The What Is Stoicism? Podcast

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 mean we should limit our ambitions or give up alt...

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 + EMAIL CONTENT Check out What Is Stoicism? on Sub...

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 should treat others. 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CO...

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 CONTENT Check out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:...

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.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

"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? on Substack: https://whatisstoicism.substack.com H...

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 Games, and Musonius Rufus's use of Stoicism as a m...

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 look at why we might want to develop a similar pr...

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 writing some letters of our own. 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDI...

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 can learn today from how Socrates thought all those...

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 their own boastful account of themselves. Vanity i...

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/privacy for more information.

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.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...

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 CONTENT Check out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:...

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.) 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENT Check...

"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 CONTENT Check out What Is Stoicism? on Substack: https:...

“Because most of what we say and do isn’t essential. Ask yourself at every moment, Is this necessary?” —Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.24 📻 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 Stoics strongly believed that we should be respectful to everyone, no matter who they are or what they’ve done. It’s a freeing attitude: not only can we refuse to let the malevolent actions of others harm our free will, but we also always maintain the power to love, respect, and help those same people. 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENT Check out What Is Stoicism? on Substack: https://wha...

The ancient Stoic teacher Epictetus said we should contemplate daily the freedom of our will: The fact that no matter what happens or what anyone else does, our thoughts and actions are our own and no one else’s. This knowledge of what is and isn’t ours, and of what is and isn’t possible for us, allows us to focus on the things we can actually affect. On the other hand, we are able to calmly asses...

"Our fellowship is very similar to an arch of stones, which would fall apart, if they did not reciprocally support each other." — Seneca, Letters 95.53 📻 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.

A step-by-step exercise showing how to mentally reframe challenging situations. Video referenced in this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__JLFw2FtEQ 📻 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.

"What I will teach you is the ability to become rich as speedily as possible.. I will lead you by a shortcut to the greatest wealth... not wanting something is just as good as having it. The important thing either way is the same – freedom from worry." —Seneca, Letters 119.1–2 📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENT Check out What Is Stoicism? on Substack: https://whatisstoicism.substack.com Hoste...