CafeTruth: Discussions on Stoicism, Spirituality, and Personal Transformation
Kevin Ruess
Subscribe
Kevin Ruess and his good friend Florian host the Cafe Truth podcast where they have meaningful conversations about Stoic philosophy, personal transformation, business, digital nomadism, and more.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
Jan 30, 2023
NFTs, AI (ChatGPT), and Atomic Habits
Florian discuss his new NFT music project and how things work under the hood with it. Kevin and Florian discuss the potential benefits and danger of AI with regard to the new ChatGPT project. Kevin discusses his recent realizations listening to an interview with Michael Signer (in links below). They also discuss how to create good habits that last.
For links referenced in the show, visit: https://cafetruth.com/2023/01/nfts-ai-chatgpt-and-atomic-habits/
playlist_add
Jan 16, 2023
Making Dreams into Reality: Flight Lessons, Childhood Fears, and Dealing with Authority Figures
Florian takes us on a journey with him as he confronts his fears about taking up flying lessons and money.
playlist_add
Jan 2, 2023
Coffee & Tea. Friend or foe to society and our personal growth?
In this episode Kevin and Florian discuss coffee/tea and its affects on us, both our ambitions and our personal growth.
playlist_add
Oct 21, 2022
Life & Art - The journey, Not the Destination
Florian and Kevin discuss the pros and cons of living a life without many restrictions: no jobs, no bosses, no deadlines, no boundaries. Florian lives such a life right now, Kevin doesn't as much. It's a beautiful life and it comes with some of it's own downsides. Florian explains.
They also discuss the concept of conspirituality, integrity, cheating in a relationship, and the importance of the journey over the destination in life.
playlist_add
Sep 27, 2022
The Stoic Jeweller: How to achieve true satisfaction in your work without taking shortcuts
Kevin and Florian had the pleasure of interviewing Sabrina, jeweller and founder of Janine de Dorigny, an exclusive brand that produces hand-made jewellery out of Toronto, Canada.
Mentioned in the Show:
* Janine de Dorigny: https://www.janinededorigny.com/
* The Four Agreements: https://www.miguelruiz.com/the-four-agreements
playlist_add
Aug 12, 2022
AI Will Replace Us
Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Us?
playlist_add
Jul 7, 2022
Back in the Saddle Again
Kevin and his good friend Florian are back. This time, instead of just being a guest on the CafeTruth podcast, Florian will be joining the show as co-host.
Kevin and Florian discuss Florian's recent trip to Switzerland where he opens up about some big events that he went through over the past few months. Along with that, they discuss true happiness versus believing the myth that chasing wealth and status will provide any true joy.
playlist_add
Sep 24, 2021
From Introvert to Globetrotter - Florian
In this episode, Kevin and Florian discussed their introvert exIn this episode, Kevin and his good friend Florian discussed their experiences as introverts growing up and the transformation that took place in order to live a more enriching life.
Some of the significant points discussed in this episode are laid out as follows:
• Because you, as an introvert you think everyone else is scary.
• They say the warrior is not the one without the mask but knows how to use a hundred masks.
• Fear, is the fear of dying.
• We are very harsh with ourselves, way harsher than other people.
• Sometimes the reason for our unhappiness is that we are trying to be happy so much.
playlist_add
Sep 8, 2021
The App that Reminds You, You’re Gonna Die: Hansa Bergwall
In this episode, Kevin had the opportunity to talk with Hasna Bergwall, the co-founder of the WeCroak app that encourages people to lead happier lives by thinking about death five times a day.
1.WeCroak is a smartphone app based on the Bhutanese principle that to live a happy life; one must meditate on one's own death five times a day
2. Because after all, we're all going to die. No one gets out of this alive.
3. Life is short and precious, rare and special, and we want to use it well.
4. They mentioned what they love about death; it is universal because we're all going to die.
5. A quote about death from Epictetus, “I cannot escape death, but at least I can escape the fear of it.”
6. One of the things, both Buddhism and stoicism, is an absolute agreement on the danger of anger, just like creating delusions.
playlist_add
Aug 25, 2021
Art - The Journey Not the Destination is the Prize
In this episode, Kevin talks about how we should initiate how to express ourselves to the world. How should we have time to speak to know what we are passionate about and find enjoyment in the journey we are heading to in our life.
playlist_add
Jun 25, 2021
Have to Vs. Get to: Two Modalities of Thinking
In this week, Kevin discusses shifting a common attitude of feeling like one Has to do something to a more grateful feeling that one Gets to do those things.
