Podcasts about Stoic

Jo Ellis spent years serving her country as an Army National Guard aviator and Black Hawk helicopter pilot. She wanted to fly, serve, and be part of something bigger than herself. Then, after a deadly aircraft collision over the Potomac, a false rumor spread online claiming Jo was responsible. She was not involved. She was not even there. But because she was a trans service member, the internet turned her into a target.In this episode, Ryan talks with Jo about service, identity, courage, and what it feels like to have your life turned upside down by a lie. They talk about her path from helicopter mechanic to pilot, the SERE training experience that forced her to confront the truth about herself, the cost of being publicly scapegoated, and why one of the most Stoic things we can do is resist the urge to have an opinion about everything.Follow Jo Ellis on Instagram | @JoEllisReallyWatch Jo Ellis on Kill Tony | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WYC-flN8Nc

People fall prey to the same traps—the ones that have existed since the days of Seneca and Marcus Aurelius, indeed for all time.

Everyone is new to this. We're all figuring it out as we go.

The Stoics studied powerful people not to worship them, but to learn from them. In this episode, Ryan looks at Elon Musk through the lens of courage, discipline, justice, and wisdom, and what his life reveals about the difference between success and virtue.

Ezra Klein is one of the sharpest voices in American politics, but this conversation is not about left versus right. It's about virtue, responsibility, and character. Ryan and Ezra talk about why virtue matters in a democracy, what liberalism has lost by failing to speak clearly about responsibility, and why institutions alone can't save a society if the people inside them abandon restraint, honesty, and self-critique. They also get into what Ezra thinks Stoicism gets right, where it falls short, and why Stoicism, or any philosophy, has to be tested in real life.Ezra Klein is a New York Times columnist and the host of The Ezra Klein Show. He is also the co-founder of Vox, where he served as editor-in-chief and later editor-at-large, and previously worked at The Washington Post, The American Prospect, Bloomberg, and MSNBC.

Whenever someone does something to us—minor or major—we always have this choice.

In this bonus episode, Ryan is takes you inside his office and walks through the books, objects, notes, and reminders that shape how he works and lives.

In this solo Eye2Eye episode, Dr. Harbir Sian reflects on the idea of detachment through a recent road trip experience that swung from an incredible high to an unexpected setback. After a spontaneous series of events led to seeing Lionel Messi score a hat trick at a World Cup match in Kansas City, the next day brought a very different turn: the truck broke down in Colby, Kansas, forcing everyone to adjust their plans. The episode explores how detachment does not mean being emotionless or disconnected. Instead, it means enjoying the highs without assuming everything will keep going perfectly, and handling the lows without letting them ruin the bigger journey. Harbir connects this lesson to the Stoic concept of amor fati, or love of fate, encouraging listeners to accept what comes, adjust, and focus on the next right step. 3 Key Takeaways1. Detachment helps us handle both highs and lows. When things go amazingly well, it is easy to assume everything will continue that way. When things go wrong, it is easy to feel like the entire plan is ruined. Detachment gives us space from both reactions. 2. Life rarely follows the exact itinerary we create. Even the most carefully planned trip, project, or life path can change unexpectedly. The goal is not to avoid disruption, but to stay calm enough to figure out the next right step. 3. Amor fati is about accepting the path, not resisting it. Harbir reminds listeners that loving your fate means being grateful for the experience in front of you, even when it does not match the version you planned. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review & share! http://www.aboutmyeyes.com/podcast/

Will we help or hinder? Will we support or stab in the back? Will we open doors or close them?

With the World Cup underway, it feels like the right time to revisit a conversation with someone who knows exactly what it takes to perform on that stage. In today's episode, Ryan talks with two-time World Cup champion Carli Lloyd about the work behind a championship career: learning to handle pressure, raising your own standards, staying disciplined when talent is no longer enough, and knowing when it's time to move on.Carli is a former American professional soccer player who retired in 2021 and was inducted in the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2025. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion, two-time FIFA Player of the Year and four-time Olympian, competing in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020.Carli scored the gold medal-winning goal in the final of the 2008 Olympics and both U.S. goals in the gold medal match at the 2012 Olympics. She also helped the United States win the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cups, earn bronze at the 2020 Olympics and finish as runners-up at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.

