The Sunday Stoic

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Navigating through life can be nearly impossible without a guide. The philosophy of Stoicism is tried and true guide for living a good life. Join Steve every Sunday for interviews with modern Stoics, readings of ancient texts, and advice for implementing Stoicism in your daily life. Carpe Diem!

Steve Karafit


    • Dec 16, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 18m AVG DURATION
    • 335 EPISODES

    4.8 from 122 ratings Listeners of The Sunday Stoic that love the show mention: stoicism, every sunday, readings, ancient, steve, modern, practical, helpful, thanks, life, love, new, great podcast, show, listening, work.



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    Latest episodes from The Sunday Stoic

    The Sunday Stoic

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2022 2:15


    Happy Saturnalia all!In honor of the holiday season I took a few minutes today to play my old acoustic cigar box guitar.

    310: Go To The Rising Sun, For This Podcast is Setting

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2022 24:26


    On this, the final episode of the Sunday Stoic Podcast, we reflect on making progress as Stoic practitioners. The readings this week are. Seneca Moral Letters #69 Epictetus Discourses: Book 2 #19 Meditations Book 2 #4 Thanks all for a great five years! Carpe Diem!The archive of all episodes can be found on YouTube or https://archive.org/details/220-philosophy-the-guide-of-life-wi

    309: Virtue and Duty

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2022 14:21


    Duty is virtue put into action. This week we hear from the three late great Stoics as they discuss our duty as pursuers of virtue. Readings: Seneca Of Leisure 3 Meditations 6.39 Discourses 3.2.4

    308: Meditations: A Modern Take

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2022 8:20


    As a follow-up installment, guest contributor Jayce Basques expands on his discussion with Aaron Prim. Some things never change; other things need to change to be better understood.

    307: Lost in Translation: Lessons Learned from the a Deep Dive into the Meditations

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2022 43:49


    Guest contributor Jayce Basques and his longtime friend and collaborator, Aaron Prim, have spent the last two years reading, implementing and interpreting a passage a week. The two refer to the original text to truly understand what was at the heart of Marcus Aurelius's "Notes to Self." What follows today is a discussion about music, meaning and lessons learned along the way.

    306: Verissimus with Donald Robertson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2022 76:41


    This week Donald Robertson joins the podcast to discuss his new graphic novel Verissimus. This graphic novel follows the life and philosophy of Marcus Aurelius. We discuss the writing process, the life of Marcus Aurelius and Donald's new project Plato's Academy Center. https://platosacademy.org/For more information visit https://donaldrobertson.name/

    On Vacation!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2022 1:21


    A few updates about the show and a chance for you to ask questions to Donald Robertson!

    Make Use of Rationality While You Can with Al

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2022 6:36


    Al from Scotland guest hosts this week to discuss using our rationality while we still have it!

    304: Meditations 10.34-10.38 falling Leaves and Good Intentions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2022 17:54


    This week we wrap up book 10 of the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. We learn1. To keep good sayings handy 2. To accept what fate has in store3. That death is no bad thing4. Judge others (and ourselves) by our intentions5. To cultivate our minds

    303: The Stoic Teacher with Ryan Racine

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2022 50:04


    Ryan Racine joins the show to discuss his new book: The Stoic Teacher Ancient Mind Hacks to Help Educators Foster Resiliency, Optimism, and Inner Calm. We discuss the challenges and rewards of teaching, techniques to become a more resilient teacher and how to find and become a mentor.

    Meditations 10.31-33: Stoking the Fire of Reason

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2022 13:48


    We've made it to 1000,000 downloads! Thanks everyone!This week Marcus writes about 3 major topics.1. People just like you once existed, lived their lives and are now gone. Seize the day!2. People may say you are untrustworthy. Make sure they are lying! 3. Make use of what ever happens and use it to your advantage.

    301: Backward Design: Reaching Your goals Deliberately

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2022 11:52


    Journey's can take two forms. You can wander aimlessly and see where you end up or you can travel toward a particular destination. To ensure a well-lived life we should have a certain life-long destination in mind and we can then design the life we want to live to reach that destination. This is the essence of backward design.

    300: Meditations 10.28-30 Make Necessity a Choice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2022 9:17


    This is my second try on this episode as the first had audio issues! This week Marcus reflects on three things1. Accepting reality as it is2. Acknowledging that death won't be depriving him of much3. Learning to control his annoyance and anger with others. Don't forget you can get the edited version of last weeks show on Spreaker https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-sunday-stoic

    300: Meditations 10:28-30 Make Necessity a Choice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2022 10:30


    The 300th Episode! Thanks all to have written in and of course to all of the listers! This week Marcus discusses the importance of accepting fate by accepting everything that happens as if you chose it! He also discusses the things we will lose when we die and how to deal with vices in others. Email the show at sundaystoic@gmail.com

    299: Meditations 10: 25-27. Don't be a Deserter

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2022 13:05


    This week Marcus Aurelius reminds himself to stand firm and do his duty, to stand in awe of the Cosmos and to be content with the time he had on this Earth. We can endeavor to do the same!

