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We trace how realistic hope sustains people through captivity and crisis, from the Stockdale Paradox to Sir Terry Waite’s agency in confinement, and preview Dr. Lucy Hone's reframe of resilience as steering through rather than bouncing back. A brief, grounded message closes for anyone in a hard season, with a request to share and stay connected.

• what the Stockdale paradox really means
• why deadline‑based optimism breaks people
• agency as daily practice under pressure
• sir Terry Waite’s memory and interior freedom
• resilience as steering through, not bouncing back
• pragmatism, optimism, and agency as core tools
• a preview of the conversation with dr Lucy Hone

See if you can think of one person who you think might find this helpful, who might need to hear about optimism and pragmatism and finding agency in dark times
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Living With Purpose: Insights from Victor Strecher

In this episode of The Examined Life Podcast, host Kenny Primrose explores the profound questions of life's purpose and values with Professor Victor Strecher, a leading expert in the field from the University of Michigan. Strecher shares his deeply personal journey following the tragic death of his daughter, which led him to a renewed focus on what matters most in life. The conversation delves into how reflecting on death and one's core values can lead to a more purposeful and fulfilling life. Strecher also discusses the scientific and physiological benefits of having a strong sense of purpose, the distinction between self-transcending and self-aggrandizing purposes, and practical steps for individuals seeking to discover their own purpose. The episode touches on themes of identity, motivation, and the human condition, offering listeners profound insights and practical advice for living a more examined life.

00:00 Introduction: What Matters Most

00:34 Welcome to The Examined Life Podcast

00:44 Exploring Victor Strecher's 'Life On Purpose'

01:40 A Conversation with Professor Victor Strecher

03:35 The Big Question: Who Am I?

05:09 The Root System of Our Lives

08:09 A Personal Story of Loss and Purpose

14:15 The Mystical Experience and Its Impact

21:32 The Role of Death in Understanding Life

24:59 Exploring the Neuroscience of Purpose

25:26 The Role of Core Values in Purpose

26:16 Purpose and the Brain's Fear Center

26:53 Building the Brain's Purpose Muscle

28:08 Types of Purpose: Self-Transcending vs. Self-Aggrandizing

28:57 Historical Perspectives on Purpose

31:52 The Metaphor of the Camel, Lion, and Child

35:05 The Crisis of Meaning and Purpose

41:51 Practical Steps to Discovering Your Purpose

47:39 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Links:

Substack - https://thisexaminedlife.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips

Examined Life Website - www.examined-life.com

Victor Strecher - https://sph.umich.edu/faculty-profiles/strecher-victor.html

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Sir Anthony Seldon is one of the most influential voices in the UK on education. He has led three prominent independent school, and written or edited more than 40 books.

In this episode we explore how education can honour what truly matters in a time when AI can outscore us on the tests we designed. Sir Anthony Seldon lays out a shift from human capital to human flourishing, urging schools to cultivate agency, character, and love of learning.

• redefining the purpose of education toward human flourishing
• harms of exam-driven systems and narrow metrics
• every child’s unique gifts and “song”
• AI exposing the limits of cognitive-only assessment
• OECD’s human flourishing model and core competences
• coaching pedagogy to build agency and judgment
• practices for inner life, mindfulness, and body care
• virtues and pro-social habits for a resilient future
• choosing subjects you love to sustain motivation
• balancing measurable outcomes with the immeasurable

As ever, do please share this episode with others you think might like it or on social media

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Any feedback or ideas can be emailed to me at kp@examined-life.com

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