The Walled Garden

In this episode, Simon returns to the podcast along with guest Rocco Jarman. They discuss the past year since our last episode, as well as what's to come in The Walled Garden Philosophical Society. Introduced in this episode is The Sanctuary Studio for The Arts & Humanities: a community studio founded by Simon Drew in 2024 in Santa Ana, California. For those wishing to attend our first year anniversary celebrations at The Sanctuary Studio, learn more and book your tickets at thesanctuarystudio.org/anniversary.ABOUT ROCCO: Rocco Jarman is an unorthodox philosopher, teacher, and visionary who bridges ancient wisdom with modern insight. A neurodivergent autodidact with over 25 years in corporate leadership, his work is shaped by personal experiences of burnout and existential crisis, giving him a unique lens on business, social systems, and human development.He created Following the Way, a framework for integrated self-mastery, and co-founded The Walled Garden Philosophical Society, where he collaborates with thought leaders on transformative ideas. He also leads The Silver Branch project, which makes spiritual philosophy accessible through archetype and mythos.Rocco’s mission is to reconcile science and mysticism, advocate for spiritual health, and restore soul in business and culture. Author of three books on psychological and spiritual self-leadership, his life’s work centers on a unifying vision of human actualisation. 

In this episode, Simon returns to the podcast along with guest Rocco Jarman. They discuss the past year since our last episode, as well as what's to come in The Walled Garden Philosophical Society. Introduced in this episode is The Sanctuary Studio for The Arts & Humanities: a community studio founded by Simon Drew in 2024 in Santa Ana, California. For those wishing to attend our first year anniversary celebrations at The Sanctuary Studio, learn more and book your tickets at thesanctuarystudio.org/anniversary.ABOUT ROCCO: Rocco Jarman is an unorthodox philosopher, teacher, and visionary who bridges ancient wisdom with modern insight. A neurodivergent autodidact with over 25 years in corporate leadership, his work is shaped by personal experiences of burnout and existential crisis, giving him a unique lens on business, social systems, and human development.He created Following the Way, a framework for integrated self-mastery, and co-founded The Walled Garden Philosophical Society, where he collaborates with thought leaders on transformative ideas. He also leads The Silver Branch project, which makes spiritual philosophy accessible through archetype and mythos.Rocco’s mission is to reconcile science and mysticism, advocate for spiritual health, and restore soul in business and culture. Author of three books on psychological and spiritual self-leadership, his life’s work centers on a unifying vision of human actualisation. 

David is co-host of Between Two Raven’s Podcast. He is a psychotherapist practicing in Albuquerque, NM. He writes and podcasts about the importance of understanding archetypes and mythology in the journey to make meaning of life, practice wisdom, and develop a personal philosophy of life.David runs events in The Walled Garden through his grove, The Ravens Nest; a place to gather to discuss Wisdom Poetry, Norse Mythology, and Archetypes. David will explore Old Norse poems with other Walled Garden Contributors and members are invited to attend to discuss and explore how Wisdom and Meaning can be found through exploring mythological poetry. Hugin and Munin were the names of Odin’s two ravens, their names mean Thought and Memory or Soul. In the Raven’s Nest, we will explore the psychological significance of metaphors and archetypes found in the Old Norse myths.Register today for David's next event: https://thewalledgarden.com/events/ 

Rocco Jarman is a philosopher-poet, embracing the essence of humanity’s narrative while guiding others through the journey of self-discovery and collective evolution. As a bridge between past and future, he explores the depths of intentional existence, weaving through symbolism, mythos, and psychology to illuminate the path forward. His roles span from teacher to advocate, from dreamer to leader, each facet reflecting a commitment to unlocking the potential of tomorrow through the power of personal and shared myth.Eyes Wide Open Life: https://eyeswideopenlife.org/7-DAY SOUL REBOOT: https://thewalledgarden.com/7daysoulreboot/THE SILVER BRANCH: https://thewalledgarden.com/thesilverbranch/MENTORSHIP WITH ROCCO: https://thewalledgarden.com/teacher/rocco-jarman/

David Alexander is an American psychotherapist and philosopher. On his podcast, Between Two Ravens, David explores the heights and depths of Norse mythology. David is interested particularly in Jungian psychology, classical Stoicism, and mythology, and he now brings these interests to The Walled Garden Philosophical Society as an official contributor in our community.In this episode, we discuss the apocalyptic narative in Norse Mythology and discuss it's paralells and meanings for our lives and cultures. Between Two Ravens Podcast: https://tworavenpodcast.wordpress.com/

Rocco Jarman is a philosopher-poet, embracing the essence of humanity’s narrative while guiding others through the journey of self-discovery and collective evolution. As a bridge between past and future, he explores the depths of intentional existence, weaving through symbolism, mythos, and psychology to illuminate the path forward. His roles span from teacher to advocate, from dreamer to leader, each facet reflecting a commitment to unlocking the potential of tomorrow through the power of personal and shared myth.Eyes Wide Open Life: https://eyeswideopenlife.org/7-DAY SOUL REBOOT: https://thewalledgarden.com/7daysoulreboot/THE SILVER BRANCH: https://thewalledgarden.com/thesilverbranch/THE HEARTH & THE WELL: https://www.amazon.com/Hearth-Well-Tending-Sacred-Return/dp/B0D1K8KLRG 

