The What Is Stoicism? Podcast
Episodes
Marcus Aurelius's Meditations (Book 11)
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A reading of the eleventh book of Marcus Aurelius's twelve-book work.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:...
How to Build a Stoic Mindset with Mark Tuitert
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is an interview with Dutch Olympic gold medalist Mark Tuitert.I really enjoyed talking with Mark - he's a keen enthusiast of Stoicism ...
Why Stoicism Is Not A Passive Philosophy
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I look at why the Stoic practice of accepting one's fate is not the same thing as passivity.Accepting what happens saves us time. We ...
Guided Meditation: Live As Though You Are Always On View
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine the freedom that comes from living in alignment with your values, unencumbered by the fear of exposure or judgment.How can you cultivate a min...
What Is Stoic Wisdom?
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This explainer episode will provide you with a straightforward understanding of what Stoic Wisdom is and how you can use it in your Stoic practice.📻...
Marcus Aurelius's Meditations (Book 10)
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A reading of the tenth book of Marcus Aurelius's twelve-book work.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:htt...
Interview With Donald Robertson / Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, I interview one of my favorite writers on Stoicism, Donald Robertson.He's a cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist, and the author o...
The Person We Are Matters More Than The Place We Find Ourselves
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the relentless pursuit of happiness, a common impulse leads us to believe that a change in surroundings will lift the burdens of our minds.Seneca, ...
What is Stoic Temperance?
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This explainer episode will provide you with a straightforward understanding of what Stoic Temperance is and how you can use it in your Stoic practice...
Seneca's Mental Remedies For Anger
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Five of the best pieces of advice from Seneca’s On Anger you can use today if you feel anger beginning to bubble up.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAI...
Marcus Aurelius's Meditations (Book 9)
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A reading of the ninth book of Marcus Aurelius's twelve-book work.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:htt...
Quick Stoic Advice On Building Habits
17 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"If you want to do something, make a habit of it, if you don’t want to do that, don’t, but make a habit of something else instead."—Epictetus, D...
Guided Meditation: Believe In Yourself
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Trust in your innate ability to improve, guided by your principles and the support of the universe.Each moment of each day offers you an opportunity t...
What is Stoic Justice?
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This explainer episode will provide you with a straightforward understanding of what Stoic Justice is and how you can use it in your Stoic practice.📻...
Marcus Aurelius's Meditations (Book 8)
27 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A reading of the eighth book of Marcus Aurelius's twelve-book work.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:ht...
Today Is The Day You Learn Something New
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"We are always learning, always growing. It is right to accept challenges. This is how we progress to the next level of intellectual, physical, or mor...
A Stoic Response to Being Judged
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"When another blames you or hates you, or people voice similar criticisms, go to their souls, penetrate inside and see what sort of people they are. Y...
My Interview With Caleb Ontiveros for Stoa Conversations
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is shared from the Stoa Conversations podcast, in which I talked with host Caleb Ontiveros about the practice of Stoicism as a philosophy...
Guided Meditation: Training Like an Athlete
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Think of the countless examples throughout history of individuals who have achieved remarkable feats through relentless dedication and continuous lear...
Marcus Aurelius's Meditations (Book 7)
22 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A reading of the seventh book of Marcus Aurelius's twelve-book work.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:h...
Give Yourself Permission to Practice Philosophy
15 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
An homage to a TED talk by Ethan Hawke called “Give yourself permission to be creative”, adjusted to conform to the alternative title of “Give y...
What is Stoic Courage?
08 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This explainer episode will provide you with a straightforward understanding of what Stoic Courage is and how you can use it in your Stoic practice.📻...
Why Your Insignificance Isn't a Bad Thing
01 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode takes inspiration from various Stoic sources, as well as Oliver Burkeman’s excellent book Four Thousand Weeks, to show how it’s ...
Guided Meditation: Embody Your Philosophy
25 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As you go about your day, remember to focus on your actions rather than your words.Let your actions speak louder than your discussions.Let your deeds ...
10 Stoic Steps to Stop Being Angry With Other People
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In his Meditations, the Stoic Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius noted ten reminders for himself that could serve as a calming influence when he felt angry...
Marcus Aurelius's Meditations (Book 6)
11 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A reading of the sixth book of Marcus Aurelius's twelve-book work.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:htt...
How to Stop Complaining
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"Still you are indignant and complain, and you don’t understand that in all the evils to which you refer, there is really only one – that you are ...
