S2E27: Before Self-Help, There Was Philosophy: The Books You Should Be Reading

What if a lot of the ideas in the self-help books we read today aren't actually new?In this shorter solo episode of The Your Everyday Strength Podcast, Josh Sternberg explores his growing interest in philosophy and why going back to the original philosophical texts has completely changed the way he approaches personal development.From Marcus Aurelius and Stoicism to modern interpretations of ancient ideas, this episode explores how principles around emotional regulation, self-awareness, resilience, anxiety and controlling the controllables have been discussed for thousands of years.Rather than having those ideas filtered through another author's interpretation, sometimes there's enormous value in going directly to the source—and deciding what they mean for yourself.In this episode:• Why so much modern self-help can be traced back to philosophy• Marcus Aurelius' Meditations and why it's such a powerful starting point• Stoicism and the principle of controlling the controllables• Using philosophy to manage anxiety and emotional reactions• Why reading philosophy requires reflection rather than simply consuming information• The surprising crossover between philosophy and spirituality• Modern writers who make philosophical ideas more accessible• Books and resources for anyone wanting to start exploring philosophyYou don't need a philosophy degree.You don't need to understand every sentence.And you certainly don't have to agree with every philosopher you read.The value is in engaging with the ideas, questioning them, and figuring out what you can actually apply to your own life.Sometimes the best personal-development book isn't sitting in the self-help section.It was written 2,000 years ago.🎙 Hosted by Josh SternbergFollow The Podcast: The YES Podcast