    298: Meditations 10.24: Your Command Center

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2022 6:45


    Who controls you, is it your brain or your desires and aversions?

    197: Meditations 10.21-10.23 The Grass is not Greener

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2022 15:33


    In this episode we'll talk about re-enchantment through night language vs. day language, travel and returning to our principles!

    196: Meditations 10:18-20. Things Change And You Can Handle It

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2022 13:36


    This week Marcus Aurelius discusses change, bringing powerful people down the size and dealing with difficult challenges.

    195: Meditations 10.15-10.17 Live Out Loud

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2022 7:40


    Today Marcus Aurelius reminds us to1. Be a good example and do what is right2. Stop planning on how you will improve, start now!3. All things change

    194: Meditations 10.14: Nature Knows Best

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2022 6:08


    Accept the world as it is, with humility and discipline or else make a wretch of yourself! But remember you don't have to accept injustice to do this, the way the world is now is the springboard from which you can affect the future.

    Meditations 10.11-10.13: Follow Principles Not People

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2022 13:37


    Marcus Aurelius tells himself to stay simple, to be just, to accept reality and to avoid distractions. This is the way to happiness!

    192: Memorize the Stoics with Dr. Kevin Vost

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2022 41:34


    Kevin Vost joins the podcast to discuss ancient memory techniques and how we can apply them to memorizing Stoic teachings (and anything else!)https://www.drvost.com/https://www.angelicopress.org/memorize-the-stoics-kevin-vost

    191: Meditations 10.9-10.10: Growth

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2022 16:29


    We should be proud of our growth as we improve over time. That does not mean that we should brag about it it. Growth is proof that what we are doing is working and that our efforts are not in vain. Let your growth be fuel for further development!

    190: Wise Up With Karen Duffy

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2022 56:14


    Duff joints the show this week to discuss her new book Wise Up: Irreverent Enlightenment From a Mother Who's Been Through It. We discuss the writing process, Stoic parenting, surviving bear attacks and beating your inner pig-dog! Wise Up is available April 12 https://www.amazon.com/Wise-Up-Irreverent-Enlightenment-Through/dp/154162047X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1BXINS2UFZLRU&keywords=wise+up+karen+duffy&qid=1649268920&sprefix=wise+up+karen+duffy%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-1The video version of this episode can be found at: https://youtu.be/nehjesEuV98

    Episode 189: Meditations 10.8 How to find the Fortunate Islands

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2022 13:47


    This week Marcus Reflects on character traits that are needed for living well. To live well according to Marcus we must imitate the gods. Start cultivating these traits now to live well. 1. Prudence. 2. Acceptance 3. Magnanimity If you do this you will be on the path to living well.

    188: Meditations 10.7: Change is not Evil

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2022 10:25


    This week Marcus reminds himself that change is part of nature, it is inevitable and should not be feared. This is the 5 year anniversary episode of the Sunday Stoic. Thank you all for listening!

    187: Part of the Whole. Meditations 10.4-10.6

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2022 16:08


    This week Marcus reflects on two basic principles. he is part of the Cosmos and he is part of society. We could do well to reflect on these same principles each day.

    Meditations X.1-3: Align Your Natures

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2022 17:57


    Marcus Aurelius admonishes himself for not making sufficient progress and then reflects on what it necessary to align his biological, animal and human nature to form a solid Stoic Foundation.

    385: Oikeiosis

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2022 20:45


    The Stoics believed that as we mature we shift from focusing on our instinctual desire for self protection to using reason to act as a member of the community. This week we'll take a look at oikeiosis. The episode will come to an ironic end, as I discuss a parents love of their children and cut my discussion short as I run off to help my son....

    284: The Teachings of Musonius Rufus

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2022 23:03


    This week we summarize the known teachings of Musonius Rufus, the teacher of Epictetus!