==References and Links==
Ancient Rome Will Never Get Old. Take It From Mary Beard.
playlist_add
Jun 1, 2021
[Chat's w/ Steve] No One's Important Enough for Me to Be Mad at Them
Kevin and Steve have a discussion about past mistakes and poor choices and how to move on with forgiveness of oneself. (Amongst other topics . . .)
--Show Notes--
Original quote from don Juan mentioned in this episode:
“Are you angry at me, don Juan?" I asked when he returned. He seemed surprised at my question.
"No! I'm never angry at anybody! No human being can do anything important enough for that. You get
angry at people when you feel that their acts are important. I don't feel that way any longer.”
~Carlos Castaneda, Castaneda's The Teachings of Don Juan, A Separate Reality & Journey to Ixtlan
playlist_add
May 11, 2021
Gregory David Roberts: Living the Spiritual Path, a Conversation
Kevin had the honor to talk to bestselling author Gregory David Roberts. You may know him from his captivating novel Shantaram, a book that sold over 6 million copies, which literally changed my entire viewpoint on life and helped me to understand what true generosity and living a well-lived life is all about. Some exciting news is that Apple TV + and Paramount TV are currently turning Shantaram and its sequel, The Mountain Shadow, into a TV series (currently in production).
It's no secret that Gregory was at one time a wanted man in Australia, in fact at one time, he was Australia's Most Wanted man, having served serious time in prison there. Yet Gregory transformed his entire life going on to become a critically acclaimed author, ethics consultant and a public speaker. What you might not know is that Gregory's also a talented musician, releasing his debut album in 2020 called Love& Faith, which was recorded in Jamaica and features talented local musicians and singers.
In this intervi…
playlist_add
Apr 27, 2021
How I Claimed my Divinely Bestowed Energy to Break Years of Depression
In this solo episode, Kevin chats about a growing up with a default layer of depression and he used the concept of breaking agreements in order to recover his divinely bestowed energy and break free from the path of stuckness he found himself on.
playlist_add
Apr 13, 2021
Gratitude: The Great Antidote to Feeling Crappy
Kevin discusses the power of gratitude to fight the tendency of most humans to be petty in our complaints about our daily reality and our dissatisfaction with it.
Key takeaways from the episode:
Kevin discussed many scenarios from our daily-lives that are taken for granted and that which we purport upon ourselves.More often we find the odds in other things or beings and degrade our own thinking and existence.Quote from the episode: "Envy -and complaining- is the villain, the antagonist of the fortunate because what have we forgotten? The big amazing recognition that we are the fortunate? And you might think oh, well, not me, I'm not the fortunate! Look at all the problems I have. You might be thinking that to yourself."People are too busy being jealous of others.Quote from the episode: "...what I think stoicism really is about is: are you willing to look deeper? Are you willing to break free from the typical grooves like a record? The groove that you're used to, which is the complain…
playlist_add
Mar 30, 2021
What Stoic Fasting Can Teach us About Pleasure, Empathy, and Gratitude: Audio
What Stoic Fasting Can Teach us About Pleasure, Empathy, and Gratitude: Audio
In this episode Kevin discusses about the importance of Stoic Fasting and the lessons it teaches us. This is an audio narration of the article written by the author, What Stoic Fasting Can Teach us About Pleasure, Empathy, and Gratitude.
Key takeaways from the episode:
How much we take for granted the simple pleasures of life, to the point of not appreciating them.In developed countries in our modern times, we no longer have to worry too much about the condition of starving, the way they might have thousands of years ago.What Stoic Fasting Can Teach us About Pleasure, Empathy, and Gratitude
We’re so accustomed to consuming each and every meal, each and every day, that the notion of skipping a meal sounds almost ludicrous these days – some might even worry that it’s dangerous or unhealthy. “Eat! Eat! You need to eat!” says the grandmother to her teenage grandchildren as she pushes another giant p…
playlist_add
Mar 2, 2021
From Prison to Stoicism with Craig Stanland
In this episode, Craig Stanland shares his story of how he landed in jail from living a luxurious life. I, Kevin investigate how Craig made himself grow back again and become a ray of hope for many others.
