The What Is Stoicism? Podcast

This episode looks at how Stoicism handles insults without turning us into “unfeeling statues.” Epictetus suggests taking a cue from a stone: insults only work if we grant them importance. When we pause and refuse that inner assent, the words lose their grip.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: To Live Without Error is Impossiblehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-to-live-126 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores how Stoicism moves from theory to instinct. The ancients distilled complex teachings into sharp, portable aphorisms—short phrases designed to steady the mind under pressure. From Delphic maxims to Cicero’s call to let reason govern impulse, these lines function as mental anchors when stress rises.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: To Live Without Error is Impossiblehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-to-live-126 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode reflects on the power of everyday kindness—the remembered question, the use of someone’s name, the simple act of inclusion that makes a person feel seen.It explores traditions like Turkey’s askıda ekmek and Italy’s caffè sospeso, where generous acts are done without recognition or reward.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: To Live Without Error is Impossiblehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-to-live-126 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode centres on a question from Epictetus: what is there to fear?By focusing only on what’s truly within our control—our choices and character—we loosen the grip of anxiety.With fear quieted, attention returns to the present, where even ordinary moments become material for reflection and growth.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Curl Up And Be Warm In The Presenthttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-curl-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode follows Epictetus’s vivid portrait of Diogenes the Cynic—a philosopher who lived as a “spy” on false values, exposing how little we truly need to live freely. From Diogenes’ fearless simplicity to Seneca and Gracián’s insistence on self-respect even in solitude, we explore what it means to answer to yourself rather than to status, comfort, or applause.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: We Should Be Stretching Ourselveshttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-we-should-838 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode tackles one of life’s most enduring questions: why do misfortunes so often strike those who seem least deserving of them?Drawing on Seneca’s On Providence and the poetry of Octavio Paz, we look at suffering not as injustice but as a form of moral training and self-discovery. Hardship, in this view, isn't a detour from the good life but the very terrain on which character is formed.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: It Does No Good To Rage At Circumstancehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-it-does Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores how expectation quietly robs us of the only time we ever truly have: today. Through a wry story from John O’Donohue and Seneca’s sharp warning about waiting on tomorrow, we see how imagined futures colonize the present and dull our awareness of what’s already here. Drawing unexpected parallels with Ecclesiastes and Marcus Aurelius, the episode clears away what ultimately doesn’t matter. What remains is an invitation to let go of borrowed worries and actually live the day that’s unfolding.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: We Can Rise To Greater Heightshttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-we-can-rise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is a quiet pause at the start of the day—a meditation on mornings as gifts rather than obligations. Drawing on Stoic gratitude and four short poems by Billy Collins, Mary Oliver, Rumi, and Frank O’Hara, it invites us to meet the day with attentiveness instead of haste. Each poem becomes a way of honoring the simple fact of waking up, before goals, worries, or noise rush in. It’s an offering of stillness, meant to be lingered with and returned to, one morning at a time.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: We Can Rise To Greater Heightshttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-we-can-rise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode examines a quietly radical insight: that much of our suffering comes not from pain itself, but from our attempt to escape it. Drawing a line between Alan Watts’ observation and Stoic acceptance, we explore how resistance to reality keeps distress alive long after the moment has passed. Epictetus helps sharpen the lesson by showing how misplacing “the good” in things we can’t control guarantees frustration and conflict.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: We Can Rise To Greater Heightshttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-we-can-rise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode reframes Stoicism not as a quest for unreachable perfection, but as a practice of steady progress. Drawing on the ancient idea of the prokoptōn—the one who makes progress—we explore why even Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius saw themselves as students rather than sages. Stoic philosophy, we discover, is less about arriving and more about returning: again and again, to reflection, correction, and effort. To live as a Stoic is simply to desire progress, and to keep good company along the way.