Exploring Kodawari

Mar 05 2023
Exploring Kodawari Podcast artwork

We are two classical musicians exploring the many manifestations of kodawari in the world. Kodawari is a beautiful concept word from Japanese. Although difficult to translate succinctly, kodawari essentially means pursuing perfection in a craft. It is the pursuit of an ideal even though you realize you can’t arrive there. Kodawari is what drives musicians to spend countless hours in the practice room. It motivates a chef to make the perfect meal, a writer to suffer over their words, and a barista to craft the perfect drink. But it is also an approach to life. We want to read books, interview people, discuss topics, and discover amazing content that will keep our kodawari fire burning. It is our excuse to continue growing as musicians and as people, and we hope that you'll join us! https://exploringkodawari.blog/about-kodawari/

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Revisiting Kodawari (#39)

Mar 05 2023 39 mins  
This episode brings Exploring Kodawari back to its roots after a long time away. We revisit the concept of kodawari to understand how our ideas about it have changed over the three years of this podcast/blog.

The Hedonic Treadmill: Exploring Happiness , Meaning, and Hedonic Adaptation (#38)

Aug 24 2022 53 mins  
Is happiness the meaning of life? In this episode, we discuss the philosophy of happiness and the psychology of the hedonic treadmill that keeps us constantly chasing new forms of satisfaction and pleasure.

Chad Goodman: The Art of Orchestral Conducting (#37)

Jun 11 2022 70 mins  
In this episode, we spoke with orchestral conductor Chad Goodman about the art of orchestral conducting and the process of interpreting music.

Contending With Nihilism Part 2: Meaning in the Face of Absurdity (#36)

Jan 15 2022 43 mins  
This episode is part two of our exploration of nihilism and the meaning crisis. We discuss the meaning of "meaning" and how one can overcome nihilism to find a more durable sense of meaning in life.

Contending With Nihilism Part 1: The Meaning Crisis (#35)

Jan 10 2022 45 mins  
In this episode, we explore the roots of nihilism and why nihilistic thinking seems to be on the rise. We also discuss two related problems: those who succumb to nihilism and those who ignore

What Is Metacognition? Mindfulness, Meta-Awareness, and Other Metacognitive Strategies (#34)

Oct 08 2021 59 mins  
Metacognition, or being "above" normal thinking, is the bird's eye view of the mind. And in this episode, we travel through the different layers of metacognition and meta-awareness to learn how to think more clearly and live better lives.

Understanding Stoicism: Stoic Psychological Techniques for Living a Better Life (#33)

Aug 02 2021 39 mins  
In this episode, we get into the specific psychological techniques and thought experiments within Stoicism that will help you to live a better life.

Understanding Stoicism as a Philosophy of Life (#32)

Jul 28 2021 53 mins  
In this episode, we dig into Stoic beliefs and principles that can help you find tranquility and live a better life.

#31: Violinist Katherine Bormann of The Cleveland Orchestra

May 17 2021 66 mins  
In this episode, we speak with Katherine Bormann, a violinist in The Cleveland Orchestra since 2011. We talk about music, life, and what it's like to be a musician in a top-tier orchestra.

#30: Chaos and Order, Yin and Yang—The Ultimate Mental Model of Reality

May 01 2021 73 mins  
What if you could summarize reality in two words? In this episode, we examine the ultimate mental model of reality, chaos and order. Also known as Yin and Yang, this framework is the most fundamental categorization we can make in the world.