    293: Everyone Seeks Virtue

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2022 12:24


    This week Musonius Rufus shares his idea that all humans are capable of virtue and that we all seek it. It is the one thing he claims, that we all claim to possess even if we've never studied philosophy. Go here to read the translation for yourself: https://archive.org/details/MUSONIUSRUFUSSTOICFRAGMENTS

    282: Keep Things Simple

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2022 15:12


    Today Musonius Rufus tells us to explain things clearly and simply when explaining philosophy to others. If we know our philosophy well we should be able to explain it with few words. https://archive.org/details/MUSONIUSRUFUSSTOICFRAGMENTS

    281 The Pursuit of Wisdom

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2022 16:01


    This week we hear from Philo of Alexandria and we get a glimpse of what life would look like if we truly made progress in our pursuit of wisdom. Today's reading: http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/text/philo/book28.htmlcontact me at sundaystoic@gmail.com

    280: Avoid Distractions

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2022 14:52


    This week we read Seneca's Letter #69 to Lucilius. he warns us, if we want to make progress we must remove temptations and distractions otherwise we will never make noticeable progress. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Moral_letters_to_Lucilius/Letter_69

    279: Simon Drew The Poet and the Sage

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2022 48:51


    This week Simon Drew of the Walled Garden Podcast joins the show to discuss his new book The Poet and the Sage. We discuss the writing process, inspiration, philosophy and much more. Get yourself a copy of this great book at https://thewalledgarden.store/products/copy-of-the-poet-the-sage#:~:text=Delivered%20through%20the%20time%2Dtested,is%20most%20divine%20about%20us.

    278: Be Aware

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2022 22:14


    Join me on my commute to work as I discuss the importance of constantly being aware of your thoughts and actions. The first few seconds of audio are very rough, but it clears up quickly!

    277: The Discourses 4.4. No Time to Read

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2022 13:53


    This week Epictetus reminds us to focus on what is important. If we remember what is truly important, we can live a happy life and not even an Emperor can take away our happiness. If we focus on the wrong things, even a loud bird can ruin our day.

    Rebroadcast: How to Think Like a Roman Emperor with Donald Robertson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2022 56:49


    Donald Robertson joins the podcast this week to discuss his new book. How to Think Like a Roman Emperor. The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius. We'll talk about Marcus's life and times, his studies of philosophy and what we can learn from him today. You can get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250196620/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_Tp9KCbRY0NSRQTo see the video of this interview go to: https://youtu.be/aYLAVXWjMVUSupport the show by donating on PayPal (sundaystoic@gmail.com) I will return with a new episode next week!

    Rebroadcast: Stoic Parenting with Brittany Polat

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2022 19:35


    A rebroadcast of an early episode where I had a chance to chat with the brilliant Brittany Polat about Stoicism and parenting. Check out her book Tranquility Parenting here https://www.amazon.com/Tranquility-Parenting-Staying-Mindful-Engaged/dp/1538112426Brittany also has a website! https://www.livinginagreement.com/about

    276: The Meditations 5.33-3.36 Good intentions Good Actions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2022 16:09


    As we begin the new year we must reflect on what is truly important, our thoughts, our intentions and our actions.

    275: The Meditations 5.30-5.32 The Big Picture

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2021 11:40


    This week we continue our discussion of the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Book 5. This week he zooms out to remind himself of the Big Picture, the will of the Gods and the fate of the universe.

    274: Meditations 5.27-5.29: Inner Divinity and the Smell of Reason

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2021 16:41


    This week Marcus reflects on three things1. His inner divinity2. Remembering that others have inner divinity as well3. Living your life starting now

    Meditations 5.24-5.26The Universe, My Neighbors, My body

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2021 12:02


    This week, Marcus reflects on three things. 1. His ego's relationship to the Universe, His relationship to other people and his relationship to his own body.

    272: Meditations 5.21-5.23 The Deity Within and the Bookends of Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2021 12:57


    This week we'll discuss anxiety, the ultimate and our impending death. Sounds fun right? Carpe Diem!

    271: The Enchiridion

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2021 50:13


    A reading of the full Enchiridion. The full text can be found here https://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/dep/index.htm. This was originally recorded as a reward for my Patrons.

    270: Over, Under or Through: The Meditations 5.18-5.20

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2021 9:54


    Marcus Aurelius focuses on externals, his relationships with humanity and making the best of bad situations.

    269: Don't Expect the Impossible: Meditations 5.15-5.17

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2021 16:44


    This week Marcus reworks several Stoic ideas to better internalize them. 1. Watch your thoughts2. Externals are not important3. We are here to work together4. Death is not an evil5. Don't expect the impossible

    268: All is Well, Mediations 2.13-2.14

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2021 10:56


    Marcus reminds himself that though he is temporary, he is part of something indestructible.

    267: The Meditation 5.11 and 5.12: No Room to Sh*t

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2021 10:58


    Emperor Marcus Aurelius asks himself "What soul have I"? and "What would happen if I had all the good things that others crave?"

    266: Meditations 5.9 What is Truth?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2021 17:11


    The truth is hard to come by, but one thing we know for sure is that change is inevitable and that philosophy is our compass for navigating in an uncertain world.

    265: The Meditations 5.9 Philosophical Grit

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2021 9:47


    Take heart, Marcus Aurelius failed to live up to his high standards on a daily bases. What does he suggest he do in these circumstances? Return to philosophy and try again.

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