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Don’t Always Be Beginning To Livehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-dont-always-94c Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode reflects on how awareness of mortality sharpens our sense of what truly matters, through the unforgettable lesson Randy Pausch taught with a spilled soda and Marcus Aurelius’s reminder that every day arrives with a due date.When time is no longer assumed to be endless, possessions lose their grip and postponed priorities come into focus. Far from being morbid, this clarity is freeing—it helps us release what doesn’t matter and act on what does.The question left hanging is simple and urgent: how will you use today’s opportunity before it quietly expires?👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Don’t Always Be Beginning To Livehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-dont-always-94c Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores the Stoic art of decatastrophizing—learning to meet fear by stripping events down to what they really are, rather than what our imagination makes of them.From Socrates calmly facing death to Seneca’s reminder that we suffer more in imagination than in reality, we see how clarity dissolves panic.The practice isn’t denial or blind optimism, but disciplined attention to the present moment. With repetition, the Stoics show, fear loses its grip and the mind regains its power.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: The Art of Self-Retrievalhttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-the-art-4d8 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores an often-overlooked Stoic lesson: that even wisdom, effort, and reflection must be practiced in moderation.Through David Hume’s gentle warning against burnout—and his nuanced engagement with Stoic exercises—we see how pushing too hard, whether in work or in contemplating life’s fragility, can undermine the very growth we seek.Seneca’s counsel to rest the mind and Hume’s reminder that “going slower” can get us there sooner converge on a timeless truth. Flourishing isn’t found in relentless strain or constant gloom, but in the measured balance that preserves both health and gratitude.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: The Art of Self-Retrievalhttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-the-art-4d8 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode dives into the Stoic idea of the “passions”—those powerful storms of anger, fear, envy, and grief that arise not from events themselves but from the judgments we attach to them.Epictetus teaches that emotional turmoil begins in the domain of desire, where unexamined impressions harden into false beliefs about what is good or bad.By learning to pause, test our impressions, and assent only to what is true, we reclaim mastery over our inner world.The work is gradual but transformative: each moment of careful attention becomes a step toward clarity, resilience, and the deep calm that comes from governing one’s own mind.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: The Art of Self-Retrievalhttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-the-art-4d8 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores listening as a form of courage and clarity—an active practice that shapes how we understand the world and ourselves.From Zeno’s simple reminder that we have “two ears and one mouth” to Epictetus’s deeper lesson on assent, we learn that true listening isn’t passive reception but deliberate attention. It invites empathy, reveals uncomfortable truths, and creates the space in which wisdom can emerge.When we listen with patience and discernment—to others, to nature, to our own inner signals—we reclaim our freedom to choose our responses and, in doing so, walk a wiser path through life.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Virtue Doesn't Need To Signalhttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-virtue-doesnt-f2d Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode brings haiku and Stoicism into conversation, showing how both traditions teach us to savor fleeting moments while also meeting life with energy and purpose. Bashō’s delicate images remind us to slow down and truly see the world, while Seneca urges us to “hold every hour in your grasp.”And in a surprising twist, modern research reveals that Stoic practice doesn’t dull the spirit—it ignites zest, the vigor that makes life feel vivid again.Together, haiku’s quiet attention and Stoicism’s joyful readiness form a blueprint for living fully in every passing instant.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Run Back Over Your Actionshttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-run-back Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode turns the Stoic lens toward the illusions of power and wealth, as Epictetus and Cicero expose the tyranny of desire and the poverty of excess.Through the figure of the boastful ruler and the self-satisfied rich man, both philosophers reveal how dependence on externals—on fortune, status, or approval—enslaves the soul.True mastery, they argue, lies not in ruling others but in ruling oneself. The person content with virtue alone, free from craving and fear, is richer and stronger than any tyrant alive.