Live Well and Flourish

Sometimes life brings us a decision for which there is no clear moral choice. In this episode of Live Well and Flourish, practical philosopher Dr. Andrea Christelle, co-founder of Sedona Philosophy Experience and I discuss moral dilemmas -- what makes them dilemmas, the consequences of dealing with such decisions, and why they’re so hard to resolve. You will face moral dilemmas … they’re part of life. So, the discussion in this episode can help you when you have to make difficult moral choices. Fair warning: We frame our initial discussion around the loss of one of our pups.Links and CreditsSedona Philosophy Experience: https://sedonaphilosophy.com/ Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ ---The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected] assistant - Paul Robert------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

COVID finally caught up to Craig. But, there's knowledge to be had in every experience. In this episode of Live Well and Flourish, Craig discusses what he learned from his thankfully brief bout with COVID-19.LinksLive Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ In Times of Trouble: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/in-times-of-trouble/The Power of Small Things: The Small Wins Strategy of Change: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/the-power-of-small-things-the-small-wins-strategy-of-change/Free COVID-19 Home Test Kits (U.S. only)https://special.usps.com/testkits U.S. Center for Disease Control list of supplies to have on handhttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/global-covid-19/home-based-care-kit.htmlhttps://www.cdc.gov/aging/emergency-preparedness/creating-emergency-supply-kit/index.html CreditsThe theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected] assistant - Paul Robert------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Difficult times are an inevitable part of life; you are going to face times of trouble. In this episode, Craig discusses how applying a simple idea from Stoicism helped him get through an especially troubling time, the illness and loss of a loved one. He also describes how using reason, and your knowledge of what is and is not within your control, can help you reduce worry, anxiety, unhappiness and other negative emotions. Links:Epictetus, The Enchiridion (Handbook): https://www.gutenberg.org/files/45109/45109-h/45109-h.htm (Free online version)https://www.amazon.com/Enchiridion-Dover-Thrift-Editions-Epictetus/dp/0486433595 (Amazon)William B. Irvine, A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0040JHNQG/ (Note: This is not an affiliate link.)Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ AcknowledgementsThe theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected] assistant - Paul Robert------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

When you have a low sense of personal control, you suffer increased stress, anxiety, depression and negative mood. Your physical health also suffers. In this episode of Live Well and Flourish, Craig discusses the effects of personal control and provides some insights into how to increase your sense of personal control to improve your mental and physical health, and to help you flourish. The Small Wins Strategy of Change - https://www.livewellandflourish.com/the-power-of-small-things-the-small-wins-strategy-of-change/Grief and Gratitude - https://www.livewellandflourish.com/grief-and-gratitude/ Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected] assistant - Paul Robert------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Generalizations help us make sense of a complex world; generalizing is a fundamental human function. Most of the time, our generalizations serve us well. But, when we make generalizations errors, bad things happen, such as stereotypes that lead to prejudice. In this episode, Craig discusses how we make generalizations, why they're necessary, and how generalization errors and overgeneralizing can harm us, and those around us.When to use a generalization flowchart: https://www.neogaf.com/threads/generalizations-and-assumptions-a-flow-chart-i-just-made.901709/Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected] assistant - Paul Robert------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Assumptions are necessary for getting through the complexity of life. However, some of our assumptions, when untested, can hinder flourishing. In this episode, Craig discusses assumptions, how they're formed, why they're so persistent, and what you can do to free yourself from the cage of your assumptions.Living Well Through Mindfulness: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/living-well-through-mindfulness/ Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected] assistant - Paul Robert------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Being able to control your emotions to minimize unnecessary suffering, and to maximize positive feelings is important to your flourishing. In this episode, Craig discusses emotional regulation and provides some strategies for taking control of your emotions and emotional responses. There's also a goat story!NotesFive Families of Emotional Regulation StrategiesStrategy family Example strategiesSituation selection AvoidanceSituation modification Direct request (to change the situation)Attentional deployment Distraction Rumination (directing attention towards causes & consequences)Cognitive change Cognitive reappraisal Acceptance (of the emotion)Response modulation Expressive suppression (preventing outward expressions of emotion) Physiological intervention (e.g. breathing deeply and slowly)Note: Adapted from McCrae & Gross (2020) Available at: https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2020-03346-001.html Article on Stoicism and Emotion Regulationhttps://antidotesforchimps.com/2019/12/14/stoicism-emotion-regulation/Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected] assistant - Paul Robert------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Emotions, like viruses, can be contagious. In this episode, Craig discusses emotional contagion and its effects, and offers some advice on how to use emotional contagion to make the world a little better.Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ Episode on mindfulness: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/living-well-through-mindfulness/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected] assistant - Paul Robert------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