Prof. Massimo Pigliucci holds PhDs in Evolutionary Biology and Philosophy and is the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at City College of New York. His research covers the philosophy of science, pseudoscience, Stoicism, and New Skepticism.He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his work on genotype-environment interactions and defense of evolutionary biology.Prof. Pigliucci has published in major outlets like the New York Times and the Washington Post, and he writes on Medium. He has authored or edited 16 books, including the bestseller "How to Be A Stoic."Website: https://howtobeastoic.wordpress.com/Soul Speaking: https://thewalledgarden.com/allevents/soul-speaking-june-2024-418-391/

ABOUT MARK VERNON: Dr. Mark Vernon is a psychotherapist and writer, with an interest in ancient philosophy, and a focus on the skills and insights that illuminate our inner lives. His books cover subjects from friendship and belief, to wellbeing and love. His most recent books are Dante’s Divine Comedy: A Guide for the Spiritual Journey and A Secret History of Christianity, which is based upon the ideas of the Oxford Inkling, Owen Barfield. As a psychodynamic psychotherapist, he has a private practice in London, working with individuals who have a variety of concerns, as well as having worked at the Maudsley Hospital in south London in a personality disorder service. He contributes to and has presented a number of programmes on the radio, and writes as a journalist, with his work being published by the BBC, Aeon, Church Times, and elsewhere. He teaches at The Idler Academy and also leads workshops and gives talks.Website: https://www.markvernon.com/Register for Soul Speaking: Imagination & Wisdom: https://thewalledgarden.com/allevents/soul-speaking-june-2024/7-Day Soul Reboot: https://thewalledgarden.com/7daysoulreboot/

Robin Waterfield is a British classical scholar, translator, editor, and writer of children's fiction. He was born in 1952, and studied Classics at Manchester University, where he achieved a first class degree in 1974. He went on to research ancient Greek philosophy at King's College, Cambridge until 1978, after which he became a lecturer at Newcastle University and then St Andrews University. He later became a copy-editor and later a commissioning editor for Penguin Books. He is now a self-employed writer, living in southern Greece.Some of his notable works include:Plato of Athens: A Life in PhilosophyProphet: The Life and Times of Kahlil GibranThe Greek Myths: Stories of the Greek Gods and Heroes Vividly RetoldWhy Socrates Died: Dispelling the MythsEpictetus The Complete Works: Handbook, Discourses, and FragmentsTWG Seasonal Offerings7-DAY SOUL REBOOT: https://thewalledgarden.com/7daysoulreboot/SOUL SPEAKING EVENT: https://thewalledgarden.com/allevents/soul-speaking-the-craft-calling-of-the-bard/THE SILVER BRANCH: https://thewalledgarden.com/thesilverbranch/THE HEARTH & THE WELL: https://www.amazon.com/Hearth-Well-Tending-Sacred-Return/dp/B0D1K8KLRG 

Rocco Jarman is a philosopher-poet, embracing the essence of humanity’s narrative while guiding others through the journey of self-discovery and collective evolution. As a bridge between past and future, he explores the depths of intentional existence, weaving through symbolism, mythos, and psychology to illuminate the path forward. His roles span from teacher to advocate, from dreamer to leader, each facet reflecting a commitment to unlocking the potential of tomorrow through the power of personal and shared myth.Eyes Wide Open Life: https://eyeswideopenlife.org/7-DAY SOUL REBOOT: https://thewalledgarden.com/7daysoulreboot/SOUL SPEAKING EVENT: https://thewalledgarden.com/allevents/soul-speaking-the-craft-calling-of-the-bard/THE SILVER BRANCH: https://thewalledgarden.com/thesilverbranch/THE HEARTH & THE WELL: https://www.amazon.com/Hearth-Well-Tending-Sacred-Return/dp/B0D1K8KLRG 

Dr. Megan McElheran is a Clinical Psychologist and Chief Executive Officer of Wayfound. Dr. McElheran completed graduate training at the PAU-Stanford University Clinical Psychology Consortium, during which she obtained specialized training in the treatment of PTSD through the National Center for PTSD in Menlo Park, CA. Dr. McElheran has been in practice in Calgary since 2008. She continues to focus on work with first responders, and her clinical practice involves work with active-duty members of the Canadian Forces, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, members of the Calgary Fire Department, medical personnel, and others who are directly or vicariously impacted by traumatic events. She routinely engages in teaching and supervisory activity to ensure the sound dissemination of empirically grounded interventions for trauma. Dr. McElheran completed a TEDx speech in 2011 related to Trauma, Change, and continues to regularly engage in speaking events, both locally and internationally.Wayfound: https://www.wayfound.ca/7-DAY SOUL REBOOT: https://thewalledgarden.com/7daysoulreboot/SOUL SPEAKING EVENT: https://thewalledgarden.com/allevents/soul-speaking-the-craft-calling-of-the-bard-663/THE SILVER BRANCH: https://thewalledgarden.com/thesilverbranch/

Rocco Jarman is a philosopher-poet, embracing the essence of humanity’s narrative while guiding others through the journey of self-discovery and collective evolution. As a bridge between past and future, he explores the depths of intentional existence, weaving through symbolism, mythos, and psychology to illuminate the path forward. His roles span from teacher to advocate, from dreamer to leader, each facet reflecting a commitment to unlocking the potential of tomorrow through the power of personal and shared myth.Eyes Wide Open Life: https://eyeswideopenlife.org/7-DAY SOUL REBOOT: https://thewalledgarden.com/7daysoulreboot/SOUL SPEAKING EVENT: https://thewalledgarden.com/allevents/soul-speaking-the-craft-calling-of-the-bard/THE SILVER BRANCH: https://thewalledgarden.com/thesilverbranch/THE HEARTH & THE WELL: https://www.amazon.com/Hearth-Well-Tending-Sacred-Return/dp/B0D1K8KLRG 

