Stoic Coffee Break

"Don’t set your mind on things you don’t possess as if they were yours, but count the blessings you actually possess and think how much you would desire them if they weren’t already yours."— Marcus AureliusWhen we think about things that we want in our lives, we also need to think about the thing that we already have, and appreciate those things. It’s easy for us to get stuck in the mind...

“The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.”—Marcus AureliusFor people who live in a Guess Culture, learning to ask for what we want is particularly challenging. It can feel uncomfortable, produce anxiety, and in some instances can upset the "way things are supposed to be done". But learning to be a better ask...

“Don’t be ashamed to need help. Like a soldier storming a wall, you have a mission to accomplish. And if you’ve been wounded and you need a comrade to pull you up? So what?”— Marcus Aurelius The Stoics teach us that we’re part of the human community, that we’re here to help and support our fellow humans. We are social animals, and as much as we may think that we are independent, we’ve thrived as h...

“Give yourself fully to your endeavors. Decide to construct your character through excellent actions and determine to pay the price of a worthy goal. The trials you encounter will introduce you to your strengths.”— EpictetusThe unglamorous, most powerful way to accomplish your goals and becoming the person that you want to become. Send us Fan Mail The Build an Unbreakable Mind program for building...

“Everything that happens is either endurable or not. If it’s endurable, then endure it. Stop complaining. If it’s unendurable… then stop complaining. Your destruction will mean its end as well. Just remember: you can endure anything your mind can make endurable, by treating it as in your interest to do so.”— Marcus AureliusHow often do we complain about the things that we don’t like about in life?...

“It is our own opinions that disturb us. Take away these opinions and resolve to dismiss your judgment about an act as if it were something grievous, and your anger is gone.” — Marcus AureliusPracticing stoicism is not about repressing emotions. It is not about pretending you feel nothing. It’s about understanding how your mind works, so that you can use it to benefit you and those around you. It’...

“Win or learn, you never lose.”What if you could look at everything that happens to you as something you can learn from? What if you could train your mind to see everything as an opportunity? What if you could resist less, and flow more? This weeks episode we talk about how to reframe failure as opportunities to learn. Send us Fan Mail The Build an Unbreakable Mind program for building mental disc...

“Some things are within our power, while others are not. Within our power are opinion, motivation, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever is of our own doing; not within our power are our body, our property, reputation, office, and, in a word, whatever is not of our own doing.”— EpictetusOne of the core tenants of Stoicism is understanding the things we control and the things we cannot control...

“A person’s worth is measured by the worth of what they value.” – Marcus AureliusEach of us has things we value, but does that include ourselves? The truth of it is our thoughts, your desires, are all valid. All of them. Sure, they might be considered silly, weird, or even disgusting by others. That is their opinion. The thing is, we are allowed to live our lives any way that we want. We get to li...

Change Your Perspective, Change Your World“It is not so much what happens to you as how you think about what happens."– EpictetusOften times we struggle with our own perspective can color how we view ourselves and our lives. What would it take for you to change your perspective? In todays episode, we look at the story of one man who got a second chance at life, and how a shift in his perspect...

“Waste no more time arguing about what a good person should be. Be one.”– Marcus AureliusOn this podcast I talk a lot about being responsible for for your own actions and thoughts, but what does that really mean? How do you actually accomplish this? Send us Fan Mail The Build an Unbreakable Mind program for building mental discipline is now open for enrollment! My book Stoicism 101 is available! O...

"A number of our blessings do us harm, for memory brings back the agony of fear while foresight brings it on prematurely. No one confines his unhappiness to the present.” — SenecaHow different would your life be if you could live without fear? What kind of person would you be and what actions would you take if you weren’t afraid? Fear is a powerful force in our lives. It can be the driver of...

“To achieve freedom and happiness, you need to grasp this basic truth: some things in life are under your control, and others are not.”- EpictetusThe first and most important teaching of Stoicism is that there are things that we control, and things we cannot and that we should focus on the things that we can control and let go of the rest. But how do we deal with things that we can’t control, but...

"I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinion of himself than on the opinion of others."- Marcus AureliusMarcus Aurelius warned us worrying about the opinion of others is a waste of time. But, if we live with other people and are social animals, shouldn’t we worry about what others think? Send us Fa...

"Equanimity is the voluntary acceptance of the things which are assigned to thee by the common nature." - Marcus Aurelius How often do we hold ourselves back because of our inner critic? What if instead we practiced self acceptance, and treated ourselves like we treat a good friend - with honesty, kindness, and forgiveness? Send us Fan Mail The Build an Unbreakable Mind program for build...

Sometimes we will say things we don't really believe or do things that we don't really want to in order to please other people order to avoid conflict. But in doing so we end up causing more problems in our relationships and have a lesser sense of self. Self Advocacy is the idea that you have the right to your own opinion, beliefs, and actions and that you don't have to try and please anyone else....

Imposter Syndrome has killed more great works, more companies, more careers and possibilities than almost anything I know. We add qualifiers like “I’m working on becoming an actor.” Or “I work as an accountant but my side hustle is composing.” In today's episode will talk about applying lessons from one of the greatest teachers to help move past imposter syndrome. Send us Fan Mail The Build an Unb...

When we get angry it is because something has bothered us. We’re generally not taught how to manage our anger very well. Things get pushed below the surface when they stew and remain unresolved. But are we looking at anger the wrong way? Can anger be a force for good? Send us Fan Mail The Build an Unbreakable Mind program for building mental discipline is now open for enrollment! My book Stoicism...

Decisions are usually never black or white, right or wrong, but we usually look at them this way. In today's episode, we're going to discuss how poker can help lead us to better decision making. Send us Fan Mail The Build an Unbreakable Mind program for building mental discipline is now open for enrollment! My book Stoicism 101 is available! Order here! Find out more at https://stoic.coffee Watch...

Self Ownership > “I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinions of himself than on the opinions of others.”> — Marcus AureliusAre there people in your life that care about that always seem to be on the opposing side or disapprove of your choices? What are ways that you can set appropriate boundaries and...

Don’t kill the message. Often, we dismiss an idea because it makes us feel uncomfortable. We may dismiss the idea out of hand because it conflicts with our preexisting beliefs. Send us Fan Mail The Build an Unbreakable Mind program for building mental discipline is now open for enrollment! My book Stoicism 101 is available! Order here! Find out more at https://stoic.coffee Watch episodes on YouTub...

Better than you? We are always comparing ourselves to others. It is the ego’s way of feeling like the self-image that is is a good one. We want to feel like we are “doing it right”. Often this means that we compare ourselves with others, making sure that we appear or at least feel like we are “better” than they are. But what does that really mean? Why are we better? Who is the judge of what is bet...

What if you were able to look at the world and yourself more objectively? What if you could see things without so much judgment or emotion attached? In today's episode, we talk about a basic concept about the self from Anthony De Mello that can help us act in a more objective and less reactive manner. Send us Fan Mail The Build an Unbreakable Mind program for building mental discipline is now open...

“It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it...Life is long if you know how to use it.”— SenecaTime is the most important, the most in-demand resource that we have in life. Are you spending yours wisely or do you let it go to waste? Send us Fan Mail The Build an Unbreakable Mind program for building mental discipline is now open for enrollment! My book Stoicism 101 i...

“It is in your power to withdraw yourself whenever you desire. Perfect tranquility within consists in the good ordering of the mind, the realm of your own.” ― Marcus AureliusHumans are very social creatures. It is our ability to be social and to cooperate in large numbers that has enabled us to create such amazing societies. We usually feel most at home when we’re with others, but there are times...