47:10

Ep. 110 Mar 4, 2026

Marcus Aurelius' Meditations — A Conversation with Translator Aaron Poochigian

What does it take to translate the most powerful private journal ever written? In this episode I sit down with Aaron Poochigian — poet, classicist, and translator based in New York City — to discuss his remarkable new translation of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, out now from Liveright Publishing/W.W. Norton. We go deep into the philosophy, the man, and the translation craft: — Why Marcus wrote in Greek, not Latin — The three distinct voices hidden inside the Meditations — the Instructor, the Aspirant, and the Objector — How Stoicism actually held up against war, plague and absolute power — Memento Mori — why Marcus used death as motivation not fear — The Inner Citadel — can anything truly touch your rational mind? — Why Marcus is more relevant today than most books published last year — And the deeply personal story behind this translation This is the most philosophically rich conversation about the Meditations you will find anywhere. Whether you are new to Marcus Aurelius or a lifelong Stoic practitioner, this interview will change how you read him. 📖 Get Aaron Poochigian’s translation of the Meditations here: https://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Marcus-Aurelius/dp/132409639X 🎓 New to Marcus Aurelius? Watch our full lecture first: https://tube.leshley.ca/w/7ANtGLzpnY3k2rKQ1pkRQT To connect or donate: https://gravatar.com/lyonleshley Check out my library : https://library.leshley.ca/

59:28

Ep. 109 Mar 2, 2026

Marcus Aurelius: The Philosopher Emperor of Rome

What happens when the most powerful man in the world chooses virtue over glory? Marcus Aurelius was Emperor of Rome — absolute ruler of an empire stretching from Britain to the Euphrates. He had unlimited power, wealth beyond imagination, and the ability to do whatever he wanted with zero consequences. He chose to write notes to himself about how to be a better person. In this lecture we explore the remarkable life of Marcus Aurelius — the reluctant emperor, the Stoic philosopher, the military commander who wrote about inner peace while waging war on the Danube frontier during plague and crisis. We examine how Stoic philosophy actually works under real pressure, what the Meditations reveals about the man behind the emperor, and why his private journal — never intended for anyone to read — is more relevant today than most books published last year. This is not just ancient history. This is a masterclass in how to live. Topics covered: The making of a philosopher emperor Stoicism in practice — dichotomy of control, Memento Mori, the Inner Citadel The Marcomannic Wars and the Antonine Plague The legacy, the failures, and the uncomfortable truths Why Marcus Aurelius still matters in the 21st century 📖 Want to go deeper? Check out the acclaimed new translation of the Meditations by poet and classicist Aaron Poochigian: https://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Ma… Connect or donate https://gravatar.com/lyonleshley Check out my library lectures and public domain books translated into 28 languages https://library.leshley.ca/

1:11:43

Ep. 108 Feb 17, 2026

The Philosophy of Parmenides: The Unchanged Reality

Hey there, I’m Lyon – teacher, philosophy enthusiast, and lover of all things ancient Greece. 🎓✨ In this video we dive deep into the mind‑bending world of Parmenides of Elea, the 5th‑century BCE thinker who turned philosophy on its head by arguing that change, motion, and plurality are mere appearances. 🔹 What you’ll discover The story behind Parmenides’ legendary poem On Nature and its mythic proem. How a single premise—“What‑is‑not cannot be”—leads to a radical metaphysics: an eternal, indivisible, unchanging One. The clash between reason and the senses that sparked the oldest “appearance vs. reality” debate. Zeno’s paradoxes (Achilles & the Tortoise, the Arrow, the Dichotomy) and why they still haunt mathematics, physics, and logic today. How Plato, Aristotle, and later philosophers tried to rescue change while preserving Parmenides’ logical rigor. 🔹 Why it matters now The roots of rational inquiry, scientific method, and modern debates about non‑being, language, and the nature of time. A practical toolkit for critical thinking: start with clear premises, follow the logic, and question every “obvious” assumption. Whether you’re a philosophy student, a curious teacher, or just fascinated by ideas that challenge everyday experience, this video gives you the essential background, the key arguments, and the lasting impact of Parmenides’ daring claim that “What is, is; what is not, is not.”

40:13

Ep. 107 Feb 14, 2026

The Philosophy of Empedocles: Elements Forces, and Eternal Cycles

Hey everyone, it’s Lyon here! As a teacher, I love bringing ancient ideas to life, and in this video we dive into the vibrant world of Empedocles—a 5th‑century Sicilian philosopher‑poet who blended science, poetry, medicine, and mysticism into a single, unforgettable vision. 🔹 Four Eternal Roots – Discover how Empedocles’ “roots” (earth, air, fire, water) prefigure modern atomic theory and shaped Western science for two millennia. 🔹 Love & Strife – Explore the twin cosmic forces that unite and separate the elements, reconciling the paradoxes of Parmenides (static being) and Heraclitus (constant flux). 🔹 Soul, Ethics, and Reincarnation – Learn why Empedocles linked his physics to a radical ethic of vegetarianism, soul migration, and the pursuit of divine unity. 🔹 Medicine & Poetry – See how his elemental view gave rise to humoral medicine and why he chose hexameter verse to convey scientific truth. 🔹 Legend of the Volcano – Unpack the dramatic (and likely mythical) tale of his leap into Mount Etna and what it tells us about the power of philosophical commitment. Whether you’re a philosophy student, a lover of ancient history, or just curious about how early thinkers anticipated modern ideas of particles, forces, and systemic thinking, this video offers a clear, engaging tour of Empedocles’ lasting legacy. 🕰️ Why it matters today: Empedocles shows that rigorous natural inquiry and spiritual meaning need not be separate—an insight that resonates with contemporary debates about science, consciousness, and ethics. To connect or support check my gravatar https://gravatar.com/lyonleshley Also check out my library of lectures translated into 28 languages. https://library.leshley.ca/