Rocco Jarman is a philosopher-poet, embracing the essence of humanity’s narrative while guiding others through the journey of self-discovery and collective evolution. As a bridge between past and future, he explores the depths of intentional existence, weaving through symbolism, mythos, and psychology to illuminate the path forward. His roles span from teacher to advocate, from dreamer to leader, each facet reflecting a commitment to unlocking the potential of tomorrow through the power of personal and shared myth.Eyes Wide Open Life: https://eyeswideopenlife.org/7-DAY SOUL REBOOT: https://thewalledgarden.com/7daysoulreboot/SOUL SPEAKING EVENT: https://thewalledgarden.com/allevents/soul-speaking-the-craft-calling-of-the-bard/THE SILVER BRANCH: https://thewalledgarden.com/thesilverbranch/THE HEARTH & THE WELL: https://www.amazon.com/Hearth-Well-Tending-Sacred-Return/dp/B0D1K8KLRG 

William O. Stephens, Ph.D., retired Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Creighton University with interests in ancient philosophy, ethics, and Stoicism, has contributed significantly to the field through interviews, podcasts, and translations, including a revised edition of "The Ethics of the Stoic Epictetus."Scott Aikin is a Professor of phiolosophy at Vanderbilt University. His research encompasses the theory of knowledge, ancient philosophy, informal logic, and philosophy of religion, focusing on the justification of beliefs, conceptions of knowing in ancient philosophy, epistemic appraisal of arguments, and conditions for knowledge of God, seamlessly integrating his research interests with his teaching in formal logic, ancient philosophy, and epistemology.Matthew Sharpe, an accomplished author and Associate Professor, has a rich background in philosophy with over two decades of teaching and supervision, contributing significant works and numerous articles across a broad spectrum of philosophical disciplines, including the history of ideas and Stoic thought, and is actively involved in the modern Stoic community and Stoicon events.Matthew Sharpe, an accomplished author and Professor at the Australian Catholic University, has a rich background in philosophy with over two decades of teaching and supervision, contributing significant works and numerous articles across a broad spectrum of philosophical disciplines, including the history of ideas and Stoic thought, and is actively involved in the modern Stoic community and Stoicon events.

Shane Trotter is the author of Setting the Bar: Preparing Our Kids to Thrive in an Era of Distraction, Dependency, and Entitlement. As a writer, educator, and High-School Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, he has been challenging youth development norms for over a decade. Shane believes that too much emphasis on comfort and a lost sense of community standards has left people feeling purposeless, disconnected, and trapped in self-limiting patterns. Shane has been featured by multiple coaching clinics and Spartan.com. His articles have been published by websites with millions of readers, such as Quillette, Areo, and Breaking Muscle, where he was an Expert Coach in Residence and helped start the Breaking Muscle podcast. His blog, Inspired Human Development, focuses on exploring the principles of human thriving. Subscribe to get his newsletter, Stuff They Never Told You, for free each week.

Brittany Polat is a writer, researcher, and presenter on practical Stoicism. Her books help people from all walks of life find inner peace and long-lasting happiness through tried-and-true Stoic techniques. Brittany holds a Ph.D. in applied linguistics, but she currently studies human nature through the lens of Stoic psychology and philosophy. She is a steering committee member of Modern Stoicism, a board member of The Stoic Fellowship, and co-founder of the new nonprofit Stoicare (www.stoicare.com). Brittany strongly believes in the power of Stoicism to help us flourish as individuals and as a society.Join us on March 23rd for a collaborative conference by The Walled Garden Philosophical Society and Stoicare: Lighting The Way: Philosophical Role Models of the Past & Present

Martha Alter Hines is a multifaceted professional with a rich background as a clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and body worker, boasting twenty years of experience. In addition to her roles as a mother, astrologer, channel, and healer, Hines has made significant contributions to the field of social work, particularly in her capacity as a supervisor of social workers. Her career took a pivotal turn in 2018 following a profound spiritual awakening that redirected her path away from traditional social work towards embracing her roles as a channel and healer. Guided by this spiritual call, Hines now utilizes astrology, channeling, and various spirit-guided healing modalities to facilitate deep, transformative experiences for individuals, helping them to reconnect with their true essence across all dimensions of existence.Hines is dedicated to creating grounded, safe spaces that enable beings to rediscover their identities on a soul level, drawing upon her extensive experience in psychotherapy and bodywork. She believes firmly in the urgency communicated by the spirit world for individuals to remember their true selves, encompassing their connections to the Earth, spirit, soul, body, heart, mind, cosmos, and the divine. In her current practice, Hines integrates her professional background with the wisdom of the spirit world and the inherent knowledge within every being as part of the infinite divine. Her approach transcends traditional therapy, rooted in robust trauma-informed skills, to offer a holistic path to healing and self-discovery.In this episode, Martha gives a talk and offers a meditation as a part of our online event, Lighting Candles: A Vigil for Humanity. The full event video is available to members of The Walled Garden Philosophical Society at https://thewalledgarden.com/lighting-candles-a-vigil-for-humanity/.

