About the show
In-depth breakdowns of some of the worlds most thought-provoking and inspiring books.
Our hosts, Nicolas Vereecke and Sam Harris digest non-fiction books from all centuries and genres.
This podcast is here to help listeners become smarter. To learn about ideas they haven't heard of or to gain more perspectives on the books and ideas they are familiar with.
We dive into topics such as philosophy, business, feminism, psychology, politics, economics and who knows what else. Our goal is to simply explore the best ideas and learn new things. You're most welcome to join us for the ride.
Episodes
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Meditations - Marcus Aurelius
January 23rd, 2021 | Season 4 | 38 mins 59 secs
philosophy, stoicism
One of the greatest Roman emperors personal reflections and exercises to understand himself and the universe
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Seneca - On the Shortness of Life
December 26th, 2020 | Season 4 | 28 mins 44 secs
philosophy, stoicism
A wise collection of thoughts around how to live a good life where you pay attention to what matters and don't get caught up with the troubles and trivialities of the world
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The Republic - Plato
November 20th, 2020 | Season 4 | 23 mins 3 secs
ideal individual, perfect community, philosophy, plato's ideal republic, socrates
The republic is an examination of justice in an individual and justice in a city. To Plato, justice is an appropriate balance between different parts of the whole.
The individual is said that we should be led by reason, not passion or appetite. Everything performs its proper function, while the republic is established for everyone to perform the social role to which they are most suited.
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Epicurus
November 16th, 2020 | Season 4 | 21 mins 22 secs
epicureanism, happiness, philosophy
Happiness is the main goal in life, we can achieve this by pursuing pleasure and avoiding pain. But also by taming our desires and enjoying small things
Epicurus focused on happiness instead of virtue because he observed that humans are pleasure-seeking by nature.
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Enchiridion by Epictetus
October 19th, 2020 | Season 4 | 25 mins 30 secs
enchiridion, handbook, philosophy, stoic ethical advice
Epictetus was born as a slave around 50 AD. After gaining his freedom he decided to dedicate his life to philosophy, even opening a school. He didn’t write much about himself, most of his knowledge was written down by his students, particularly Arrian.
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The Confessions by Saint Augustine of Hippo
October 12th, 2020 | Season 4 | 22 mins 56 secs
autobiography, catholic philosophies, saint augustine of hippo
The book Confessions was the first autobiographical work written around 400 A.D. during Saint Augustine's early 40's. Augustine discussed his regrets for following the Manichaean religion and believing in astrology.
Confessions is the most complete record of any single person from the 4th and 5th centuries.
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The final days of Socrates - Plato
September 25th, 2020 | Season 4 | 34 mins 39 secs
last days of socrates, philosophy, plato
Describes the trial and death of Socrates in 403 BC.
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Season Recap: Racism and Inequality
September 19th, 2020 | Season 3 | 48 mins 8 secs
We look back at our discoveries reading a range of different books on racism and inequality
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Nonviolent Communication - Marshall Rosenberg
September 14th, 2020 | Season 3 | 29 mins 38 secs
communication, compassion, empathy
An approach to nonviolent living
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Discrimination and Disparities - Thomas Sowell
August 21st, 2020 | Season 3 | 33 mins 46 secs
analysis, equality, racism
A searching re-examination of the assumptions, and the evidence for and against, current approaches to issues of economic and other disparities
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How to be an antiracist - Ibram X. Kendi
August 10th, 2020 | Season 3 | 37 mins 8 secs
equality, racism
How to Be an Antiracist is a 2019 non-fiction book by American author and historian Ibram X. Kendi. The book discusses concepts of racism and Kendi's proposals for anti-racist individual actions and systemic changes.
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White fragility - Robin DiAngelo
August 5th, 2020 | Season 3 | 44 mins 8 secs
equality, racism
Learn why discussing racism is so taboo and difficult
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Why I'm no longer talking to white people about race - Rene Eddo-Lodge
July 3rd, 2020 | Season 3 | 37 mins 36 secs
equality, politics, race
The book that sparked a national conversation. Exploring everything from eradicated black history to the inextricable link between class and race, Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race is the essential handbook for anyone who wants to understand race relations today.
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Hope in the Dark - Rebecca Solnit
June 19th, 2020 | Season 3 | 36 mins 32 secs
activism, environment, politics
Radicals have a long, neglected history of transformative victories, that the positive consequences of our acts are not always immediately seen, directly knowable, or even measurable, and that pessimism and despair rest on unwarranted confidence about what is going to happen next.
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12. Skin in the Game - Nassim Nicholas Taleb
June 7th, 2020 | Season 2 | 36 mins 10 secs
philosophy, statistics, taleb
Hidden Asymmetries in Daily Life. Having a measurable risk when taking a major decision -- is necessary for fairness, commercial efficiency, and risk management, as well as being necessary to understand the world.
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11. Antifragile - Nassim Nicholas Taleb
May 20th, 2020 | Season 2 | 57 mins 41 secs
economics, philosophy, self improvement
Things that Gain from Disorder.
We discuss the concepts of things that thrive and grow when exposed to volatility.