In this episode of Live Well and Flourish, Craig discusses the small wins strategy of change, which involves breaking big changes into a series of smaller changes such that each of the small changes has its own value. This is the last of a three part mini-series of episodes on the power of small things.Weick, K. (1984). Small wins: Redefining the scale of social problems, American Psychologist, 39(1), 40-49. https://homepages.se.edu/cvonbergen/files/2013/01/Small-Wins_Redefining-the-Scale-of-Social-Problems.pdf Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected] assistant - Paul Robert------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

We mark the progress of our lives through big events, but most of life occurs in the between times, the times that lie between the big events. In this episode, Craig discusses the importance of the small events that occur between the big events, and how recognizing the value of the small events can help with your flourishing. As usual, he offers three things you can do this week to better appreciate the between times, and to move forward on your journey towards living a flourishing life.Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ Happiness - A Sceptic’s Guide: https://scepticsguide.podbean.com/Episode 24 - Happiness and Positive Psychology (Using PERMA): https://scepticsguide.podbean.com/e/happiness-and-positive-psychology-using-perma/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected] assistant - Paul Robert------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Do you want to make the world a better place? Try a little kindness. In this episode, Craig discusses the power of micro-kindness, small acts of kindness, which are small sincere and voluntary acts and attitudes, intentional or unintentional, that communicate compassion, generosity and service towards others, and that signal that we recognize the value and dignity of other people. Practicing micro-kindness not only has benefits for others, you benefit as well. Not only will small acts of kindness help you pursue the virtue of kindness, it will also improve your well-being. This is the first of a three-part series on the power of small things. The other episodes will discuss how small events and experiences give our life meaning, and will introduce the small wins strategy of change.Visit https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ for more information on the Live Well and Flourish podcast.The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected] assistant - Paul Robert------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

In the final episode of the mini-series on Self-Leadership, Craig discusses Aristotle's practice-habit-being method of developing virtue. He focuses on the role of habit, and describes how habits are built and broken. Listen and learn how the power of habit can help you become the person you want to be, and how intentional practice can move you towards flourishing.Erratum: Craig referred to habit as a sort of "useful mindfulness" but meant to say "useful mindlessness."Mini-Series on Self-LeadershipPillars of Self-Leadership: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/the-pillars-of-self-leadership/ Living a Life of Purpose: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/living-a-life-of-purpose/Living Well Through Mindfulness: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/living-well-through-mindfulness/ Living Well Through Reflection: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/living-well-through-reflection/The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected] assistant - Paul Robert------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

The world is often a chaotic, puzzling place. Reflection is how we can make sense of the world and our place in it. As the Jesuits at Boston College put it, “Reflection is the way we discover and compose the meaning of our experience.” In this episode, Craig discusses critical self-reflection and its many benefits. He also describes a systematic method for reflection and offers three things you can put into practice that will help you build a practice of reflection in order to take control of your life.Ben Franklin’s Method of Self-Improvement: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/benjamin-franklins-method-of-self-improvement/The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected] assistant - Paul Robert------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Do you ever feel like you’re going through life on autopilot? Most of us have, but life doesn’t have to be that way. Join Craig as he discusses mindfulness and its benefits. Mindfulness is an active, conscious process where you’re more open to the present as well as more attentive and aware of the moment. According to Dr. Ellen Langer there are three specific behaviors related to mindfulness: engagement, seeking novelty and producing novelty. Listen to the episode to learn what to do to practice mindfulness in your life and how to use it to become the master of your thoughts and actions. The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected] Production assistant - Paul Robert------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Do you have a purpose in life? And do you know the difference between purpose and goals? In this episode you’ll learn how purpose is an elemental foundation to guiding your life and flourishing, as well as a means for having more focus and resilience when faced with the challenges of life. It’s also important to understand that you already have purpose, it’s already in you, and it is not something that you can find, but rather discover. By following the steps covered in this episode, you’ll be able to reflect on what is your “why” by figuring out what makes you happy, fills you with a sense of accomplishment and that you would like to be recognized for. Listen to the episode to discover your purpose and use it as a North Star to guide you towards a path of flourishing.Watch Simon Sinek’s video “Start with Why”:https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_actionMan’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl:https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/0807014273/The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected] assistant - Paul Robert------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