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: The Meaning of Lifehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-the-meaning Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I talk to Shermin Kruse, a globally recognized negotiation consultant, law professor, author, and TEDx producer.In her latest book, Stoic Empathy, Shermin blends neuroscience, philosophy, and her own personal journey to provide actionable insights into cultivating influence, self-leadership, and emotional regulation.It was a pleasure to speak to Shermin, I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Virtue Doesn't Need To Signalhttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-virtue-doesnt-f2d Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode weaves together the wisdom of Michel de Montaigne and Seneca—two thinkers separated by centuries yet united in their answer to life’s oldest question: how should we live?For Montaigne, the key was freedom from the fear of death. For Seneca, freedom from the waste of life. One teaches acceptance, the other intention.Together, they remind us that peace comes not from prolonging our days, but from inhabiting them fully—to stop dreading the end and start honoring the present as life’s most sacred gift.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: This Is True Temperancehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-this-is-2fa Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we look at the beauty of balance through Seneca’s counsel on plain living and Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata.Seneca reminds us that philosophy calls for simplicity, not self-punishment—a life both modest and graceful, grounded yet open to the world.Echoing this, Ehrmann’s gentle verses urge calm, kindness, and humility amid life’s noise and haste.Together, these voices teach that wisdom is not withdrawal but harmony: to live earnestly, serve humbly, and never lose sight of the quiet joy found in life’s simplest things.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Remain Human in an Inhuman Timehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-remain-human Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores Epictetus’s radical vision of strength—one rooted not in anger or domination, but in mastery of the self. Through his reflections on thieves, insults, and injustice, the former slave turned philosopher shows that true invincibility lies in compassion, clarity, and control over our own judgments.When we cease giving power to what others do and focus instead on how we respond, we become untouchable in the deepest sense. The Stoic’s triumph is not over enemies or circumstance, but over the impulse to surrender peace of mind to anything beyond our will.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: When To Stop Listeninghttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-when-to Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode traces the Stoic lineage back to Socrates, whose probing questions revealed that health, wealth, and reputation are not inherently good or bad—their value lies in how we use them.From Xenophon’s dialogues to Cicero’s reflections, we see how wisdom became the touchstone for discerning what truly matters. Fortune’s gifts and losses come and go, but virtue remains unshakeable.The Stoic message endures: our real possessions are inward ones, the moral resources that no change of fate can ever take away.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: A Prayer to Naturehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-a-prayer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode shines a light on Temperance—the often-overlooked Stoic virtue that quietly anchors all the rest.Far from being dull restraint, Temperance is freedom: the ability to enjoy life without being ruled by appetite or impulse. It’s the steady discipline that transforms courage into integrity, justice into fairness, and wisdom into clarity.In a culture that celebrates excess, this virtue reminds us that moderation is not denial but mastery—the calm art of keeping life in balance so that joy, reason, and harmony can flourish together.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: A Reliable Companionhttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-a-reliable Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode turns to two of the Stoics’ deepest insights: that everything outside us is in constant motion, and that within us lies a freedom nothing can touch.Using Zeno’s vision of happiness as “a good flow of life,” we explore how change and death are not disruptions but essential parts of the rhythm that makes life meaningful.Epictetus then reminds us that while we can’t control the tune, we are always free to choose how we respond to it. Together, these lessons reveal a path to resilience—accepting impermanence without fear, while safeguarding the will that makes us truly free.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: A Motto For The Courageoushttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-a-motto Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores the quiet courage it takes to ask for help—and the deeper Stoic truth that vulnerability is not weakness but strength.From Marcus Aurelius’s reminder that “there is no shame in being helped” to Ryan Holiday’s call for bravery in admitting our needs, we see how openness creates stronger bonds and shared resilience.Woven through is the Stoic commitment to justice, empathy, and fellowship: by leaning on others and extending our hand in turn, we transform isolation into connection.True strength, as the Stoics remind us, lies in building a world where courage and compassion circulate together.