Zena Hitz is a tutor at St. John's College and the author of Lost in Thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life.

Lost in Thought is about the importance of useless reflection and contemplation. Thinking well matters, even if it doesn't lead to anything else.

This is in stark contrast to the view that everything needs to be useful. But it's a point of view we need to think through seriously.

In this conversation, Zena has a lot to say about the joys of the intellectual life, the struggle to stay focused on the truth, and how we can think well in our own lives.

Lost in Thought one was of my favorite books from last year, so the conversation was a treat. I hope you enjoy it.

Listen to it here: (Android, iPhone).