How much would your life improve if you could take more control over yourself and your behaviors? In this episode you’ll learn how to take charge of your life through self-leadership. Despite the influence of others, you and you alone are responsible for your life. Join Craig as he explores some of the principles of Deci and Ryan's self-determination theory to increase your wellbeing. Discover how autonomy, competence and strong relationships are basic psychological needs that drive our wellbeing. Plus, find out about how you can lead yourself with the four core practices: purposefulness, mindfulness, reflection and practice. Listen to the episode for a motivational lesson on wellness psychology and to coach yourself into being your own leader. Books: (Note: These are NOT affiliate links.) Self-Determination Theory: Basic Psychological Needs in Motivation, Development, and Wellness By Richard M. Ryan, Edward L. Deci https://www.amazon.com/Self-Determination-Theory-Psychological-Motivation-Development/dp/1462538967/ Self-Leadership: The Definitive Guide to Personal ExcellenceBy Christopher P. Neck, Charles C. Manz, Jeffery D. Houghtonhttps://www.amazon.com/Self-Leadership-Definitive-Guide-Personal-Excellence/dp/1544324308/ Mastering Self Leadership: Empowering Yourself for Personal Excellence By Christopher P. Neck, Charles P. Manzhttps://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Self-Leadership-Empowering-Excellence/dp/013275441X/------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Whether you realize it or not, who you are is under your control. You get to decide the sort of person you are and the virtues you exhibit. In this episode, I discuss Benjamin Franklin's "... bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection." Franklin's method is elegant in it's simplicity and powerful in its ability to transform lives. Learn about the history of how he created this technique and apply a simple but effective and proven method for becoming the sort of person you want to be. Don’t miss out on this helpful guide and resource in your journey to flourishing! Example of Franklin's notebook:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-i296IM9mnz6x2ulCtAPC-peb_kma1mInLWrsafferU/edit?usp=sharing Links:Franklin Virtues Chart (8.5” x 11”)These are set up for 13 virtues, but you can easily adjust them for four, eight, or whatever number you want. A simple find & replace can replace Virtue 1, etc. with your virtues. These are all the same, just in different formats. Word: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pJbwjKeYRXHzBrt4EF2-welz1KZqf4U5/view?usp=sharing.odt: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pJbwjKeYRXHzBrt4EF2-welz1KZqf4U5/view?usp=sharingGoogle Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1681lkb9N6QsbZzwgLCWIbBzqW-Lbv7s8zP2E3PVMSRg/edit?usp=sharingFranklin Virtues Chart 3x5 card version, four virtues: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DGVa47DWXqe3ZtdrjQFPY14AQ1vA07Mm/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110655451884880977802&rtpof=true&sd=true Franklin Virtues Chart 3x5 card version, list your own virtues: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RaEK5KkrMPSluoD7Et0hCfyPjqT-8UkN/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110655451884880977802&rtpof=true&sd=true Franklin’s Thirteen VirtuesTemperance | Eat not to dullness. Drink not to elevation.Silence | Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.Order | Let your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.Resolution | Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.Frugality | Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself. Waste nothing.Industry | Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.Sincerity | Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.Justice | Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.Moderation | Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.Cleanliness | Tolerate no uncleanliness in body clothes, or habitationTranquility | Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.Chastity | Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.Humility | Be neith------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler,...

