Podcasts about discourses

Join Pastor Mike Burchfield as he continues his series, Discourses of the King of Heaven. This Sunday he will be discussing: How to Invest in the Kingdom of Heaven Text: Matthew 6:19-24 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Join Pastor Mike Burchfield as he continues his series, Discourses of the King of Heaven. This Sunday he will be discussing: Forgive as Forgiven Text: Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Watch the video episode here: https://youtu.be/_CKtK4ajc2M----The manosphere has been quoting the Stoics to young men for years. Marcus Aurelius. Epictetus. Seneca. The version they've been selling — anger as strength, dominance as virtue, emotion as weakness — is the exact opposite of what those philosophers actually wrote.In Meditations 11.18, Marcus Aurelius wrote in his private journal that gentleness is more manly than rage. Seneca, in Letter 63, wrote that we may weep but must not wail — and admitted he had been overcome by grief himself. Epictetus, in Discourses 2.10, said that the man who becomes a wild beast has lost something essential. Musonius Rufus argued in Lecture IV that virtue is the same in man and woman, and Cleanthes — Zeno's successor as head of the Stoic school — wrote an entire treatise titled On the Thesis that Virtue Is the Same in Man and Woman in the 3rd century BCE.This video walks through what the original Stoics actually said about being a man, why the manosphere reading of Stoicism is a misreading, and four traits of the Stoic version of manhood you can use to test whether you're actually living the philosophy.

Join Pastor Mike Burchfield as he continues his series, Discourses of the King of Heaven. This Sunday he will be discussing: The Secret Life of a Believer pt.2 Text: Matthew 6:1-18 And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Join Pastor Mike Burchfield as he continues his series, Discourses of the King of Heaven. This Sunday he will be discussing: The Secret Life of a Believer Text: Matthew 6:1-5; 16-18 Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/cY4AMcWhSko---For most of my adult life, I had this low-level hypervigilance running in the background. I tried everything to fight it — books, breathwork, control techniques, willpower. The harder I fought, the worse it got.In this episode, I share the breakthrough that came when I stopped fighting and started welcoming. It's a Stoic-Nietzschean reframe called amor fati — the love of fate — and it changed my relationship with anxiety completely.We'll explore:— The two layers of suffering, and why fighting anxiety creates the second one— What Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus understood about welcoming difficulty— Why Nietzsche called amor fati "the formula for greatness"— The Stoic concept of indifferents — and why anxiety isn't intrinsically bad— A daily practice for treating anxiety as a training partner rather than an enemy—If you'd like to go deeper into Stoic practice, the Free 7-Day Stoic Challenge walks through the core practices step by step.→ stoicchallenge.co—Sources referenced:Marcus Aurelius, Meditations (Hays translation)Epictetus, Discourses & Enchiridion (Hard translation)Nietzsche, The Gay ScienceDonald Robertson, How to Think Like a Roman Emperor—Thanks for listening. Go well.

Join Pastor Mike Burchfield as he continues his series, Discourses of the King of Heaven. This Sunday he will be discussing: Overcoming Evil with Love. Text: Matthew 5:43-48 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Join Pastor Mike Burchfield as he continues his series, Discourses of the King of Heaven. This Sunday he will be discussing: Overcoming Evil with Love pt2. Text: Matthew 5:43-48 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

This week's selection is an excursion into Pastor William Shishko's ministerial library, to see which books have fed him as a Christian and as a minister. The result will be of interest not only to other men called to shepherd the Lord's flock, but to every Christian with an appetite to know more of God.    (In Print) Books Mentioned in the Episode:  John Owen, The Glory of Christ (Volume 1 of The Works of John Owen, comprising Owen's Christologia, Or a Declaration of the Glorious Mystery of the Person of Christ and Discourses and Meditations on the Glory of Christ) Gardiner Spring, The Attraction of the Cross (Out of print).  Octavius Winslow, Personal Declension and the Revival of Religion in the Soul Octavius Winslow, No Condemnation in Christ, as Unfolded in the Eighth Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans Octavius Winslow, The Work of the Holy Spirit: An Experimental and Practical View J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels Matthew: https://banneroftruth.org/store/commentaries/expository-thoughts-on-the-gospels-9/  Mark: https://banneroftruth.org/store/commentaries/expository-thoughts-on-the-gospels-10/  Luke (I): https://banneroftruth.org/store/commentaries/expository-thoughts-on-the-gospels-11/  Luke (II): https://banneroftruth.org/store/commentaries/expository-thoughts-on-the-gospels-12/  John (I): https://banneroftruth.org/store/commentaries/expository-thoughts-on-the-gospels-13/  John (II): https://banneroftruth.org/store/commentaries/expository-thoughts-on-the-gospels-14/  John (III): https://banneroftruth.org/store/commentaries/expository-thoughts-on-the-gospels-15/  William Hendriksen's Commentaries: https://banneroftruth.org/about/banner-authors/william-hendriksen/    Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us your feedback or a testimony: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

Today's assistant professor has spent his career studying the forces that threaten liberal democracy — the far right, populism, nationalist movements that have reshaped politics from Hungary to the United States. He's one of the most cited political scientists working on those questions, based at the University of Georgia, originally from the Netherlands, and the kind of scholar who combines rigorous theory with an unusually grounded sense of how politics actually lives in people's lives.But today we're not talking about Marine Le Pen or Viktor Orbán. We're talking about soccer.Cas Mudde has been a lifelong fan — not of modern football, as he'd put it, but of soccer as community. He's visited something like 500 teams across more than 35 countries, and he brings to the sport the same analytical eye he turns on democratic erosion and authoritarian politics. Because for him, the two aren't as separate as they might seem.In a recent chapter called "Soccer as Civil Society," Mudde argues that professional soccer is not just entertainment — it's a political space, one that sits squarely in the terrain between the state, the market, and the community. And like democracy itself, that space is under pressure: from the commodification of the game, from multiclub ownership models that strip fans of accountability, and from the slow transformation of supporters into consumers.He's also clear-eyed about the limits of resistance — skeptical of the romanticization of fan-owned "punk football" clubs, even as he takes them seriously.It's a conversation about soccer, yes — but also about power, community, and what it means to fight for something when the odds are stacked against you.HELPFUL LINKS TO TODAY's EPISODE:Cas Mudde on LinkedIn, Wikipedia, and the University of Georgia websiteCas' groundhopping InstagramCas Mudde, Soccer as Civil Society - article as PDFTamir Bar-On's 3 Discourses on Soccer, referenced in Cas' article and briefly at the end of the episodeNEW: send me a text message! (I'd love to hear your thoughts - texts get to me anonymously, without charge or signup) Please leave a quick voicemail with any feedback, corrections, suggestions - or just greetings - HERE. Or comment via Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook. If you enjoy this podcast and think that what I do fills a gap in soccer coverage that others would be interested in as well, pleaseRecommend The Assistant Professor of Football. Spreading the word, through word of mouth, truly does help. Leave some rating stars at the podcast platform of your choice. There are so many sports podcasts out there, and only ratings make this project visible; only then can people who look for a different kind of take on European soccer actually find me.Artwork for The Assistant Professor of Football is by Saige LindInstrumental music for this podcast, including the introduction track, is by the artist Ketsa and used under a Creative Commons license through Free Music Archive: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/

Nedavno so trije uredniki zbornika z naslovom »Discourses on mountains of Montenegro and Slovenia«, (Springer, 2026) po naše Razprave o gorah v Črni gori in Sloveniji, v prostorih Geografskega inštituta Antona Melika ZRC SAZU predstavili razloge, nekajletna usklajevanja in vsebino skupnega projekta 49 geografov, zgodovinarjev in arheologov iz Črne gore, Slovenije, Nemčije in Srbije. Monografija z razpravami o gorah v Črni gori in Sloveniji je na mreži prosto dostopna na povezavi https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-99017-5 v elektronski verziji, tiskana pa vas bo stala okoli 50 eur. Predzgodba o nastanku zbornika gre desetletje nazaj in se začenja z sodelovanjem Zgodovinskega inštituta Univerze v Črni gori in Oddelka za zgodovino ljubljanske Filozofske fakultete. Od tam sta tudi dva od treh urednikov knjige, zgodovinarka dr. Olga Pelcer Vujačić, znanstvena sodelavka Zgodovinskega inštituta Univerze v Črni gori in zgodovinar izr.prof.dr. Peter Mikša z Oddelka za zgodovino ljubljanske Filozofske fakultete. Slednji je bil tudi sogovornik v oddaji, ki se mu je pridružil tretji urednik, geograf dr. Matija Zorn, predstojnik GIAM ZRC SAZU. Zorn je po skupni odločitvi o pripravi zbornika tudi prevzel koordinacijo z avtoricami in avtorji prispevkov. Ni naključje, da je med njimi precej geografskih profilov, saj prispevki v 29 poglavjih znotraj šestih vsebinskih sklopov v veliki meri obravnavajo osrednje teme zgodovinske geografije, tako da se je cilj, predstaviti časovni lok razumevanja in ukvarjanja z gorami v obeh deželah, povečini poklopil. Tudi sam zbornik je pri omenjeni založbi izšel v zbirki Historična geografija in geoznanosti. FOTO: Z leve Matija Zorn in Peter Mikša VIR: Program Ars, Goran Tenze

Join Pastor Mike Burchfield as he continues his series, Discourses of the King of Heaven. This Sunday he will be discussing: Being before Doing. Text: Matthew 5:38-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

Pri založbi Springer je izšla znanstvena monografija Discourses on Mountains of Montenegro and Slovenia / Razprave o gorah Črne gore in Slovenije, ki združuje 45 raziskovalk in raziskovalcev iz obeh držav. Delo interdisciplinarno obravnava gore z vidika geografije, zgodovine, arheologije, dediščine in okolja ter poudarja njihov pomen kot naravnega in identitetnega prostora. Monografija krepi znanstveno sodelovanje med Slovenijo in Črno goro ter odpira primerjalni pogled na gorski svet obeh držav.