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: A Motto For The Courageoushttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-a-motto Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is a welcome return to the podcast for my friend Jon Brooks, creator of the Stoic Handbook.Jon and I had a great conversation, and he shared a lot of really valuable insights and practical guidance on the topic of voluntary hardship and what that means in the context of Stoicism.I hope you enjoy the episode and that you find it as useful to reflect on as I did afterward.Jon's Links:Stoic Handbook: stoichandbook.coFree Stoic Power Challenge: https://learn.stoichandbook.co/7-day-stoic-power-challenge-unlock-your-inner-resilienceEmperor Nero: The Dark Reign of Rome’s Most Infamous Emperor: https://www.stoichandbook.co/the-psychopathy-of-emperor-nero/👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Let Us Be Clearhttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-let-us-be Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we follow Epictetus and Musonius Rufus as they dismantle the illusion that we can control anyone—or anything—outside ourselves.Through the story of a man desperate to end his brother’s anger and Musonius’s calm endurance in exile, the Stoics remind us that patience and virtue are the only sure defenses against life’s turbulence.External blows, whether personal slights or imperial banishments, cannot touch the command center within. What matters most is how we shape our own art of living, turning adversity into raw material for strength.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: The Stoic Sense Of Humourhttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-the-stoic-97d Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores the timeless bond between mentors and students, drawing on Plutarch’s portraits of statesmen and Marcus Aurelius’s personal inventory of gratitude. We trace how wisdom flows not through rivalry but through respect, service, and the steady honoring of those who came before us.Along the way, we see how these ancient lessons still resonate in modern life, where gratitude and humility can transform competition into collaboration.At its heart, it’s a meditation on carrying forward the virtues we’ve inherited, letting our teachers’ light shine alongside our own.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Are You Oversharing?https://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-are-you-e6b Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores how Cicero and Marcus Aurelius both emphasized kindness, service, and integrity as essential parts of human nature.We look at Cicero’s call to strengthen society through generosity and Marcus’s list of ways we betray ourselves when we act against virtue.Together, their teachings form a practical guide to living with wisdom, justice, courage, and balance—not just for ourselves, but for the good of others.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: For Whom The Bell Tollshttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-for-whom Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a world where “more” is sold as the shortcut to happiness, the Stoics stood in stubborn, refreshing opposition.They argued that wealth, status, and praise, far from guaranteeing joy, often entangle us in new anxieties.This episode explores that ancient wisdom through voices from Plutarch and Seneca to George C. Scott, the Hollywood star who famously refused his Oscar.Along the way, we ask: if happiness can’t be bought, bestowed, or voted on, what’s left to shape it?👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Do You Have This Aim?https://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-do-you-have-a93 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode begins by exploring Jiddu Krishnamurti’s reflections on life, death, and daily renewal, and then weaves them together with Stoic wisdom from Seneca and the battlefield lessons of Sparta.Through vivid stories and timeless philosophy, it reminds us that freedom from the fear of death brings greater freedom in life, and that each day offers the chance to live a complete life anew.Ultimately, it’s a call to greet each morning with gratitude, compassion, and the resolve to make the most of the time we’ve been given.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Unimpeded, Unconstrained, and Freehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-unimpeded Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mentioned in this episode: First Pour Coffee, Seneca Edition.You can find it here: https://drinkfirstpour.com/ and get 10% off with the discount code whatisstoicism10Ayo Disu is the co-founder of a company called Octillion Capital Partners, a value-driven brand platform and holding company, operating, and growing an ecosystem of inclusive and sustainable brands in the health, beauty, food and beverage industries.He's also a practitioner of Stoicism and uses the philosophy to guide many of his entrepreneurial decisions.In this episode, I talk to Ayo about how he's applying Stoicism in his business and about his new product, which is named after Stoic philosopher.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: For Whom The Bell Tollshttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-for-whom Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s the point of philosophy, and why does it matter to the way we live each day?In this episode, we explore philosophy as a companion, a practice, and a framework that shapes our choices—whether we notice it or not.From the challenge of drifting through life on autopilot to the courage of living with clarity, we consider what it means to think deliberately and act with purpose.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Stoics Are Not Hostile To Feelinghttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-stoics-are Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores how the daily practice of Stoicism can transform the way we respond to challenges, drawing on the story of Andrew Overby from Massimo Pigliucci’s How to Be a Stoic.We look at how Andrew used Stoic principles like the dichotomy of control and reframing adversity to navigate depression and break cycles of negative thinking.Through a simple step-by-step example, we show how theory, combined with consistent practice, can help anyone build resilience and make meaningful progress toward self-improvement.