This episode begins by exploring Jiddu Krishnamurti’s reflections on life, death, and daily renewal, and then weaves them together with Stoic wisdom from Seneca and the battlefield lessons of Sparta. Through vivid stories and timeless philosophy, it reminds us that freedom from the fear of death brings greater freedom in life, and that each day off…

Mentioned in this episode: First Pour Coffee, Seneca Edition. You can find it here: https://drinkfirstpour.com/ and get 10% off with the discount code whatisstoicism10 Ayo Disu is the co-founder of a company called Octillion Capital Partners, a value-driven brand platform and holding company, operating, and growing an ecosystem of inclusive and sus…

What’s the point of philosophy, and why does it matter to the way we live each day? In this episode, we explore philosophy as a companion, a practice, and a framework that shapes our choices—whether we notice it or not. From the challenge of drifting through life on autopilot to the courage of living with clarity, we consider what it means to think…

This episode explores how the daily practice of Stoicism can transform the way we respond to challenges, drawing on the story of Andrew Overby from Massimo Pigliucci’s How to Be a Stoic. We look at how Andrew used Stoic principles like the dichotomy of control and reframing adversity to navigate depression and break cycles of negative thinking. Thr…

In this episode, I look at how Stoicism teaches us not to suppress our emotions but to master our responses to them through mindful assent. With a practical focus, we examine how the Stoic distinguishes between involuntary impressions and the voluntary judgments that follow. By learning to pause, reflect, and test our fears, we reclaim control over…

This episode explores how Stoicism is not just about inner strength, but about cultivating virtue through community and just interaction with others. Guided by the examples of Zeno, Musonius Rufus, Epictetus, and the legendary story of Lycurgus, we see how reasoned dialogue and patient understanding transform conflict into character. Join us as we …

What does it mean to live the ideal life — and who gets to decide what “ideal” really means? In this episode, we explore wisdom from the Stoics and Goethe on how striving for purpose and meeting each moment fully might be closer to the answer than endless comfort. Take a moment to look the present in the eye and ask yourself: how long will you wait…

In this episode, we explore the timeless Stoic lesson that true freedom lies in accepting what we can’t control—echoed powerfully in the life and art of Frida Kahlo. Drawing parallels between Epictetus’s teachings and Kahlo’s indomitable spirit, we see how even when life confines our bodies, our will can still soar. 👇 👇 👇 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CON…

The Stoic philosophers understood something timeless about human nature: we spend much of our lives outside the present moment. We worry about the future, regret the past, and overlook the only time we ever truly possess—now. Among the Stoics, Seneca in particular had a clear warning: do not waste time. 👇 👇 👇 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENT Check ou…

In this episode, we look at what Stoicism has to say about resisting the urge for revenge and reclaiming our inner freedom. With help from Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Diogenes, we examine why retaliation degrades us and how self-mastery is a better path to strength. Instead of reacting impulsively to harm or misfortune, we can learn to respond …

In this episode, we dig into the meaning behind Kurt Vonnegut’s famous line “so it goes” and how it’s more than just a catchphrase. Drawing from Slaughterhouse-Five, Stoic ideas, and the book The Courage to Be Disliked, we talk about how accepting what we can’t control can actually help us take better control of what we can. 👇 👇 👇 📻 FOR MORE STOIC …

In this episode, we explore the life and teachings of Epictetus, the Stoic philosopher born into slavery who found unshakable strength from within. His story reminds us that while true resilience begins in the mind, Stoicism also embraces the power of connection, encouraging us not just to endure, but to give and receive support as part of a greate…

I try to answer this question each week in different ways. For this episode, however, I wanted to step back and provide a more general overview. I hope you find it useful! 👇 👇 👇 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENT Check out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack: ☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Don't Mistake Glamour For Beauty ht…

Have you ever woken from a nightmare only to feel deep relief that it wasn’t real? In this episode, we explore what Marcus Aurelius and Anne Lamott can teach us about illusion, imagination, and insight—how dreams, fears, and even our thoughts can mislead us, and how journaling and Stoic reflection can help us wake up to deeper clarity and purpose. …

In this episode, we explore how our judgments—not external events—shape our emotional world, from a child’s toy envy to ancient Stoic parables and the quiet wisdom of Nan Shepherd. Using Epictetus’s insights and Shepherd’s meditative reflections, we examine how reclaiming control over our perceptions can free us from needless suffering and open us …

In this episode, we look at the Stoic principle of focusing only on what lies within our control, using the weather as a vivid metaphor for life’s unpredictable externals. Drawing on insights from George Gissing, Epictetus, Seneca, Mac Miller, and even Derren Brown, we reflect on how to maintain inner peace in a world that constantly tempts and tes…