Some of the major points discussed in this episode are laid out as follows:
Learning to love: That's been an evolutionary practice for Craig.
Once we realize that fear is an illusion, we can navigate much better.
A gratitude practice can be unbelievably transformative when done consistently. It rewires the brain from scarcity to abundance.
My previous life was based upon materialism: Craig.
Everything is temporary.
We grow up believing in lies. One of the biggest lies in the story of humanity is the ‘lie of our imperfection’ or in other words ‘not being enough’.
Sometimes just being okay is good enough.
Losing my identity was really the crux of my journey: Craig.
When you do keep your commitment to yourself, celebrate yourself.
Quotes from the episode:
Gratitude was one of t…
playlist_add
Feb 16, 2021
How to Live and Give like a Stoic: Interview with Paul Higgins
Paul Higgins decided to write his first book, Build, Live, Give, while receiving dialysis treatments for chronic kidney disease. During this daunting time, he also started a new company of the same name as his book, with the intent to help solopreneurs free themselves from 60+ hour work-weeks, so they could spend more time doing the things that matter most: spending time with family, traveling, and helping others.
In this interview, Kevin asks Paul about his incredible journey in the areas of business, career, and health. We also get a peek inside a truly remarkable attitude and philosophy of a man who's taken on Marcus Aurelius' famous words, "The Obstacle is the Way" in new and inspiring ways.
playlist_add
Feb 3, 2021
Fasting Like a Stoic - Day 3 of My 5 Day Water Fast
Kevin reflects upon the spiritual and psychological benefits of his 5 days water fast and how the Stoics embraced fasting as well as other practices of restraint.
Read Kevin's complimentary article, What Stoic Fasting Can Teach Us About Pleasure, Empathy, and Gratitude
playlist_add
Jan 13, 2021
Word of the Day: Confront
Kevin discusses the word "confront" and how Jerry Seinfeld and others, like the Stoics, have used that word. It's a word that helps us both face challenges and confront resistance from accomplishing what we wish to accomplish.
Quotes:
"I feel like if you break the human struggle down to one word, it’s confront. And so, I kind of approach everything that way. Just the act of the confront is like — what do people always say? Admitting you have a problem, all that nonsense."
Jerry Seinfeld Interview with Tim Ferris Show: https://tim.blog/2020/12/08/jerry-seinfeld/
"No man is more unhappy than he who never faces adversity. For he is not permitted to prove himself."
~Seneca
"What would have become of Hercules do you think if there had been no lion, hydra, stag or boar - and no savage criminals to rid the world of? What would he have done in the absence of such challenges? Obviously he would have just rolled over in bed and gone back to sleep. So by snoring his life away in luxury and…
playlist_add
Dec 29, 2020
Are Stoics Allowed to Have Emotions?
In this episode, Kevin asks the question of where emotions come into play with regard to Stoic Philosophy? Are Stoics encouraged to feel their emotions, or are they expected to "walk it off," as it were?
------
Stoic Emotions...All Three of Them- by Matthew Van Natta of the Immoderate Stoic - (https://immoderatestoic.com/blog/2013/4/2/stoic-emotionsall-three-of-them)
Today Explained: Moving Home (Vox podcast) - (https://www.vox.com/today-explained) Transcript - (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TpMuj_qrRzVflwP7RL8Q-OcsxbMn8ZGlGWZ979sqbJA/edit?usp=sharing)
Arrested Development Scene: Tobias' Impression of John Wayne (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxjvs5Cs_5Q)
playlist_add
Dec 15, 2020
[Chats with Steve] - Escaping from Youtube in Amish Buggies
0:01:27 where were steve?
0:03:13 maybe most of steve's liveliness rooting in uncertainty
0:03:38 we expect options in life and we are upset when they run out
0:06:01 steve on youtube gurus selling their sports cars and his own cleansing from things
0:11:15 kevin trying hard not to watch youtube
0:12:08 physical books vs digital books
0:12:39 should we give devices to our kids?
