PHILOSOPHER KINGS.

About PHILOSOPHER KINGS.

Philosopher Kings is designed to transform young professionals into people who think, speak, and act with knowledge, wisdom, and virtue—ten(ish) minutes at a time. It’s perfect for growing during your commute, investing in your internal-self during a workout, or leveling up while running errands. Each episode revives ancient philosophy, mythology, and timeless insight to help you lead and live with clarity, navigate chaos with character, and build the good life. We invite you to listen on your lunch break, on your commute, or while you reset—because the future belongs to the wise. Aristotle explains that "virtue is no accident-- we are what we repeatedly DO." Start by repeatedly listening to a great show made to help you thrive as a young professional and person.

Publisher

Mark Shaffer, PhD in Ancient Near Eastern and Classical Literature.

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 May 2026

Latest episode

2 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Oct 2026

   17. YOUR JOB IS NOT THE SOURCE OF YOUR WORTH.

   Your job is part of your story. It is not the source of your worth. In this episode, Dr. Mark Shaffer explores what happens when young professionals make their careers responsible for their self-worth—and how to build a steadier identity around values, virtues, and character. Drawing from Epictetus’s distinction between what is up to us and what is not, you’ll learn how internal authority helps you receive criticism, navigate setbacks, and pursue excellence without putting your worth on trial. You’ll also work through an honest personal inventory: “I am valuable when…” followed by “What happens to my relationship with myself when that condition is not met?” Because a disappointing performance review should give you something to work on—not an existential crisis with a company logo. Think clearly. Speak with weight. Act with integrity. If you’re just out of college or training, or in the first five years of your career, we made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it, Kings and Queens! Want to go deeper? Inside our Skool community, MEMO 02 explores virtues, values, and the Values Pyramid—helping you build your life on a foundation that holds steady when performance fluctuates. Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about) For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: www.philosopherkings.net (https://www.philosopherkings.net/)

2. 

   25 Sept 2026

   16. THE POWER OF PAUSE.

   A strong emotion can demand an immediate response. You can give yourself time to choose one. In this episode, Dr. Mark Shaffer explores the power of the pause: creating space between what you feel and what you do next. Whether you’re facing criticism at work, an email that makes your blood boil, or an anxious thought loop, that space can help you respond with intention. Drawing from Epictetus’s insight that “Men are disturbed not by the things which happen, but by the opinions about the things,” you’ll learn to notice the warning signs in your body and ask: What do I know? What outcome do I want? What response would I respect tomorrow? Because the email you write while angry might feel brilliant for fifteen seconds. The one you send tomorrow might actually get you somewhere. Think clearly. Speak with weight. Act with integrity. If you’re just out of college or training, or in the first five years of your career, we made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it, Kings and Queens! Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about) For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: https://www.philosopherkings.net/ (https://www.philosopherkings.net/)

3. 

   8 Sept 2026

   15. EMOTIONS ARE NOT COMMANDS.

   Your emotions are real—but they are not always reliable instructions. In this episode, Dr. Mark Shaffer explains how young professionals can acknowledge anxiety, anger, insecurity, and fear without handing them the steering wheel. Drawing from Seneca’s insight that “we suffer more often in imagination than in reality,” you’ll learn three simple questions for separating emotional signals from the stories your mind creates. Because feeling like you should quit your job at 2:37 on a Tuesday may not be a career revelation. You might just need lunch. Think clearly. Speak with weight. Act with integrity. If you are just out of college or training, in your first five years of your career--We made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it Kings and Queens! Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about) For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: www.philosopherkings.net (http://www.philosopherkings.net)

4. 

   3 Sept 2026

   15. AI AND THE JOB MARKET.

   In this episode of Philosopher Kings, Mark talks about the challenges facing young professionals and early careers who are entering the job market in the age of AI. We talk about two intelligences that will never be artificial: Relational and Emotional. We also bring hope in believing that while AI is brining much change that many of us did not ask for, it brings with it opportunity for human goodness, relational care, and emotional health to be primary in caring for patients, clients, customers, and staff. If you are just out of college or training, in your first five years of your career--We made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it Kings and Queens! Success at work doesn’t automatically mean you feel successful inside. Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about) For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: www.philosopherkings.net (http://www.philosopherkings.net)

5. 

   15 Aug 2026

   14. FIVE KEYS TO EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND BALANCE.

   In this episode of Philosopher Kings, Mark introduces Five Keys to Emotional Health and Balance as a Young Professional—a practical framework for navigating anxiety, stress, insecurity, and the emotional weight that can come with building a career. Emotional health isn’t about eliminating strong emotions. It’s about learning to experience them without handing them the steering wheel. We introduce five practices: Stop treating every emotion like a command. Create a gap between feeling and action. Stop making your career responsible for your worth. Learn to actually leave work. Build a life bigger than your job. Over the next several episodes, we’ll take a deeper dive into each one—and explore how ancient wisdom and modern emotional intelligence can help you develop greater internal authority. Think clearly. Speak with weight. Act with integrity. If you are just out of college or training, in your first five years of your career--We made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it Kings and Queens! Success at work doesn’t automatically mean you feel successful inside. Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about) For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: www.philosopherkings.net (http://www.philosopherkings.net)

6. 

