Classicist and author Dr. James Romm joins us to explore Plato not just as a philosopher, but as a wrestler obsessed with training both body and mind.

Drawing on his new book, Plato and the Tyrant, Romm walks us through Plato’s failed attempts to turn the rulers of Syracuse into philosopher-kings, and how those experiments reshaped his thinking about power, law, and education.

Along the way, we connect ancient debates about tyranny and virtue to the way we live, train, and practice democracy today.

Special thanks to Dr. James Romm. Checkout Plato and the Tyrant as well as other works at: https://www.jamesromm.com/books

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, share, and check out our collections and upcoming events at santofi.com.

S1.E3 - Wrestling with Power: James Romm on Plato, Tyranny, and Democracy

From the ice rinks of Michigan Tech to managing over $800 million in capital, John shares what it means to pursue excellence with intention and the importance of self-awareness.

This episode features an interview with John Rockwell — a former professional hockey player and current venture capitalist.

We discuss the importance of self-awareness, excellence, and glory. We also explore how hockey and Michigan Tech [https://www.mtu.edu/] shaped John’s personal development.

John Rockwell is the founder of a venture capital and private equity firm that manages $800 million in capital. He has invested in more than 30 privately held companies focused on commercializing technology-based innovations. John has served on the boards of over 25 companies. He is also an alumnus of Michigan Tech, where he played hockey and studied chemical engineering before graduating with a degree in business administration.

He is currently the CEO and co-founder of Revex Technologies [https://revextech.com/], which is positioned to become a leader in the sustainable processing and production of nickel and other critical minerals. The company aims to support global net-zero carbon energy goals. These minerals are essential for lithium batteries, electricity grids, and the defense and space industries.

https://www.santofi.com/

S1.E2.5 - John Rockwell on Self-Awareness, Venture Capital, and The Education of Hockey 

Can music change the way we see the world? John Coltrane believed it could. His song Alabama was a response to tragedy, inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s eulogy for four young girls killed in a church bombing.

In this 6min episode, we explore how Coltrane transformed grief into power, and how the ancient Greek concept of Paideia—a lifelong pursuit of wisdom—helps us understand excellence in art and life.

Coltrane wasn’t just a master of the saxophone. He studied science, philosophy, and cultures from around the world, embodying the idea that true greatness comes from deep learning. Even in moments of struggle, Paideia teaches us that growth comes from challenge.

www.santofi.com

Special thanks to Dr. Lewit and Dr. Tully. See their information below:

https://art-museum.unimelb.edu.au/exhibitions/ancient-lives/

https://unimelb.academia.edu/TamaraLewit

http://unimelb.academia.edu/CarolineTully

S1.E2 - Coltrane & Paideia 

Discover how the ancient Greek mandate to 'Know Thyself,' inscribed at the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, transcends time to inspire personal growth and collective understanding.

From Socrates’ groundbreaking method of questioning to the Wu-Tang Clan’s philosophy of 'Knowledge of Self,' this episode bridges ancient wisdom with contemporary relevance. 

Explore how self-reflection serves as a foundation for empowerment, creativity, and resilience in the face of adversity. By unraveling these interconnected narratives, the episode invites listeners to look inward and uncover their true potential.

www.santofi.com

Special thanks to Dr. Lewit and Dr. Tully. See their information below:

https://art-museum.unimelb.edu.au/exhibitions/ancient-lives/

https://unimelb.academia.edu/TamaraLewit

http://unimelb.academia.edu/CarolineTully

S1.E1 - Know Thyself 

Forces oblivious to our attention such as fear, anger, and resentment often govern ourselves. Socrates implored others to examine one’s self to highlight what we really desire, fear, and value.

We decided to start our first collection with the declaration of Know Thyself as it is the first step to wisdom and bettering ourselves and thereby others.

One’s self-examination can better understand their psychology, fight game, and style.

The Know Thyself collection reflects the interconnectedness of art, philosophy, and sport. In this podcast series, each episode relates to an article of clothing from the collection and the inspiration of its design.



SANTO-FI

Esteban Galvez's Show

A design company focusing highlighting underrepresented cultures and subcultures. 

https://www.santofi.com/



Esteban Galvez

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