The Great 8 – https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2026/04/07/gordon-monson-ranks-great-eight/ Man arrested for stripping in Utah Mormon church – https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/man-arrested-stripping-utah-mormon-church-b2952429.html New Primary General Presidency Called at the April 2026 General Conference – https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/new-primary-general-presidency-april-2026-general-conference Seminary and Institute enrollment surpasses 1 million students worldwide – https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/seminary-and-institute-enrollment-surpasses-1-million-students-worldwide 2025 Statistical Report – https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/2025-statistical-report How the LDS Church is growing and shrinking – https://religionnews.com/2026/04/06/how-the-lds-church-is-growing-and-shrinking/ Church growth in 2025: What stands out in the statistical report – https://www.ldsliving.com/church-growth-in-2025-what-stands-out-in-the-statistical-report/s/13210 Mormon Barrio: Latino Belonging in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – https://www.amazon.com/Mormon-Barrio-Latino-Belonging-Latter-day/dp/1479833835 LDS Latinos worry about MAGA – https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2026/04/07/lds-latinos-worry-about-maga/ Utah Author Marc J Gregson – https://marcjgregson.com/about-me Metrics of Faith – http://www.matthewrmiles.com/metrics-of-faith.html Emma, Love on the Spectrum star, talks about how the show has helped her reimagine dating – https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2026/04/08/emma-utah-love-on-the-spectrum/ The LDS Church's new Sunday schedule – https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2026/04/04/lds-churchs-new-sunday-schedule/ New Sunday curriculum and For the Strength of Youth guide and magazine – https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2026/04/01/new-sunday-curriculum-for-the-strength-of-youth-fsy-guide-magazine/ If the LDS Church wants its Sunday meetings concise and consequential, here's a better way to do it – https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2026/04/04/gordon-monsons-plan-reshaping-lds/ Taylor Frankie Paul and LDS domestic abuse allegations – https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2026-04-06/taylor-frankie-paul-lds-mormon-church-domestic-abuse-allegations Taylor Frankie Paul is distancing herself from the Church – https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2026/04/06/taylor-frankie-paul-mormon-lds/89481677007/ ‘Mormon Wives' aren't the only influencers stoking curiosity about the LDS Church – https://www.kuer.org/race-religion-social-justice/2026-04-03/mormon-wives-arent-the-only-influencers-stoking-curiosity-about-the-lds-church Whitney Leavitt is cashing in on dirty soda and helping take the Mormon-fueled trend nationwide – https://www.inc.com/ali-donaldson/whitney-leavitt-is-cashing-in-on-dirty-soda-and-helping-take-the-mormon-fueled-trend-nationwide/91328143 Mormon leaders double down on transgender exclusion in new handbook update – https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/mormon-leaders-double-down-on-transgender New poll shows Latter-day Saints leaving Republican Party affiliation as rest of nation trends away from the Democratic Party – https://www.deseret.com/politics/2026/04/01/new-poll-shows-latter-day-saints-leaving-republican-party-affiliation-as-rest-of-nation-trends-away-from-the-democratic-party/ Are Utahns shifting political alliances? – https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2026/04/08/are-utahns-shifting-political-alliances/ ‘The Book of Mormon' celebrates 15 years of Broadway shows – https://www.altoonamirror.com/life/go-magazine/2026/04/broadway-bookofmormon-15years-celebrates/ 195 years ago today – Apr 07, 1831 – http://www.todayinmormonhistory.com/2026/04/195-years-ago-today-apr-07-1831.html 175 years ago today – Apr 7, 1851 – http://www.todayinmormonhistory.com/2026/04/175-years-ago-today-apr-7-1851.html 170 years ago today – Apr 6, 1856 – http://www.todayinmormonhistory.com/2026/04/170-years-ago-today-apr-6-1856.html Journal of Discourses 3:280 (Milk Strippings story) – https://jod.mrm.org/3/280 Journal of Discourses 5:206 – https://jod.mrm.org/5/206

References: - Artículo en el sitio de Utah Lighthouse Ministry: https://utlm.org/did-brigham-young-teach-false-doctrine/ Notas al pie de página: Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Encyclopedia of Mormonism, vol. 3, (Macmillan Publishing: 1992), pp. 1165, 1170. Richard S. Van Wagoner, “The Making of a Mormon Myth: The 1844 Transfiguration of Brigham Young,” Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, vol. 28, no. 4 (Winter 1995): p. 4. Presidents of the Church Student Manual, Religion 345, LDS Church, 2004, pp. 21, 30; John G. Turner, Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet, (Boston: Harvard Press: 2012), pp. 110-118. Turner, Brigham Young, p. 3. Ibid., p. 4. Encyclopedia of Mormonism, vol. 4, pp. 1607, 1611. Journal of Discourses, vol. 13, p. 95. Ibid., vol. 13, p. 264. Ibid., vol. 16, p. 161. Claudio R.M. Costa, “Obedience to the Prophets,” Ensign, (Nov. 2010): pp. 11-12. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, LDS Church, 1997, page v. Ibid., p. 96. Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p. 289. Ibid., vol. 8, pp. 176-177. Jeffery Ogden Johnson, “Determining and Defining ‘Wife': The Brigham Young Households,” Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, vol. 20, no. 3, p. 64; also Brigham Young's Wives (utlm.org); also George D. Smith, Nauvoo Polygamy, (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2008), pp. 635-636. Teachings: Brigham Young, p. 4. Ibid., p. 165. John A. Widtsoe, ed., Discourses of Brigham Young, Deseret Book, 1941, p. 198; 1925 ed. p. 306. This book is a condensed versions of Brigham Young's sermons that are found in the 26-volume Journal of Discourses printed by the LDS Church. Teachings: Brigham Young, p. 165. Discourses of Brigham Young, 1941, p. 198; 1925 ed. pp. 306-307. Teachings: Brigham Young, p. 166. Discourses of Brigham Young, 1941, p. 198; 1925 ed. p. 306. Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, p. 55. Journal of Discourses vol. 11, p. 269. Journal of Discourses vol. 3, p. 266. Teachings: Brigham Young, p. 30. See page 24 in the 1941 edition, page 37 in the 1925 edition. Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, pp. 50-51. For more on Young's Adam-God teaching, see “The Adam-God Doctrine,” by David John Buerger, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, vol. 15, no. 1 (Spring 1982). Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, p. 217. Deseret Weekly News (June 18, 1873): p. 308 (edition page 4, column 4). Also Deseret Evening News (June 14, 1873), p. 2, column 3. Ibid. Scott G. Kenney, ed., Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833–1898, vol. 4 (Salt Lake City: Signature Books), p. 288. Devery S. Anderson, The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846–2000, (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2011), pp. 36-37; David John Buerger, The Mysteries of Godliness: A History of Mormon Temple Worship, (Salt Lake City: Smith Research, 1994), pp. 110-111; also see online at the B.H. Roberts Foundation. Spencer W. Kimball, “Our Own Liahona,” Ensign (Nov. 1976): p. 77; Mysteries of Godliness, pp. 110-111. Letter from Bruce R. McConkie to Eugene England, Feb. 19, 1981, pp. 5-7, photo of entire letter in LDS Apostle Confesses Brigham Young Taught Adam-God Doctrine, by Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Utah Lighthouse Ministry, 1982. Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, (September 21, 1856) pp. 53-54. Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, (March 16, 1856) p. 247. Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, (February 8, 1857) pp. 219-220. “Blacks and the Mormon Priesthood,” Salt Lake City Messenger, no. 102, (May 2004). Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, (October 9, 1859) pp. 290-291. Journal of Discourses, vol. 10, (March 8, 1863) p. 110. Journal of Discourses, vol. 10, (Oct. 6, 1863) p. 250. Doctrine and Covenants, Official Declaration—2. Bruce R. McConkie, “All Are Alike Unto God,” BYU, (August 18, 1978). Quentin L. Cook, “Can You Feel So Now?,” October 2012 LDS Conference.

Eliza R. Snow was a prominent figure in the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church Historian's Press is releasing a book of discourses given by Snow, titled “Rise Up and Speak.” Co-editor Sharalyn Howcraft shares details on the book

Jiddu Krishnamurti challenged one of humanity's deepest assumptions—that wisdom must come from teachers, traditions, or systems. Instead, he argued that genuine understanding begins with self-observation and choiceless awareness.   In this short slide set, I summarize the life and ideas of Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895–1986)—the thinker who famously declared: "Truth is a pathless land."  

Eliza R. Snow is perhaps the woman in our Relief Society history who we hear the most about, and for good reason. She was a writer, organizer, temple worker, and advocate for women. She was an accomplished teacher and encouraged fellow sisters to overcome fears of public speaking and to minister to each other and their communities. She was a force for good whose influence extends to us today. During this month where we celebrate the birthday of the Relief Society, we're learning how we can continue her legacy by standing for truth with bold faith, encouraging one another through our words and actions, and ministering and teaching as the Savior would.  Today's guest, Jenny Reeder, works for the Church History Department on historic sites. She has a PhD in American history from George Mason University and a Masters degree in editing documents. She's also a writer, and wrote First: The Life and Faith of Emma Smith and was head historian and editor of At the Pulpit: 185 Years of Discourses by Latter-day Saint Women. Most recently, she was head historian and editor of Rise Up and Speak: Selected Discourses of Eliza R. Snow. Notes: Local to Salt Lake City? Hear more from Jenny Reeder at this special event. Wednesday, March 18, at the downtown Salt Lake Deseret Book store, gather with historians from the Church History Department to discuss the bold teachings of Eliza R. Snow captured in the new book, Rise Up and Speak. Discover how this inspiring 19th-century leader helped found the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary organizations—and learn why her call for Church members to speak up still resonates today. Stay for a Q&A and meet and greet. Click the link to claim your free ticket! Read the book! Rise Up and Speak: Selected Discourses of Eliza R. Snow.

Join Pastor Mike Burchfield as he continues his series, Discourses of the King of Heaven. This Sunday he will be discussing: How Good is Your Word? Text: Matthew 5:33-37 "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes' or ‘No'; anything more than this comes from evil."

Join Pastor Mike Burchfield as he continues his series, Discourses of the King of Heaven. This Sunday he will be discussing: Building a Better Marriage, Part 2 Text: Selected Scriptures

Join Pastor Mike Burchfield as he continues his series, Discourses of the King of Heaven. This Sunday he will be discussing: Building a Better Marriage Text: Selected Scriptures

Go deeper in the Stoic Vault: stoicvault.com---You read that line in the Discourses and your brain goes straight to cravings. Appetites. The stuff you're ashamed of. But that's not what Epictetus meant — and the real meaning is more useful than any advice about willpower.In this episode I break down the Greek word orexis, explain why it has nothing to do with food or your phone, and walk through the three levels most people get stuck on: the demand, the indifference, and the preference with reservation. Only one of them is Stoicism.I also share a personal story about driving to pick up my son on a difficult morning — and how I caught myself staking my entire peace on outcomes I couldn't control.Includes a practical exercise you can try today: one question to ask yourself the next time a plan falls through.

Jean-Paul Sartre (1905–1980) forced a generation to confront a radical idea: existence precedes essence.   We are not born with a fixed nature — we create ourselves through choices. That freedom is powerful… and unsettling.

The Rebbe clarifies the Lubavitch custom regarding the timing of a Chassidic discourse during Friday night services, noting it should be between Mizmor Shir and Kegavna. He also advises consulting local elders regarding specific Jerusalem customs. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/igroskodesh/016/006/6088

Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951) reshaped modern philosophy by asking a deceptively simple question: How does language work?

Join Pastor Mike Burchfield as he continues his series, Discourses of the King of Heaven. This Sunday he will be discussing: The Fruit of an Impure Heart (and how to prevent it) Matthew 5:31-32 It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, where we explore how Stoic philosophy guides us toward living well with ourselves and others. In this episode, we reflect on Epictetus' insight on friendship and values:“What a man sets his heart on, that he naturally loves... It remains for us to conclude then that good things alone are what they set their heart on. And if they set their heart on those, they love them too.”Epictetus, Discourses, Book 2, Chapter 22Epictetus reminds us that people naturally love what they believe to be good. When someone acts poorly, it is often because they misunderstand what truly benefits them. Stoicism teaches that real good lies not in wealth, status, or external success, but in virtue and good character. When we understand this, our priorities change, and so do the relationships and friendships we cultivate.This connects with the Stoic disciplines of Desire, Assent, and Action: we learn to value what truly matters, question mistaken judgments about success or happiness, and act in ways that support both our own character and the well-being of others. Practically, this means choosing friendships grounded in shared values, guiding others with patience when possible, and remembering that everyone acts according to what they think is best, even when they are mistaken.For more, check out this related article with the Stoic view on friendship:https://viastoica.com/the-stoic-view-of-friendship/And if you're looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you'll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:https://viastoica.com/stoic-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/epictetus-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/seneca-quotesMake sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.Support the showhttps://viastoica.comhttps://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coachinghttps://viastoica.com/benny-vonckenhttps://x.com/ViaStoicainfo@viastoica.comProduced by: badmic.com

Join Pastor Mike Burchfield as he continues his series, Discourses of the King of Heaven. This Sunday he will be discussing: The Danger of an Impure Heart (and how to avoid it) Matthew 5:27-30 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Sri Aurobindo (1872–1950) lived two extraordinary lives in one lifetime — revolutionary nationalist and visionary yogi.   From the Alipore trial to the quietude of Pondicherry, he shifted the conversation from political freedom to inner evolution. His Integral Yoga proposed something radical: not escape from the world, but transformation of it — a movement from mind to "Supermind," from human to supramental consciousness.   The Life Divine, The Synthesis of Yoga, and Savitri remain profound explorations of human potential and spiritual evolution.   A thinker of synthesis — East and West, action and contemplation, nation and cosmos.

Join Pastor Mike Burchfield as he continues his series, Discourses of the King of Heaven. This Sunday he will be discussing: Anger Questions. Matthew 5:21-22 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.

Bertrand Russell showed that clear thinking is a moral act

Peterson answers the "usurper" claim and explains the succession reality after 1844. Was Brigham Young God's Choice? Dan Peterson on presentism, caricatures, and why "Brother Brigham" deserves a fair reading. The Brigham Young Smear Machine- Cherry-picking quotes, the Journal of Discourses problem, and what historians are finding in his real words. The Exodus West needed a frontiersman The 1844 succession crisis explained—why the Twelve were the only path to Joseph's "program." Brigham vs. Sidney Rigdon: What REALLY Happened in 1844 Keys, temple trajectory, and why rival claimants couldn't carry Joseph's blueprint forward. Subtitle: Peterson draws a parallel to modern succession—what most people misunderstand. "The biggest misrepresentation of Brigham Young"—how transcripts shaped the legend. The Priesthood Ban: What We Know—and Don't Know No "smoking gun," sudden shifts Slavery, and the Story Most People Miss-  What "This Abominable Slavery" argues—and why it complicates the simplistic narratives. The "Polygamy Wasn't Joseph" Theory Is Collapsing- Why historians reject the denialism—and why blaming Brigham breaks the entire Restoration story. Did Brigham Young Invent Polygamy? Peterson calls it "lunacy"—plus the Section 132 authorship evidence and historical sources. Section 132: The Cog They Can't Remove If Joseph didn't teach it, who did? A sober look at the logic trap and the historical record. Adam-God: What Brigham Actually Meant (And Why It Won't Die) Peterson's best honest answer: speculation, cherry-picking, and what we still don't know. "I Made a Covenant Not to Discuss It." The Nibley Story A surprising moment about Adam-God, secrecy, and why the 19th-century speculation still haunts us. Cwic Media Website: http://www.cwicmedia.com

Swami Vivekananda reminded the world that spiritual strength and social service are inseparable

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, where we explore how Stoic wisdom helps us navigate modern life. In this episode, we reflect on Epictetus' reminder:“In a similar way, you too should remind yourself that what you love is mortal, that what you love is not your own. It is granted to you for the present while and not irrevocably, not forever, but like a fig or a bunch of grapes in the appointed season. And if you long for it in the winter, you are a fool.” Epictetus, Discourses, Book 3, Chapter 24.86The message is simple and powerful: everything we enjoy, relationships, possessions, circumstances, is temporary. Suffering arises when we cling to what is gone or long for what is not present. Stoicism teaches us to align our desires with reality, appreciate what is here now, and avoid missing the present moment while chasing something absent.This connects directly with the Stoic disciplines of Desire, Assent, and Action: want only what is within your power, question the judgments that create attachment, and act with gratitude toward what you have today. Practically, this means giving attention to the people around you, appreciating what is in your life now, and remembering that everything we love is given to us only for a time.For more, check out this related article with quotes on Stoic desire and attachment:https://viastoica.com/how-to-practice-the-stoic-discipline-desire/And if you're looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you'll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:https://viastoica.com/stoic-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/epictetus-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/seneca-quotesMake sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.Support the showhttps://viastoica.comhttps://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coachinghttps://viastoica.com/benny-vonckenhttps://x.com/ViaStoicainfo@viastoica.comProduced by: badmic.com

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa showed that spiritual truth is lived, not debated

Join Pastor Mike Burchfield as he continues his series, Discourses of the King of Heaven. This Sunday he will be discussing: Anger: Its Danger and Cure. Matthew 5:21-26 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

2025年10月10日，我和张晨晨、伍勤一起聊了聊中国舆论场中的巴以与国际舆论场中的中国，话题涉及文明等级论、反犹与恐穆、“自由主义国际秩序”合法性的瓦解、反帝与反威权夹缝之间的国际团结何以可能等等。这期内容由播客《时差》（第21期）和播客《从河至海》（第8期）联合发布，我在这里另行备份。《时差》（buzzsprout、小宇宙）由我和张晨晨、郭婷共同主持，旨在向公众介绍海外人文社科领域的最新发展及年轻华人学者的相关研究；《从河至海》（typlog、小宇宙）是一档旨在从知识出发走向行动，以中文语境和亚洲视角来认识、讨论、声援巴勒斯坦的播客。又及：《E.21 文化战争与加沙危机中的美国高校》（Spodify、小宇宙）"Interregimatic Solidarity and Antiauthoritarian Resilience", International Feminist Journal of Politics, Volume 27 (2025), Issue 4, Pages 761-784

Friedrich Nietzsche challenged the modern mind to think bravely, live honestly, and create meaning rather than inherit it

Brief notes on John Owen's Preface to the Reader in his work "Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ" at OURC's men's ministry "Anchored"

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism. In this week's Stoic Quotes episode, we look at Epictetus, Discourses, Book 4, Chapter 4, recorded by Arrian. He writes: “But it is a much finer thing to be happy, to have a peaceful and undisturbed mind, to have what concerns you depend on nobody but yourself.”At first glance, this can sound like withdrawal from the world, but Epictetus is pointing to something more demanding. He is reminding us that the moment we tie our happiness to externals, whether comfort, leisure, approval, or even quiet, we become dependent and easily disturbed. Stoic happiness is not about arranging perfect conditions, but about cultivating inner steadiness through right judgment. In modern terms, peace comes not from controlling life, but from aligning our desires with what is truly up to us.This teaching echoes through Stoicism, from Marcus Aurelius' emphasis on inner rule to Seneca's insistence that freedom begins with self-command. It touches all three Stoic disciplines: Desire, by letting go of attachments to externals; Assent, by examining the judgments that create disturbance; and Action, by choosing what accords with reason and virtue, even when it feels uncomfortable. Practically, this means learning to remain composed when plans fail, choosing values over convenience, and finding contentment in acting well rather than feeling comfortable.For more, check out this related article with quotes on Stoic inner peace and solitude:https://viastoica.com/10-marcus-aurelius-quotes-on-being-alone/And if you're looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you'll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:https://viastoica.com/stoic-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/epictetus-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/seneca-quotesMake sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.Support the showhttps://viastoica.comhttps://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coachinghttps://viastoica.com/benny-vonckenhttps://x.com/ViaStoicainfo@viastoica.comProduced by: badmic.com

What prompted Jonathan Edwards to publish a collection of sermons during a period of spiritual decline? Today, Stephen Nichols looks at Edwards' Discourses on Various Important Subjects and the pastoral concerns that shaped this influential book. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/the-story-of-5-sermons/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Jeremy Jeremiah, Cloud of Witnesses, reacts to and answers the call from: bayliebelieves, Baylie Clarke, (https://www.tiktok.com/@bayliebelieves) viral video.Jeremy quotes directly from 19th Century documents, original source, discourses by Joseph Smith and Brigham Young to demonstrate that the LDS faith is anything but Christian (by any stretch of the imagination).  Joseph Smith and Brigham Young taught that God the Father was once finite, and was once "a man" just like you or me.  The conversation turns on a single hinge: does Latter-day Saint theology align with historic, orthodox Christianity? We explore this by defining terms, citing primary sources, and testing claims against scripture. The starting point is the Trinity, not as a word-game, but as a boundary-setting confession about who God is. Classical Christianity says God is one being in three persons, sharing one divine essence, without confusion of persons. That means the Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Spirit, yet each is fully and eternally God. This guardrail matters because it protects both God's oneness and the real distinction among Father, Son, and Spirit, and it anchors the meaning of the incarnation as God the Son taking on human nature without ceasing to be what he eternally is.From there, the critique of LDS claims comes into focus: the Mormon teaching that God the Father was once a man who progressed to godhood, and that humans may likewise be exalted as gods as taught clearly for years by Joseph Smith and Brigham Young (Mormonism's first two so called prophets). The episode reads from Joseph Smith's King Follett Discourse and Brigham Young's Journal of Discourses to show how these ideas are presented within early LDS leadership. The claim is not a stray footnote; it is a thread that runs through the sources. If God was once finite, then divine eternality and aseity are compromised. Historic Christianity insists that God is uncreated, without beginning, dependent on nothing beyond himself. If deity is an achievement, the word “God” loses its unique, absolute meaning and turns into a rank one can attain.The discussion then tests LDS proof texts. Stephen's vision in Acts 7 is cited and corrected: Stephen sees the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, which fits the Christian confession that no one has seen the Father in his essence, yet the Son reveals the Father. The host clarifies essence and person using simple analogies: two humans share humanity yet remain distinct persons; similarly, the divine persons share one divine essence while remaining truly distinct. This is not modalism and not three gods; it is the mystery of one God in three persons, confessed in the creeds and rooted in scripture.A second axis is the incarnation. Jesus did not “become God”; he became man. The eternal Son took on flesh through Mary, remaining what he was while assuming what he was not. If one imports the idea that the Father once gained godhood, the logic pressures the incarnation into a story of divine ascent rather than divine condescension. Historic Christianity resists this inversion: salvation is not climbing into deity by degrees, but being united to Christ by grace, participating in God's life without becoming gods by nature. The difference between deification in classical theology and exaltation in LDS teaching is not semantic; it concerns whether God is eternally God and whether creaturely nature can ever cross the Creator–creature line.Questions about Orthodoxy? Please check out our friends at Ghost of Byzantium Discord server: https://discord.gg/JDJDQw6tdhPlease prayerfully consider supporting Cloud of Witnesses: https://www.patreon.com/c/CloudofWitnessesFind Cloud of Witnesses on Instagram, X.com, Facebook, and TikTok.Please leave a comment with your thoughts!

