Showing results by narrator "Ben Aldridge" in All Categories

In North Devon, where the rivers Taw and Torridge converge and run into the sea, Detective Matthew Venn stands outside the church as his father's funeral takes place. The day Matthew turned his back on the strict evangelical community in which he grew up, he lost his family, too. Now he's back, not just to mourn his father at a distance, but to take charge of his first major case in the Two Rivers region; a complex place not quite as idyllic as tourists suppose.

Seriously Happy is a highly practical self-help guide exploring 10 life-changing lessons based on teachings of the ancient philosophers. YA listeners are encouraged to discover how Stoicism can improve your mental resilience; the calming, meditative influence of Zen; the decision-making prowess of Aristotle or the confidence-boosting ideas of the Cynic philosophers.

When Benjamin and Edgar Bowen embark on a Grand Tour of Europe, they are ready to meet people of quality. They have trunks full of powdered, silver wigs and matching suits, a hunger to experience the architectural wonders of ancient Rome and an ability to quote Voltaire (at length). They will make connections and establish themselves in high society, just as their mother has planned. But it soon becomes apparent that their outfits are not quite the right shade of grey, their smiles are too ready, their appreciation of the arts ridiculous.

Stoicism has a lot to offer that is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago—its guiding purpose was to help us to live better lives. The Stoic golden rule was that "we can't control external events, but we can choose how to respond to them". This idea can have a profound effect on how we exist in the world.