From one end comes another beginning, nothing lasts forever—nor would we want it otherwise.

Step outside so that when you come back, you are not carrying the same heat you left with.

Amanda woke up to good news and bad news arriving at the exact same moment — again. In true Hard Knocks fashion, that personal experience sends Chris and Amanda down a rabbit hole exploring one of life's most disorienting puzzles: is there really such a thing as good news or bad news at all? From the Buddhist parable of the farmer to Stoic amor fati to Mel Brooks playing ball with the universe, they dig into what Zen, Taoism, and a lifetime of very public verdicts can teach us about staying sane when fate won't stop flipping the script. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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There will be times we have to bend. There will be times we have to collaborate. There will be times we have to adjust, times we have to meet someone where they are.

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Ep#889 - STOIC GAME, Tory Lanez, Megan Thee Stallion and Plenty of Game by BossMack Industries

Bruce Springsteen once said we can be an ancestor for our children, or a ghost. Father's Day is a good time to ask which one we're becoming. In today's episode, Ryan talks with Lieutenant General Mark Hertling about the lessons we hope our children inherit from us. Mark's book, If I Don't Return: A Father's Wartime Journal, began as a way to pass down guidance to his sons during a deployment he knew he might not come home from. Ryan and Mark discuss the idea of an ethical will, the responsibility parents have to talk openly about failure, and the importance of teaching children what our own scar tissue has taught us. Lieutenant General (Ret.) Mark Hertling served 38 years in the U.S. Army, rising from tank platoon leader to commander of U.S. Army Europe and the Seventh Army. His career included combat tours in Desert Storm and Iraq, where he commanded the 1st Armored Division, prepared U.S. and allied forces for deployment, and helped support military transformation across Eastern Europe.

Some fathers show us who to become. Others show us who not to become.In this Father's Day weekend episode, Ryan looks at two very different examples of fatherhood. First, he reflects on Marcus Aurelius and the extraordinary influence of Antoninus Pius, the adopted father who taught him compassion, humility, discipline, responsibility, and how to hold power without being changed by it.Then Ryan talks with Tom Junod about the harder side of inheritance: what it means to love a father who caused pain, kept secrets, inspired fear, and still shaped the man his son became. Tom's new book, In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man, is about masculinity, moral injury, family secrets, and the lifelong work of deciding which parts of your father you carry forward and which parts you refuse to repeat.Tom Junod is senior writer for ESPN, where his work has won an Emmy and the Dan Jenkins Medal for Excellence in Sportswriting. He is a two-time winner of the National Magazine Award for Feature Writing, and a winner of the James Beard Award for essay writing. Previously he was a staff writer at GQ and Esquire. The film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood was based on his article in Esquire. Follow Tom on Instagram | @tom_junod

Today in the US, we celebrate Juneteenth, the commemoration of the emancipation of slaves in America. It's wonderful to note the moments of historical progress like Juneteenth. But we have to remember that beautiful language pales in comparison to beautiful acts.In today's episode, Ryan talks with General Ty Seidule about memory, monuments, and what it means to tell the truth about the past. They discuss the difference between memory and nostalgia, why commemoration should reflect our values, and how American history is full of heroes worth honoring. Ty Seidule served in the U.S. Army for more than three decades, retiring in 2020 as a brigadier general. He is a professor emeritus of history at West Point and received its distinguished faculty award. In 2021, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin appointed Seidule to the Congressional Naming Commission tasked with redesignating Department of Defense assets which honor Confederates, where he was elected vice chair.Follow Ty on Instagram | @tyseidule

