but care. In this episode, I explore: Why motivation is a terrible leader—it's inconsistent and mood-dependent. Discipline is steady. It's choosing your future self over your current feelings. The paradox of s...

It’s hard to know if you’re going in the right direction—especially when life is full of choices, setbacks, and uncertainty that you can’t control. In this New Year’s episode of The Practical Philosopher , Colin Burke introduces a simple framework: The Three Bs Building, Bonding, and Being. If you can place yourself in one (or more) of these three states, you can stop spiraling about whether you’r...

In this episode of The Practical Philosopher , we dive into one of the most powerful frameworks for understanding why inner peace — and meaningful action — often slips through our fingers: the Five Hindrances . These are the habitual mental patterns that quietly block clarity, focus, motivation, and presence, keeping us reactive instead of intentional. We explore how these hindrances show up in da...

What is the purpose of life? Existentialism’s answer is simple: no one can choose it for you — you must create it yourself. In this episode, we break down existentialism in a clear and accessible way, tracing its history, core ideas, and practical lessons you can apply to your own search for meaning. This isn’t the depressing version you hear online — it’s the liberating one. A perfect episode for...

In this episode, we step back from Stoicism and Buddhism and zoom into something even more fundamental — the personal philosophy you’re already living by. Most people go through life running on beliefs they never chose. Today, we break down the three pillars behind every worldview: metaphysics (what’s real), epistemology (how you know what’s true), and value theory (what really matters). You’ll le...

In this episode of The Practical Philosopher , we explore the timeless wisdom of Buddhism — not as dogma, but as a way of living. Colin unpacks the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the meaning behind the Four Noble Truths, and the practical power of the Eightfold Path. Learn how craving fuels dissatisfaction, why impermanence gives life its beauty, and how compassion and mindfulness can dissolve suffer...

In this debut episode of The Practical Philosopher , host Colin Burke unpacks one of history’s most practical and enduring schools of thought: Stoicism . We’ll cut through the myths that Stoicism is about suppressing emotions and discover how it’s actually a framework for living with calm, clarity, and purpose — even in a chaotic world. You’ll learn: A brief history of Stoicism — from Zeno’s Paint...

Welcome to The Practical Philosopher, hosted by Colin Burke. This podcast explores how timeless ideas—from Stoicism to Buddhism and beyond—can be turned into practical wisdom for modern life. Each episode breaks down complex, sometimes esoteric lessons into clear insights you can apply to decisions, challenges, and daily living. Whether you’re looking to stay grounded in uncertainty, think more cl...