Meditations for Mortals, with Oliver Burkeman • Episode #169
Description
Step into a world of philosophical musings and practical wisdom with Oliver Burkeman. 'Meditations for Mortals' is his latest book designed as a four-week mental retreat, promising to help readers lead a 'saner, freer, and more enchantment-filled life'. Oliver joins Kate to talk about everything from the inspiration he took from Marcus Aurelius to how to invite people over without feeling like you have to spend three hours tidying the house. He also reveals his tips on making life-changes that stick, and the books he turns to when he's not reading for work.
Keen to test out the methodology, Kate is then joined by City high-flyer and busy mother-of-three Emily Bohill to discover how Meditations for Mortals works in practice. From managing work-life balance to facing literal rats in the PTA shed, we explore whether the lessons of Meditations are ones that will stay.
This episode is for everyone who is keen to turn knowledge into action and embrace life's imperfections. No less important is the fact that Meditations for Mortals is perfect for sparking deep conversations, and there's nothing we love more at The Book Club Review than that.
00:00 Introduction
01:32 An overview of the book, and the degree to which Oliver Burkeman put himself in there
03:55 The relationship between Meditations for Mortals and Four Thousand Weeks
06:24 Imperfectionism
10:45 Practical Applications and personal reflections
13:01 Field-testing the book’s methodology
29:37 Daily-ish and embracing imperfection
34:34 Scruffy hospitality and overcoming procrastination
45:34 Has it changed our lives?