The What Is Stoicism? Podcast

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.

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!

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.

In this episode, we explore how our judgments—not external events—shape our emotional world, from a child's toy envy to ancient Stoic parables and the quiet wisdom of Nan Shepherd.Using Epictetus's insights and Shepherd's meditative reflections, we examine how reclaiming control over our perceptions can free us from needless suffering and open us to a richer, more grounded experience of life.

In this episode, we look at the Stoic principle of focusing only on what lies within our control, using the weather as a vivid metaphor for life's unpredictable externals.Drawing on insights from George Gissing, Epictetus, Seneca, Mac Miller, and even Derren Brown, we reflect on how to maintain inner peace in a world that constantly tempts and tests us.

This episode explores how anxiety can quietly hold us back from the things that matter most—and how Stoic wisdom offers a path through it.Drawing on insights from Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, we look at how changing our judgments, not just our circumstances, empowers us to act despite fear and grow stronger in the process.

When life feels overwhelming or uncertain, our minds often jump to the worst-case scenario.In this episode, we explore the Stoic art of "decatastrophizing"—challenging our initial impressions, stepping back from fear-driven thoughts, and learning to respond with clarity and calm.With guidance from Epictetus and Seneca, we understand how to navigate misfortune not just with acceptance, but with strength, reason, and grace.

What if the things that trouble us most are really just tremendous trifles? In this episode, we explore how shifting our perspective can turn everyday stress into a source of clarity—with a simple story of boiling water and a reminder that life is too short to sweat what won't matter tomorrow.

We all have our own command center. Our own thoughts are within our control.Knowing this, we can break free from the impulses and influences trying to send us in different directions. We can accept our present fate and do what is within our control to flourish in that situation, whatever it may be.In this episode, we look at how this line of thinking can benefit us.

In his Discourses, the Stoic teacher Epictetus explains that a person is making progress when they understand a simple Stoic principle: we desire what we see as good, and we avoid what we see as bad.In this episode, we look at how this advice can drastically reduce the chances of being disturbed by what happens around us.

It's an unfortunate truth: many so-called leaders expect things from others that they don't expect from themselves.In this episode, we look to the Stoics and an old story about Mahatma Gandhi to see how true leaders lead by example.

The ancient Stoic's prerequisite for getting the most out of each of life's experiences was to consider the possibility that it would be the last time they would ever have that particular experience.In this episode, we look at some practical ways to achieve this.

In this episode, I talk to Gregory B. Sadler. Through his public speaking, content production (including videos for a YouTube channel with over 150,000 subscribers), consulting, and philosophical counseling, Greg makes classical and contemporary philosophy accessible to non-philosophers.I really enjoyed this conversation, in which we mainly discussed the many misconceptions there are about what Stoicism really is. Greg did a great job of clearing these misunderstandings up, so I think this will be a really useful episode for those who want to learn more about Stoicism to listen to. I hope you enjoy.

If we want to break free from our old opinions, or at least confirm if they are still valid, we must be willing to accept that our way of seeing things might not be OK as it is.We must be willing to examine judgments, let go of long-held views, and potentially give up on an outdated version of ourselves.In this episode, we look at how Stoicism helps us do this.

“To live a good life: We have the potential for it,” writes Marcus Aurelius in his Meditations. “If we can learn to be indifferent to what makes no difference.”This good life is exactly what the ancient Stoics believed the practice of philosophy would allow us to pursue.In this episode, we look at how Stoicism can bring us internal clarity, the value of which far outweighs the pursuit of externals like material gain, wealth, reputation, and status.

Erick Cloward is the host of the popular Stoic Coffee Break podcast where every week he discusses how to live a more resilient and happy life using ancient Stoicism and modern wisdom.He's also a Leadership Coach and Speaker, as well as an author who's just realised a new book called Stoicism 101.In this episode, I talk to Erick about his book, his Stoic background, the problem with Broicism, and more. I hope you enjoy.Erick's book can be found here:https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Stoicism-101/Erick-Cloward/Adams-101-Series/9781507223574

There's an old Spanish proverb that says: "Don't speak unless you can improve on the silence."With such restraint comes a question: what should we redirect our attention toward at times when we judge that externalizing our thoughts isn't necessary?In this episode, we look at how self-reflection can be a worthy alternative.

In this episode I talk to Benny Voncken, a writer, speaker, and practicing Stoic who's originally from the Netherlands.He's also the co-founder of an online Stoicism platform called Via Stoica, which offers personalized Stoic coaching services, an online Stoic community, live conversations on X, and their own Via Stoica podcast.I really enjoyed talking with Benny. In the conversation, he shares some of the difficulties he's been through that led to him taking Stoicism seriously as a philosophy of life and how he now uses that experience to help others in his work as a Stoic coach. I hope you enjoy the episode.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The most common misunderstanding about Stoicism is that it's all about suppressing or burying our emotions.This tends to come from the confusion between Stoicism (upper case ‘S') and stoicism (lower case ‘s'); the former is the ancient Greek philosophy that we learn about and practice, the latter is simply a “stiff-upper-lip” coping style.In this episode, we look at why it's better to understand and process our emotions rather than dismiss and suppress them.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It can be useful to find parallels between our philosophical pursuits that are inspired by ancient practices and the more modern messages we're exposed to in our daily lives.Relating things like art, sport, and entertainment to Stoic principles often helps us to remember the concepts and perhaps even better understand how they pertain to modern life.In this episode, we look at two such examples.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 altogether.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"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----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 means of strengthening one's soul.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 practice.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 74.1This 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.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 years ago.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days 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?----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days 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 is the greatest seducer of reason: when you are most convinced that your work is important, that is when you are most under its spell.”----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days 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.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three philosophical questions, courtesy of the late poet John O'Donohue, to ask yourself today and help inform the actions you take.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days 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.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.)----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---"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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---“Because most of what we say and do isn't essential. Ask yourself at every moment, Is this necessary?”—Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.24 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---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 assess the events, opinions, and circumstances that don't land within our sphere of control and effectively say they're fine as they are. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---"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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---A step-by-step exercise showing how to mentally reframe challenging situations.Video referenced in this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__JLFw2FtEQ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---"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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---In this episode, we look at Cicero's third Stoic paradox—that all vices are equal and all virtues are equal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---We often bemoan the restrictions that are placed on us.Whether we feel held back by our many personal responsibilities or stifled by our work environment, we harbor a desire for more freedom.But what actually is freedom and how do we attain it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---As we know, Stoicism is a practical philosophy.Theory alone does not improve the skill of being good.Only the struggle of everyday experience improves it.We're interested in how we might be good, rather than merely know goodness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---It's obvious to say, but important nonetheless: if we're to make progress toward a more Stoic life, we have to regularly practice the principles of the philosophy.And if we're to regularly practice the principles, we'll first need to understand and remember them.The French philosopher and historian, Pierre Hadot, wrote of the importance of keeping our philosophical principles “at hand” so that we're able to use them in response to the events we face, as if immediately answering a question we've been asked.With that in mind, I have compiled a list of 100 short tips to help you achieve the benefits of practicing Stoicism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---In this episode, we look at Cicero's second Stoic paradox—that virtue is all that is needed for happiness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---It's a common disruption to our tranquility: putting someone else's life on a pedestal compared to our own.We envy the apparent prosperity and happiness of others while losing sight of the things in our own lives that we should be quite content with.The full story of someone else's life can't be known. Their inner world isn't visible to us. To have their life, we'd need to inherit everything about them. Would we really be willing to take that risk?To help regain your freedom from this kind of disruption, I've constructed a short Stoic exercise for you to practice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.