The Rational Ignorance Podcast is now Live Well & Flourish. If you're already subscribed to the podcast, you shouldn't have to do anything at all to keep listening, although you might notice our new artwork. Thank you!------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Cicero called gratitude not only the greatest, but also the parent of all other virtues. Psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky, a leading researcher on happiness, notes that gratitude can act as an antidote for negative emotions. Across millennia great thinkers have noted the benefits of gratitude. In this episode, I explore gratitude and its many benefits and how gratitude can be an important element of living well. Essentially, flourishing requires happiness (in fact, one could argue that flourishing IS happiness of a certain kind), and gratitude is an important determinant of happiness. So, there's a clear path from gratitude to flourishing.Listen to this episode to learn more about gratitude, its benefits, and how to develop gratitude as part of your being. Be sure to listen to the end for three things that you can put into practice today that will help you become a more grateful, and happier, person.For more information: (Note: These are NOT affiliate links.)https://www.healthyhumansproject.com/gratitude-the-parent-of-all-virtues/http://thehowofhappiness.com/buy-the-book/https://chopra.com/articles/cultivate-the-healing-power-of-gratitudehttps://www.wabash.edu/news/story/11844https://www.commonsenseethics.com/blog/5-signs-you-lack-gratitude-according-to-cicero------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Grief comes from loss. But gratitude should accompany grief. Listen as Craig reflects on the puzzling relationship between grief and gratitude, and how a deeper understanding of how they interact can help you deal with grief, and prepare for future grief. ------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

We often hear of utility, usually as it relates to economics or usefulness. But there is a different view of utility, one that focuses on pleasure. In this episode, Andrea and Craig discuss this view of utility as pleasure, which is the foundation of Jeremey Bentham and John Stuart Mills' view of utilitarianism. They also discuss the difference between transitory, shallow pleasures (like eating yummy french fries) and enduring deep pleasures (such as being a good person). At the end of the episode Andrea and Craig provide some suggestions for building more pleasure into your life.------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Humans are hardwired to pay more attention to negative events than positive events. This proclivity is known as the negativity bias. Thankfully, a large number of good events can overcome the effects of a small number of bad events, which can work out well because most of us experience many more positive events than negative events. The problem is that we tend to pay more attention to the bad things that happen.In this episode, Andrea and Craig discuss negativity bias and how to overcome its effects by attending more to positive events. As always, Craig makes a mention of pets and animals while Andrea figures out a way to mention Aristotle. Listen to this episode to learn how to keep the little negative things from bothering you so much and gain insight into how focusing on the positive will have a beneficial effect on your life and mental health.Articles on Negativity Bias:Not all emotions are created equal: The negativity bias in social-emotional development https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3652533/Reappraisal—but not Suppression—Tendencies Determine Negativity Bias After Laboratory and Real-World Stress Exposurehttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8531907/Convergent behavioral and corticolimbic connectivity evidence of a negativity bias in children and adolescents https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5390736/------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Craig’s favorite day of the week is Saturday, not just because it’s recording day, but also because it’s #Caturday! (It really is a thing.) Fun, seemingly silly activities like posting or viewing cat pictures (or dog pics, or whatever) give us some hints on an often overlooked aspect of flourishing. In this episode, we explore why frivolous activities such as #Caturday can help us flourish by giving us short breaks from the daily grind of life.