Want more articles like this one?
You're in luck! We've got a weekly newsletter that's filled with goodness!

Wrap up each week on a positive note with our Today in Goodness newsletter featuring our top content from the week, goodness on the horizon, and good news from around the world. 

Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Wrap up each week on a positive note with our Today in Goodness newsletter featuring our top content from the week, goodness on the horizon, and good news from around the world. 

Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
View Collection

Stoicism: Ancient Lessons for Modern Resilience with Nancy Sherman (Episode #43)

Today, we’re going to clear the “mist on your mental wind screen.” Let’s dive deep into Nancy’s expertise and learn more about Stoicism’s beautiful way of connecting us in our shared human experience.

In this episode we’ll be hearing from distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown U, Nancy Sherman. Nancy is also the Inaugural Distinguished Chair of Ethics at the U.S. Naval Academy.

She is fascinated with ancient ethics and how it can inform our modern practices, thought processes, and overall lives. She is the author of Stoicism: Ancient Lessons of Modern Resilience.

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Nancy on FacebookLinkedIn, and Twitter. Check out https://www.nancysherman.com/ to unlock more ancient secrets that can impact our present living.

Put timestamps in H5

[00:01 – 08:11] Opening Segment

  • I introduce Nancy Sherman
  • The scope of Nancy’s work and impact on the world
    • Teacher of Philosophy
    • Learning the art of stoicism
    • How Stoicism really looks in modern society
    • Akin to life hacks
    • Emotions can be enlightening
    • Working with the military
    • The connectivity of Stoicism

[08:12 – 16:27]  Stoicism: Creating a Better World Through Connection

  • Nancy talks about the origins and development of Stoicism
    • Coming from ancient Greek times
    • Leaking into the founding fathers of America
  • What Stoicism is not
    • Bottling up emotions has a high cost
  • How it was practiced in the ancient world
    • The image of Marcus Aurelius
    • An acceptance that we are in a cooperative endeavor
    • A citizen of the world

[16:28 – 35:44] Dispelling the Myths of Stoicism

  • Not about being ‘invulnerable’
    • We are not metal
    • We lose our humanity if we try to be unemotional
  • You don’t have to ‘go it alone’
    • We are in it together
    • We need each other
  • Stoic social grit – the true practice of the Stoics
    • Revelations of emotions
    • Stand back and reflect
    • Thinking fast, acting slow
  • Nancy gives a modern example of rational stoic wisdom
    • Bringing a community together in healing
  • A word about Conspiracy of Goodness Network

[35:45 – 51:47] Ancient Lessons for Modern Resilience

  • How Stoicism has been changed
    • From virtue to becoming self-help
  • The image of widening circles
    • Bringing the outermost inner
  • Nancy shares how Stoicism can help with some modern issues
    • Don’t be indifferent to the world
    • Approach aversive things with a measured response
    • Example from a war story
  • How to deal with the outrage of our modern issues
    • Emotions can inform a moral response
    • Nancy’s work as a professor

[51:48 – 58:22] Your Duty is Dignity

  • Nancy’s thoughts on dignity
    • A sense of human worth across the globe
    • How you should see each other
    • People are the ends not the means
  • Summarizing the practices that inform Stoicism
  • How Nancy’s book reveals true Stoic practices
    • Invulnerability is not the goal
    • Cooperation and respect
    • Denying pain is not a permanent solution
    • Monitoring quick impressions
  • Stoicism is the way forward

[58:23 – 1:04:35] Closing Segment

  • Connect with Nancy
    • Links below
  • What proves to Nancy that it’s an amazing world
  • Final words and announcements

Join for as little as $5 per month

As a Member, you get instant access to unlimited good news, fresh ideas, and positive perspectives. Don't miss out on full access to articles, podcasts, videos, and curated playlists of our content, as well as our weekly newsletter, and access to our mobile app!

Become a Member

Follow Us

Positive news for curious people.

There is a wave of goodness and progress well underway, all around the world.