Podcasts about Stoa

Wir haben es geschafft: Vorhang auf für die 100. Episode von Der Weg der Stoa!

Wir stehen kurz vor einem großen Meilenstein: Willkommen zur 99. Folge von „Der Weg der Stoa“! Bevor es in der nächsten Episode dreistellig wird, tauchen wir heute noch einmal tief in die Briefe an Lucilius ein – genauer gesagt in den prägnanten, aber gehaltvollen 10. Brief. Nachdem sich Seneca zuletzt intensiv mit der Frage beschäftigt hat, ob ein weiser Mensch auch gut allein sein kann, schlägt er nun einen Haken aus einer ganz anderen Richtung. Das Thema: Isolation und Selbstreflexion. Klingt harmlos? Ist es aber nicht. Seneca warnt eindringlich davor, sich unvorbereitet der Einsamkeit auszusetzen. Denn wer noch nicht weise ist, läuft Gefahr, mit sich selbst in denkbar schlechtester Gesellschaft zu sein. Anne und Alex diskutieren, warum radikale Ehrlichkeit zu den eigenen Gedanken der erste Schritt zur stoischen Achtsamkeit ist und warum uns ein wahrer Freund manchmal vor uns selbst retten muss.

Greg Ceccarelli is Chief Product Officer at Spec Story, an AI-first startup building tools to make AI coding easier and safer. Before Spec Story, Greg held product leadership roles at Pluralsight (CPO), GitHub, Dropbox, and Google, and earlier spent years as a consultant at Alixpartners and IBM. In this conversation, Greg and Tom cover: Moving fast vs. planning — Greg's "cut twice, measure once" philosophy, why most decisions are reversible, and what happened when he pushed back on a private equity firm's annual planning process AI and software development — How AI agents are compressing implementation time, changing the economics of software, and flipping the traditional "longest pole in the tent" from engineering to decision-making Spec Story and Stoa — How Spec Story started by preserving AI chat history for developers, and why Stoa is now focused on capturing collaborative meeting context so teams can move from decision to implementation faster SaaS pricing — Why seat-based pricing is past its expiration date, and how Stoa's $5/hour model is designed to remove friction, align with value delivered, and eliminate the token-opacity problem The future of SaaS — Headless software, API-first systems, and whether agents will make traditional UI obsolete Distribution and marketing — Why distribution has gotten harder, not easier, why authentic human content outperforms engineered content, and what questions every founder needs to keep asking about their customer Core competency — Greg's answer: asking questions, and the compounding value of learning velocity over specialization

We'll learn how Stoa tackles civic transparency at the Honolulu county level. We'll talk to the founder about the challenges in creating the app and what plans exist to expand throughout Hawaii.

Braucht ein stoischer Weiser überhaupt Freunde, wenn er doch völlig autark und in sich selbst glücklich sein soll? In dieser Folge knöpfen sich Anne und Alex Senecas 9. Brief an Lucilius vor und lösen ein scheinbares Paradoxon der Stoa auf. Sie besprechen, warum stoische Unabhängigkeit (Autarkie) nicht bedeutet, sich kalt von der Welt zu isolieren. Erfahre, warum der Stoiker Freunde nicht aus purem Nutzen oder Mangel sucht, sondern aus der reinen Freude am Teilen und dem Wunsch, selbst ein guter Freund zu sein.

Biohacking, Supplements und Schlaf-Tracking: Der Trend zur „Longevity“ (Langlebigkeit) verspricht uns nicht nur mehr Jahre, sondern auch mehr Gesundheit. Doch was sagt eigentlich die stoische Philosophie dazu? In dieser Folge diskutieren Anne und Alex, ob das Streben nach einer maximierten Lebensspanne mit den Lehren von Seneca und Epiktet vereinbar ist. Sie beleuchten das Thema in drei Stufen – von der gesunden Basis über die datengetriebene Selbstoptimierung bis hin zur Vision der Unsterblichkeit. Erfahrt, warum für die Stoiker nicht die Quantität der Jahre, sondern die Qualität des Charakters im Hier und Jetzt entscheidend ist.