In this episode of The Cory Cast, I'm sitting down with my friend and fellow martial artist, Kevin MacDougall, for a deep dive into the discipline and mindset that keeps us coming back to the mats. We trace Kevin's journey back to his roots in karate, exploring how those foundational years shaped his approach to combat sports and eventually led him to fall in love with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We discuss the transition between these two disciplines and the unique lessons learned while earning his black belt in both arts.Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just curious about the path to a black belt, Kevin's story offers incredible insight into the dedication required to master multiple disciplines. We pull back the curtain on the mental fortitude necessary for high-level training, the reality of the grind, and why the "martial" part of martial arts is just as much about internal growth as it is physical technique. It's a great conversation about longevity, technique, and the constant evolution of a lifelong martial artist.If you enjoy hearing from athletes and local leaders who are truly dedicated to their craft, make sure to subscribe and leave a review. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the technical nuances of BJJ, the tradition of karate, and the Stoic approach to training that we talk about often on the show. Join me as we break down what it takes to stay committed to the journey and why, no matter the belt, there is always more to learn.Connect with Kevin:Instagram: @kevin.macdougall.90

Getting to a place where you know yourself, where you have controlled your needs, where you understand and live by your values is an incredibly wealthy place. Do you have it?

Feeling deeply is not a weakness. The challenge is learning how to experience those emotions without letting them take control. In today's episode, Ryan talks with clinical psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Becky Kennedy about the tools kids and adults need to stay steady when feelings run high.They talk about why some people become overwhelmed more easily, how to speak for a feeling instead of from it, the difference between understanding and approval, and why repairing a relationship often matters more than handling every moment perfectly.Dr. Becky Kennedy is a clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and the founder and CEO of Good Inside, a parenting platform that gives parents practical tools for raising emotionally healthy kids. Named “The Millennial Parenting Whisperer” by TIME, Dr. Becky is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be and host of the chart-topping podcast Good Inside with Dr. Becky.

Truly Significant honors Chuck Garcia and his extraordinary Dad and Mother in this special edition of Success Made to Last.  Learn from this insightful conversation about the art of honoring your parents today and always...... for you are their legacy. Chuck is a mountain climber, financial guru, college professor, brother, friend, and much more. Here's what grabbed me........Success gets you to the summits of life...significance (from intellectual giants like his parents) teaches you why you made the climb.Chuck spent 25 years on Wall Street in leadership roles at Bloomberg, BlackRock, and Citadel before reinventing himself as a leadership coach, speaker, author, professor, and mountaineer.Today he is the founder of Climb Leadership International and teaches leadership communication at Columbia University. His work focuses on emotional intelligence, executive presence, communication, and resilience. What makes him especially interesting through the Truly Significant lens is that he doesn't teach leadership from theory alone. He uses mountain climbing as a metaphor for life, leadership, and transformation.He has climbed peaks including Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, and the Matterhorn, and often connects lessons from the mountains to moments of personal reinvention. His most recent book, The Moment That Defines Your Life, explores how emotional intelligence and Stoic philosophy help people navigate defining moments when careers, families, and identities are on the line. What is Truly Significant About Chuck Garcia? Not the titles. Not Wall Street. Not the mountains.What's significant is that Chuck's career suggests a central truth: Remember.....Success gets you to the summit. Significance teaches you why you climbed the mountain in the first place.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/success-made-to-last-legends--4302039/support.

We are in the process of filling our banned books library here in Bastrop, Tx and if you want to be part of this project, you can send your books to:Painted Porch BookstoreATTN: Banned Books912 Main StBastrop, Tx 78602United States

Instead of mistaking feelings for facts, let's pause. Let's get curious.

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This episode explores gratitude as a Stoic practice, emphasizing the transformative power of attention. By imagining what we might have already lost—or even our own death—we can reawaken appreciation for ordinary moments: a conversation, a child's question, a walk with a pet. Marcus Aurelius calls this the “bonus” life, a reminder that presence and awareness turn the everyday into something precious.

n this powerful conversation, John Curren sits down with psychedelic advocate, filmmaker, and director of The Reality of Truth, Zappy Zapolin, to explore the intersection of spirituality, mental health, and the rapidly growing field of psychedelic‑assisted therapy. Zappy breaks down the science and history behind plant medicines such as psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, ibogaine, and ketamine, explaining how these substances are helping people heal from depression, addiction, PTSD, grief, and trauma. John shares his own experiences with meditation, nature‑based awakening, and the pursuit of inner peace through Stoic and Epicurean philosophy. Together, they discuss: The connection between spirituality, religion, and psychedelics Microdosing, neuroplasticity, and breaking negative thought loops Ketamine's effectiveness for treatment‑resistant depression Psychedelic therapy for veterans and the VA's fast‑tracking efforts Ibogaine's unique ability to "reset" the brain and interrupt addiction The rise of psychedelic guides and the need for over 1 million trained facilitators The importance of set and setting and proper integration The future of psychedelic medicine and the end of prohibition This episode offers a grounded, insightful look at the psychedelic renaissance and what it means for personal resilience, emotional healing, and human potential. Connect with Zappy Zapolin: Courses, films, and psychedelic concierge training available at his official channels. Subscribe to A Swift Kick in the Ass for weekly conversations on resilience, mindset, and living intentionally.  

There is the form of poverty that is not having enough. But there was another form of poverty that Seneca talked about...

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To the untrained eye, ego can be mistaken for confidence. In reality, the person doesn't feel that way inside at all.

Want to work with Muscle Intelligence?  Apply Now Most men try to out-discipline their emotions and wonder why they still snap, freeze, or stew at the worst possible moment. Donald Robertson, the cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist who wrote the book on thinking like a Roman emperor, has spent three decades proving there's a better operating system. Drawing on the same Stoic playbook that ran an empire, he and Ben discuss why composure isn't suppression, why the calmest man in the room is almost never the one trying hardest to stay calm, and where the real leverage hides inside every reaction you have. The edge, it turns out, lives in a gap most people never notice… the split second between what happens to you and what you make it mean. Robertson breaks down the two-phase machinery behind anger and anxiety, the reason your meditation practice keeps failing you the moment you actually need it, and the counterintuitive move Marcus Aurelius used to command loyalty when his own generals turned against him. If you've built the career, the body, and the bank account and still get hijacked by your own nervous system, this is the conversation that explains why — and what the most self-possessed men in history did about it. 5 Key Takeaways Why every emotion arrives in two phases and why elite composure is decided entirely in the second one The reason willpower backfires, and what Stoics trained instead Why your meditation and journaling don't transfer to high-pressure moments (and the fix) The leadership move that made Marcus Aurelius untouchable even during a civil war How to model real composure for your kids without pretending to be perfect Chapters 0:00 Meeting Donald Robertson 4:30 From Therapy to Stoicism 7:47 Virtue As the Only True Good 10:14 Why Success Can Feel Empty 14:25 Why Meditation Leaves You Exposed 16:00 The Pause Before You React 22:21 Why Only Three Stoics Survived 27:16 Marcus Aurelius: Power and War 38:08 How an Emperor Truly Led 45:44 Stoicism in the Therapy Room 50:49 Is Anything Really "Bad"? 55:13 The Socratic Test of Success 1:00:41 A Lightning Tour of Philosophy 1:09:42 Modeling Wisdom for Your Kids 1:16:00 The Two Phases of Emotion 1:21:50 Why Studying Stoicism from Soundbites Fail You 1:29:01 Where to Find Donald Connect with Donald Substack – https://donaldrobertson.substack.com Website – https://donaldrobertson.name

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Join us at the intersection of Stoic philosophy and Masonic practice. Bro. Franklin Rings discusses how Marcus Aurelius' writings on “Vices” inform the use of our Working Tools. Learn how to view vices not as unique failures, but as common distractions that challenge the independence of the mind.Show notes and links: Join us on Patreon. Start your FREE seven day trial to the Craftsmen Online Podcast and get instant access to our bonus content! Whether it's a one time donation or you become a Patreon Subscriber, we appreciate your support.Visit the Craftsmen Online website to learn more about our FREE American History "Summer School" online course with Arizona State University, New York Masonic History, and our Masonic Education blog!Follow the Craftsmen Online Podcast on Spotify.Subscribe to the Craftsmen Online Podcast on Apple Podcasts.Follow Craftsmen Online on YouTube, hit subscribe and get notified the next time we go LIVE with a podcast recording!Yes, we're on Instagram.Get our latest announcements and important updates in your inbox with the Craftsmen Online Newsletter.Email the host, RW Michael Arce! Yes, we will read your email and may even reach out to be a guest on a future episode.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/craftsmen-online-podcast--4822031/support.

Looksmaxxing promises to make you more attractive, more confident, and more powerful. But at what point does self-improvement become obsession? In today's episode, Ryan looks at what the Stoics would say about this viral trend, the dangers of chasing external validation, and what it actually means to become your best self.

As a counter to the prevailing Stoic view that satisfaction and stability are found within oneself, Paul tells the Philippians he has found the secret to contentment. The secret is outside of the body and fully in Christ. We can live in plenty or in want, in safety or through tragedy, and can do ...

Ambition can open doors, but your principles determine where you go from there. In today's episode, Ryan talks with entrepreneur and investor Codie Sanchez about how the four Stoic virtues of courage, discipline, justice, and wisdom can serve as a guide for building a successful career, leading well, and creating a life you actually want. They discuss why most professional risks are less dangerous than they seem, how to stop undervaluing your work, and what it means to pursue success without sacrificing your values, relationships, or reputation. Codie Sanchez is an entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Contrarian Thinking, where she teaches people how to build wealth through business ownership. After starting her career in journalism and later working in finance at firms like Goldman Sachs and Vanguard, Codie went on to buy, build, and invest in Main Street businesses. She is also the author of Main Street Millionaire and host of the BigDeal Podcast. Follow Codie Sanchez on Instagram @codiesanchez, on TikTok @Codie_Sanchez, and on YouTube @CodieSanchezCTCheck out Ryan's episode on BigDeal by Codie Sanchez

Heading into the weekend, here's a reminder that not everything you do has to be useful, efficient, or productive. In this bonus episode, Ryan and Chris Guillebeau talk about making space for fun, following strange impulses, and doing the small things that make you feel more alive.Watch the full episode with Chris Guillebeau here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHyEgbTg-BAChris Guillebeau is the New York Times bestselling author of The $100 Startup, Side Hustle, and The Happiness of Pursuit, which have sold over one million copies worldwide. During a lifetime of self-employment that included a four-year commitment as a volunteer executive in West Africa, he visited every country in the world (193 in total) before his thirty-fifth birthday. His latest book, Time Anxiety: The Illusion of Urgency and a Better Way to Live, Chris offers a bold path for redefining our relationship with the clock.Check out Chris' new book Time Anxiety: The Illusion of Urgency and a Better Way to Live and grab copies of The $100 Startup, Gonzo Capitalism, The Art of Non-Confirmity, 100 Side Hustles at The Painted Porch: https://www.thepaintedporch.comFollow Chris on Instagram @193Countries and on X @chrisguillebeau.

You will have to face facts. You will have to get uncomfortable. You will have to take up the burden of history. This will not always be fun.

Every “yes” is a trade. Every obligation takes its cut. Every distraction leaves with something.

Everyone has something they're trying to quit, whether it's a habit, compulsion, or addiction. But what if the secret to getting clean and breaking free from that kind of slavery dates back more than 2,000 years?

The Stoics remind us that everything has its compensation…if we choose to see it, if we choose to welcome it.

Do not trade your soul away. Because once it's gone, you cannot get it back.

We could do it later. We could get serious later. But why? Why not do it while we have the chance?

The easier life gets, the less prepared we may be for what's hard. In today's episode, Ryan talks with David Epstein about “desirable difficulties,” the challenges that make learning slower and more frustrating in the moment but lead to greater growth over time. David Epstein is the author of the #1 New York Times best seller Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World. His new book, Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better, is out now!

82 years ago, thousands of young men crossed the English Channel and stepped into one of the most consequential days in history. In today's episode, Ryan shares the Stoic lessons behind D-Day and Dwight D. Eisenhower's leadership. He explains how Eisenhower prepared for failure, took responsibility before the outcome was known, stayed steady under unimaginable pressure, and saw opportunity where others saw disaster.

We are in desperate need of good, courageous people. Can you fill that need?

The world has always been uncertain, but we have never had this much access to everything that might go wrong. In today's episode, Ryan talks with the hosts of The Imperfects about what Stoicism can teach us when the world feels like too much. They discuss doomscrolling, AI anxiety, the difference between worrying and actually taking action, and how to stay engaged with the world without letting it pull you away from the life and people right in front of you.

It is harder to be courageous when all you see are examples of cowardice. Well, the Stoics can help us with this.