Successful In One Job, A Failure In Another (Podcast)

hoover

Herbert Hoover, the 31st president of the United States, is generally considered to have been a dismal failure as chief executive. Less well known is the fact that he was a brilliantly successful organizer of humanitarian projects around the world before he became president. Among those successes was his Russian famine relief operation in the early 1920s.  His career illustrates the principle that no man is capable at everything. As leaders we should focus on evaluating character and talent, and seek to find the right person for the right job.

Continue reading

Why Did The Reds Defeat The Whites In The Russian Civil War of 1917-1922? (Podcast)

revolt

The former Russian Empire was torn apart by chaos and civil war from 1917 to 1922.  On one side were the Bolshevists, seeking to impose a revolutionary communist society on the people; and on the other were the so-called “White” Russians, a collection of nationalists and traditionalists trying to dislodge the Red regime.  Why did the Reds win and the Whites lose?  Why were the Reds able to remain in power?  We explore some answers.

Continue reading

Some Impressions On Travel In Central America (Podcast)

antigua

This podcast was recorded several days ago but I was only now able to upload it.  In it we talk about some impressions gained from brief visits to Panama, Costa Rica, Colombia, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico.

Continue reading

Harry Truman’s Presidential Retreat In Key West: Thoughts And Observations

west

A couple days ago I had a chance to tour the vacation retreat of former president Harry S Truman.  The experience prompted some thoughts and observations on the value system of our current political elites.

Continue reading

Homesickness And “Saudade” (Podcast)

saudade

We deal with two related subjects in this podcast.  One is the topic of homesickness.  What is it?  How can it be dealt with?  We also discuss the elusive concept of saudade, and how it can be a powerful emotional force.

Continue reading

We Don’t Know The Struggles That Other People Have (Podcast)

burdens

A recent experience reminded me that we often don’t appreciate the struggles that others have gone through, or the burdens that they may be carrying.  Perspective is one of the first lessons of philosophy, and we should make an effort to get outside our own skin and see things from the perspectives of others.  Being too quick to judge others is a fault that many of us must work to overcome.

Continue reading

Gaining And Maintaining Confidence (Podcast)

confidence

A reader talks about how he is having issues with keeping his confidence up.

We offer some suggestions that provide practical ways to overcome fears and self-doubt.  Time and experience are the keys here.

Continue reading

Fear Or Love? The Views Of Cicero And Machiavelli (Podcast)

fear

Is it better to be feared or loved?  This famous question is more nuanced than people think, and was addressed specifically by Cicero in “On Duties” as well as by Machiavelli in his “Prince” and “Discourses.”  Yet there has been much oversimplification and misunderstanding on this subject.
We also discuss whether Stoicism lends itself to passivity and fatalism.

Continue reading

Travel Advice For A Young Man. Looking For Sympathy (Podcast)

empathy1

In this podcast episode we focus on two different questions.  In the first question, we look at some of the most valuable tips for a young guy in his 20s who has never traveled before.

Continue reading