   14 Aug 2026

   13. ABOVE ALL ELSE, BE KIND.

   Plato says that we should always be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle. This is so so true at work! You simply have no idea some of the things your co-workers are going through... and so be very kind first, and THEN everything else. Consistent kindness creates new worlds. When your team deeply knows you are for them, have their back, and want the best for their family name, all sorts of cooperation and collaboration become possible. It's like someone turns the lights on in a dark room. So it is with you, what does it look like to be uncommonly kind and let your light shine throughout your workplace, your home, your community, your city. Because there is no professional you and personal you-- there is just you. And so שיהיה אור, let there be light! If you are just out of college or training, in your first five years of your career--We made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it Kings and Queens! Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about) For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: www.philosopherkings.net (http://www.philosopherkings.net)

7. 

   8 Aug 2026

   12. CHOOSE TO DO HARD THINGS.

   This episode, we talk about Epicurus' observation that doing hard things is good for you and that the very times you face trials, you meet the strengths inside of you. What if you have never met the best version of yourself because you have never truly worked through opposition and frustration? We challenge you to do hard things on the outside and face hard things on the inside, to become the best professional and person you can be. Carpe Diem! If you are just out of college or training, in your first five years of your career--We made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it Kings and Queens! Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about) For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: www.philosopherkings.net (http://www.philosopherkings.net)

8. 

   27 Jul 2026

   11. GROWTH SPIRAL.

   This episode, we talk about three ways of thinking that can dynamically change how you gain belonging and respect on your work team and in your personal life. If you want to see this training in person and with a slide deck for taking some notes, visit the Philosopher Kings Youtube Channel. (https://www.youtube.com/@philosopherkngs) Plublilius Syrus once said: Would you have a great empire? First rule yourself. This episode is about how emotional health and relational intelligence is the best and truest way to rule your miniature empire. If you are just out of college or training, in your first five years of your career--We made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it Kings and Queens! Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about) For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: www.philosopherkings.net (http://www.philosopherkings.net)

9. 

   8 Jul 2026

   10. HOW TO GAIN SELF-RESPECT.

   This episode, we invite you to take a walk with Mark cooling down on a running trail, and to think about who you are and who you want to become. Socrates says the fastest way to become virtuous is to be who you pretend to be. He means that most of us put on a pretty good show that we are a good person; we act like we possess all the qualities we assume others around us would admire. We might even change out the masks we wear from place to place to match a crowd like a chameleon. Socrates would say this a false-self and the best way to find the good life is to be yourself all the time and like yourself all of the time. And so Mark invites you to internal authority through actually being the things you KNOW would heal your soul and make you great. BE WHO YOU PRETEND TO BE, and goodness becomes simple. If you are just out of college or training, in your first five years of your career--We made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it Kings and Queens! Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about) For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: www.philosopherkings.net (http://www.philosopherkings.net)

10. 

    2 Jul 2026

    09. WORRY AND CONTROL.

    In this episode, Mark introduces an idea from his favorite ancient philosoopher, Epictetus. Epictetus says that we should divide all problems into what we can control and what we cannot. If we cannot control something in any way, he teaches that we should make the CHOICE not to worry about it. If you are just out of college or training, in your first five years of your career--We made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it Kings and Queens! Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about) For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: www.philosopherkings.net (http://www.philosopherkings.net)

11. 

    20 Jun 2026

    08. WHY VIRTUE WILL MAKE YOU AN UNCOMMONLY BETTER YOUNG PRO.

    In this episode, Mark explains how virtue + kindness equals uncommon greatness as a young pro and person. Mark gives a short list of virtues which can literally transform your character, bring you success, and give you internal authority: wisdom justice courage philanthropy wonder humility No matter who you are or what you do for a living, virtue is for you. It does not belong to a religion or creed, and they are tried and true-- they have been informing the BEST of people for over 2000 years. If you are just out of college or training, in your first five years of your career--We made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it Kings and Queens! Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about) For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: www.philosopherkings.net (http://www.philosopherkings.net)

12. 

    8 Jun 2026

    07. TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE, YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

    In this episode, Mark challenges young professionals to categorically give up the vices of alcohol, weed, and casual relationships. Aristotle says we are what we repeatedly do. And so we can think ourselves to be very virtuous and put-together, but if we are compartmentalizing aspects of our life which stand in the way of the mountains we want to climb... it is time to rethink some things. What if you could feel way way better in a matter of weeks or even days by removing the cloud of chemicals affecting your brain and body on the cellular level, or truly believe yourself to be worthy of someone who deeply sees you, knows you, and shows up for you insted of hooking up? This episode is just a few thoughts on that. And it comes from a place of love. If you are just out of college or training, in your first five years of your career--We made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it Kings and Queens! Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about) For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: www.philosopherkings.net (http://www.philosopherkings.net)

13. 

