Exploring Kodawari

Well, it's been over a year since our last episode! As a COVID-19 pandemic project, sticking to a consistent publishing schedule for this podcast has been tough. But we've always said that even if our focus on it fades and drifts, we'll continue putting out content as long as we have something to say.So, we threw this episode together on New Year's Eve to at least say that we put out one episode in 2024. Enjoy our lessons, observations, and reflections on 2024, which includes topics we hope to cover over a few episodes in 2025.We talk about the value of simplicity, gratitude prayers, learning to surrender, knowledge vs wisdom, and the meaning crisis in our culture and why there are so many zombie movies/TV shows.2024 Quote"It is very simple to be happy, but it is very difficult to be simple." —Rabindranath TagoreTimestamps:[01:48] Gratitude practice/prayer[06:16] Earning your simplicity[08:52] The value of surrender[18:04] What is wisdom?[22:03] Meaning of life vs. meaning in life[39:24] The Greek word tonos and embracing healthy tension[45:19] Thoughts on toxic compassion Links:Overcoming Nihilism (My 2022 article)Zombies in Western Culture A Twenty-First Century Crisis by John Vervaeke, Christopher Mastropietro, and Filip MiscevicSupport Us:You can always support us by leaving a rating or review in your podcasting app. You can also share our episodes with friends on social media.But it does take a lot of time to put together a podcast, maintain a website, and write new content every week. So if you would like to support us in a more substantial way, consider making a donation through the PayPal buttons on our website:https://exploringkodawari.blog/donation/Follow Us:Our Website/BlogNewsletterTwitter: @EKodawariInstagram: @exploringkodawariFacebook: facebook.com/ExploringKodawari

Is happiness the meaning of life? In this episode, we discuss the philosophy of happiness and the psychology of the hedonic treadmill that keeps us constantly chasing new forms of satisfaction and pleasure.

This episode is part two of our exploration of nihilism and the meaning crisis. We discuss the meaning of "meaning" and how one can overcome nihilism to find a more durable sense of meaning in life.

Metacognition, or being "above" normal thinking, is the bird's eye view of the mind. And in this episode, we travel through the different layers of metacognition and meta-awareness to learn how to think more clearly and live better lives.

In this episode, we dig into Stoic beliefs and principles that can help you find tranquility and live a better life.

What if you could summarize reality in two words? In this episode, we examine the ultimate mental model of reality, chaos and order. Also known as Yin and Yang, this framework is the most fundamental categorization we can make in the world.

This episode is with trumpet player Scott Moore, who has been principal trumpet of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra since 1988. We talked about all things music, trumpet, and life while having a few cocktails!

In this episode, we explore the concept of communication from many different angles including how human beings evolved language and why all communication is ultimately a translation.

In this episode of the podcast—our first of 2021—we discuss the psychology of new year's resolutions as well as the concepts of discipline, sacrifice, and bargaining with the future.

In this episode, we speak with composer, arranger, and trumpet player Brandon Dicks about videography and making music online.

With author and writing professor Joe Labriola, this episode tries to capture the beauty and art of the short story. We analyze Sticks by George Saunders and Coloring In by Joe Labriola himself.

This episode is our conversation with the speaker, author, and advocate for sobriety Stephen Hill. Although Stephen suffered from addiction for over a decade, he is now sober and spreads his message of sobriety at schools, community events, and conferences.