Build Your Stoic Toolbox By Digesting Just One Idea a Day
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"Each day acquire something that will fortify you against poverty, against death, indeed against other misfortunes as well; and after you have run ove...
Being Stoic is a Refined Kind of Selfishness
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode offers some Stoic advice on using the virtue of Justice to guide our interactions with other people.As Seneca put it: "Our fellowship ...
What is Stoic Oikeiosis?
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This explainer episode will provide you with a straightforward understanding of what oikeiosis is and how you can use it to guide your Stoic practice....
Guided Meditation: Who Are You Keeping Company With?
06 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"So until your pleasantries become solid beliefs and you’ve acquired some means of keeping yourselves safe, I’d advise you to be cautious when eng...
Marcus Aurelius's Meditations (Book 5)
30 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A reading of the fifth book of Marcus Aurelius's twelve-book work.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:htt...
Mastering the Past and Future So They Don’t Master You
23 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Just like we have the power to interpret the past in the most constructive way possible, we also have the power to make our own choices in response to...
What is Stoic Eudaimonia?
16 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This explainer episode will provide you with a straightforward understanding of what eudaimonia is and how you can use it to guide your Stoic practice...
Guided Meditation: Keep Watch Over Yourself
09 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"There is no real doubt that it is good for one to have appointed a guardian over oneself, and to have someone whom you may look up to, someone whom y...
What are the Stoic Circles of Concern?
02 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This explainer episode will provide you with a straightforward understanding of what the circles of concern are and how you can use them to guide your...
Stoic Story Week [5/5]: The Character of Cato
28 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Roman senator Cato the Younger died in 46 BC but during his lifetime and in the years since his death, he has widely been considered as a near-per...
Stoic Story Week [4/5]: The Game of Canus
27 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The story I'd like to share in today's episode comes from Seneca's On Tranquility of Mind essay and features some interesting and entertaining details...
Stoic Story Week [3/5]: The Humility of Cleanthes
26 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Greek Stoic philosopher Cleanthes was originally a boxer who took up philosophy when he came to Athens and eventually became the successor to Zeno...
Stoic Story Week [2/5]: The Thread of Agrippinus
25 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today's Stoic story takes the form of two short anecdotes from the life of the philosopher Paconius Agrippinus.The examples from Agrippinus's life are...
Stoic Story Week [1/5]: The Consolation of Seneca
24 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Stoics knew how useful stories and examples could be in the illustration of philosophical lessons.Clear descriptions and explanations of principle...
Here's Why a Dog is a True Philosopher
19 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What we can learn from dogs, the animal that Socrates called "a true philosopher."The video mentioned in this episode: This golden retriever has shown...
Marcus Aurelius's Meditations (Book 4)
12 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A reading of the fourth book of Marcus Aurelius's twelve-book work.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:ht...
The Importance of Stoic Morning Routines
05 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
☀️ Micro Morning Meditations: https://whatisstoicism.substack.com/subscribe----"For the morning is the youth of the day, when everything is bright...
What is Living in Accordance With Nature?
28 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This explainer episode will provide you with a straightforward understanding of what the Stoic motto of living according to Nature means and how you c...
Stoic Protection From the Dangers of Desire
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Desire has a reliable way of making us view our lives through the lens of what we don’t have.This lens obscures from our sight the many blessings we...
What is the Stoic Sage?
14 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This short explainer episode will provide you with a straightforward understanding of what the Stoic sage is and how you can use it in your Stoic prac...
Marcus Aurelius's Meditations (Book 3)
07 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A reading of the third book of Marcus Aurelius's twelve-book work.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:htt...
What is the Stoic Reserve Clause?
31 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This short explainer episode will provide you with a straightforward understanding of what the Stoic reserve clause is and how you can use it in your ...
Guided Meditation: Return to the Present
24 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is a guided Stoic meditation that aims to help bring you back to the present moment. It’s something you’ll hopefully find valuable...
What is the Dichotomy of Control?
17 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This short explainer episode will provide you with a straightforward understanding of what the dichotomy of control is and how you can use it in your ...
How a Stoic Becomes a Saint
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"It’s typically human to feel affection even for people who make mistakes. The feeling is a response to the thoughts that they’re your kin, that t...
How to Count Each Day as a Separate Life
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A short exploration of Seneca's advice to his friend Lucilius and the following related sentiment from the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer:"Eac...
What is Good, What is Bad, What is Indifferent?
26 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This short explainer episode will provide you with a straightforward understanding of one of the elements of Stoicism that can sometimes be confusing ...
