The Via Stoica Podcast — A Stoic Way of Life

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism. In this episode, we turn to Epictetus , Discourses , Book 2, Chapter 10, where he begins with a powerful invitation: “Examine who you are. For you are capable of understanding the divine governance of the universe and of reasoning on what follows from that.” Epictetus, Discourses, Book 2, Chapter 10 At the heart of this quote lies the Sto...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism. What if love begins not with grand gestures, but with simple attention? In this episode, we explore the link between love, presence, and awareness — what philosopher Simone Weil called “attention.” In a distracted world, the Stoics remind us that attention is more than focus; it’s a moral act, a form of love, and the foundation of a virtu...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the show where ancient wisdom meets modern life. In this episode, Benny explores a passage from Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 1.9, a lesson Marcus attributes to his teacher Sextus: “Not to display anger or other emotions; to be free of passion and yet full of love.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 1.9 This quote captures a profound Stoic balance, emotional free...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism. Gratitude is often seen as soft, sentimental, or religious, but for the Stoics, it was a pillar of strength. In this episode, we explore how Stoicism offers a deeper, more grounded form of gratitude: one rooted in reason, awareness, and acceptance of the present moment. Drawing on Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, we reveal how the Stoic vie...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism In this episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, we reflect on a powerful line from Seneca’s Letters to Lucilius , Letter 12: On Old Age : “How nice is it to have outworn one’s desires and left them behind.” Seneca, Letters to Lucilius, Letter 12 Seneca’s words remind us that there’s peace in growing beyond our old desires. What many see as loss...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the Podcast on Stoicism. What can a simple bow and arrow teach us about the art of living? In this episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, Benny explores the timeless Stoic Archer analogy—how to choose the right target in life, how to aim with reason, and how to release with trust. Drawing from Cicero’s On the Chief Good and Evil , Benny traces the earliest mention of...

The Via Stoica Podcast: Stoic Quotes Series In the Stoic Quotes series, we take a look at what the Stoics said and uncover the wisdom they left behind. We explore the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, Seneca, and more, to see how their lessons still guide us today. In this episode, we reflect on a quote by Epictetus, Handbook (Enchiridion), 37 : “ If you take on a role that is beyond your po...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism. What does it mean to lead yourself, before leading others? In this episode of The Via Stoica Podcast , Benny speaks with Becky Schmooke , founder of Stoic Edge Consulting and Becky’s Mindful Kitchen , and author of Choose the Handle That Holds . Blending Stoic philosophy , modern science , and real-world leadership , Becky helps people tr...

The Via Stoica Podcast: Stoic Quotes Series In the Stoic Quotes series, we take a look at what the Stoics said and uncover the wisdom they left behind. We explore the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, Seneca, and more, to see how their lessons still guide us today. In this episode, we reflect on a quote by Marcus Aurelius , Meditations , Book 4, Number 7: “Choose not to be harmed and you won...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism AI is changing fast, and so are our reactions to it. Some people resist it, others embrace it, and many feel afraid. In this episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, Benny looks at AI through a Stoic lens and asks a simple question: how do we meet rapid change with reason rather than fear? Benny clarifies what today’s “AI” mostly is: tools that...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism. In this Stoic Quotes episode, Benny reflects on the words of Seneca from On Providence , section 4: “You are unfortunate in my judgment, for you have never been unfortunate. You have passed through life with no antagonist to face you. No one will know what you were capable of, not even yourself.” Seneca reminds us that trials and obstacle...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism. Immigration is one of the most polarizing topics of our time, stirring emotions, fears, and debates across nations. But how might the Stoics approach it? In this episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, Benny explores immigration through the lens of Stoic philosophy. Drawing from Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and the Stoic idea of cosmopolitanism...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism. In this Stoic Quotes episode, Benny reflects on the words of Marcus Aurelius from Meditations , Book 6.16: “And if you can’t stop prizing a lot of other things, then you’ll never be free.” Marcus reminds himself that true freedom is not found in wealth, possessions, or status—but in learning to stop attaching value to what lies outside ou...

