Pursuing the Excellent Life

Episodes

June 17, 2024

The Power of Small Things: The Small Wins Strategy of Change (rewind)

(This is a re-release of episode 29 of Live Well and Flourish.) 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 change...
June 10, 2024

The Power of Small Things - Micro-kindness (rewind)

(This is a re-release of episode 27.) 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 volu...
June 3, 2024

The Value of Taking a Break: Why Rest is Essential to Flourishing

Welcome to Live Well and Flourish, the podcast that helps you use practical wisdom to live an excellent life. In this episode, Craig challenges today's hustle culture, which seems to value the constant busyness over true exc...
May 20, 2024

Navigating Mistakes Through Practical Wisdom

In this episode, host Craig Van Slyke opens up about a significant mistake he made relating to the podcast. He shares his initial reactions, the immediate consequences of the error, and the insights and wisdom he gained from ...
May 6, 2024

Songs of Wisdom: Doing Philosophy Through Music

In this episode of Live Well and Flourish, Craig explores the profound connection between music and philosophy. He digs into the idea that music has the power to trigger deep thoughts and contemplation, effectively leading to...
April 22, 2024

Prudent preparation: Reducing anxiety by being prepared

Whether it's paying thousands of dollars for a generator or a few dollars on an escape hatchet, preparation can pay considerable physical and psychological dividends. Yes, being prepared is a wonderful thing; it can help red...
April 8, 2024

Beyond Reason: Finding strength in Philosophy, Faith, and Self-Grace

When life threw its harshest curveballs at me, from health crises to the heart-wrenching loss of those closest to my heart, I found myself grappling with the very philosophies I've long championed. In this intimate sharing, I...
March 25, 2024

Understanding and Overcoming Allostatic Overload: Navigating Stress for a Healthier Life

Ever find yourself inexplicably tense, fatigued, or on edge, as if your body is sounding an alarm? Your instincts aren't wrong; it's the distress signal of allostatic overload—the crux of our latest Live Well and Flourish dis...
March 11, 2024

Being Smart Doesn't Mean Being Wise

Navigating the delicate interplay of intelligence and wisdom can be as complex as it is profound. Today's journey begins with a glimpse into a personal loss—a story of my beloved dog, Maggie—which opens the door to a much lar...
Feb. 26, 2024

From Rational Ignorance to Practical Wisdom: Reflections on 100 Episodes

Discover seven powerful maxims that can redefine your approach to life and unlock a more fulfilling existence. As I, Craig Van Slyke, reflect on the journey of Live Well and Flourish, I'm proud to share the wisdom that has no...
Feb. 12, 2024

Are You a Good Person? 10 Questions to Consider

Reflecting on the profound legacy left by my late wife, Debbie, I was reminded of the incredible impact one individual's goodness can have. In our latest heart-to-heart podcast episode, I delve into the essence of what it mea...
Jan. 29, 2024

Deconstructing Failure: The 3A's Pathway to Growth

Have you ever faced a setback and wondered how it could possibly lead to success? Let me, Craig Van Slyke, reveal to you the transformative power of the 3A's method: Acceptance, Analysis, and Adjustment, in the latest episode...
Jan. 15, 2024

You're an Adult with Agency: Taking Charge of Your Flourishing

Are you steering your life with conviction, or are you waiting for someone else to hand you the reins? Join me, Craig Van Slyke, as we unpack the concept of personal agency and its transformative impact on life. Life's comple...
Jan. 1, 2024

Small Acts of Courage

Ever pondered on the potency of tiny pledges of bravery? The promise is simple - small, consistent acts of courage can transform your life, leading to personal growth and ethical evolution. Dare to diverge from the traditiona...
Dec. 25, 2023

Leveraging Holidays for Community, Reflection, and Renewal

Embrace a unique lens to view the power of special days. Tune in and find out how celebrating holidays and special days can enhance our lives, not just religiously, but also through fostering community, self-reflection, and p...
Dec. 18, 2023

The Power of Perspective

In this deeply thought-provoking episode of Live Well and Flourish, I, Craig Van Slyke, present a compelling narrative that explores the profound connection between perspective and our subjective reality. Want to learn how to...
Dec. 11, 2023

Appalachian Wisdom: What cannot be cured must be endured

Drawing wisdom from the resiliency of the Appalachian people, this episode is a deep exploration of the old saying, "what cannot be cured, must be endured." As your host, Craig Van Slyke, I bridge the gap between this profoun...
Dec. 4, 2023

Finding Wisdom: Developing a Wisdom Mindset

Imagine there's a vast well of wisdom around you, just waiting to be tapped into. That's the premise we explore in today's episode of Live Well and Flourish. Guided by the mantra 'See your Possibilities, not your Limitations,...
Nov. 27, 2023

Why I Thank ChatGPT: Muscle Memory for Virtue

What if being polite to a chatbot could improve your own habits? Imagine if even your smallest interactions with AI could lead to personal growth! Welcome to an unconventional exploration of AI and habits in Live Well and Flo...
Nov. 20, 2023

Creating Your Personal Manifesto: A Guide to Aligning Life's Purpose, Goals, and Intentions

What if there was a tool so powerful it could transform your life, providing clarity around your virtues, values, beliefs, and purpose? Welcome to this episode of 'Live Well and Flourish', where Craig guides you through the c...
Nov. 13, 2023

Progress, Not Perfection

Striving for perfection might seem like an exercise in futility, but what if the pursuit itself holds the key to a fulfilling life? This thought-provoking discussion peels back the layers on our relentless quest for perfectio...
Nov. 6, 2023

Grace: Virtue in Action

Promising to shed light on an aspect of virtue often overlooked, I, Craig Van Slyke, invite you to join me on a journey to uncover the power of grace. This episode serves as a compass to guide you through the intersection of ...
Oct. 30, 2023

You can't control the cards you're dealt

Ever wondered how you could shift your perspective to navigate life's challenges? This episode might just have the answers. Craig dives into the wisdom behind the saying, "You can't control the cards you're dealt, only how yo...
Oct. 23, 2023

Stoicism: Not Just for Bros

Ready to debunk the misconceptions about Stoicism? Often associated with the aggressive, competitive 'bro culture', Stoicism is in fact a philosophy that champions tranquility, virtue, and reason. Craig demystifies Stoicism a...