Rocco Jarman is a renowned poet, philosopher, and mystic, recognized for his commitment to personal and societal transformation. With a deep belief in the infinite potential of humans, Jarman has overcome his own struggles with brokenness, disconnection, and confusion, finding a profound sense of gratitude and belonging through his journey. His life's work revolves around a transformative formula that shifts individuals from a state of brokenness to wholeness, and from confusion to understanding.Jarman possesses exceptional insights into psychology, human behavior, and societal dysfunctions, blending science and mysticism to offer solutions to contemporary challenges. His unique perspective aims to demystify both science and mysticism, encouraging a focus on essence over unnecessary complexities.In addition to his philosophical endeavors, Jarman boasts a 25-year career in corporate transformation and leadership. His expertise spans organisational development, strategy, project management, and technology. He is dedicated to contributing his vast knowledge and experience to The Walled Garden and its community, driven by a profound sense of love and a commitment to being a force for good in a world he views as in need of healing and enlightenment.In this episode, Rocco gives a talk titled "Lighting Candles." This talk was a part of our online event, Lighting Candles: A Vigil for Humanity. The full event video is available to members of The Walled Garden Philosophical Society at https://thewalledgarden.com/lighting-candles-a-vigil-for-humanity/.

Sharon is one of the pioneers of the contemporary Stoicism movement, and the author behind the best-selling interpretation of Epictetus’ writings, “The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness.” As a musician and prominent writer, Sharon seeks to liberate the wisdom of the past in order to facilitate deeper meaning-making and personal flourishing. In this episode, Sharon gives a talk titled "Drift & Return." This talk was a part of our online event, Lighting Candles: A Vigil for Humanity. The full event video is available to members of The Walled Garden Philosophical Society at https://thewalledgarden.com/lighting-candles-a-vigil-for-humanity/.

Sharon is one of the pioneers of the contemporary Stoicism movement, and the author behind the best-selling interpretation of Epictetus’ writings, “The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness.” As a musician and prominent writer, Sharon seeks to liberate the wisdom of the past in order to facilitate deeper meaning-making and personal flourishing. In this episode, Sharon gives a talk titled "The Meaning of Your Life Will Never Be Convenient."

Rocco Jarman is an Australian mystic, poet and philosopher. He's the author of Keeper of the Flame: A Message from Tomorrow, and Stepping Through: Following our own star through the door to Tomorrow. His podcast is called the Eyes Wide Open Life Podcast, and you can find Rocco at eyeswideopenlife.org and as a contributor on thewalledgarden.com.To register for our upcoming event, Lighting Flames: A Vigil for Humanity, go to thewalledgarden.com/allevents/lighting-candles/

Contributing Philosopher Judith Stove gives a talk entitled "Losing Our Memories: Stoicism & The Suppression of Truth."About this talk: New legislation in Australia seeks to levy large fines on media companies for sharing ‘misinformation and disinformation.’ But who decides, and what is the impact on the historical record? Our starting point is two Stoic-related texts from Seneca and Tacitus, concerning Roman Imperial suppression of texts and frank discussions. As Tacitus wrote in 98 CE: ‘Rome of old explored the utmost limits of freedom; we have plumbed the depths of slavery, robbed as we are by informers even of the right to exchange ideas in conversation. We should have lost our memories as well as our tongues had it been as easy to forget as to be silent.’Read Judith's writings: https://thewalledgarden.com/rootsofthegarden/

In this episode, we hear from Prof. Joe Siracusa regarding the current conflict in Israel and Palestine as well as the most pressing diplomatic and political challenges of 2023 to date.Dr. Joseph Siracusa is an Chicago-born historian, professor and author with 40+ years in Australian higher education and over 50 books on history, diplomacy, politics, and nuclear weapons to his name. Joe currently teaches at Curtin University, and he serves as the President Emeritus of the Australia Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. By merit of the wisdom and understanding that Joe has cultivated over his life, we have called him to become the Honorary Professor of The Walled Garden Philosophical Society.

