Pub and Porch: Applied Stoicism

Today's episode continues our series on Raising kids with episode 3, focussing on the last 3 rules from Musonius Rufus on raising children: praise character and effort more than achievement, teach responsibility and accountability, choose friends and influences wisely, teach that happiness comes from character not possessions. Adam and Mick talk about the important topics from Stoicism includ...

In today's episode, recorded on Father's Day itself, Mick and Adam delve further into Musonius' rules about raising kids. The episode starts out by talking about what it means to "provide" as a father, referencing the Kelly Brothers and their experience as children. Then the topic of the "fatherlessness" problem comes up, and the hosts step back into the rules as...

To honour Father's Day, today's episode centres around raising kids. We focus on the teaching of Musonius Rufus and his rules about raising children, and start to discuss the first few rules from Musonius' teachings. Discussions in this episode move from the past to the present, and discuss some of the modern challenges of being a parent while Adam and Mick share their own views on...

In this week's episode, Adam and Mick discuss one of the "Big Three" of Stoicism: Epictetus. In discussion is Epictetus' origins, what we know (or don't really know) about his early life, how he came to become a slave, and how he ended up in Rome. The discussion turns to some of his core views, and where they might have originated based on the experience that we know that...

In this week's episode, Adam and Mick continue the conversation in part 2 of the main topic for this week's episode which is the selection of leaders, be it political, industry, military, or otherwise. Concepts around the current trends we are seeing in the world, and some of the responsibilities that citizens and Stoics have when looking to select their leaders, are a prevalent theme in...

In this week's episode, Adam and Mick open with a little life update to each other and also talk a little bit about some recent space program events going on. Then, the conversation shifts to part 1 of the main topic for this week's episode which is the selection of leaders, be it political, industry, military, or otherwise. Concepts around the current trends we are seeing in the world,...

In today's episode, Mick and Adam discuss a topic that has become quite prevalent in these past few years: freedom of speech. Concepts around what is means by definition, but also what it means in practice, are major topics throughout the podcast today. The idea of freedom of speech also coincides the idea of freedom to disagree or debate, and that is another key topic in today's discuss...

In today's episode, Adam and Mick continue our episodes on the classical Stoics. Today's episodes covers Musonius Rufus, a prominent Stoic in Rome during the time of Octavian and Nero and also the teacher of one of the "Big Three" Stoics, Epictetus. Key parts of Musonius' life are discussed, as well as some of the key tenets of Musonius' teachings that make him both m...

This week, Adam and Mick start a new series of episodes one the original Stoics of history. In this first episode, their topic is Zeno the original founder of Stoicism. The story of his origins, how he came to be in Athens, how he lost everything and then founded the first Stoic school all take place in this episode, but Adam and Mick also talk about the different motivations and some key points i...

In this week's episode, Adam and Mick discuss the Stoic virtue of Temperance . Opening with some initial definitions of the word, Adam and Mick discuss their views on temperance meaning self-control and the choices we make versus temperance as a sort of demeanor or appearance of character. Also discussed are ideas around humility and modesty, and how temperance can help shape how we view ours...

In this week's episode, Adam and Mick talk about change. The conversation starts by focussing on how change is constant, and an expected part of the universe, and how we can approach that as Stoics and as human beings. Then, Adam and Mick focus on the idea of choice and action, and Mick delves into the topic of resilience and how we can use those tools to address change as it expectedly comes...

Today's episode revolves around relationships, and how Stoics approach them. Historical references to Stoicism's stance on relationships are where we start, with clear discussions on Stoicism's key tenets and beliefs around them even in relation to other philosophies. Relationship discussions go from marriage, to friendship, as well as other relationship types like family and work c...

In this episode, Mick and Adam discuss the current and historical context of Stoicism as a "street philosophy". Stoicism's origins, and how it spread to the streets of Rome and beyond, are discussed, as well as historical examples of how Stoicism arrived in a time of other new philosophies. Examples from related practices, and examples of other prominent philosophers of the time per...

In this week's episode, Adam and Mick discuss some of the recent, alarming activity around the banning of certain books for their being deemed "inappropriate" in some shape or form. Wisdom, and our ability to think rationally and change our minds is key to the Stoics. The later discussion then focusses on the fact that censorship in any form comes with its own challenges, and the be...

In today's special episode, Adam gets a chance to talk about his work and industry as Mick asks him questions about the space program, space exploration, and the upcoming Artemis II launch. Adam talks about the upcoming Artemis II mission, as well as the history of lunar exploration programs from the past as well as upcoming lunar missions that are being planned. The conversation closes on to...

Today, Mick and Adam discuss their views on the future of Stoicism and where they hope this philosophy will go next. Ideas for the philosophy to act as a political movement, movement for social justice, and ways in which it can be used to shape the direction for humanity all come to the fore. Use of the philosophy across the political spectrum also become a prevalent topic, as the philosophy is di...

In today's episode, Mick and Adam discuss the idea of "toxic masculinity" and how it is both negative and harmful in society today. Chauvinism, sexism, and racism are discussed as aspects of this movement, as well as the ideas of certain emotions being singled out as "right" while others are not. The Stoic concepts surrounding anger as a "temporary madness" are d...

Today, Mick and Adam discuss Stoicism and its long history in the military. Topics include historical examples of prominent Stoics from history who spent time in the military as soldiers and generals, as well as discussions about the modern use of Stoicism in the military throughout recent history up to and including modern day. Mick shares many examples of his own past, and Adam shares his own st...

Today, Mick and Adam discuss the war and Stoicism's use or place within it. Stoicism's views on war are discussed at length both from a historical perspective as well as from a more modern point of view. Key Stoics of the past referenced include Cato, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca, and the history of Julius Caesar and other historical figures is intertwined throughout the podcast. The idea...

Today Adam and Mick discuss parenting, with some key themes emerging that exist through Stoicism's writings today. Thankfulness, responsibility, and virtue are all discussed at length about how they can be applied to parenting, and discussions around the historical context of people like Marcus and Seneca also take place. Justice, control, embodiment, and setting an example are key concepts d...

Adam and Mick discuss some of the finer points of Stoicism today, focusing on the common misconceptions about the philosophy that can be heard today. Topics include common tropes we hear, as well as modern "movement" that run parallel to Stoicism like Broicism, $toicism, and StoicisM. Adam and Mick do their best to dispel the common myths and misunderstandings, and try to bring light to...

In today's episode, Adam and Mick discuss the press, its freedom, and how a Stoic approaches the new and the news cycle. Topics covered include the historical context of the press going back to Roman times, the duty and responsibility of being informed as Stoics, and the duty that we have to question the information coming to us to identify what is true and how we feel about it. Tips on deali...

Today, Adam and Mick talk about how to deal with the seemingly endless number of national and international events going on, and ways in which one may be able to better deal with them as a Stoic. Stoic perspectives, practices, and mindsets form the core of the discussion centering around the ideas of choice, action, and what we control. Key Stoic exercises also form the latter half of the conversa...

In today's episode, Mick and Adam discuss Stoicism and its presence in sport, as well as examples of some sports who inherently embody some of the classic attributes of Stoic principles. Sports discussed include: Boxing, Biathlon, Cross Country Skiing, American Football, Australian Football, Tennis, Running, Baseball, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Speed Skating, and much more. Stories of historical...

In today's episode, Adam and Mick discuss current events in the world among some of the key alliances and allegiances that have shaped the last century. Discussions about historical alliances, the formation of organizations like the League of Nations, UN, and NATO all come to the fore. History also becomes prevalent, speaking of the Spartans at Thermopylae, Salamis, Plataea, as well as Marcus...