This episode explores how anxiety can quietly hold us back from the things that matter most—and how Stoic wisdom offers a path through it. Drawing on insights from Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, we look at how changing our judgments, not just our circumstances, empowers us to act despite fear and grow stronger in the process. 👇 👇 👇 📻 FOR MORE STOIC…

When life feels overwhelming or uncertain, our minds often jump to the worst-case scenario. In this episode, we explore the Stoic art of "decatastrophizing"—challenging our initial impressions, stepping back from fear-driven thoughts, and learning to respond with clarity and calm. With guidance from Epictetus and Seneca, we understand how to naviga…

What if the things that trouble us most are really just tremendous trifles? In this episode, we explore how shifting our perspective can turn everyday stress into a source of clarity—with a simple story of boiling water and a reminder that life is too short to sweat what won’t matter tomorrow. 👇 👇 👇 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENT Check out one of m…

We all have our own command center. Our own thoughts are within our control. Knowing this, we can break free from the impulses and influences trying to send us in different directions. We can accept our present fate and do what is within our control to flourish in that situation, whatever it may be. In this episode, we look at how this line of thin…

In his Discourses, the Stoic teacher Epictetus explains that a person is making progress when they understand a simple Stoic principle: we desire what we see as good, and we avoid what we see as bad. In this episode, we look at how this advice can drastically reduce the chances of being disturbed by what happens around us. 👇 👇 👇 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AU…

It's an unfortunate truth: many so-called leaders expect things from others that they don’t expect from themselves. In this episode, we look to the Stoics and an old story about Mahatma Gandhi to see how true leaders lead by example. 👇 👇 👇 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENT Check out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack: Un…

The ancient Stoic’s prerequisite for getting the most out of each of life’s experiences was to consider the possibility that it would be the last time they would ever have that particular experience. In this episode, we look at some practical ways to achieve this. 👇 👇 👇 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENT Check out one of my latest daily Micro Morning M…

In this episode, I talk to Gregory B. Sadler. Through his public speaking, content production (including videos for a YouTube channel with over 150,000 subscribers), consulting, and philosophical counseling, Greg makes classical and contemporary philosophy accessible to non-philosophers. I really enjoyed this conversation, in which we mainly discus…

If we want to break free from our old opinions, or at least confirm if they are still valid, we must be willing to accept that our way of seeing things might not be OK as it is. We must be willing to examine judgments, let go of long-held views, and potentially give up on an outdated version of ourselves. In this episode, we look at how Stoicism he…

“To live a good life: We have the potential for it,” writes Marcus Aurelius in his Meditations. “If we can learn to be indifferent to what makes no difference.” This good life is exactly what the ancient Stoics believed the practice of philosophy would allow us to pursue. In this episode, we look at how Stoicism can bring us internal clarity, the v…

Erick Cloward is the host of the popular Stoic Coffee Break podcast where every week he discusses how to live a more resilient and happy life using ancient Stoicism and modern wisdom. He's also a Leadership Coach and Speaker, as well as an author who’s just realised a new book called Stoicism 101. In this episode, I talk to Erick about his book, hi…

There's an old Spanish proverb that says: "Don't speak unless you can improve on the silence." With such restraint comes a question: what should we redirect our attention toward at times when we judge that externalizing our thoughts isn’t necessary? In this episode, we look at how self-reflection can be a worthy alternative. 👇 👇 👇 📻 FOR MORE STOIC …

In this episode I talk to Benny Voncken, a writer, speaker, and practicing Stoic who's originally from the Netherlands. He's also the co-founder of an online Stoicism platform called Via Stoica, which offers personalized Stoic coaching services, an online Stoic community, live conversations on X, and their own Via Stoica podcast. I really enjoyed t…

The most common misunderstanding about Stoicism is that it’s all about suppressing or burying our emotions. This tends to come from the confusion between Stoicism (upper case ‘S’) and stoicism (lower case ‘s’); the former is the ancient Greek philosophy that we learn about and practice, the latter is simply a “stiff-upper-lip” coping style. In this…

It can be useful to find parallels between our philosophical pursuits that are inspired by ancient practices and the more modern messages we’re exposed to in our daily lives. Relating things like art, sport, and entertainment to Stoic principles often helps us to remember the concepts and perhaps even better understand how they pertain to modern li…

The more we do, the Stoic philosopher Seneca tells us in his book On Tranquility of Mind, the more we put ourselves in Fortune's power, the more we tempt her. In other words, the more tasks we take on, the more journeys we make, the more objectives we pursue, the more things there are that can go wrong. In this episode, we look at why that doesn't …