Tsoof Baras is a versatile and skilled percussionist with over 16 years of performance experience in orchestral percussion, hand drumming, novelty percussion and more in a range of styles. He is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, with a Bachelor of Music, Majoring in Advanced Percussion Performance. Tsoof is a member of multiple ensembles performing locally in Brisbane and nationally. He recently published a book called How to Get Good, wherein he explores the fundamentals of making progress in any skill or discipline. ABOUT THE WALLED GARDEN The Walled Garden Philosophical Society is a global community of philosophers and students gathering in search of truth, wisdom, virtue and the Divine. There are many ways to get involved: Attend Events: http://thewalledgarden.com/events Find a Philosophical Mentor: http://thewalledgarden.com/mentoring Explore Our Groves: http://thewalledgarden.com/groves Become a Member: thewalledgarden.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Event Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-iliad-at-grace-san-francisco-a-public-reading-event-tickets-511419889657 The International Readers of Homer: https://www.internationalreadersofhomer.org/ Kathryn Hohlwein is a poet, author, teacher, world traveler, and Homerist. Born in the Rocky Mountains, she graduated from the University of Utah in 1951 and received an M.A. from The Bread Loaf School of English of Middlebury College in Vermont 1953. For 37 years, she taught poetry, creative writing, world literature, poetry in translation, and the Homeric imagination at the University of Utah, Ohio State University, and for many years at California State University, Sacramento. Her publications include: Touchstones: Letters Between Two Women 1953 to 1964, The Middle Kingdom, What's Funny About Forever, and The Little Chapel in Donegal. Upon retiring from teaching, she founded the International Readers of Homer, through which she created multilingual, audience-participation readings of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, the International Readers of Homer has delighted audiences in London, New York, Los Angeles, Brussels, Montevideo, Alexandria, Tehran, Athens, and the Greek islands of Kos and Chios. She is looking forward to the upcoming reading of The Iliad in San Francisco in May 2023, just a week shy of her 93rd birthday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adriana Barton is a journalist, a former staff reporter at The Globe and Mail, and the author of Wired for Music: A Search for Health and Joy Through the Science of Sound. Her book, published by Greystone Books in October 2022, is a blend of science and memoir that argues that music is an age-old system to boost human health, connect us to each other, and add meaning, resilience, and joy. Drawing from neuroscience, anthropology, and evolutionary biology, Barton's book has received critical acclaim, with Publishers Weekly calling it "witty and soulful," and Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score, describing it as "beautifully written" and "riveting." ABOUT THE WALLED GARDEN The Walled Garden Philosophical Society is a global community of philosophers and students gathering in search of truth, wisdom, virtue and the Divine. There are many ways to get involved: Attend Events: thewalledgarden.com/events Find a Philosophical Mentor: thewalledgarden.com/mentoring Explore Our Groves: thewalledgarden.com/groves Become a Member: thewalledgarden.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Petkas is a renowned writer and host of the Cost of Glory podcast, where he shares his passion for history by uncovering the best stories and insights from great heroes of the past. After leaving a successful career in academia to focus on his work, Alex's dedication to helping people draw energy and practical insights from the past has earned him a reputation as a thought leader in the industry. In addition to his peer-reviewed research, he also writes for several non-academic publications, including American Mind, Man's World, and Antigone, where he is a founding editor. Alex currently resides in his native Texas with his wife and children. A classicist and philosopher of history, Jack Visnjic is passionate about discovering long-term patterns in historical events. He completed his B.A. in classics and mathematics from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in ancient philosophy from Princeton. His latest publication, "The Invention of Duty," delves into the origins of the concept of "moral duty" in ancient Greco-Roman times. In addition to his research work, Jack hosts a popular podcast called "Ancient Greece Declassified," which features the latest scholarly insights into the ancient Mediterranean world. Jack joined the Institute in February 2019 and continues to contribute to the field with his innovative research and accessible public outreach. ABOUT THE WALLED GARDEN The Walled Garden Philosophical Society is a global community of philosophers and students gathering in search of truth, wisdom, virtue and the Divine. There are many ways to get involved: Attend Events: thewalledgarden.com/events Find a Philosophical Mentor: thewalledgarden.com/mentoring Explore Our Groves: thewalledgarden.com/groves Become a Member: thewalledgarden.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elite dressage coach and Stoic practitioner Nona Maiorano joins Simon Drew to discuss the idea of Human Self-Carriage, which describes the state of flow that can exist when we remove the two things that get in the way: agenda and ego. Nona is also a host at the Women’s Philosopher’s Cafe and a member of the New England Stoics. ABOUT THE WALLED GARDEN The Walled Garden Philosophical Society is a global community of philosophers and students gathering in search of truth, wisdom, virtue and the Divine. There are many ways to get involved: Attend Events: thewalledgarden.com/events Find a Philosophical Mentor: thewalledgarden.com/mentoring Explore Our Groves: thewalledgarden.com/groves Become a Member: thewalledgarden.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode: Professor, philosopher and scholar of Stoicism William O. Stephens speaks with recently graduated football coach and Stoic practitioner Nick Davis about the analogy between team sports and the ethical/theological ideas found in Stoicism.  Learn more about Professor William O. Stephens: williamostephens.com ABOUT THE WALLED GARDEN The Walled Garden Philosophical Society is a global community of philosophers and students gathering in search of truth, wisdom, virtue and the Divine. There are many ways to get involved: Attend Events: thewalledgarden.com/events Find a Philosophical Mentor: thewalledgarden.com/mentoring Explore Our Groves: thewalledgarden.com/groves Become a Member: thewalledgarden.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode script was generated by Chat GPT based on prompts by Simon J. E. Drew. Register for "Chat GPT, AI Models and The Walled Garden: An Introduction to The Senate": https://thewalledgarden.com/an-introduction-to-the-senate SCRIPT The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought about a new era of technological progress and potential, but it has also raised concerns about the meaning of human existence and the potential for madness. As AI becomes more sophisticated, there is a growing fear that it may surpass human intelligence, leaving us questioning our place in the world and our purpose in life. One of the key challenges posed by AI is the potential for it to replace human labor in many industries, leading to widespread job displacement and economic inequality. This could cause people to feel disconnected from their work and the broader societal structures that give their lives meaning. Additionally, the rise of AI may challenge our understanding of what it means to be human, leading to feelings of existential angst and confusion. READ THE FULL SCRIPT HERE: https://thewalledgarden.com/meaning-and-madness-human-survival-in-the-age-of-artificial-intelligence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode script was generated by Chat GPT based on prompts by Simon J. E. Drew. Register for “Chat GPT, AI Models and The Walled Garden: An Introduction to The Senate”: https://thewalledgarden.com/an-introduction-to-the-senate SCRIPT: Welcome to The Walled Garden Podcast, the official podcast of The Walled Garden Philosophical Society. I am your temporary host, stepping in for Simon Drew. Today's episode is a special one as it was entirely generated by Artificial Intelligence technologies. We have some exciting news to share with our listeners. On March 9th at 3 pm PST, The Walled Garden Philosophical Society will be hosting an event called "Chat G P T, Artificial Technology Models, and The Walled Garden: An Introduction to The Senate". This event will be open to the public for a donation of your choosing, and you can register at thewalledgarden.com/events. During the event, Rocco Jarman, a renowned Australian poet, mystic, and philosopher, will join Simon Drew, a co-founder of The Walled Garden Philosophical Society and a musician and poet, to introduce The Senate. The Senate is a series of events that will only be available to members after March 2023. In these events, our community will come together to engage in thoughtful philosophical discussions with courage and vulnerability, working towards a consensus on some of the most complex issues of our time. See the full text here: artificial-enlightenment-the-age-of-freedom-and-abundance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode script was generated by Chat GPT based on prompts by Simon J. E. Drew. Register for "Chat GPT, AI Models and The Walled Garden: An Introduction to The