The world is no stranger to hard times these past couple years. With an ongoing pandemic and the recent discovery of the new Variant of Concern, the Omicron, and ongoing disasters and social, political and economic challenges, we all need the tools we collectively possess to deal with our fears and anxieties and increase our resilience. Two philosophies can help us: "Zozobra" from Mexican philosophers, and "Sisu" from the Finnish. This episode explores how these concepts can strengthen our resolve as we face off against hardships and uncertainty.

Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay

Outro Music: "No Starlight Dey Beat" by Nana Kwabena

Musical Mentions:

"I Got You" lyrics, James Brown: https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jamesbrown/igotyouifeelgood.html

"A Little Bit Off" lyrics, Five Finger Death Punch: https://genius.com/Five-finger-death-punch-a-little-bit-off-lyrics

"Zozobra":

Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA "Zozobra" event: https://burnzozobra.com/all-about-zozobra/

Feeling disoriented by the election, pandemic and everything else? It’s called ‘zozobra,’ and Mexican philosophers have some advice, Dr Francisco Gallegos, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Wake Forest University, Dr Carlos Alberto Sánchez, Professor of Philosophy, San José State University, November 2, 2020: https://theconversation.com/feeling-disoriented-by-the-election-pandemic-and-everything-else-its-called-zozobra-and-mexican-philosophers-have-some-advice-148576

"Sisu":

"The Sisu Within You: The Finnish Key To Life, Love and Success": https://finland.fi/arts-culture/sisu-within-finnish-key-life-love-success/

"What Sisu Can Teach Us About Well-Being" by Dr. Marianna Pogosyan, Psychology Today, Aug 27, 2018: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/between-cultures/201808/what-sisu-can-teach-us-about-well-being

Joanna Nylund, Sisu: The Finnish Art of Courage (2018, UK: Gaia; USA: Running Press): https://www.runningpress.com/titles/joanna-nylund/sisu/9780762493371/