0:13:58 jail time and books
0:15:16 similarities between prison and monastic life
0:16:51 kevin asks about meditation retreats
0:21:05 internet was cool at the beginning but now its a pain in the ass
0:22:40 kevin mentions netflix's social dilemma
0:25:10 steve mentions keeping your kids off of devices and social media gonna be a battle
0:26:46 kevin wants to be more amish and take things slowly
0:28:01 kevin references to don miguel ruiz
0:29:20 story of don miguel ruiz visiting his grandfather
0:30:56 steve expects 6-min youtube clips to change his life
0:31:43 kevin takes portugese lessons
0:32:20 learning vs…
playlist_add
Dec 1, 2020
What Stoics Do When Societies Fall Apart
0:00:54 kevin is sitting on grass at a park of scottsdale arizona
0:02:34 kevin mentions a story from buddha
0:04:48 living in the now vs interacting with the inner narrative
0:05:56 how can we navigate in a paradigm where rules are breaking day by day?
0:06:36 does sometimes a collapse needed for resetting the system?
0:07:18 kevin mentions the period after julius caesar's assasination and states it may not be easy to recover from a collapse,
0:09:30 if we want to throw phony politicians out we should be ready for ones authentically lying as well,
0:10:26 kevin says he does turn to stoics when he is stressed out by conditions he can't change, and gives and Epictetus quote,
0:12:01 kevin talks about how things went down while vote-counting in Phoenix Arizona
0:12:59 we are trying to resist reality unfolding and quote from byron katie
0:13:44 another quote from Epictetus
0:14:48 as the life's necessity we may need to work through people no matter what result comes out
0:15:06 ptolemy's…
playlist_add
Nov 17, 2020
Court Case of the Mind
0:00:57 where is steve?
0:02:39 court of the mind
0:03:23 what does someone being judgemental actually mean?
0:03:51 everything in life is about relationship
0:04:27 kevin talks about his troubled relationship with his high-school car
0:05:10 it's possible to have emotionally-charged relationships with everything and everyone
0:05:28 2020 usa elections
0:06:08 everything is just ideas
0:06:18 kevin mentions Death of Democracy by Benjamin Carter Hett
0:08:03 kevin mentions there were 2 extreme political parties too in Nazi Germany
0:08:48 1930's Germany may be more similar to nowadays USA than we think
0:09:07 people have strong relationships with their political identities
0:09:22 the political camps we are stongly attaching to are merely an idea, a symbol or a flag but nothing more
0:10:31 kevin looks into ancient rome conflicts and Julius Caesar's takeover
0:11:06 stoics take on extreme camps and political attachment
0:11:47 it's easy to judge other people
0:12:15 kevin mentions byro…
playlist_add
Nov 3, 2020
[Chats w/ Steve] We are all one in the Matrix of trauma
0:00:59 abraham hicks and childhood trauma
0:02:11 steve doesn't agree with abraham hicks method of ignoring childhood trauma
0:02:35 kevin revisits the previous episode on cafetruth they did about narcissism
0:03:02 kevin mentions about victor frankl
0:03:14 kevin says we might be putting meaning to traumas and this meaning may not be actually true
0:03:47 kevin shares his last experience with abraham hicks
0:05:34 kevin mentions about his feelings about self-growth and spiritual events and the necessity of integrity in those teachings
0:06:48 steve says different talkers will deliver different qualities on same topic - steve's thoughts on neil de'greesse tyson
0:08:15 kevin talking about neil de'greese tyson and why scientific method may not cut it when it comes to psychology
0:09:21 psychology is pretty adolescent as a department of science
0:09:47 feelings are valid but when you get down to memories things change & steve had a core belief about his father wants to kill him
0:12:13…
playlist_add
Oct 20, 2020
Everything is Made of Light
00:21 Don Miguel Ruiz's realization after looking at the night sky of Sonoran Desert
01:54 Is space really empty?
02:49 Every corner of the universe is filled with light
03:52 We are wired to perceive with words and they are dictating our understanding
04:52 Light as a messenger of information
06:23 Mirrors capability to create a virtual reality
07:38 Our brains work similarly to a mirror
08:13 Artificial intelligence and brain as a black box trying to recreate reality
09:34 Our minds might not be reliable for interpreting data from the universe accurately
10:41 There is no space between us and objects
11:40 We might have been trying to process more data than we need in today's world
12:31 Why Kevin revisited Voice of Knowledge from Don Miguel Ruiz in an age of deception and fake news.