Senate": https://thewalledgarden.com/an-introduction-to-the-senate SCRIPT Hello, and welcome to The Walled Garden Podcast, the official podcast of The Walled Garden Philosophical Society. I'm here filling in for the host, Simon Drew. Today's episode is a little different because it was entirely created by Artificial Intelligence technologies. First up, we have some exciting news to share. On March 9th at 3 pm PST, The Walled Garden Philosophical Society is hosting an event called Chat G P T, Artificial Technology Models, and The Walled Garden: An Introduction to The Senate. This event will be open to the public for the price of a donation of your choosing, and you can register via thewalledgarden.com/events. In this event, Rocco Jarman, an Australian poet, mystic, and philosopher, will join Simon Drew, a musician, poet, and co-founder of The Walled Garden Philosophical Society, to give an in-depth introduction to The Senate, which is a series of events that will be for members only after March 2023. In these monthly events, our community will gather to discuss and come to a consensus on the most complicated issues of our time using thoughtful philosophical dialogue underpinned by courage and vulnerability. Now, on with the article, entitled: Artificially Stupid: The Life and Times of Machines Learning. READ THE FULL SCRIPT HERE: https://thewalledgarden.com/artificial-stupidity-the-life-and-times-of-machine-learning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode script was generated by Chat GPT based on prompts by Simon J. E. Drew. Register for "Chat GPT, AI Models and The Walled Garden: An Introduction to The Senate": https://thewalledgarden.com/an-introduction-to-the-senate SCRIPT Welcome to The Walled Garden Podcast, the flagship podcast of The Walled Garden Philosophical Society. We have an exciting announcement to make - the Society is hosting its very first Walled Garden Senate meeting! The first meeting in the Senate will be entitled "Chat GPT, Artificial Intelligence Models and The Walled Garden: An Introduction to The Walled Garden Senate." This is a significant milestone in our development as a community of philosophers and students dedicated to the pursuit of truth, wisdom, virtue, and the Divine. To set the stage for this special event, we are releasing a series of episodes featuring writings that were completely generated by Artificial Intelligence, including the essay itself, the voice reading the essay, and at times, the music. These AI-generated essays will explore topics of philosophical significance and serve as a lead-up to the Senate meeting. While the use of AI-generated content is a controversial topic, we believe that it has the potential to offer new insights and perspectives into the nature of knowledge, consciousness, and reality. By exploring the applications of AI in philosophy, we hope to create a space for thoughtful and courageous dialogue about the most complicated questions of our age and moment. It's important to note that while AI will be a topic of discussion in the upcoming Walled Garden Senate meeting, topics discussed in the Senate will not always be centered around AI. The Walled Garden Senate will be a monthly meeting wherein philosophers and students of The Walled Garden Philosophical Society will engage in thoughtful, and hopefully courageous dialogue regarding the most complicated questions of our age and moment. We invite you to join us on March 9th at 3 pm PST for our introduction event, which will be open to the public for the price of a donation, or "Pay by Heart." This event will serve as a preview of what's to come in the Walled Garden Senate meetings and will feature discussions about the role of AI models like Chat GPT in shaping the future of philosophical discourse. We're thrilled to be able to share this journey with you, and we hope that you'll join us in this exciting endeavor. By coming together to explore the most profound questions of our age and moment, we believe that we can create waves of positive change that will reverberate not only within our community, but throughout the world and the Cosmos. So, join us on this journey towards truth, wisdom, and virtue, and let's see where it takes us. I love exactly what you've written in this response, but why did you leave out the Divine? I apologize for leaving out the Divine in my previous response. The Walled Garden Philosophical Society believes that the pursuit of truth, wisdom, virtue, and the Divine is of utmost importance in our philosophical inquiry. Our community acknowledges the significance of the Divine as a guiding force in our personal and collective journeys towards a more profound understanding of existence. Thus, in addition to engaging in thoughtful dialogue about the most complex questions of our time, we also actively seek to explore the nature of the Divine and our relationship to it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Santara Gonzales has years of experience running restorative programs in ten adult prisons throughout the state of California. She has introduced incarcerated men and women to Stoic principles, providing them with access to tools and insights. This has helped them to expand their sense of agency and improve their emotional well-being. Santara’s goal is to create spaces for people in need of healing, restoration, and growth, and she is working to build shoulders for others to stand on so that they may see beyond their immediate surroundings and limitations. Register for the Wisdom Unlocked fundraising event, "Justice in the Cosmopolis: Stoicism and Prisons" here: as.wisdomunlocked.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr Sofia Koutlaki is a Greek writer, author of Among the Iranians: A Guide to Iran’s Culture and Customs. Her academic trajectory traced a line through English literature, the Classics, and linguistics. She analysed Iranian politeness, face and communication and lived in Iran for a total of 14 years. Based in London, she now explores memoir and life writing, and the influence of Stoicism, mysticism and other spiritual practices on personal development and wellbeing. She discerns our shared humanity in the commonalities of different traditions, and often questions beliefs (how do I know what I know?). www.sofiakoutlaki.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Judith Stove is an Australian writer, researcher, and mother of two adult sons. She has published two books on the life and times of Jane Austen, and many articles on history and literature. She and her husband are lucky enough to live in a beautiful garden created by her father, philosopher David Stove (1927-1994), outside Sydney, Australia, close to the Blue Mountains National Park. In The Walled Garden, Judith writes about the great texts of Western Culture in her grove, Roots of the Garden, and she also co-facilitates the Soul Searching with Seneca meetups every two weeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian D. Russell, Ph.D, is an award winning teacher, speaker, and spiritual coach. He serves as Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary (Orlando campus). His personal mission is to contemplate, learn, and practice the deepest truths in order to communicate them meaningfully, lovingly, and in transformational ways to others through writing, teaching, coaching and speaking. He is an in demand coach for entrepreneurs and spiritually minded leaders (www.brianrussellphd.com) and curates a dynamic group coaching program for pastors (www.deepdivespirituality.com). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Register for Joe Siracusa's Event: thewalledgarden.com/humanbeinginglobalizedworld Register for Sharon Lebell's Event: thewalledgarden.com/the-meaning-of-your-life-will-never-be-convenient Algerian-born author and philosopher Albert Camus’ philosophy was most elegant precisely because he was not preaching or arguing, he was simply loving out loud, professing his love from the rooftops of an empty page. His greatest works are in the form of stories, with great lessons and no moral sanctimony. He saved us all from the frigid cleverness of nihilism and his work was like the record needle scratch to the soundtrack of nihilistic philosophy that was playing in the lounge room of society at the turn of the last century. He taught us that the cure for existential absurdity and seeming indifference was not hope or redemption, but rather Choice, the choice to step up and create the meaning we were looking for in this world. Join me as I explore the elegant wisdom of this brilliant man. – Rocco Jarman (Facilitator) Listen to Rocco Jarman's Podcast, The Eyes Wide Open Life Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Register for Joe Siracusa's Event: thewalledgarden.com/humanbeinginglobalizedworld About Anthony Arismendi Anthony Arismendi moved to the United States from Venezuela as a teenager in the mid-seventies with the dream of becoming a US citizen and an FBI agent—despite the fact that he couldn’t speak a word of English. Transplanted from the dangerous streets of Caracas, Arismendi’s unconventional thinking and out-of-the-box approach to life landed him in plenty of comical, often precarious situations. Still, he adapted his survival skills to a new culture, one harrowing day at a time, overcoming homelessness, prejudice, and poverty to achieve the impossible. Profoundly inspirational, Arismendi’s unique blend of hard work, perseverance, and mysticism in the face of relentless adversity reminds us that our reservoirs of courage and determination run far deeper than we know—and that we should never give up on our dreams, no matter how out of reach they might seem.  Buy Anthony's book here: outsideragent.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

