Welcome to The Consolation of Philosophy—a journey into one of the most profound and influential works of Western thought, brought to life with a fresh translation, thoughtful reading, and rich discussions.

Batches of new episodes are released each Sunday, starting June 1, 2025.

I’m Pastor Brent Karding, and in this podcast I’ll guide you through the pages of Boethius’ 6th-century masterpiece. Written from a prison cell as he awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue. She shows him that the way to endure suffering rightly is to know God, who is true happiness itself, for God truly governs the world perfectly, no matter how things look from our limited perspective.

“Until about two hundred years ago it would, I think, have been hard to find an educated man in any European country who did not love [The Consolation of Philosophy].” —C.S. Lewis

Each episode includes a new song and chapter of the text in my own modern English translation, with occasional discussion episodes unpacking its meaning for our lives today as followers of Christ.

Whether you're a student of philosophy, a lover of great books, or someone looking for clarity in hard times, this podcast will help you discover how ancient truth still speaks. Subscribe now and begin walking the path of wisdom with me—one episode at a time.

You’re invited to join the companion course that dives deep into each of the five books. There, we’ll explore each chapter, with guided readings, discussion prompts, and study tools to enrich your journey. Enroll today.

• Why are we here on earth?
• What are human beings?
• How does God rule the world?

Written in the 6th-century from a prison cell as the author awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue.

Subscribe now and begin walking the path of wisdom with us.

You’re invited to join the companion course that dives deep into each of the five books. There, we’ll explore each chapter, with guided readings, discussion prompts, and study tools to enrich your journey. Enroll today.

To ensure an appropriate remedy, Philosophy asks Boethius several questions. He believes that God is in control of his creation, that God is the source of all things, and that man is a mortal, reasoning creature. However, he has not applied the former belief to his circumstances, and has forgotten the goal of creation and—most serious of all—even his own identity. Thus he is confused and upset at his exile, wrongly believing the wicked are blessed and that his misfortunes are random. Even though these beliefs would kill him, his belief in God’s sovereignty is a spark that can be fanned into flame and bring him back to life. Philosophy will work slowly and gently to this purpose.

Written in the 6th-century from a prison cell as the author awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue.

Subscribe now and begin walking the path of wisdom with us.

You’re invited to join the companion course that dives deep into each of the five books. There, we’ll explore each chapter, with guided readings, discussion prompts, and study tools to enrich your journey. Enroll today.

Boethius laments God’s seeming absence from governing human affairs, to which Philosophy responds with a rebuke: His deepest exile is not physical but spiritual. He is not yet ready for a complete cure, and so for now she will only gently prepare him for that.

Written in the 6th-century from a prison cell as the author awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue.

Subscribe now and begin walking the path of wisdom with us.

You’re invited to join the companion course that dives deep into each of the five books. There, we’ll explore each chapter, with guided readings, discussion prompts, and study tools to enrich your journey. Enroll today.

Philosophy advises Boethius to face both good and bad fortune, which has no true power over him, with integrity. He passionately recounts how he had followed her advice in studying philosophy in his work in public affairs, but had been falsely accused and was being unjustly punished. That the evil plot has succeeded is what astonishes him. He laments because, unlike him, unpunished criminals enjoy pleasure.

Written in the 6th-century from a prison cell as the author awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue.

Subscribe now and begin walking the path of wisdom with us.

You’re invited to join the companion course that dives deep into each of the five books. There, we’ll explore each chapter, with guided readings, discussion prompts, and study tools to enrich your journey. Enroll today.

Boethius suddenly recognizes Lady Philosophy, whom he had known for many years. She tells him she is visiting him to help him bear the burden of his ordeal, which many others have borne before. Therefore, he should not be surprised to be suffering like this. Her advice is to take refuge in Wisdom, which is more valuable than anything enemies can take away.

Written in the 6th-century from a prison cell as the author awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue.

Subscribe now and begin walking the path of wisdom with us.

You’re invited to join the companion course that dives deep into each of the five books. There, we’ll explore each chapter, with guided readings, discussion prompts, and study tools to enrich your journey. Enroll today.

Philosophy laments Boethius’s spiritual fall, as he no longer looks up at the heavens. She tells him that he must not complain but rather be healed. This healing is possible, if he can identify her and then remember his own identity.

Written in the 6th-century from a prison cell as the author awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue.

Subscribe now and begin walking the path of wisdom with us.

You’re invited to join the companion course that dives deep into each of the five books. There, we’ll explore each chapter, with guided readings, discussion prompts, and study tools to enrich your journey. Enroll today.

• How emotion relates to thinking
• How Scripture teaches us to think about our emotions and about thinking itself

Written in the 6th-century from a prison cell as the author awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue.

Subscribe now and begin walking the path of wisdom with us.

You’re invited to join the companion course that dives deep into each of the five books. There, we’ll explore each chapter, with guided readings, discussion prompts, and study tools to enrich your journey. Enroll today.