12:56 Don't believe everything in your head especially if it comes from another human mind
14:00 Difference between a tree communicating itself and how language distorts Kevin telling the tree to his fri…
playlist_add
Oct 6, 2020
Choosing Passion vs. Fame - Radioactivity & Madame Curie
04:25 stoic notion of insignificance - everyone is forgotten - desire of the fame is torments you
08:29 did romans thought earth is round?
09:33 how small are we on the pinhead of earth
10:09 all you see will quickly perish
11:08 chernobyl crisis and what's left from the first responders
13:38 how long historical records last? once data is gone the narrative is over.
14:20 present is all there is
15:10 we are most likely impermanent and unremarkable people
16:30 thoughts after watching the movie about Marie Curie named Radioactive - even Marie Curie will might be forgotten
20:08 marie curie seems to follow curiosity over fame
21:43 the notion of doing something for outcome of itself
22:07 social media and increased rates of teenage suicide
25:22 it is nice to know even marcus aurelius' years they dealt with tormenting desire of becoming famous
26.05 in comparison to our desire for being relevant marie curie lived the opposite
27:37 social media systems geared to reward most outrageous…
playlist_add
Sep 22, 2020
[Modern Stoic]-Ruth Bader Ginsburg - Her Last Years, a Stoic Journey
Kevin discusses the last years of RGB's service as a justice on the Supreme Court as one filled with stoic virtues.
playlist_add
Sep 14, 2020
The Power of Attraction and Positive Thinking
Kevin and Steve discuss people's fear of death in the times of COVID
The idea that the Planet is healing and also sending a wake up call to humans through the virus
Do we really have to make a lot of money to feel valuable?
Kevin and Steve discuss Overthinking and how it affects our life
How dreams can drain our minds
Kevin and Steve discuss the law of attraction
Imagining scenarios can make it happen in reality
Kevin and Steve discuss racism towards Asians as if they are the reason behind Coronavirus.
Kevin and Steve discuss the difference between outgoing people and ordinary routine loving people
Searching for Truth is the ultimate life goal
Kevin and Steve speaks about the pollution humans are making to the world
Focus on this moment and keep yourself healthy instead of overthinking failure
Steve discuss the idea of the universe being inside us
Never give up on your dreams, stick with it and it will pay off
playlist_add
Sep 8, 2020
In Memory of Chadwick Boseman, a Modern Stoic: Following Your Daemon, Genius, and Passions Despite Challenges
Kevin discusses the recent passing of actor Chadwick Boseman and how the way he lived the last few years of his life – acting in movies such as Black Panther, [Thurgood] Marshall, Message from the King – despite facing a terminal illness, is in essence, what it means to live as a stoic.
Kevin also discusses the ancient Greek/Roman concept of a daemon, and how we can become aware and make the most of our daemon’s gifts, inspiration, and power to create our art in this life.
Full show notes + links at:
https://wordpress-473433-1486402.cloudwaysapps.com/2020/09/in-memory-of-chadwick-boseman-a-modern-stoic-following-your-daemon-genius-and-passions-despite-challenges
playlist_add
Aug 29, 2020
How to Define a Well Lived Life
Kevin discuss the real purpose of life
We create the why and the way we live
We can choose the way to tell the story of our life
How would you spend your last 5 mins in life? Terror or Enjoyment?
Find the power to turn the moment for the benefit of your own use
What is the real Gold standard of living?
It is difficult for rich men to be moderate and moderate men to be rich
Why do we seek being rich?
Why do we think living a good life is related to gaining and achieving more?
Life is about the values and being grateful of the things you have
playlist_add
Aug 22, 2020
Stoicism in Contrast to different Philosophies
Kevin speaks about his podcast content strategy for the upcoming episodes
Kevin speaks about a powerful story of a prisoner and how he dealt with his life in prison
Kevin shares his feelings with COVID and the lock-down and compares it to people really locked in prison
Kevin speaks about how we should re frame our lives and do good to the world
People spending so much energy debating over society mental models and the difference between philosophical schools
Kevin speaks on how non sense was it to throw people different in color or origins in jail
Kevin discuss confusion-ism in the Chinese philosophy
Kevin mentions the upcoming elections and how hard this year was
We can't control government but we're lucky enough to vote for change
playlist_add
Aug 15, 2020
Chapin Kreuter - Misfits and Rejects; Adventures in Podcasting
Kevin had the pleasure of interviewing Chapin Kreuter to discuss Chapin's podcast, Misfits and Rejects. During the chat, we get into why Chapin got his inspiration to interview quirky and interesting characters while traveling the world, including former drug smugglers to business marketing gurus. Chapin also opens up about some of the struggles he's encountered with podcasting, including realizing not long ago that his audience was much smaller than he had previously believed and how he's working to better deliver what his audience is truly seeking from him.
Notes:
Chapin talks about the feedback he received about how his voice sounds good and professional.
Chapin talks about how his shows started through sponsorship t shirts over his podcast.
Chapin talks about his favorite podcast categories and giving an example of a drug smuggler with a lot of interesting stories.
hapin prefers to interview unknown people with never heard before stories than interviewing famous people with repeate…
playlist_add
Aug 8, 2020
Find Genuine Leisure and Inner Peace through the Banquet of Life
Kevin starts with talking about leaving out corporate life and starting a business
Kevin mentions a book talking about self discipline and the 2 types of energy (pulling and grasping)
Kevin speaks about his camping experience and the beauty of pick up trucks and RVs
Kevin talks about the role of location and environment and how it affects and manipulate your desires
Ways of how to stop being materialistic
let the things the way they are, the concept of doing by NOT doing
having faith and to stop worrying so much about everything
Kevin speaks about the modern version of showing off wealth and power
Kevin mentions how grateful he is of the AC invention and how people lived before it
Speaking about the fear of unhappiness and how shameful is to live just for your own desires
Finding inner peace and genuine leisure regardless of your environment and circumstances.
playlist_add
Aug 2, 2020
You are Looking at Your Own Projection of Reality
Some deepest meditation is only in you.
Death is non existence.
playlist_add
Jul 27, 2020
Coping with Reality from Place to Place
Kevin and Steve discuss their new lack of social lives amidst the Coronavirus and the day to day experience and tasks they have to do in their day to day life.
Notes:
Discussion continues about coping with reality that corona is here and the idea of trying to adapt and be friends with your enemy
Spirituality and religions and what lessons we humans learn in life to face our struggles
The idea of existence of the world and how we connect to it by simply breathing to remind ourselves we exist!
How weather plays role in how we feel, for ex: anger from cold weather, preferring the sunny weather?
The lack of work due to coronavirus and money struggles people are facing
Online videos about selling Mac products and reviewing technical specs and personal experience with computers and cameras
How the iPhone combined a lot of equipment people used before to produce HQ media content.
Talking about video editing software like Final Cut Pro .
Talking about people giving nonsense excuses instead of…
playlist_add
Jul 20, 2020
What's Your Fear?
The British Monarch system
Raising children with punishment - is there another way?
Living abroad as a digital nomad or expatKevin possibly thinking to move to Bulgaria
Steve happily living in China
Breaking free from the Matrix
Choosing freedom over corporate captivity
Tesla or freedom?
playlist_add
Jun 20, 2020
Look at Life as Your Dream
- Money, social life, human relation and life.
- What you need in life to live.
- Be real you.
playlist_add
May 20, 2020
What matters if Tomorrow, You Die?
Kevin with a solo podcast episode where he discusses Marcus Aurelius facing the Antonine Plague 1,855 Years Ago and living life as if you are going to live forever.
playlist_add
Apr 20, 2020
Will a Train Crash into a Plane?
Steve discusses his monastic-like life in China as a layman
Steve's daily morning meditation rituals
Stalking fear in the Toltec tradition working through stuck childhood traumas and memories
Drinking your morning coffee as a conscious ritual
Choosing conscious action with daily habits
Awakening resets your preferences back to babyhood
-Kevin questions the motivation of meditation for business people and entrepreneurs
-Guy Ritchie's interpretation of the prodigal son story
Listening to pastor's/guru's who haven't been through hardships
Dealing with external judgement as an awakened person
Modern personal freedom and awakening from the perspective of evolution (reference to the book Sapiens)
playlist_add
Apr 8, 2020
Help! Get Me Outta Here!
Steve and Kevin discuss how to get out of a job you hate, whether it's better to do work that you love vs. work that's lucrative, Steve's move to China, narcissist parents, and more!
playlist_add