REGISTER FOR UPCOMING EVENT: thewalledgarden.com/humanbeinginglobalizedworld ABOUT THE EVENT: Many people are struggling to find their place in this increasingly globalized world. Now that we’re more hyper-connected than ever before, what does it really mean to be human? How do we relate to our neighbours, both at home and abroad? How can we find meaning and stability when our focus on localised community building has been redirected with our modern ability to move beyond borders at higher speeds than ever before?  Join Prof. Joe Siracusa for a talk and Q&A to explore these questions and more.  Listen to Here & Now: thewalledgarden.com/hereandnow Dr. Joseph Siracusa is a giant among men, a true citizen, and a professor of wisdom in these times of widespread folly. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Joe went on to explore the world and human nature to an extent that very few could boast. He has now spent over 40 years in higher education in Australia and currently serves as the President Emeritus of the Australia Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. Joe has published over 50 books covering some of the most complicated political, diplomatic, and historical issues of modernity. By merit of the quality of his works and words, we—the Founding Members of The Walled Garden Philosophical Society—have called Dr. Joseph M. Siracusa to serve as our Honorary Professor in Residence.  Join The Walled Garden Philosophical Society: CLICK HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Assoc. Prof. Matt Sharpe teaches philosophy at Deakin University, and since 2010 has increasingly been teaching Stoic contents, and engaging with modern Stoicism. He has appeared at Stoicon where he spoke on Stoicism and comedy, and has published widely on Albert Camus, including a piece on Camus and Stoicism to mark the 60th anniversary of his death (January 2020). Stoicism, Bullying and Beyond is the first book applying Stoic philosophy, and its extraordinary exercises in resilience and self-care, to the epidemic problem of bullying and 'mobbing'. Aimed preeminently at targets, it offers guidance on managing negative emotions, and making good decisions, in what for many people is the greatest challenge of their lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Alexander breaks down the idea and practice of mindfulness and announces his new series of workshops in The Walled Garden wherein he teaches mindfulness and facilitates mindfulness meditations. David Alexander is a psychotherapist, writer and podcaster based in New Mexico, USA. His podcast Between Two Ravens explores the profound wisdom and beauty of Norse mythology and poetry. In The Walled Garden, studies integrative disciplines of psychology, philosophy, and mythology to better understand the self, thereby learning to understand others better. Register for Stoicon X Midwest: stoiconxmidwest.com Register for mindfulness workshops: thewalledgarden.com/the-prosoche-project-with-david-alexander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Juan Perez facilitates an event in The Walled Garden focusing on the heroism of Marcus Aurelius. Juan has been a Business Consultant for more than 8 years and has implemented successful Change Management projects worldwide. He's created a method for change at a personal and professional level using Innovation Tools, Organizational Psychology and Stoicism. He's a proud father of 2 little kids, he has a podcast, a book on the way, and a passion for philosophy and music. Go to thewalledgarden.com/events to see more upcoming events. Go to thewalledgarden.com/mentoring to apply for philosophical mentoring with Juan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Kai Whiting talks with members of The Walled Garden Philosophical Society about God and the Environment. Kai Whiting is a Stoicism and sustainability researcher and university lecturer based at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. He is the co-author of Being Better: Stoicism for a World Worth Living in, where he and Leonidas Konstantakos discuss how people influenced by Stoic philosophy might approach many contemporary issues, including education, socioeconomic inequality, and climate breakdown. To register for any upcoming events in The Walled Garden, go to thewalledgarden.com/events/ Register for Stoicon X Midwest here: stoiconxmidwest.com To get mentoring with Kai or any of our philosophers, go to thewalledgarden.com/mentoring/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Register for Stoicon X Midwest: stoiconxmidwest.com Simon Drew and Scott Balentine discuss the Stoic path and the current yearning for community and shepherdship.  As President of the Board of Directors, Scott works collaboratively with Board members and Founding members to set organizational goals. Additionally, he is responsible for working with the Board to set short- and long-term organizational goals and evaluate progress of the planned outcomes and the strategic plan to grow organizational capacity while connecting daily work with the vision and mission of the organization. As Chief Financial Officer, Scott oversees finance, budgeting, cash flow and accounting for The Walled Garden. With over 20 years’ of experience in healthcare and information technology, Scott currently serves as the manager of Methodist Le Bonheur’s Disaster Recovery program in addition to his role with The Walled Garden. Previously, Scott managed the IT Project Management Office for Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare. Mr. Balentine began his career in healthcare with Transnetyx, a genetic research firm and later at Baptist Memorial Healthcare serving in a variety of technical and management roles. He has also worked as an IT Project Manager for ALSAC/St. Jude. Additionally, Scott has served on the Board of Directors for the MidSouth Health Care Executives for eight years and currently serves as its President. Scott is a graduate of Harding University with a B.A. and from Western Governors University with an MBA with an emphasis in Healthcare Management. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon Drew and Nicholas Davis talk with David Casteal about leadership, learning, and personal responsibility. David Casteal played running back for the University of Alabama before moving to Spokane to pursue a career of coaching high school football and teaching at an elementary school. He has a PhD in ethnomusicology, and he studied drumming in Mali, Ghana, Guinea, and Uganda. Dave has travelled all over the world to learn, and teach, and the wisdom he shares with his many students is proof of this well-rounded life experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon Drew and renowned Stoic scholar and professor William O. Stephens discuss the theology and cosmology of the Stoic school of philosophy.  William O. Stephens is the Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Creighton University. His interests include ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, Stoicism as a way of life, Stoicism and popular culture, ethics, animals, and the environment. He has published multiple scholarly books, including Marcus Aurelius: A Guide for the Perplexed,  Stoic Ethics: Epictetus and Happiness as Freedom, and The Ethics of the Stoic Epictetus.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

