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.