Live Well and Flourish

Ready to debunk the misconceptions about Stoicism? Often associated with the aggressive, competitive 'bro culture', Stoicism is in fact a philosophy that champions tranquility, virtue, and reason. Craig demystifies Stoicism and navigating its richness and applicability to everyone. You'll learn how Stoicism is not about material success, but about understanding the dichotomy of cont...

Ever found yourself tangled in the stress of life, fretting over things beyond your control? Then you'll want to hear about my life-altering trip to Aruba and the unexpected wisdom it bestowed upon me. I learned to embrace the concept of 'the Aruba moment', a lesson in accepting the journey as its own reward. My story will lead you to rethink your perspective and comprehend the subs...

Discover ancient wisdom wrapped in modern relevance as we explore Hieroclese's concentric circles of community. I promise, by the end of this episode, you'll understand how this philosophy, steeped in a duty to others, can enhance your connections, expand your community, and foster personal growth in today's ever-evolving world. Got a heart for empathy and a desire for action? This...

What if your quirks and unique traits are not indicators of weirdness but symbols of your distinct beauty and significance? Welcome to our exciting podcast session where we celebrate the splendor of individuality, drawing parallels from the unique characteristics of Craig's dog, Maggie, a rare amalgamation of multiple breeds. Craig encourages you to embrace your distinct traits and let them s...

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 ca...

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...

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, explori...

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 a...

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 con...

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 progres...

Ever thought about whether you're going too far with your self-discipline ? Today's  today grapples with the issue of finding the delicate balance between self-restraint and indulgence, between being too strict or too lenient with oneself. Craig shares personal anecdotes, thoughts, and lessons learned from years of experience in trying to find the perfect 'golden mean' of self-...

What if guilt, an emotion that often makes us squirm, could instead be a tool for personal growth and happiness? This episode of Live Well and Flourish is dedicated to transforming our perceptions of guilt, and employing it as a signal for reflection, self-improvement and ultimately, leading a life that aligns with our values. I lay out the distinction between destructive and constructive guilt, a...

Ever wondered what the secret to living a flourishing life is? The answer lies within you, in the form of self-awareness. Join me, Craig Van Slyke, as we untangle the web of self-awareness and how it irrevocably links to personal excellence and overall well-being. We'll explore how an honest assessment of our current state, juxtaposed against our desired state, can either spur us towards grow...

Ever wondered how limitations could actually set you free? Join me, Craig Van Slyke, as I reveal the surprising connection between constraints and creativity. I'll take you on an engaging journey, from the witty realm of improv comedy to the inventive 'Cajun engineering', proving how limitations can ignite innovation and bring forth possibilities you'd never imagined. You'...

Ever felt overwhelmed juggling your various identities in different settings? You're not alone. Join me as I share my personal experience navigating this challenging aspect of life, exploring the differences between personal and social identities, and how mastering the art of switching between them can lead to a more flourishing life. We'll dive into the emotional labor involved in manag...

Are you unknowingly making it harder to live an excellent life? In this thought-provoking episode of Live Well and Flourish, Craig discusses the unfortunate trend of students using AI tools like ChatGPT to cheat on their papers and then lying about it when caught. He urges you to consider the long-term consequences of applying marginal cost logic to ethical decisions and how each dishonest choice...

Do you find yourself constantly agreeing to tasks and requests, even when you're already swamped? It's time to break this habit and master the art of saying no gracefully and effectively. We're here to explore the reasons behind this common challenge – from the fear of damaging relationships and reputations, to unclear personal boundaries and the genuine care for the task at hand. D...

Diving into the turbulent waters of stress and control,  Craig shares transformative insights in this episode of "Live Well and Flourish". Through personal stories, he illustrates how the daunting feeling of being out of control can amplify stress. Craig suggests a manageable solution: distinguishing what's within your control and what is not, then taking action on what IS in your c...

Stress and anger mutually reinforce each other in a vicious cycle of negative emotion. Being stressed makes you more prone to anger and the emotional labor of dealing with anger makes you more stressed. In this episode, Craig discusses this vicious cycle and what you can do to prevent it. He also explains the concept of emotional labor and how it affects the relationship between stress and anger....

We all feel the need to vent sometimes, we just need to share our negative emotions with someone. Although venting is often seen as a maladaptive response to stress, it can hold surprising benefits in some situations. Craig explores this duality, highlighting the potential pitfalls of rumination and negative feedback loops, but also emphasizing the benefits of venting, especially in transitory str...

In this episode of Live Well and Flourish, host Craig introduces the PAC model of stress management. Stress is an inevitable part of life, but it can be effectively managed by following three main approaches: preparation, avoidance, and coping. Craig explores each approach, offering practical wisdom and insights for dealing with stressors. Discover how to proactively prepare, make wise choices, an...

Are you ready to conquer stress and reclaim your well-being? In this captivating episode of Live Well and Flourish, we dive deep into the world of stress coping strategies. Stress is an inevitable part of life, but you CAN learn how to effectively cope with life's inevitable stressors. Join Craig as he explores two categories of coping responses: adaptive and maladaptive. Adaptive strategies...

Stress can literally kill you ... if it's not managed well. In this episode of Live Well and Flourish, Craig shares his insights on the three main causes of stress: uncertainty, isolation, and overload. He discusses how each of these factors can bring about stress and offers suggestions on how to prepare for better managing your stress through reflection and performing an uncertainty inventor...

Join Craig as he delves into the fundamental components that contribute to your well-being. In the episode, he introduces the concept of the seven pillars of well-being and offers insights into each one. Be sure to check out the back catalog of Live Well and Flourish at https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ for episodes related to many of the pillars. Seven Pillars of Well Being Positive emotions, ...

In this episode of Live Well and Flourish, Craig delves into the fascinating subject of counterfactual thinking. He explores both the advantages and disadvantages of this thought process and offers practical tips on how to manage and effectively leverage it for personal growth. Listeners will hear real-life examples from the Craig’s life, including a recent trip to the emergency room. He also high...