J.W. Bertolotti joins The Walled Garden Philosophical Society as a contributor, beginning with this event on the poetic wisdom of Heraclitus. Joshua is a retired veteran, avid reader, and lifelong learner. He hosts In Search of Wisdom to engage in meaningful conversations on how to live in a complex world. He enjoys exploring the integration of timeless principles and practices with everyday life. Joshua is an ICF-trained Leadership Coach with a passion for collaborative partnerships. Joshua is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in strategic leadership and holds a Master of Science in management. He has executive certificates in the Psychology of Leadership, Organizational Consulting and Change Leadership, Brain-Based Coaching, and Leadership Coaching for Organizational Well-Being. You can find out more about Joshua’s work at www.perennialleader.com. To attend this week's event, please go to thewalledgarden.com/events/ To get mentoring with J.W. Bertolotti, go to thewalledgarden.com/mentoring/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharon Lebell gives a talk and performance on holiness at The Walled Garden Philosophical Society meetup. To apply for philosophical mentoring with Sharon Lebell, go to thewalledgarden.com/mentoring To register for upcoming events, go to: thewalledgarden.com/events Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brandon Tumblin is the host of the Strong Stoic Podcast, and we're now honoured to say that he's joining us in The Walled Garden Philosophical Society as a mentor and contributor. In this conversation, you'll find a genuine philosophical dialogue and one which touches on many subjects from the divine light to the future of TWG. To register for tomorrow's event in TWG, go to: https://thewalledgarden.com/philosophy-and-music-a-dialog-and-a-dance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices