Tools for Thinking and Living Better
The Practical Philosopher explores timeless wisdom from Stoicism, Buddhism, and cutting-edge psychology — distilled into actionable insights for modern life. Hosted by Colin Burke, each episode is an invitation to think more clearly and live more deliberately.
Latest Episode
Nothing Lasts: And That's the Point: How Impermanence Reveals Your Bigger Why- Episode 8
What would you do if you really accepted that your time is limited? In this episode, Colin explores why impermanence isn't the enemy of purpose it's the engine. Drawing from Buddhist teachings, the Stoic practice of memento mori, existentialist philosophy, and the concept of being 1% better every day, this episode walks through the two traps people fall into when facing mortality (nihilism and hustle-culture panic) and offers a third path: using your finite time as a catalyst for intentional living. Colin gets personal about his own struggles with attachment to outcomes, shares the Five Whys exercise for uncovering your deeper purpose, and makes the case that the dying flame is exactly what makes it worth lighting. If you've ever caught yourself asking 'what's the point?' this one's for you.
All Episodes
The Discipline Paradox: Why Consistency Creates Freedom - Episode 7
In this episode of The Practical Philosopher, I reframe discipline as something radically different: not self-punishment, but self-respect. Not intensity, but consistency. Not hype...
Episode 6: The Three Bs: A Compass for 2026
It’s hard to know if you’re going in the right direction—especially when life is full of choices, setbacks, and uncertainty that you can’t control. In this New Year’s episode of Th...
Episode 5: The Five Hindrances: Understanding the Mind’s Resistance
In this episode of The Practical Philosopher, we dive into one of the most powerful frameworks for understanding why inner peace — and meaningful action — often slips through our f...
Episode 4: Existentialism the call to create your own purpose
What is the purpose of life? Existentialism’s answer is simple: no one can choose it for you — you must create it yourself.In this episode, we break down existentialism in a clear ...
Episode 3: The Blueprint Behind Your Life: How to Build a Personal Philosophy
In this episode, we step back from Stoicism and Buddhism and zoom into something even more fundamental — the personal philosophy you’re already living by. Most people go through li...
Episode 2: The Practical Side of Buddhism — How to Let Go Without Giving Up
In this episode of The Practical Philosopher, we explore the timeless wisdom of Buddhism — not as dogma, but as a way of living. Colin unpacks the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the m...
Episode 1 How Stoicism Changed the Way I See Life
In this debut episode of The Practical Philosopher, host Colin Burke unpacks one of history’s most practical and enduring schools of thought: Stoicism.We’ll cut through the myths t...
The Practical Philosopher Introduction
Welcome to The Practical Philosopher, hosted by Colin Burke.This podcast explores how timeless ideas—from Stoicism to Buddhism and beyond—can be turned into practical wisdom for mo...
About the Host
Colin Burke is the host and creator of The Practical Philosopher. With a deep curiosity about what makes a good life, Colin explores the intersection of ancient philosophy and modern science to find practical tools for everyday living.
Each episode is crafted to go beyond theory — offering frameworks, questions, and practices you can apply immediately. Whether you're navigating a career transition, building better habits, or simply looking for more meaning in the mundane, this podcast meets you where you are.