{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthe-art-of-manliness.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Fthe-philosophy-of-self-improvement-wPPCFoQ2","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"The Philosophy of Self-Improvement","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/5b7d8c77-15ba-4eff-a999-2e725db21db5/0dbb2522-c63f-4bea-bb79-1b525d40a696/art-of-manliness-cover.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.simplecast.com/2ea2e8bd-047e-4692-a9aa-d5342089e358\" height=\"200\" width=\"100%\" title=\"The Philosophy of Self-Improvement\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>","height":200,"description":"There are thousands of books, podcasts, and social media posts about how to be more productive, strengthen your relationships, find your purpose, and be your all-around best self. And there are legions of programs and seminars out there designed to help you improve your life. All together, self-help represents a multi-billion dollar industry.\n\nBut despite its ubiquity and cultural influence, you may never have thought about the deeper underpinnings of self-improvement. My guest has. In fact, her research led her to add being a life coach to her academic work as a professor of cultural history, surely creating one of the most unique career combinations. Her name is Anna Schaffner and she's the author of The Art of Self-Improvement: Ten Timeless Truths."}