What do the Swedish concept of lagom —living with balance and “just enough”—and the philosophy of Stoicism have in common? In this episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, Benny speaks with Kortney Yasenka , licensed clinical mental health counselor, writer, and Stoic practitioner, about how these two traditions can guide us toward a more meaningful and joyful life. Together they explore: Why asking you...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism. In this Stoic Quotes episode, Benny reflects on the words of Seneca from his essay On the Shortness of Life . Seneca challenges the common complaint that life is too brief, reminding us instead that: “Life is long, if only you know how to use it.” Rather than blaming nature for giving us too little time, Seneca argues that the problem lie...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the Podcast on Stoicism. In this episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, Benny explores the Stoic Discipline of Assent, the practice of choosing how we respond to impressions, rather than being led by impulse or unexamined opinions. In an age of fast judgments, social media scrolls, and reactive emotions, this discipline gives us a way back to clarity. Stoicism teache...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism. In this Stoic Quotes episode, Benny reflects on the words of Michel de Montaigne, the 16th-century French philosopher who pioneered the personal essay. In his famous essay To Philosophize Is to Learn How to Die , Montaigne reminds us that the purpose of philosophy is not abstract speculation, but preparation for the ultimate change: death...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the Podcast on Stoicism. In this episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, Benny explores the Stoic Discipline of Action, the practice of living with justice, fairness, and responsibility in our interactions with others. In a time where social media and digital life can make us feel more isolated and divided than ever, Stoicism reminds us that we are social beings, conn...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism. In this Stoic Quotes episode, Benny reflects on Epictetus’ teaching from the Handbook (Enchiridion 23): “If it ever happens that you turn to external things in the desire to please some other person, realize that you have ruined your scheme of life. Be content then with being a philosopher in everything; and if you wish also to be seen as...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the Podcast on Stoicism. In this episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, Benny explores the Stoic Discipline of Desire, one of the three core disciplines that guide us toward a calmer and more meaningful life. In a world where everything we want is just a buy button away and social media constantly tempts us to compare ourselves with others, Stoicism offers a way out....

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the Podcast on Stoicism. In this Stoic Quotes episode, Benny reflects on Epictetus’ words from Discourses 3.9: “You too should drop your desire. Do not covet many things and you will get what you want.” For Epictetus, the path to freedom and peace begins with the discipline of desire. We often chase after externals — wealth, success, recognition — only to find ou...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, The Podcast on Stoicism. In this episode of The Via Stoica Podcast, Benny speaks with Dr. John Sellars, one of today’s leading scholars of Stoicism and the history of philosophy. Dr. Sellars is Reader in the History of Philosophy at Royal Holloway, University of London, Associate Editor for the Ancient Commentators on Aristotle series at King’s College London, an...

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism. In this Stoic Quotes episode, Benny reflects on Marcus Aurelius’ reminder from Meditations 7.18: “Frightened of change? But what can exist without it? What’s closer to nature’s heart?” Change is constant — from the rise and fall of empires to the daily challenges in our own lives. Marcus wrote these words while facing war, plague, and pol...

In this episode of The Via Stoica Podcast , Benny and Brendan speak with Dr. Ranjini George , a writer, teacher, and scholar who bridges the worlds of East and West. Formerly an Associate Professor of English at Zayed University in Dubai, and now teaching Creative Writing and Arts & Humanities at the University of Toronto, Dr. George brings decades of experience exploring the overlap between p...

Life is precious because it ends. In this Stoic Quotes episode, Benny reflects on one of Seneca’s most powerful lines from Consolation to Marcia : “Life, it is thanks to death that you are precious in my eyes.” Discover how the Stoics saw death not as something to fear, but as the reason we should live fully. Learn how this view can help you approach life with urgency, gratitude, and virtue — maki...