Podcast

Monstrous And Inconceivable: Jack London Builds His Ship To Sail Around The World

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“Monstrous and inconceivable” was how Jack London described the conception and construction of his yacht Snark, the vessel on which he planned to sail around the world. The construction was beset by delays, cost overruns, and incompetence.  London fought through the obstacles, even teaching himself celestial navigation while en route to Hawaii.  This podcast describes his thoughts on building it, his problems and obstacles, and the true spirit of discovery. We then close with some tweet readings from the G Manifesto.

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“I Just Left My Job, And Don’t Know What To Do Next” (Podcast)

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A reader has just been laid off from his accounting job and is distressed. He is not sure what to do next, and is faced with a few difficult options. We discuss some general thoughts, and what principles to keep in mind.

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Appeal To Athena, But Also Move Your Arms (Podcast)

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We discuss two fables from Aesop that illustrate the point that we ourselves must take action, and not expect deities to come to our aid.  When all is said and done, we must see ourselves as the architects of our own destinies.

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The Greatest Hope Lies In The Justice Of One’s Cause (Podcast)

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“In war the greatest hope lies in the justice of one’s cause.” This is a line from the historian Appian (IV.12.97), who lived from about 95 A.D. to 165 A.D. We discuss what this line means, and how we can apply it to our own lives.

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You Don’t Need Anyone’s Permission To Succeed (Podcast)

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In this podcast we discuss the subject of having the faith and confidence to follow your creative muse, without looking for the approval or endorsement of others. The herd is always going to try to enforce conformity. Do your homework, do your research, and learn your subject: but at the critical jumping-off moment, you need to keep your own counsel and not let anyone undermine your instinct.

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A Relationship Question, And More G Manifesto Tweet Readings (Podcast)

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This podcast is in two parts. The first part deals with a good question I received today from a girl who emailed me about a relationship question.  She wants to know the best way to break up with a guy.  The second part is a reading of some G Manifesto tweets, just to have a few laughs.  Listen to these amusing tweets, as I try to control my laughter.

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A Reading From Jean de Joinville’s “Life Of Saint Louis” (Podcast)

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Today was a difficult one to bear. We grieve, and feel dismay. I wanted to honor the spirit that created Notre Dame by reading some selections from Joinville’s Life of Saint Louis. He was the king of France known to history as Louis IX, and he lived from 1214 to 1270. The pious and selfless ethic he professed infused every stone, every brick, and every timber of Notre Dame.

France, do not forget your dead king.  Vive la France.

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Rehabilitation Or Retribution?

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Investigative journalist Raphael Rowe’s new Netflix documentary series “Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons” provides a harrowing look at incarceration in different countries.  Mr. Rowe has gone into the belly of the beast to learn the truth behind the prison systems of the world.  It also prompts a larger, deeper question. What philosophy is better: rehabilitation, or retribution? We look at the arguments for both sides.

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Some Life Advice From Ibn Zafar Al-Siqilli (“The Sicilian”)

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In this podcast we discuss some life advice offered by the medieval Arabic political theorist and philosopher Ibn Zafar in his treatise, Consolation of the Ruler Amid the Hostility of His Subjects.  I’ve written several articles before about him that can be found on this site (use the search box in the upper right corner), and wanted to do a podcast about some of his life advice.

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The Reality Of The G Manifesto

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In this podcast we answer some of the most common questions I’ve received about the G Manifesto.
“Who is he?”
“What does he do?”
“Is he really doing the things he says he’s doing?”
We discuss some of the take-away lessons, and then go into some recent tweet readings.

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