#126 Nancy Sherman: Soldiers and Stoics

This podcast episode interviews Nancy Sherman, a Georgetown University philosophy professor, about Stoicism and its application to the military and everyday life. The conversation explores three levels of emotions (proto-emotions, endorsed impulses, and rational responses), offering practical techniques like journaling and mindfulness to manage emotions and improve decision-making. Sherman emphasizes the importance of virtue as the foundation of a good life, contrasting it with the pursuit of external validation. Specific Stoic practices discussed include pre-rehearsing potential difficulties and visualizing a more interconnected world to build resilience. Listeners gain insights into cultivating emotional intelligence and making wiser choices by understanding and managing their emotional responses.