------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Recently, a listener posed an interesting question in response to Episode 9 on Human Flourishing. In that episode we said that a hermit might be happy living alone in the woods, but that s/he wouldn't really living a flourishing life. The listener questioned whether this was accurate, especially since flourishing is unique to each individual. In this episode, we discuss the question of whether a hermit can flourish. Along the way we also delve into moral relativism, moral pluralism and even nihilism. In addition, we talk about the "reboot" of the Rational Ignorance Podcast, which involves shorter, more focused episodes that all pertain to some aspect of human flourishing. ------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Andrea and Craig welcome Nita Sweeney, an author, distance runner, and meditator who shares her tale of overcoming depression and anxiety through long distance running with her dog Morgan. She details the first basic steps everyone should take to start their battle against depression, getting out of bed and doing a basic self-care task such as brushing your teeth. Nita describes how at 49, being overweight and depressed she went from “couch to 5k” and how it changed her life. Another challenge Nita was able to overcome was the negative voices in her head that filled her with negativity and self-doubt, making her constantly second-guess her decision to improve. She narrates how she was able to defeat those voices and how to keep them from spoiling your drive and motivation. The co-hosts share some of their experience with running (and with pups) and how it benefited them, as well as their take on trail running versus road running. Listen to the episode to find out how you too can go from “couch to 5k”, become a marathon runner and overcome depression, anxiety, self doubt and even flourish along the way.Visit Nita’s website: https://nitasweeney.com/All things Nita: https://linktr.ee/nitasweeneyCheck out Nita’s books:Depression Hates a Moving Target: How Running With My Dog Brought Me Back From the Brink https://www.amazon.com/dp/1642500135https://nitasweeney.com/about-the-book/Free eBook: Three Ways to Heal Your Mind You Should Be Writing: A Journal of Inspiration & Instruction to Keep Your Pen Movinghttps://www.amazon.com/dp/1642502553Nita Sweeney’s BioNita Sweeney is the award-winning wellness author of the running and mental health memoir, Depression Hates a Moving Target: How Running with My Dog Brought Me Back from the Brink and co-creator of the writing journal, You Should Be Writing: A Journal of Inspiration & Instruction to Keep Your Pen Moving. A certified meditation leader, mental health advocate, ultramarathoner, and former assistant to writing practice originator Natalie Goldberg, Nita founded the groupsMind, Mood, and Movement to support well-being through meditation, exercise, and writing practice, and The Writer’s Mind, to share using writing practice to produce publishable work. Nita also publishes the writing resource newsletter, Write Now Columbus. Nita lives in central Ohio with her husband, Ed, and their yellow Labrador retriever, Scarlet. Download your free copy of Nita’s eBook Three Ways to Heal Your Mind.------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Many of us have a faith, but how is that different from spirituality? Is spirituality like food in the sense that we need it to care for our bodies (or in this case, our soul), something that every person by the nature of being a person has to deal with, or is it more like art and music? Spirituality, unlike religion, focuses on obtaining a sense of peace and of purpose.Andrea and Craig welcome Reverend Dr. Bernadine Lewis as she tells us a little bit about how having a spiritual dimension to one's life could contribute to flourishing. She speaks about how spirituality has been in her family for generations, and why a lot of people still aren’t really flourishing despite comfort, wealth and success, and what might be missing in their life to truly flourish. Listen to the episode to learn how to flourish by incorporating spirituality into your life.------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Music is synonymous with emotion and beauty and is a vital part of life. This week Andrea and Craig welcome musician Bryan Toney as he gives us insight on how music can help us flourish. He explains why it’s important to find your passion and how you can make music (or engage in some other creative activity) while still working another job. We also learn about some of the struggles musicians face in modern times, the hardships of the music industry nowadays and Bryan’s contributions to helping other people flourish through music by organizing open mic nights so more folks can showcase their passion and talents. Listen in to discover how to flourish through song. Visit Bryan Toney’s website: https://www.bryantoney.com/ Listen to Bryan Toney on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/58Xf6nCVfn3QzSU4aCxpXi?si=Y1qxZnDdToWBHAxGKGd7OQ Listen to Bryan Toney’s album Cone of Uncertainty on Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/cone-of-uncertainty/1451933911 Connect with Bryan on Facebook: http://facebook.com/bryantoneymusic Check out Bryan’s Youtube Channel: http://youtube.com/bryantoney Follow Bryan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryantoney/------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