1:11:54

Ep. 106 Feb 7, 2026

The Philosophy of Epictetus: Freedom through Stoic Wisdom

In this video we dive deep into the life and teachings of Epictetus, the former slave whose Stoic wisdom still powers modern psychotherapy, leadership, and everyday resilience. 🔹 From Slavery to Sage – Discover how a man born into bondage rose to mentor Roman emperors and inspired generations of thinkers. 🔹 The Core Lesson: The Dichotomy of Control – Learn the simple yet transformative habit of separating what’s up to you from what isn’t, and why it’s the foundation of true freedom. 🔹 Prohairesis – Your Inner Citadel – Explore the Greek concept of volition and how it protects your mind against any external circumstance. 🔹 Practical Exercises – Morning prep, evening review, and the “impression‑judgment‑response” loop you can start using tonight. 🔹 Legacy & Modern Impact – From Marcus Aurelius to CBT, see how Epictetus’ ideas shape leaders, therapists, and everyday people today. 💡 Why it matters now: In an age of uncertainty, anxiety, and endless distractions, Epictetus offers a timeless toolkit for mental clarity, ethical living, and resilient happiness. To connect or support check out my gravatar page https://gravatar.com/lyonleshley Check out my library of these lectures translated into 28 languages https://library.leshley.ca/ 00:00 - Introducing Epictetus: The Slave Who Taught Freedom 01:40 - Early Life and Enslavement in Nero’s Rome 03:20 - Gaining Freedom and Studying Philosophy 04:22 - Exile to Nicopolis and Founding a School 06:42 - The Dichotomy of Control: Core Stoic Principle 11:46 - Prohairesis: The Inner Citadel and Unconquerable Fortress 14:52 - Modern Application and Practical Exercises 18:09 - Living According to Nature: Virtue and Harmony 22:00 - Welcoming Challenges as Opportunities for Growth 24:35 - Philosophy as Transformation: Character in Action 32:52 - The Enchiridion: A Practical Handbook for Living 36:58 - Tested Under Fire: Stoicism in Extreme Circumstances 41:37 - Distinguishing Real Stoicism from Toxic Misconceptions 50:37 - Enduring Legacy: From Marcus Aurelius to Modern Therapy 58:26 - Modern Relevance: Navigating Uncertainty and Building Resilience 01:08:27 - Ethical Living in a Complex World

37:58

Ep. 105 Feb 7, 2026

The Philosophy of Heraclitus: The Ever Changing Cosmos

Step into the mind of the “Dark Philosopher of Ephesus” and discover why his ancient fragments still echo in modern physics, Buddhism, and everyday life. In this video we explore: 1️⃣ The Man Behind the Myth – Born into wealth, he abandoned aristocratic privilege and retreated into solitary contemplation, earning the nickname The Weeping Philosopher. 2️⃣ “You Cannot Step into the Same River Twice” – How Heraclitus’ doctrine of panta rhei (everything flows) reveals that both the world and our selves are in perpetual transformation. 3️⃣ Unity of Opposites – From day/night to life/death, Heraclitus shows that apparent contradictions are actually two sides of the same ever‑moving process. 4️⃣ Fire as the Fundamental Element – Why the pre‑Socratic chose fire to symbolize relentless change, and how modern science’s view of energy mirrors his insight. 5️⃣ The Logos – The Rational Order Within Chaos – Understanding the underlying pattern that makes flux coherent, and how aligning with it leads to wisdom, resilience, and “flow.” 6️⃣ Legacy Across Millennia – From Plato’s Forms to Stoic natural law, Christian theology, Hegelian dialectics, and today’s quantum physics, Heraclitus’ ideas have shaped Western thought for 2,500 years. 7️⃣ Practical Takeaways for You – • Embrace change instead of resisting it. • Find harmony in conflict rather than trying to eliminate it. • Seek the Logos—the hidden patterns that guide reality—and learn to flow with life’s river. Whether you’re a philosophy student, a teacher looking for fresh material, or simply curious about why “the river is never the same,” this video breaks down Heraclitus’ dense fragments into clear, relatable insights you can apply today. Connect or donate https://gravatar.com/lyonleshley Visit the library, lectures translated into 28 languages https://library.leshley.ca/ 00:00 - Introducing Heraclitus: The Weeping Philosopher 01:50 - The Philosophy of Deliberate Obscurity 03:46 - The River Fragment: You Cannot Step Twice 06:40 - Panta Rhei: The Doctrine That Everything Flows 08:46 - The Unity of Opposites and Creative Conflict 14:35 - Fire as the Fundamental Element of Reality 21:51 - The Logos: The Rational Principle Underlying All 27:55 - Heraclitus’s Enduring Legacy in Western Thought 33:49 - Practical Wisdom: Living with Flux, Conflict, and the Logos

39:45

Ep. 104 Jan 28, 2026

The Philosophy of Nagarjuna:The Middle Way of Emptiness

Dive into the life and thought of Nāgārjuna (c. 150–250 CE), the Indian scholar‑monk whose revolutionary “Middle Way” philosophy reshaped Mahāyāna Buddhism. This video explores his groundbreaking Mūlamadhyamakakārikā—the foundational text of the Madhyamaka school—where he argues that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence (śūnyatā) yet function interdependently. Discover how Nagarjuna’s dialectical method dismantles extreme views of eternalism and nihilism, offering a nuanced path that balances emptiness with compassionate engagement. Ideal for students of philosophy, religious studies, and anyone curious about the roots of Buddhist thought.