Intellectual Freedom Podcast

In this poignant episode we delve into the timeless concept that life's most profound wisdom can often be found in the simplest of moments. Join us as we explore the extraordinary story of  a life  cut short, but through death emerges new life, hope, and knowledge. We'll share the remarkable story of Holly Butcher, who, just 24 hours before her untimely passing, gifted the world with pro...

The news headlines are admittedly ugly. War, hate, anger, and division, unfortunately, represent the interactions of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. But, if we deeply read the texts of these three great religions, there is deep wisdom to be uncovered.  For many, it may be shocking to see that the shared values and common ground of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are more numerous than the differen...

The world is in a state of chaos, and one of the main reasons is the loss of a unifying system of justice and morality. It can be argued that long before the flowering of democracy and the idea of freedom sprung to lif e in the West, Thomas Aquinas' Natural Law Theory laid the foundation. However, this foundation is eroding in our post-modern era.  Aquinas believed there was an immutable natu...

TikTok, a seductive digital vortex, has been a source of amusement for many and terror for others. The app's algorithmic power to draw in users, particularly the impressionable young, has been a cause for deep concern as it exposes them to harmful and inappropriate content.  From sexually explicit dances to harmful challenges, TikTok has created a breeding ground for toxic and hazardous trend...

For an atheist, faith seems to be an impossibility. For a practitioner of Christianity or any religion for that matter, it is hard to maintain faith. But why? We live in a superficial world. In many ways, the religious institutions of the west mirror this superficiality. It has created lukewarm Christians—the Christmas and Easter-type practitioners of Christianity are a prime example. All religion...

We have all been there— bad decisions . Making bad decisions triggers negative consequences, such as financial loss, relationship damage, or missed opportunities. As we go through life and accumulate lousy decision after lousy decision, the baggage we carry around gets heavy—embarrassment, regret, anxiety, loss of self-confidence, and even fear that can paralyze us from stepping out of our comfort...

A recent YouGov survey found that only 30% of Americans overall believe in the American dream and see it as very or somewhat attainable for themselves. It is cliche now to say the American Dream is dead. You can read innumerable articles on the topic.  The surface reasons for the death of the American Dream are obvious, too—rocketing inflation, student loan debt, housing costs, medical costs, inco...

Subscribe for Free: https://intellectualfreedom.substack.com/ Examples are everywhere—social media, political soundbites, and cable TV demonstrate that ignorance is trending globally. We have all seen it. It is scary to watch.  Politicians boast, “I’m not a scientist,” or that people are “sick of the so-called experts.” Rather than expertise, lack of experience is explained as a positive thing, be...

Just twenty-two percent of the youngest adults describe themselves as Protestant  –  a more than fifty percent decline from the 1950s and 60s.  A cataclysmic decline if things do not change.   Gen Z is the most likely generation yet to say they don’t believe in God. They are also the least religiously affiliated and the least likely to attend church. Meantime, their rates of depression and anxiety...

There is no easy way to slice it; religion is a challenging topic. This week we take on one of the most influential spiritual leaders to ever walk the planet earth and, arguably, one of the most influential people in the history of the world. That person is Jesus Christ.  In this episode, we discuss the person, the history, and most importantly, the wisdom to live life to the fullest. If you think...

How long will you wait before you demand the best of yourself? It is a fair question. It is a tough question.  The 21st century has been labeled as “ The Age of Anxiety, ” “ The United States of Stress ,” “ The World of Worry ,” to name just a few of the unflattering descriptors. The implication is that what we are experiencing—political extremism, deep cultural divisions, pandemics, terrorism, an...

If there ever was a Donald Trump-like figure in Greek philosophy that evoked both love and hate it is probably Epicurus. He had a legion of fervent followers, but probably had equally as many detractors. Often he is over-simplified down to a person interested in little more than pleasure. This would be a mistake.  In the success-driven, outcomes-obsessed world we live Epicurus is often painted in...

One key characteristic of an independent mind is not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.” This podcast discusses skepticism and the practical application of this ancient philosophy in our modern lives to make us better thinkers.  We go all the way back to Pyrrho, Sextus Empiricus, and other ancient Greek philosophers to look at the emergence of skepticism from around 360 BCE to the 3rd centur...

American happiness has reached an all-time low.  I doubt too many are surprised when a random google search on 'happiness in America' yields horrifying results. Right now, America is about as angry, anxiety-riddled, stressed-out, and drugged-up as at any time in our history. In this episode, we deep-dive into Aristotle's monumental work: Nichomachean Ethics.   Specifically, we will...

So excited to dive into Sophists in this episode of the Intellectual Freedom Podcast. We will analyze the philosophies and impact the Sophists have had on modern culture. Especially, looking at moral relativism which has reared its head in modern culture with a vengeance.  Moral relativism has set in so deeply that the upper crust of society has become incapable of discerning right from wrong. Eve...

We do not like the idea that we are not in control of our life. However, what if the choices we make are an illusion created between those with power and those without?  It is a hard and difficult question to wrestle with. In this podcast episode, we continue our march through the genre known as wisdom literature by analyzing the great philosopher Plato. Specifically, we will be talking about his...

Us humans are fickle creatures. We are prone to error, bias, irrational emotions and are easily duped.  We need to question everything. This episode analyzes cornerstone philosophical concepts of Socrates.  Socrates, pound for pound, was probably one of the greatest minds ever to walk the planet earth. He challenges us to think deeply and live of life of fulfillment. He lived in the 4th century BC...

“The smaller the mind, the greater the conceit.” Is just one of the great one-liners from the genius Aesop.  This podcast discusses the fables, Aesop, and finding wisdom to navigate an insane world.  Go even deeper by joining the Intellectual Freedom course for free! Send us Fan Mail Follow the Intellectual Freedom Podcast on Social Media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=6158153...

Subscribe for free to my wisdom literature talks !   We live in uncertain times. If we understand peace is within us which we can tap into for strength, life changes dramatically. Conversely, if we expect or believe that an external thing, whether a politician, law, job, or material thing from culture will make us happy, we will end up disappointed. Its almost guaranteed. This is just one piece of...

Mencius was a Chinese Confucian philosopher who has often been described as the Second Sage after only Confucius himself. He is part of Confucius’ fourth generation of disciples. Mencius inherited Confucius’ ideology and developed it further. A positive, strong undercurrent moves through his writings we can all embrace—all humans have innate but inborn tendencies toward benevolence, righteousness,...

In this lesson, you genuinely get a treat! We are studying an intellectual heavyweight considered the pinnacle of Chinese sages. His name is Master Kong, more commonly known as Confucius. Confucius’s teachings and philosophy underpin East Asian culture and society, remaining influential across China and East Asia to this day. Confucius had was obsessed with the practicality of philosophy in both m...

Laozi was one of the greatest minds to ever live. He wrote the venerable Tao Te Ching meaning "The Classic Way of Virtue." This work is the basis of the long-lost religion of Taoism (also known as 'Daoism' in Chinese), an official religion of China's Tang Dynasty in 500 BCE. The lesson covers the deep philosophical and political influence in humanity that still resonates t...

It has been a very tough week, with yet another mass shooting in the United States. Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone impacted. I won’t even pretend to understand the pain of loss. It is perfect timing to be evaluating wisdom from indigenous cultures. There is so much we can apply to our current situation. A thriving civilization living, interacting, sacrificing, solving problems, celebratin...

No one is born with the Warrior Ethic. It is taught through training and discipline. The warrior ethic is for everyone, whether winning on the battlefield or beating inner demons. Learn how to tap into it.  This podcast dives deep into the warrior ethic from our readings in Moral Wisdom Past and Present.  I invite you to listen in to the podcast and join our 100% free Intellectual Freedom Course w...

There is so much sound and fury from preening peacocks in the public sphere it takes wisdom to wade through the swamp of BS. The great thing is moral wisdom has been preserved in so many amazing shapes and forms across history. We just have to explore and use it. Proverbs, across many cultures, give us a bedrock of wisdom we can all use every day to stay grounded, make wise decisions, and be effec...