In this episode Andrea and Craig welcome Sebastian Siegel, a British-American director, producer, screenwriter and author to talk about some of the themes and experiences from his new film, Grace and Grit, based on the book by Ken Wilber. They discuss the resilience of human love when faced with tragedy and loss, deep philosophical issues regarding joy, pain and transience, and even share some of their personal experiences on how they were able to relate to the film on a deeper level. Links: Sebastian Siegelhttp://sebastiansiegel.com/ The film Grace and Grit is available on Amazon, as is the book on which the film is based. IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3910630/Mercury Theatre Podcast: https://www.mercurytheatrepodcast.com/[Note: We may earn a small commission from affiliate links ... really small.]------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

In the first episode of season two, Andrea and Craig discuss some of the differences in how Aristotle, Dr. Martin Seligman, and Harvard view flourishing and some of the overlapping concepts in philosophy, religion, psychology and Daoism related to living a good life. Craig explains in depth how striving for flourishing is beneficial to anyone no matter what their religion or philosophy might be. We also learn about the three basic steps towards flourishing and developing a virtue and that grits are a vehicle for flavor. Yum! Here are links to the two books mentioned in this episode. (Note: We earn a very small commission when you use the links.) How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life: An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness, Russell D. RobertsKindlePaperback The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Adam SmithKindle Navajos Wear Nikes: A Reservation Life, Jim KristoficKindlePaperbackHardcover------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Andrea and Craig reflect about some key moments and concepts from season one and shine a light on what listeners can expect in season two. They discuss the Aristotelian mean, arete, virtues and many ways to live an excellent life. Stay tuned for season two to get at the heart of the psychology behind wellbeing, Ben Franklin’s method for becoming the kind of person you want to be by developing your virtues, and what it means to flourish as a human being.------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, SnapChat … these and other social media platforms allow us to keep up with old friends and make new ones, lets us expand our knowledge and stay informed about current events, and even give rise to important social movements. But social media are addictive, manipulative and the lynchpin of the surveillance economy. Their algorithms define what it means to be social. Social media also, to paraphrase our guest, valorizes the sensational over the sober. But if we want to live digital life to its fullest, what choice do we have? Well, our guest, Dr. Robert Gehl, is here to tell us that we do have choices, in the form of alternative social media. Dr. Robert Gehl is the F Jay Taylor Endowed Research Chair of Communication at Louisiana Tech University. He is also an alumnus of the Fulbright Canada Research Chair program and is the winner of the 2015 Association of Internet Researchers Nancy Baym Award. As an author, he has several books published, including Weaving the Dark Web (2018, MIT Press), Reverse Engineering Social Media (2014, Temple University Press), and Socialbots and Their Friends (2016, Routledge).https://www.robertwgehl.org/ https://scholar.social/@robertwgehl ------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

We live in a world filled with uncertainty. Often this uncertainty leads to anxiety about the future. Fortunately, information can reduce uncertainty, and in turn, reduce anxiety. The catch is that the new information may also uncover new uncertainty, leading to increased anxiety. In this episode, we explore the seemingly paradoxical relationship among uncertainty, anxiety, and information and consider examples from daily life whether it’s checking the weather or a kitty peeking around the corner. We won’t let this conundrum contribute to your anxiety, though. Tune in to learn about helpful strategies to handle the uncertainty/anxiety/information paradox. Naturally, Stoicism is part of the solution.------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Sadly, we live in a world rife with fake news, misinformation, and disinformation, in what President Barack Obama called "a dust cloud of nonsense." In this episode, we talk with Dr. Amber Hinsley, a former journalist turned academic, about the problem of fake news, misinformation and disinformation, how our own beliefs affect what we see as fake or false information, and how to protect ourselves against these forces. Along the way we take some diversions into journalism, its future and the rise of citizen journalism.------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Every day we are bombarded with a barrage of information, distractions, noise and unnecessary stimuli. Our attention is a limited resource, and with a myriad things competing for it, how do we protect ourselves and safeguard our peace of mind? Andrea and Craig discuss how tuning out can help us avoid stress along with some of the best ways to tune out. Taking some time off to rest, reflect and recharge can be done in a variety of ways, from meditation, to focusing only on your breathing, to doing something menial and laborious such as digging out a horse stall and much more. Tune in to this episode to tune out from the stress!------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Social noise is phenomenon that concerns how the presence of others affects our social behaviors. This episode is the second in a two part series. (You probably guessed that from the "Part 2" in the title.)In this episode we discuss social noise in the context of COVID-19 with our guest, Dr. Tara Zimmerman. Dr. Zimmerman also offers some thoughts on how we can put what we've learned about social noise into practice.------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

The constant presence of social media in our lives leads us to, intentionally or unintentionally, form our impressions of some people through what they post on social media. In many cases, such impressions are wrong. In a phenomenon called social noise, which describes how observation by others in our networks affects how we respond to different types of information.Dr. Tara Zimmerman, the expert who coined the term social noise, is our guest in this two part series. Dr. Zimmerman helps us dig into what social noise is, and how it affects us. ------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

"Rational" and "ignorance" are words that don't often go together, but sometimes they should. In this episode Andrea and Craig explore the concept of rational ignorance. which basically means that when the cost of acquiring information exceeds the value of that information, it's rational to remain ignorant. We also have a guest appearance from Taz!------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert

Welcome to the Rational Ignorance Podcast! In this episode, Andrea and Craig discuss their goals for the podcast, and what listeners can expect to gain from listening (in business speak -- the value proposition). We're new to this, so we appreciate your indulgence as we work out any problems. Thanks for listening!!Contact us at [email protected], on Twitter - @RIPodcast.------Live Well and Flourish website: https://www.livewellandflourish.com/ The theme music for Live Well and Flourish was written by Hazel Crossler, [email protected]. Production assistant - Paul Robert