The Power of the Powerless by Vaclav Havel [REDUX] w/Harvey Seifter & Jesan Sorrells

The Power of the Powerless by Vaclav Havel [REDUX] w/Harvey Seifter & Jesan Sorrells

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Exploring Václav Havel’s influential essay, The Power of the Powerless, Jesan Sorrells and Harvey Seifter unpack what it means for leaders to “live in truth” in the face of societal conformity. They examine the dangers of moral and cultural hollowness, the practical implications of dissidence, and how authentic leadership begins with individual conscience rather than systemic change. The episode also connects Havel’s ideas to modern challenges in leadership, ethics, and the search for a transcendent anchor in turbulent times.

Book: The Power of the PowerlessAuthor: Václav HavelGuest: Harvey Seifter Host: Jesan Sorrells---

Time-Stamped Outline:

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00:00 Discussing "The Power of the Powerless"

11:43 Forming and Scaling Arts-Based Organizations

17:12 Raising kids as future leaders

23:11 Discussing LLMs and historical figures

24:37 Discovering Vaclav Havel's Plays

30:48 Generational challenges in Hollywood writing