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Stoics Are Not Hostile To Feelinghttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-stoics-are Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I look at how Stoicism teaches us not to suppress our emotions but to master our responses to them through mindful assent.With a practical focus, we examine how the Stoic distinguishes between involuntary impressions and the voluntary judgments that follow.By learning to pause, reflect, and test our fears, we reclaim control over our minds and protect our inner peace from rumor, fear, and unexamined thoughts.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Fate Provides The Best To The Besthttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-fate-provides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores how Stoicism is not just about inner strength, but about cultivating virtue through community and just interaction with others.Guided by the examples of Zeno, Musonius Rufus, Epictetus, and the legendary story of Lycurgus, we see how reasoned dialogue and patient understanding transform conflict into character.Join us as we discover why true Stoic wisdom is grown not in isolation, but in the company of others striving for a life well lived.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Fate Provides The Best To The Besthttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-fate-provides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean to live the ideal life — and who gets to decide what “ideal” really means?In this episode, we explore wisdom from the Stoics and Goethe on how striving for purpose and meeting each moment fully might be closer to the answer than endless comfort. Take a moment to look the present in the eye and ask yourself: how long will you wait before you demand the best for yourself?👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: The Quiet Wisdom Of Animalshttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-the-quiet Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the timeless Stoic lesson that true freedom lies in accepting what we can’t control—echoed powerfully in the life and art of Frida Kahlo.Drawing parallels between Epictetus’s teachings and Kahlo’s indomitable spirit, we see how even when life confines our bodies, our will can still soar.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: The Quiet Wisdom Of Animalshttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-the-quiet Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Stoic philosophers understood something timeless about human nature: we spend much of our lives outside the present moment.We worry about the future, regret the past, and overlook the only time we ever truly possess—now.Among the Stoics, Seneca in particular had a clear warning: do not waste time.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: How To Always Get What You Desirehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-how-to-always Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we look at what Stoicism has to say about resisting the urge for revenge and reclaiming our inner freedom.With help from Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Diogenes, we examine why retaliation degrades us and how self-mastery is a better path to strength. Instead of reacting impulsively to harm or misfortune, we can learn to respond with integrity, turning adversity into opportunities to build character.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: How To Always Get What You Desirehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-how-to-always Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we dig into the meaning behind Kurt Vonnegut’s famous line “so it goes” and how it’s more than just a catchphrase.Drawing from Slaughterhouse-Five, Stoic ideas, and the book The Courage to Be Disliked, we talk about how accepting what we can’t control can actually help us take better control of what we can.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: How To Always Get What You Desirehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-how-to-always Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the life and teachings of Epictetus, the Stoic philosopher born into slavery who found unshakable strength from within.His story reminds us that while true resilience begins in the mind, Stoicism also embraces the power of connection, encouraging us not just to endure, but to give and receive support as part of a greater whole.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: How To Always Get What You Desirehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-how-to-always Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I try to answer this question each week in different ways.For this episode, however, I wanted to step back and provide a more general overview. I hope you find it useful!👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Don't Mistake Glamour For Beautyhttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-dont-mistake Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever woken from a nightmare only to feel deep relief that it wasn’t real?In this episode, we explore what Marcus Aurelius and Anne Lamott can teach us about illusion, imagination, and insight—how dreams, fears, and even our thoughts can mislead us, and how journaling and Stoic reflection can help us wake up to deeper clarity and purpose.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:How To Live Freelyhttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-how-to-live Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.