If we practice philosophy, it’s up to us to get to know ourselves. It’s up to us to know the principles by which we live and, by extension, what we find reasonable and unreasonable. In this episode, we look at what Epictetus had to say about this responsibility and how our efforts each day can help us live an examined life. 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO +…

When those unfamiliar with Stoicism learn about the four cardinal virtues of Wisdom, Justice, Temperance, and Courage, they are sometimes disturbed that kindness isn’t among them. Kindness, however, is indeed a huge part of Stoicism. In this episode, we look at how it is essentially a subdivision of the virtue of Justice, which governs how we shoul…

It can sometimes be challenging to remember what it actually means to “do philosophy.” To some, it’s an abstract concept. When it comes to Stoicism, however, it’s very much a practical pursuit that impacts our daily lives. In this episode, we look at how we can achieve a productive balance between theory and practice. 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL…

In this episode, we examine Stoic ways of mentally preparing for the unexpected events that each day presents. It's then possible to resolve to meet them with acceptance rather than struggling against them and creating difficulty for ourselves. 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENT Check out What Is Stoicism? on Substack: https://whatisstoicism.su…

"If you seek tranquillity, do less. More accurately, do what’s essential...and in the requisite way. Which brings a double satisfaction: to do less, better. Because most of what we say and do isn’t essential. Ask yourself at every moment, Is this necessary?" —Marcus Aurelius, 4.24 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENT Check out What Is Stoicism? o…

The Stoics liked to draw parallels between the practice of philosophy and other, more physical pursuits that require concentrated effort to improve one’s ability. One popular analogy was to present Stoicism as a type of training similar to that an athlete would undertake. In this episode, we reflect on Epictetus's comparison of life to the Olympic …

To prepare for the day ahead, the Stoic Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius would often remind himself of the type of people he was likely to come into contact with. “At the start of the day,” he wrote in his Meditations. “Tell yourself: I shall meet people who are officious, ungrateful, abusive, treacherous, malicious, and selfish.” In this episode, we …

The Stoic philosopher Seneca wrote 124 letters to his friend Lucilius and reveled in his replies: "Your letter has given me pleasure, and has roused me from sluggishness." —Seneca, Letters 74.1 This collection of letters is today one of our best sources of Stoic life advice from ancient Rome. In this episode, we look at why we should consider writi…

Donald Robertson’s new book How To Think Like Socrates will be a welcome release for anyone keen to delve into the life of the man often referred to as the grandfather of Western philosophy. Almost all philosophical schools after Socrates traced their roots to him, including the Stoics. In this episode, I talk to Donald about the book and what we c…

Let’s face a worry together using this time we have carved out specifically for our philosophical practice. It’s a short exercise, so there’s no need to rush. 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENT Check out What Is Stoicism? on Substack: https://whatisstoicism.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

The formula for human greatness: it’s a grand proposition that there would even be one but is it really as simple as loving what happens? 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENT Check out What Is Stoicism? on Substack: https://whatisstoicism.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

In this episode, I explore a fun writing prompt that can help achieve the powerful perspective of Stoic objectivity. It's reminiscent of an exercise Marcus Aurelius described to himself as follows: “This should be your practice throughout all your life: when things have such a plausible appearance, show them naked, see their shoddiness, strip away …

A discourse from Epictetus and three entertaining stories of Stoic philosophers to provide good examples of ways in which today, no matter what happens, we can always exercise our freedom of will. 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENT Check out What Is Stoicism? on Substack: https://whatisstoicism.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac…

In his book Being Better, Kai Whiting tells us that the Stoic philosopher Panaetius established the idea that everyone has four roles in life. In this episode, we look at what those roles are and how we can perform them as well as possible. 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENT Check out What Is Stoicism? on Substack: https://whatisstoicism.substa…

Three philosophical questions, courtesy of the late poet John O'Donohue, to ask yourself today and help inform the actions you take. 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENT Check out What Is Stoicism? on Substack: https://whatisstoicism.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

By repeatedly telling ourselves negative stories we add a second layer of suffering to whatever sorrow we happen to encounter. Due to our close proximity to them, instead of detaching from the stories, we end up detached from reality. If we are to see these stories for what they really are we must zoom out from them. 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL …

This episode is based on Epictetus's teaching of a classic Stoic trope: the less we shy away from adversity, the more strength and courage we build in ourselves. In other words, the more challenges we give our best to, the better equipped we become to face similar challenges in the future. (And by doing so, we prove to ourselves what we're capable …

"Of all men they alone are at leisure who take time for philosophy, they alone really live; for they are not content to be good guardians of their own lifetime only. They annex every age to their own; all the years that have gone before them are an addition to their store." —Seneca, On the Shortness of Life XIV 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTEN…