Person
Every book Karen Duffy recommended on podcasts
Key facts
- Karen Duffy has recommended or discussed 4 books on podcasts, as of September 14, 2022.
- Karen Duffy has talked about books on 1 podcast, as of September 14, 2022.
- Those books came up in 1 episode, as of September 14, 2022.
- The 3 books Karen Duffy has mentioned in the most episodes, as of September 14, 2022: Meditations, Back From the Dead and A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion.
- The latest episode with a book mention from Karen Duffy aired on September 14, 2022.
Updated
Karen Duffy is an author, producer, and former MTV VJ who has written about navigating life with chronic pain and finding philosophy in everyday challenges. During an appearance on The Daily Stoic, Duffy discussed several philosophical and biographical works that influenced her journey. She credited Bill Walton's memoir, Back from the Dead, with helping her understand chronic pain and improving how she communicated about her condition with her family. Duffy also shared how reading Marcus Aurelius's Meditations during her time working at MTV became a lifelong anchor, praising its opening sections on gratitude, humility, and self-reflection. She mentioned receiving a copy of Epictetus's Discourses from her husband, noting how deeply a twenty-century-old writing still resonates with modern readers seeking gratitude. Additionally, Duffy referenced Seneca's Letters from a Stoic, citing it alongside Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics as a primary inspiration for writing her own book, Wise Up, which explores ancient wisdom for modern life.
Books recommended by Karen Duffy
-
Meditations
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is a collection of personal journals and philosophical notes written by the Roman emperor during his military campaigns, offering profound insights into Stoic philosophy, self-discipline, and personal endurance.
Discussed“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
-
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 uh Back from the Dead, where he talks about his life with chronic pain. I was like ah. I can I can”
Where to get it
-
A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion
A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion collects the profound teachings of the former Greek slave and Stoic philosopher, focusing heavily on personal agency, resilience, and emotional self-control.
Discussed“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
-
Letters from a Stoic
Letters from a Stoic by Seneca is a classic collection of philosophical epistles offering timeless guidance on self-control, emotional regulation, and practical wisdom.
Discussed“Well, it's interesting Ryan because I wrote this book wise up really thinking about Nicomachean Ethics and Seneca's Letters to a Stoic. So, it was never I never wrote it as a parenting book.”
Where to get it
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Duffy on Using Stoicism to Find Happiness (Even with Chronic Illness) | The Daily Stoic | 2022-09-14 | 5 |
Other mentions (3: 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.”
“Like they're not all going to be Lost in Translation.”
“They're not all going to be Apocalypse Now.”