    3 Jun 2026

    06. THE SUPERPOWER OF HUMILITY.

    In this episode, Mark explores why admitting that you are "new at this" and embodying humility is a superpower for young professionals and early careers. Socrates explained to the men of Athens that what made him so wise was that he was aware of his ignorance. He famously said that "he was the wisest because he knew that he knew nothing." There is a release valve that can lower the pressure of being new in your professional life, simply by owning that you are young, embracing the help of mentors, and thanking others for wisdom. If you are just out of college or training, in your first five years of your career--We made this episode to encourage you and equip you for growth and success. We hope you love it Kings and Queens! Heart, The Philosopher Kings Team Mark, Skylar, and Ricardo Join the Philosopher Kings community here: https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about) For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: www.philosopherkings.net (http://www.philosopherkings.net)

14. 

    26 May 2026

    05. WORK ON THE WEAKEST.

    In this episode, Mark explores why feedback is one of the fastest ways young professionals can grow. Instead of chasing externals like promotions, praise, and recognition, this episode challenges you to build internal authority by asking better questions, receiving correction, and training the traits that actually create trust. Whether your weakness is reliability, integrity, communication, or feedback itself, the path forward is simple: find the gap, train it daily, and become the kind of person people naturally trust, respect, and promote. Join the Philosopher Kings community here: https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about) For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: www.philosopherkings.net (http://www.philosopherkings.net)

15. 

    26 May 2026

    04. RELIABILITY. INTEGRITY. COMMUNICATION. FEEDBACK.

    In this episode, Mark breaks down the Big Four Core Competencies of Philosopher Kings: Reliability, Integrity, Communication, and Feedback. Instead of overwhelming young professionals with endless workplace advice, this episode simplifies what actually matters. Reliability builds trust. Integrity creates internal authority. Communication brings clarity. Feedback fuels growth. Master these four traits, and you become the kind of person people trust, respect, and rely on. Join the Philosopher Kings community here: https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about) For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: www.philosopherkings.net (http://www.philosopherkings.net)

16. 

    26 May 2026

    03. THE BIG FOUR.

    In this episode, Mark explores how young professionals can stop over-explaining and start embodying the qualities that earn real trust. Drawing from Epictetus’ line, “Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it,” this episode introduces the Big Four Core Competencies of Philosopher Kings: Reliability, Integrity, Communication, and Feedback. Master these fundamentals, and you quietly become the kind of person people trust, respect, and promote. Join the Philosopher Kings community here: https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about) For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: www.philosopherkings.net (http://www.philosopherkings.net)

17. 

    23 May 2026

    02. SHORT ON WISDOM AND VIRTUE.

    Episode Two is a deeper dive into Plato’s vision of the Philosopher King and what it means for young professionals today. In this episode, Mark explores the connection between knowledge, wisdom, and virtue—and why modern education and professional training often focus almost entirely on knowledge while falling short on wisdom and virtue. Knowledge is usually covered in college classrooms, certifications, and professional programs. But many young professionals are never taught wisdom: practical decision-making, good judgment, emotional intelligence, and how to navigate real life well. Even fewer are taught virtue: developing a personal moral code, ethical practices, integrity, discipline, and the kind of internal character that creates trust, leadership, and long-term success. This episode argues that the strongest professionals are not simply knowledgeable, but people who learn to think, speak, and act with knowledge, wisdom, and virtue. Join the Philosopher Kings community here: Philosopher Kings Skool Community (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about?utm_source=chatgpt.com) For all things Philosopher Kings, visit: Philosopher Kings Official Website (https://www.philosopherkings.net/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

18. 

    23 May 2026

    01. WHAT IS A PHILOSOPHER KING?

    What does it mean to become a Philosopher King in the modern world? In this first episode of the Philosopher Kings podcast, Mark Shaffer explores the intersection of knowledge, wisdom, and virtue—and why the best young professionals build internal authority before chasing external success. We talk about: Why competence alone is not enough The difference between externals and internal authority Ancient philosophy and modern professional life The lost art of wisdom, discipline, and character How Gen Z professionals can stand out in a distracted world As Plato argued, the ideal leader is not merely powerful, but formed by wisdom and virtue—a true “philosopher king.” This podcast is for people who want to think clearly, speak wisely, and live with integrity in work, relationships, leadership, and life. To join the Philosopher Kings community, start your free 7-day trial here: Philosopher Kings Skool Community (https://www.skool.com/philosopher-kings-8259/about?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Inside the community, you’ll find conversations with Mark and the PK team, exclusive resources, and the Philosopher Kings Memo—designed to help young professionals level up both their careers and their character. Each edition of the PK Memo delivers profound growth through 4–5 short articles, a “sneaky link” to a free digital training, and other resources designed to help you build real internal authority. For everything Philosopher Kings, visit: Philosopher Kings Official Website (https://www.philosopherkings.net/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

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