Exploring Hegel's Vision of Progress and Freedom

This is the recording of my short presentation and the Q&A at the second Conversations With Modern Stoicism event, hosted in June 2025 by Phil Yanov. Asked to give a short and provocative presentation about an issue that arises in the everyday applications of Stoicism, we decided on the topic of grief and grieving I first discuss what we can call a "standard Stoic take" on grief, which they understand as belonging to the broader emotional category of pain or distress, and therefore being something bad for us. We then look briefly at some of the treatments of grief and grieving in Epictetus and Seneca. Texts mentioned in this talk: Marcus Aurelius' Meditations - https://amzn.to/3osPFNF Epictetus' Discourses and Enchiridion - https://amzn.to/37G6bE0 Seneca's Letters - https://amzn.to/3dZQrNk Cicero's Tusculan Disputations - https://amzn.to/3L1WoxY

This is the talk I was invited to provide for Stoicon-X New England 2020. I take the recent case of a fired Lidl communications worker who claimed that he was unjustly fired on account of his Stoicism. I use this case as a starting point to discuss what sorts of conduct would actually be characteristic of a follower of Stoicism in the workplace, and what resources and advice Stoic philosophy can provide us. Texts mentioned in this talk: Marcus Aurelius' Meditations - https://amzn.to/3osPFNF Epictetus' Discourses and Enchiridion - https://amzn.to/37G6bE0 Seneca's Letters - https://amzn.to/3dZQrNk Cicero's On The Ends - https://amzn.to/3mmgJMB

Immanuel Kant: The Architect of Modern Reason

my invited talk at the first Stoicon-X Brasil online conference. Due to technical issues, I provided a live presentation (translation provided by participants) to the conference. In this presentation, I briefly present the Stoic doctrine of the indifferents (adiaphoria), namely that Stoics view many things as neither good nor bad, but are indifferent. Some indifferents may be "preferred" or "rejected", which means that they have some positive or negative value, but not the sort of that makes us virtuous or vicious, happy or miserable. The Stoics teach that we should not be entirely indifferent to the indifferents, for several important reasons. The use (khresis or usus) of indifferents is not something indifferent, and as Epictetus tells us, is something we ought to be careful about. The virtues, as Seneca and Cicero clarify, bear upon indifferents. Texts mentioned in this talk: Marcus Aurelius' Meditations - https://amzn.to/3osPFNF Epictetus' Discourses and Enchiridion - https://amzn.to/37G6bE0 Seneca's Letters - https://amzn.to/3dZQrNk Cicero's On The Ends - https://amzn.to/3mmgJMB

From the moment Brigham Young emerged from the waters of baptism in 1832, a fire burned within him to preach the restored gospel: "I wanted to thunder and roar out the Gospel to the nations. It burned in my bones like fire pent up…." That same passion drove him to keep detailed records of his labors and later his service as a Church leader and prophet. In this episode, professor of Church history and doctrine Gerrit Dirkmaat discusses his work on The Brigham Young Journals: Volume 1: April 1832–February 1846. Dr. Dirkmaat shares the behind-the-scenes insights into the editorial process, explores the significance of Brigham Young's pre-Utah writings, and explains what these documents teach us about his remarkable journey from convert to prophet. Whether you're a student of Church history or simply curious about the making of a leader, this conversation offers a rare and riveting look into the testimony, labors, and special witness of the second latter-day prophet. Publications: The Brigham Young Journals: Volume 1: April 1832–February 1846 (Religious Studies Center, 2023) "The Prophets Have Spoken, but What Did They Say?: Examining the Difference between George D. Watt's Original Shorthand Notes and the Sermons Published in the Journal of Discourses," BYU Studies Quarterly, 54.4 (BYU Studies, 2015) From Darkness unto Light: Joseph Smith's Translation and Publication of the Book of Mormon (Religious Studies Center, 2015) "'Too Long Trampled on to Be Celebrated': The Latter-day Saint Protest of Independence Day 1845," in Religious Liberty and Latter-day Saints: Historical and Global Perspectives (Religious Studies Center, 2023) "Firsthand Witness Accounts of the Translation Process," in The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon: A Marvelous Work and a Wonder (Religious Studies Center, 2015)   Click here to learn more about Gerrit Dirkmaat