In dieser Folge schauen wir uns den 8. Brief von Seneca an, stolpern aber zuerst über ein aktuelles Medienthema: Ein Epiktet-Zitat, das Friedrich Merz im Spiegel-Interview nutzte, das bei genauerem Hinsehen jedoch wenig mit stoischer Philosophie zu tun hat. Anne und Alex diskutieren, warum die präzise Wortwahl in der Stoa so wichtig ist und was passiert, wenn Rhetorik den eigentlichen Kern der Lehre verdeckt. Im Hauptteil geht es um Senecas Rückzug aus der Öffentlichkeit. Warum er nicht mehr „auf den Zufall baut“, warum Erfolg eine Falle sein kann und wie wir uns innerlich auf Krisen (wie die Pandemie oder persönliche Unfälle) vorbereiten können, ohne zum „Prepper“ zu werden. In dieser Folge erfährst du: - Warum das „Merz-Zitat“ eher Marketing als Philosophie ist. - Warum Seneca den Rückzug wählte, um der Nachwelt zu dienen. - Was die „negative Visualisierung“ wirklich bedeutet. - Warum ein Strohdach dich genauso gut schützt wie eines aus Gold.

In dieser Episode von „Der Weg der Stoa“ widmen sich Anne und Alex einem zentralen Aspekt der stoischen Praxis, der oft übersehen wird: der Bedeutung der Gemeinschaft und des Teilens von Erkenntnissen. Als Grundlage dient der sechste Brief von Seneca an seinen Freund Lucilius. Seneca beschreibt darin eine tiefgreifende, plötzliche Verwandlung in sich selbst – eine Art „Umschwung“. Er betont jedoch sofort, dass diese persönliche Weiterentwicklung für ihn keinen Wert besäße, wenn er sie nicht teilen könnte. Für Seneca ist das Erlernen von Weisheit untrennbar mit der Absicht verbunden, dieses Wissen weiterzugeben. Anne und Alex diskutieren, wie diese stoische Haltung dem modernen, oft egozentrischen Konzept der Selbstoptimierung widerspricht.

Luft ist das Selbstverständlichste der Welt und vielleicht gerade deshalb das Übersehenste. Sie umgibt uns ständig, trägt unsere Stimmen, unsere Gerüche, unsere Stimmungen und jeden einzelnen Atemzug. In dieser Folge sprechen Albert und Jan mit dem Chemiker, Philosophen und Umweltforscher Jens Soentgen über ein Element, das wir kaum beachten und ohne das wir keine Minute leben könnten. Im Gespräch wird deutlich: Luft ist weit mehr als ein Gasgemisch aus Sauerstoff und Stickstoff. Sie ist Verbindungsraum zwischen Menschen, Tieren, Pflanzen und Welt. Sie trägt Sprache, Erinnerungen, Atmosphäre und beeinflusst unser Wohlbefinden stärker, als uns oft bewusst ist. Warum beruhigt bewusstes Atmen? Weshalb tut uns frische Luft so gut? Und was verlieren wir, wenn wir uns immer mehr in klimatisierte Innenräume zurückziehen? Die Folge verbindet Naturwissenschaft und praktische Philosophie. Es geht um Atemtechniken, die Bedeutung von Gerüchen, die Weisheit alter Traditionen von Yoga bis Stoa und um die Frage, wie wir durch mehr Luftbewusstsein gelassener, gesünder und verbundener leben können. Eine Folge über das Unsichtbare, das uns trägt und darüber, warum es klug sein kann, öfter das Fenster zu öffnen, rauszugehen und einmal tief durchzuatmen.

The Occupational Philosophers chat with Kurt Sneddon, photographer, cinematographer, and actor. In this episode they explore a wide range of topic including: Where AI can enhance the creative process The art of seeing; noticing what others might miss How the ‘buffet of inspiration' differs between Sydney and NYC How to bring out the natural version of someone What might we do to improve the way we see and take perspectives The delightfully named ‘Humble Togs Club'...for photographers who are not dicks… Creating a safe environment that allows people, curiosity and creativity to flourish Why failure is the thing that supercharges your learning and creative output And as ever, enjoy the Thought Experiment …this time it's: No Jerks Allowed About Kurt Sneddon... Kurt has built a thriving portrait & wedding studio in Sydney, Australia, before relocating in 2015 to pursue creative opportunities in New York City.  He photographs awesome actors, dancers, models and performers in the streets of New York City. He has a studio in East Williamsburg & SoHo in NYC - Kurt's photography is all about creating authentic, impactful images that help performers stand out—and making sure they enjoy the process, not dread it. He pivoted into cinematography, trained at Maine Media Workshops, joined the Local 600 Camera Union, and worked in camera crew on TV shows and films throughout NYC and upstate. More recently, he opened up a space for coaching photographers who are tired of toxic spaces and ego-driven attitudes, launching the Humble Togs Club - an online community where photographers can hang out, learn, and support each other in a safe, no-jerk zone - it's also an amazing community that celebrates progress, not perfection.   Learn more about Kurt https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/ https://bio.site/kurtsneddon https://www.kurtsneddon.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon/ https://www.facebook.com/kurt.sneddon/ https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon https://www.humbletogsclub.com/intro     References https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoa_of_Attalos https://www.remussanctuary.org/interesting-goat-facts/ https://rayeofficial.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/conversations-about-foster-care/id1506508179 https://davinci.ai/ https://www.nano-banana.ai/ https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-life-in-parts/bryan-cranston/9781409156598   John and Simon hope you enjoy the show as much as they enjoyed making it. Its the reason they started this show - interesting, cool and creative people who have taken the path less travelled and kicked arse!  Say Hello to the OP  www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN www.bowlandconsulting.com SIMON www.simonbanks.com.au

In dieser Episode von „Der Weg der Stoa“ widmen sich Anne und Alex einem zentralen Aspekt der stoischen Lebensführung: der Balance zwischen innerer Überzeugung und äußerem Auftreten. Als Grundlage dient der fünfte Brief von Seneca an Lucilius, in dem der römische Philosoph davor warnt, die Philosophie durch exzentrische Äußerlichkeiten zur Schau zu stellen. Seneca mahnt zur Mäßigung und betont, dass der Fortschritt eines Stoikers nicht an vernachlässigter Kleidung oder demonstrativer Enthaltsamkeit erkennbar sein sollte. Anne und Alex diskutieren die psychologische Tiefe dieser Mahnung: Wahre Philosophie findet im Inneren statt und zielt auf eine Verbesserung des Charakters ab, nicht auf die Abgrenzung von der Gesellschaft durch auffälliges Verhalten. Das Ziel ist es, so zu leben, wie es der Natur entspricht, ohne dabei unnötigen Anstoß zu erregen oder Bewunderung durch Askese zu erzwingen.

Wer sich in schwierigen Situation nicht aufgeregt, sondern stoisch agiert, bleibt gelassen und unerschütterlich. Jula Wildberger spricht mit Jürgen Wiebicke darüber, was die Philosophie der Stoa ausmacht und warum diese Haltung das Leben leichter und tugendhafter machen kann. Von WDR 5.

Als je zijn sociale media moet geloven, is Andrew Tate de stoïcijnse meester van de 21e eeuw. Men kan zich afvragen of hij met al zijn Bugatti's, Ferrari's en horloges zich goed heeft verdiept in de niet-materialistische aard van de Stoa. Maar Tate is niet alleen, ook rechtse politici maken gebruik van het klassiek cultureel erfgoed. Zo vaardige Trump een decreet uit - Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again – waardoor overheidsgebouwen alleen nog in Grieks-Romeinse stijl gebouwd mogen worden. Ook Baudet haalde inspiratie uit de klassieken met een Latijnse maidenspeech en zijn ‘Uil van Minerva'. Classicus dr. Koen Vacano, verbonden aan de Universiteit Utrecht, vertelt in de Jortcast waarom de klassieke oudheid vaak terugkomt in deze conservatieve, radicaal-rechtse kringen.  

Anne und Alex sprechen in dieser Episode über die Frage, ob die Stoa auch bei existenziellen Themen von Nutzen sein kann. Diese Folge schließt an die letzte Episode 87 an, in welcher die beiden die Frage aufgeworfen haben, ob die Stoa bei existenziellen Fragen zu schnell zu Lösungen übergeht, welche dann als zu verkopft erscheinen können. Die beiden formulieren in dieser Episode eine klare Antwort auf diese Frage. Hört doch einmal rein und gebt Feedback, ob Euch diese Antwort überzeugt.

In dieser Episode sprechen Anne und Alex über den Unterschied und die Verbindungen zwischen der Stoa und dem Existenzdenken in der Philosophie. Hierbei zeigt sich, dass beide Philosophien deutliche Unterschiede in ihren Grundannahmen über den Menschen aufweisen, aber viele ähnliche Intuitionen besprechen. Diese Episode schließt an das existenzielle Thema der letzten Episode 86 an.

Anne und Alex sprechen in dieser Episode über die Frage, ob die Stoa uns etwas zum Konzept der "politischen Toleranz" sagen kann. Wie steht die Stoa zu der Situation, dass Menschen unterschiedlicher Meinung sein können? Wie gehe ich stoisch mit diesen Menschen um? Wo liegen Grenzen der Toleranz? Diese Episode schließt an die Episoden 12 und 24 an, in denen bereits die Themen: "Umgang mit anderen Menschen" und "Umgang mit schwierigen Menschen" besprochen wurden.

In dieser Episode blicken Anne und Alex auf die aktuelle Situation in Deutschland, die durch eine Grippe- und eine Covid-Welle gekennzeichnet ist und damit viele Familien in herausfordernde Situationen bringt. Die beiden sprechen über ihre ganz persönlichen Erfahrungen mit diesen Situationen. Insbesondere Anne berichtet über ihre Situation mit kranken Kindern zu Hause. Der Fokus der Betrachtung ist hierbei, dass die beiden sich die Frage stellen, welche Hilfe die Stoa uns in diesen Situationen geben kann.

I am a public philosopher, it is my only job. I am enabled to do this job, in large part, thanks to support from my listeners and readers. You can support my work, keep it independent and online, at https://stoicismpod.com/members Looking for more Stoic content? Consider my 3x/week newsletter "Stoic Brekkie": https://stoicbrekkie.com In this episode, I take up a question that seems settled, orthodox, and uncontroversial: can indifferents be preferred or dispreferred? Most Stoics would say yes and move on. But there is a serious ancient challenge to that position, and understanding it matters more than most people realize. I begin with the standard Stoic account, drawing on Zeno as recorded by Stobaeus and Cicero. Virtue alone is good, vice alone is bad, and everything else is indifferent. Still, some indifferents are naturally preferred or rejected because they align with our rational nature. Health, social cooperation, and material sufficiency are not goods, but they are “according to nature.” I then introduce the provocateur: Ariston of Chios. Ariston rejects the very idea of preferred and dispreferred indifferents. In his view, calling something a preferred indifferent is just calling it a good under another name. For Ariston, everything between virtue and vice is radically neutral, and any preference only arises situationally, never because the thing itself has standing within nature. I explain why this disagreement is not merely semantic. Ariston's position is inseparable from his rejection of Stoic physics and logic. Once those are removed, there is no rational structure of nature to ground stable preferences. Ethics collapses into a stark minimalism where virtue alone matters and everything else is interchangeable depending on circumstance. This is why later Stoics saw Ariston as a dead end rather than a reformer. Without physics and logic, Stoic ethics loses its ability to guide action across time, roles, and recurring human situations. The philosophy becomes thinner, not sharper. Finally, I connect this ancient dispute to a modern problem. Contemporary Stoicism often tries to keep the ethics while quietly discarding the physics and logic as unnecessary or outdated. That move repeats Ariston's mistake. Stoicism can evolve, but it cannot survive if its foundations are simply removed without replacement. You cannot pull the columns out from under the Stoa and expect the roof to hold. If we want Stoicism to remain coherent, actionable, and philosophically serious, we need to understand why preferred indifferents exist and what architectural commitments make them possible in the first place. Listening on Spotify? Leave a comment! Share your thoughts. Podcast artwork by Original Randy: https://www.originalrandy.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In dieser Episode sprechen Anne und Alex über die Frage, welche Rolle Atome oder die Götter in der Stoa gespielt haben. Die Stoiker erweisen sich in dieser Diskussion als sehr detaillierte Denker bzgl. dieser Frage. Sie haben sich dabei auch Gedanken darüber gemacht, wie das Problem der "Theodizee" in ihrem System gelöst werden kann.

In dieser Episode sprechen Anne und Alex über den Tetrapharmacos ("die vierfache Medizin") des Epikur. Die beiden schauen also einmal in den benachbarten Garten der Philosophieschule des Epikurs. Hierbei gehen sie mit Hilfe des Tetrapharmacos die Grundzüge der Philosophie des Epiker durch und vergleichen die wichtigsten Grundsätze seiner Philosophie mit denen der Stoa. Hierbei zeigen sich durchaus einige Ähnlichkeiten aber auch deutliche Unterschiede zwischen diesen philosophischen Schulen.

Becky Schmooke (pronounced “Smoke”) is a leadership strategist known for cutting through the noise. Her work challenges outdated models of leadership by reframing it as a lifestyle—not a title—and the key to long-term performance, resilience, and impact. As founder of Stoic Edge Consulting and Becky's Mindful Kitchen, Becky equips high-performing teams with practical, repeatable tools rooted in Stoic philosophy and behavioral science. Becky's specialty is working with elite performers including NFL Rookies. Her SAFE and STOA frameworks are already in use across the NFL programs, helping them lead with clarity under pressure. With over a decade of experience and a reputation for raw honesty and results, she gives teams the mindset, language, and tools to lead from the inside out—and own the moments that define their legacy.

Wer sich in schwierigen Situation nicht aufgeregt, sondern stoisch agiert, bleibt gelassen und unerschütterlich. Jula Wildberger spricht mit Jürgen Wiebicke darüber, was die Philosophie der Stoa ausmacht und warum diese Haltung das Leben leichter und tugendhafter machen kann. Von WDR 5.

Mammon is frequently a behind-the-scenes god. The celebrity goddess has an impressive sacred space dedicated to her, which cost a lot of money, but that was just the investment, the outlay. The returns come in the form of the merch. The sacred space was there on the hill, but going in or coming out you would be likely to walk past the Stoa, where the T-shirts and knick-knacks were for sale.We have already discussed the economics of grace, but here we see it on full display. The overture was the burning of the occult materials. The full performance was the spectacle of rioting merchants.

What You'll Learn:Why real leaders don't always have the title—or the powerHow Becky's Stoic-inspired Choose the Handle That Holds became a guidebook for life and leadershipThe difference between authentic vulnerability and oversharingA live demo of STOA: a goal-setting tool you'll want to use immediatelyHow to model leadership for your team, your family, and yourself 

Episode Topic: The Case of the Flat Arch New fieldwork at the Sanctuary of the Great Gods on Samothrace reveals flat arches in the Doric frieze of the Stoa, a structure built in the second quarter of the 3rd century BCE. Sam Holzman, Assistant Professor of Art and Archaeology at Princeton University, examines these keystone friezes, which predate similar examples in Italy by over 150 years and highlight a critical moment in ancient structural design, bridging Greek trabeated aesthetics with Roman architectural innovation. Holzman traces this evolution, from cantilever-based devices in Athens to plate-bande construction in late Republican Rome, showcasing the blending of form and function in the ancient Mediterranean.Featured Speakers:Samuel Holzman, Princeton UniversityRead this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community platform, ThinkND: https://go.nd.edu/fb23d7.This podcast is a part of the ThinkND Series titled Restoring Reason, Beauty, and Trust in Architecture. Thanks for listening! The ThinkND Podcast is brought to you by ThinkND, the University of Notre Dame's online learning community. We connect you with videos, podcasts, articles, courses, and other resources to inspire minds and spark conversations on topics that matter to you — everything from faith and politics, to science, technology, and your career. Learn more about ThinkND and register for upcoming live events at think.nd.edu. Join our LinkedIn community for updates, episode clips, and more.

Er war ein brutaler Feldherr, der Gebiete verwüsten und Gefangene hinrichten ließ. Gleichzeitig beschäftigt er sich mit der Philosophie der Stoa, schrieb Texte über Seelenruhe und Vergänglichkeit. Seine „Selbstbetrachtungen“ machten ihn weltberühmt. In Trier geht jetzt eine Landesausstellung dem Mythos des römischen Kaisers Marc Aurel auf den Grund: War er wirklich der „gute Herrscher“, als der er bis heute gilt? Marie-Christine Werner diskutiert mit Dr. Alexander Bätz – Althistoriker, Universität Konstanz; Dr. Marcus Reuter – Direktor des rheinischen Landesmuseums in Trier; Jula Wildberger – Professor Emerita of Classics an der American University of Paris und Expertin für Stoizismus

Could competitive debate actually strengthen your child's faith while building their confidence? Most parents never imagine their quiet kid becoming a national-level debater, but that's exactly what happened in this family. In this inspiring mother-son interview, Alyssa and Thaddeus share their remarkable journey through Stoa (Speech & Debate) and Classical Conversations. Discover how Thaddeus transformed into a persuasive communicator now thriving on Patrick Henry College's varsity mock trial team. Learn how Stoa's Christian approach to speech and debate not only builds communication skills but strengthens biblical worldview, creates lifelong friendships, and prepares students to "speak boldly and change the world for Christ." Whether you're a homeschooling parent wondering if your child could handle public speaking or curious about integrating rigorous academics with character development, this episode reveals the powerful combination of Classical Conversations and competitive speech and debate.   This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by Stoa Christian Homeschool Speech and Debate League https://www.stoausa.org/

Send us a textStrength isn't the absence of weakness—it's how we transform our challenges into growth. In this riveting conversation with leadership coach and author Becky Schmooke, we explore stoic philosophy as a misunderstood yet powerful tool for navigating life's inevitable obstacles.Becky shares her personal journey of using stoicism to overcome a twenty-year battle with bulimia, developing the STOA framework (Success, Targets, Obstacles/Opportunities, Action steps) that now helps everyone from executives to NFL players and first responders navigate high-pressure situations. Far from the emotionless stereotype, stoicism emerges as a practice of emotional awareness without emotional control."Leadership is a lifestyle, not a job title," Becky emphasizes, challenging conventional hierarchies with her SAFE framework that builds genuine capability rather than superficial "show muscles." Her approach transforms organizations from having "a team and a leader" to fostering "a team of leaders"—a critical distinction for environments where split-second decisions matter.The Japanese art of kintsugi—repairing broken pottery with gold—becomes a powerful metaphor for resilience throughout our discussion. When we acknowledge our breaks rather than hiding them, we become stronger precisely where we were once vulnerable. This principle applies powerfully to trauma recovery, offering a path beyond mere survival to genuine transformation.Whether you're leading a team, recovering from trauma, or simply trying to navigate life's complexities with more grace, Becky's practical frameworks provide immediate, actionable insights. Her husband, a fire captain, uses these same principles during emergency calls, demonstrating their real-world effectiveness under pressure.Ready to choose the handle that holds? Join us for this enlightening conversation about stoicism, leadership, and the art of transforming obstacles into opportunities for growth. Find Becky's book "Choose the Handle that Holds" here and connect with her mindfulness retreats at www.beckyschmooke.com.Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast

In this episode, Michael Tremblay and Caleb Ontiveros explore Aristotle's ethics, focusing on his doctrine of virtue as the golden mean. They break down how Aristotle's view differs from Stoicism—from his three-part soul to his idea that virtues are skills developed through practice. Learn why Aristotle saw courage as a balance between cowardice and rashness, why feeling the right emotions matters as much as doing the right thing, and how this ancient framework applies to modern life.The conversation unpacks key concepts from Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics: habituation, the role of pleasure in virtue, and why context matters in ethical decisions.(08:29) Aristotelian Happiness(10:47) Parts of the Soul(12:44) The Kinds of Virtues(14:04) Virtue as Skill(18:39) Habituation(19:42) The Golden Mean(26:07) Good Reason For Bad Feelings(28:24) Meaning of Virtue(31:37) Self-Reinforcing Virtue(35:31) What the Golden Mean Means(45:02) Key Ideas For Practice(48:03) Differences with Stoicism*** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophyThanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Der römische Philosoph Seneca gibt in seinen Schriften viele praktische Anweisungen, wie wir uns in die Lebenskunst der Stoa einüben können. Entnommen aus: Yves Bossart "Ohne Heute gäbe es morgen kein Gestern. Philosophische Gedankenspiele", Wilhelm Heyne Verlag, München 2018

In this final exploration of Cicero's "On Ends," Michael and Caleb break down Book V, where Cicero reveals his own philosophical sweet spot – an Aristotelian-Platonic approach that challenges both Stoicism and Epicureanism.Against a backdrop of ancient Athens, Cicero's characters debate the core question: What makes a truly good human life? They navigate the middle path between Stoic rigidity (where virtue alone brings happiness) and Aristotle's elitism (where external goods are required).(01:53) Awesome Beginning(07:10) What's Our Purpose?(26:09) Supreme Happiness(31:55) Cicero's Objection(40:39) Summary***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophyThanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Discover the hidden gems of Stoic philosophy in this exploration of Epictetus' fragments - those powerful passages preserved by other philosophers but lost from his main works.Caleb and Michael unpack these concentrated nuggets of wisdom, from the surprising idea that we should value people by their capacity to help friends rather than harm enemies, to the famous "persist and resist" maxim that captures the essence of Stoic emotional management.Learn why terrible people are already punished by their own character, how to judge humans by their true virtue rather than superficial success, and why no one is truly free without mastering themselves.(00:00) MT: Fragments (05:18) Fragment 7: Helping Friends vs. Harming Enemies (10:43) Fragment 10: The Clean Jar - Approaching Philosophy Properly (16:19) Fragment 10: The Famous "Persist and Resist" Maxim (19:31) Fragment 13: Why Bad People Are Their Own Punishment (25:39) Fragment 18: Judging Humans by Their True Excellence (28:41) Fragment 17: The Banquet of Life (31:29) Fragment 20: Becoming Resilient to Emotions (37:04) Fragment 26: A Soul Carrying a Corpse (39:39) Fragment 35: True Freedom Through Self-Mastery***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophyThanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

In this episode, Michael Tremblay explores Epictetus' radical approach to anger and forgiveness. Discover why the Stoics believed we should pity rather than punish those who harm us, and how this ancient wisdom offers a practical path to emotional freedom in your daily life. Through Epictetus' teachings, learn the liberating power of seeing wrongdoers as victims of their own confusion.***Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Michael and Caleb dive into classic philosophical thought experiments to uncover Stoic solutions to impossible choices. From the infamous Trolley Problem to the Happiness Machine, they examine how Stoicism's focus on virtue, context, and roles provides a unique framework for moral decision-making.Unlike utilitarian or rule-based ethics, the Stoic approach emphasizes character over consequences, yet remains practical when facing life's hardest choices. This thought-provoking conversation challenges modern assumptions about ethical reasoning while revealing surprising Stoic positions on torture, self-sacrifice, and artificial pleasure.(01:57) Trolley Problem(14:35) Do Stoics Endorse Torture?(20:31) Happiness Machine(24:24) Utility Monster(27:14) Euthyphro Dilemma(35:53) Sinking Ship(40:59) Prisoner's Dilemma(46:11) Omelas Child(53:59) Takeaways***Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Today on The New Mason Jar, Cindy and Dawn have a veteran homeschool mom, Hailey White, and her daughter Vivien on the show to talk about speech and debate from a Charlotte Mason perspective How Hailey first learned about Charlotte Mason and her ideas What were Vivien's impressions of her education? How did the Whites become involved with Christian homeschooling speech and debate? How did participating in speech and debate influence Vivien's homeschool experience? What is the value of joining a Stoa club, and how does it work? What about concerns about the competitive nature of tournaments? Is there a benefit for students who don't initially seem interested in public speaking? To view the full show notes for this episode, please visit our website at https://thenewmasonjar.com/109.  

Caleb and Michael break down Book IV of Cicero's "On Ends" - his powerful critique of Stoic ethics.Discover why Cicero believed the Stoics fell short by prioritizing virtue alone while dismissing external goods. Is Stoicism just playing word games with what's "good" versus "preferred"? Would the perfect Stoic and the perfect Aristotelian behave the same way? This episode tackles the core tensions in ancient ethics that are relevant for modern life.(03:22) Cicero's Perspective(07:51) Weak Arguments(08:44) Powerful Argument #1 – Stoicism Wasn't New(16:16) Powerful Argument #2 – We Have A Body(22:22) Powerful Argument #3 – The Dilemma(33:27) Defending Stoicism from #3(48:30) Taking On Argument #2 ***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

On this episode of Anchored, CLT's Brand Marketing Manager Taryn Boyes is joined by Aryanna Highfill and Kate Creecy to discuss their experience participating in the National Home School Speech and Debate League, STOA. They discuss the array of skills STOA helped them develop, dive into how it shaped their high school experience, and share how it prepared them for their college years and beyond. They also discuss how to approach the competitive aspect of speech and debate.

Living like a Stoic is about getting the little things right. In this episode, Michael Tremblay discusses 7 Stoic habits you can start today to build a more thoughtful, resilient, and Stoic you.(01:25) Thinking Well(14:24) Living Philosophically(17:58) Preparing for Adversity(30:15) Summary***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

In this episode of Stoic Conversations, Caleb and Michael break down Book III of Cicero's On Ends - the definitive ancient defense of Stoic ethics.Discover why the Stoics believed virtue alone is sufficient for happiness, and how they justified their unique system of values. Follow along as they unpack Stoic moral development, from our earliest instincts to the cultivation of wisdom.On Ends Book I: The EpicureansOn Ends Book II: Against The Epicureans(05:53) Overview Of The Book (09:34) Moral Development (26:46) Stoicism Defended (28:08) Morality is the Only Good (38:01) Indifferents (54:57) Awesome Lines***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Seneca's brutal play "Medea" reveals what happens when rage takes control. A betrayed wife, an indecisive husband, and a tragic ending that challenges Stoic ideals. In this episode, Caleb and Michael analyze Seneca's bloody retelling of the Medea myth - where passion overcomes reason with devastating consequences.Dana Gioia on Seneca and The Madness of Hercules (Episode 74)(04:28) Historical Background (06:43) The Story of Medea's Revenge (17:08) Character: Fortune Takes Wealth, Not Spirit(21:27) Not Just a Moment's Madness (26:36) How Anger Warps Reality (33:44) Satisfying Madness(36:02) The Intoxication of Rage (38:41) What's Up With Jason?(46:03) Seneca's Court Experience (50:43) Brutal Ending: "There Are No Gods" (58:57) OutroDownload the Stoa app (it's a free download): stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Caleb and Michael take on Book II of Cicero's On Ends. In this books Cicero goes off against the Epicureans. What do you think?On Ends Book IAristippus: The Philosopher Who Mastered Pleasure(02:43) Different Kinds Of Pleasure(16:34) Turning AgainstThe Stoics(18:02) Ranking Pleasures(24:40) Epicurean Rebranding?(30:55) Epicureans Ignore Virtue(34:28) Utilitarianism(38:18) Topsy Turvy Value Systems(46:50) Do Epicureans Lie?(48:17) Is Happiness Up To You(56:08) Michael's Takeaway***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

In this episode, Michael talks with Erick Cloward, the host of the Stoic Coffee Break Podcast. Erick talks about his journey into Stoicism, his recent use of Amor Fati, and how to have difficult conversations, especially with those you politically disagree with.(08:49) How Stoicism Makes A Difference (16:33) Amor Fati (31:03) Amor Fati And Politics (39:33) Hard Conversations (56:06) Bringing People Together (01:02:19) Learn More***Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Epictetus tells us the chief task of philosophy is just one thing: Make proper use of impressions. In this episode, Michael Tremblay does a deep dive into what this means, how we can do it, and why, for Epictetus, it is the most important thing there is.*** Download the Stoa app (free): https://stoameditation.com/podFor those who find the app valuable but face financial constraints, email us for a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music: https://ancientlyre.com/

In 45 BC, amid the turmoil of the Roman Civil War, Cicero wrote one of philosophy's most important works on the meaning of life. This episode unpacks Book I of "On Ends," exploring the clash between Epicurean pleasure-seeking and Stoic virtue.(01:14) Meeting Cicero(06:18) Latin over Greek (11:40) On Ends Core Debates (16:03) Cicero attacks(20:44) Why Pleasure isn't Everything (27:28) The Epicurean Response (31:29) Must Virtue Produce Something More? (46:53) The Epicurean View of Community (53:38) The Epicurean sage***Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Caleb and Michael discuess teacher of Diogenes and the grandfather of Stoicism. Before there were Stoics arguing about virtue, there was Antisthenes. A warrior turned philosopher who studied under Socrates.(02:40) Antisthenes The Man(07:32) Cynicism(12:42) How To Become Cynical(21:27) Virtue is Action(23:58) Socratic Influence(27:02) Antisthenes in Action(29:38) Death(34:34) Irreverance(36:09) The Point of Philosophy(39:08) Cynicism and Stoicism***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophyThanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Dr. Iain Lampert interviews Elaine Csoros Krussow. Elaine is currently a licensed mental health provider in Minneapolis, Minnesota. While in IPDA, Elaine competed for Union University where she was a team officer for two of her three years on the circuit. During that time, Elaine saw a variety of success including multiple final rounds, speaker awards, 2nd place overall in season long results, and advancing to outrounds at the national level twice. Prior to college, she competed in the home school forensic league STOA for six years and saw competitive success in all forms of debate and nine speech categories. Despite the accolades from competing, Elaine views her biggest win as the friendships she was able to develop in the debate community.

Freedom isn't about having enough money to do what you want. It's about wanting what you can actually control. In this episode, Michael breaks down Epictetus's radical handbook chapter 14, revealing the four key principles of Stoic desire – and why wanting the wrong things makes us slaves to circumstance.***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophyThanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

The ancient Stoics never used the term "metacognition," but this modern psychological concept illuminates the core of their philosophy. Michael and Caleb explore how the Stoic emphasis on examining our thoughts—what psychologists now call metacognition—is central to both Stoic theory and practice. They unpack why the Stoics saw this capacity for mental self-reflection as divine, how it distinguishes humans from animals, and why mastering it is essential for living well. A practical discussion for anyone interested in training their mind the Stoic way.(04:53) Metacognition in Stoicism(10:11) Metacognition as Philosophy(24:37) Judgement in Stoicism(27:05) Metacognition in Practice(41:31) Takeaways***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophyThanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Ancient and modern Stoics aren't just thinkers - they are runners too. In this episode, Caleb explores how the simple act of running illuminates core Stoic principles about pain, perception, and perseverance. ***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophyThanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Meet ancient Greece's original hedonist. Unlike later philosophers who preached asceticism, Aristippus embraced luxury, courted kings, and still kept his freedom. A student of Socrates who chose pleasure over asceticism, he founded a school of thought that spread through generations of his family. This conversation explores how Aristippus balanced the pursuit of pleasure with self-mastery, challenging both the austerity of his critics and our modern assumptions about ancient philosophy.(05:11) Wining And Dining (15:29) Desire and Risk (21:49) You Need Philosophy (25:42) The Cyrenaics (36:38) Respect Aristippus's Consistency(41:54) His Daughter and Rejecting Social Convention***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/