Person
Every book Karen Duffy recommended on podcasts
Karen Duffy appears on The Daily Stoic podcast as a guest sharing her profound journey of utilizing ancient Stoic philosophy to navigate happiness, resilience, and personal fulfillment while living with a chronic illness. Her appearances on the podcast reveal a deeply reflective and grateful individual who found immense solace in classical philosophy following a life-altering medical diagnosis. Duffy enthusiastically recommends several foundational texts that sustained her through difficult times. She shares how receiving a copy of Epictetus's Discourses from her husband amplified her gratitude for ancient wisdom that still resonates twenty centuries later. Additionally, Duffy strongly recommends Bill Walton's memoir Back from the Dead, praising its honest and insightful perspective on living and coping with chronic pain. Duffy also discusses Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, noting that she first picked up the book while working at MTV and has never put it down since. She highlights the opening section of Meditations where Aurelius expresses deep gratitude to his family and teachers, and praises his intentional efforts to teach himself humility, such as sleeping on the floor. Through these recommendations, Duffy illustrates the transformative power of philosophical literature in overcoming physical adversity and finding enduring mental peace.
Books recommended by Karen Duffy
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A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion
A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion is a classic collection of ancient Stoic teachings that offers enduring wisdom on personal resilience, emotional control, and human happiness.
Recommended“Um I believe that when you're passionate you want to share and that was incredible when my husband gave me a copy of discourses and that amplification of gratitude for this writing that was 20 centuries ago and how it resonates with all of us”
Where to get it
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Back From the Dead
Back From the Dead by Bill Walton is an inspiring memoir by the legendary basketball player detailing his intense personal struggles and triumphs while living with debilitating chronic pain.
Recommended“But it was really through the grace of Bill Walton's amazing book Back from the Dead, where he talks about his life with chronic pain. I was like ah.”
Where to get it
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Meditations
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is a collection of personal journals written by the Roman emperor, offering timeless Stoic philosophy on duty, resilience, and self-reflection.
Discussed“And uh it was really you know, when I was working on MTV, uh I picked up meditations and have never put it down.”
Where to get it
Books Karen Duffy wrote
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Duffy on Using Stoicism to Find Happiness (Even with Chronic Illness) | The Daily Stoic | 2022-09-14 | 4 |
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“So, this morning I told him, you know, my with in our family we don't have any technology at the table only philosophy books and he has grown up with Daily Stoic and all of your books and and um so he is he's just outside of Charleston.”