Stoic Coffee Break

What do you invest your attention in? Are you investing in things that enrich your life or keep you distracted? Today I want to talk about the importance of attention and what it’s costing you. “You live as if you were destined to live forever, no thought of your frailty ever enters your head, of how much time has already gone by you take no heed. You squander time as if you drew from a full and a...

In this week's episode I answer questions from my listeners. I give my thoughts on practicing temperance in everyday life, practicing self-forgiveness, and how to deal with the chaos in the world. As always, please feel free to let me know of questions or topics you'd like me to answer in future episodes. Send us Fan Mail The Build an Unbreakable Mind program for building mental discipline is now...

Anger is a powerful force in the world, but the effects of anger often cause greater harm than the cause of it. Many see anger as a necessary emotion for human survival, but the Stoics warned us against anger, calling it a "temporary madness".  In my personal life, anger has been a recurring theme since childhood. I've worked hard to overcome the trauma from childhood, as well as my own anger, hav...

What do you value in this life? Maybe your home? Your job? Your family? But do you value yourself? Today I want to talk about the importance of self-value and how Stoicism can help you find the treasure within. "Do not degrade your own soul; it will soon be out of your power to bring it to honor. The life of each of us is but a moment, and this one is almost finished, and yet you do not respect yo...

Have you ever wondered about how your emotional well being is connected to your body? In this week's episode, I interview therapist and host of the Stuck Not Broken podcast, Justin Senseri about polyvagal theory and how it inter-relates to Stoicism.  Justin Sunseri is a therapist and coach who thinks the world needs a new understanding of mental health - one that's simplified, easily accessible fo...

What does it mean to be a man? How do our perceptions and ideas about masculinity hinder men from living full and happy lives? Today we’re going to dive into how Stoicism can help us develop a more healthy definition of masculinity. "We teach boys that being vulnerable is being weak. And then we wonder why men die of loneliness surrounded by people." —Terry Real Feeling Wheel  - This is a great in...

This week's episode is an interview with Dr. Scott Waltman PsyD. Dr. Scott Waltman, PsyD, ABPP, is a clinician, international trainer, and practice-based researcher. His interests include evidence-based psychotherapy practice, training, and implementation in systems that provide care to underserved populations. He is president-elect of both the Academy of Cognitive & Behavioral Therapies and  the...

 The Stoics talk a lot about virtue as the sole good. Now what do they mean by virtue and why did they think that it was so important? In this week's episode, I'm reading another chapter from my book, Stoicism 101. “Of things some are good, some are bad, and others are indifferent. The good then are the virtues and the things which partake of the virtues: the bad are the vices, and the things whic...

Do you have good habits? Do you have some you’d rather get rid of? What if I told you that by developing one key skill, you’ll be able to adopt better habits and let go of unhelpful ones? In this weeks episode we’re going to talk about the one “meta-habit” you need to develop in order to make real changes in your life. The Meta-Habit: The One Skill For Building Better Habits "I will form good habi...

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a way of thinking that you knew deep down wasn’t serving you? Maybe it was an assumption about someone, a stubborn belief, or an emotional reaction. The good news is that our minds are built for self-correction—if we know how to use them.  “If anyone can prove and show to me that I think and act in error, I will gladly change it—for I seek the truth, by which...

Do you ever feel like life is happening to you, and that you’re at the whim of circumstances? What would it feel like if you could take what life hands you and say, “Thank you sir! May I have another?” In this week’s episode I’m going to be reading another chapter from my book, Stoicism 101, where I write about dealing with external events. “Look within, for within is the wellspring of virtue, whi...

Have you ever had put a dream to the side? What if that dream was the key to finding the thing that fulfilled you as a person? In this week's episode I interview author and speed racer, Louisa Swaden, about Stoicism, racing motorcycles, and how it's never too late to chase your dreams. You can find out more about Louisa and her book The Stoic Rider at http://www.existentialbiker.com Send us Fan Ma...

Are you mentally tough? Are you able to take what life dishes out and keep smiling? Today I want to talk about mental toughness and how you can develop the right kind of toughness while being flexible to life changes. “Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.” —Seneca Send us Fan Mail The Build an Unbreakable Mind program for building mental discipline is now open for enrollment!...

Do you ever feel like you’re stuck? Like things aren’t going bad but aren’t moving in the right direction either? Today I want to talk about being stuck and what to do to get things moving in the right direction. “First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” —Epictetus Discourses, 3.23 Send us Fan Mail The Build an Unbreakable Mind program for building mental discipli...

This week's episode is a chapter from my book, Stoicism 101. It's the chapter about Seneca the Younger, one of the most famous Stoic philosophers and writers.  Seneca is remembered as one of the most popular stoic philosophers, partly because a lot of his writings survived and were passed through antiquity. But how much do you know about Seneca? Well, in this episode, you're going to learn some mo...

This week I dive into philosophy, life, music, and addiction with my friend Derrick Zaworski. Derrick is a music producer and owner of Road Tripping Records. Derrick and I have been friends for several years and we've always enjoyed deep and interesting conversations, so I thought it would be worthwhile to get one of those conversations on record. I hope you enjoy! Send us Fan Mail The Build an Un...

Do you ever think about your future self? How would your choices in the present change if you took the time to consider those choices would impact future you? Today I want to talk about the power of getting to know the future you. “First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” — Epictetus Send us Fan Mail The Build an Unbreakable Mind program for building mental discip...

Do we have free will or are we destined to our fate? Do the Stoics believe that we have free will or are our lives pre-determined? Does is matter? Today I’m going to talk about the Stoic ideas behind free will and fate, and how it does or doesn’t impact our lives.  “Lead me, Fate, wherever you will, and I will cheerfully follow. For even if I kick and wail, all the same I must follow.” —Cleanthes...

What if I told you that the thing you’re avoiding… is exactly the thing you need most? Today we’re going about why comfort might be the biggest lie we believe, and how leaning into resistance can actually be the path to everything you want. “The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.”  ― Confucius Send us Fan Mail The Build an Unbreakable Mind program for building...

In this week's episode, I take some time to answer a few questions: - What should I do when someone criticizes me and I know they’re right? - How do I know if I’m actually making progress in my personal growth—or just spinning my wheels? - What would Marcus Aurelius say about social media? - What’s one way I secretly avoid discomfort—even though I talk about embracing it? “Or is it your reputation...

Empathy has been called everything from a virtue to a weakness to a sin. But in an age of outrage, is empathy a liability? Or is it the very thing we need to preserve civilization? In this week's episode I talk about the importance of empathy and why we need more, not less empathy in the world. “Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.” —Seneca Send us Fan Mail The Bu...

The Stoics place a premium on rationality and objectivity to help manage our emotions. But how do we develop that objectivity? Why should we practice become more objective? In this week’s episode we’re going to dive into those questions and talk about how you can be more objective. “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response...

What if your biggest obstacle in life isn’t a lack of knowledge, but something else? What if this one attribute is the one thing that can help you truly excel in life? In this episode, I want discuss what I think is the greatest attribute that any person should have who wants improve themselves and how to develop it. “I’m am neither clever nor especially gifted. I am only very, very curious.” —Alb...

How often to you spend time worrying about everything that is happening in the world? How can you create more joy into your life? Can a Stoic be happy and joyful? Today I want to talk about Stoicism and joy. “A cheerful disposition and serenity of mind are not the result of luck but of wisdom.” — Seneca ( Here's the link to the sunshine video! ) Send us Fan Mail The Build an Unbreakable Mind progr...

In times of political division, it’s easy to be swept away by anger, resentment, and fear. But what does that accomplish? Does your anger towards those that disagree with you help yourself or the world? In this episode I want to talk about the importance of maintaining your Stoic principles in times of turmoil. “The essence of good and evil consists in the condition of our character. And externals...