My Journey Into Stoicism (Interview for The Stoic Handbook Podcast)
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this interview with Jon Brooks, I share my journey into Stoicism and how it has helped me find meaning and purpose in life. I discuss how I was int...
One Lesson From Each Book Of Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations
12 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What keeps people coming back to a Roman Emperor’s 2000-year-old journal?To help answer that question, in this episode I share one short lesson from...
What is Negative Visualization?
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This short explainer will provide you with a straightforward understanding of what negative visualization is and how you can use it in your Stoic prac...
Marcus Aurelius's Meditations (Book 2)
29 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A reading of the second book of Marcus Aurelius's twelve-book work.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:ht...
What is Amor Fati?
22 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This short explainer will provide you with a straightforward understanding of what Amor Fati is and how you can use it in your Stoic practice.📻 FOR...
Young Plato: Teaching Stoicism in School
15 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Young Plato is a fantastic documentary about a headmaster embarking on a quest to teach children to use philosophy to examine their own thoughts and q...
What is Memento Mori?
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This short explainer will provide you with a straightforward understanding of what Memento Mori (Latin for “remember you must die”) is and how you...
My Interview With Plato's Academy Centre
01 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Plato’s Academy Centre is a non-profit organization raising funds through a variety of means with the ultimate goal of opening an international conf...
Journal Like a Stoic: A Short Book Review
22 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“The more consistently you journal,” writes Brittany Polat in her book Journal Like a Stoic. “The more impact you’ll see in your daily life.”...
How To Remind Yourself Like Marcus Aurelius
15 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
By studying them, by practicing them, and by writing about them, we can ensure that the fundamental principles of Stoicism will always remain “at ha...
Why "I Don't Know" Is The Smartest Stoic Thing You Can Say
08 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“I don’t know” is the key that unlocks the gate to learning. Without that admission, the journey ends. No one can be taught what they think they...
Stoicism and Entrepreneurship: Interview with Ayo Disu
01 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ayo Disu is the co-founder of Octillion Capital Partners, a company that seeks to acquire clean and sustainable brands in the health, beauty, food and...
9 Daily Stoic Journal Prompts
25 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A simple approach to daily Stoic journaling.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:https://whatisstoicism.su...
21 Counterintuitive Stoic Life Lessons
18 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
21 short Stoic life lessons that initially sound difficult to believe.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack...
9 Morning Affirmations To Set Up Stoic Days
11 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How to use Stoicism to prepare for each and every day.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:https://whatiss...
The Stoicism Of The World's Poorest President
04 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What we can learn from Jose Mujica's rejection of riches.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:https://what...
An Exercise In Gratitude (Meditations Book 1)
28 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A Stoic lesson in gratitude from the Philosopher-King, Marcus Aurelius.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substac...
Memento Mori - When Death Informs Life
21 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How memento mori practices can help you appreciate the gift of each new day.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Su...
How To Practice Stoicism The Da Vinci Way
14 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How you can apply Leonardo’s learning process to your practice of Stoicism.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on S...
How To See Things For What They Are
07 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Follow in the footsteps of Marcus Aurelius with this fun but useful Stoic exercise.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism...
A Stoic's 3-Step Easy Evening Routine
30 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The good news is that an evening routine doesn’t need to be mentally taxing.Done the right way, it can gently draw a line under the day that has jus...
The Quest For Character: A Short Book Review
23 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Having been a fan of Massimo Pigliucci’s work for several years, I was grateful to receive a review copy of his latest book, The Quest for Character...
The Story Of Tyrian Purple Dye (And Why Stoicism Wouldn’t Exist Without It)
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode looks at the interesting story of why Stoicism is indebted to what might just be your new favorite color - Tyrian purple.📻 FOR MORE...
11 Short Stoic "Rules" For Life
09 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode features 11 short Stoic rules for life that aren’t rules at all.Rather, they’re important questions that Stoicism gives us the abi...
A Surprisingly Effective Stoic Technique For Easing Your Anxiety
02 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
An explanation from Donald Robertson's How to Think Like a Roman Emperor of a six-step worry postponement process you can try today.📻 FOR MORE STOI...
30 Simple Ways to be More Stoic
26 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Here are 30 short ways to be more Stoic today.Maybe one will be enough to refocus you today, or maybe you’ll decide to try one a day for the next mo...
Notes on Building Good Character
19 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"It can ruin your life only if it ruins your character. Otherwise it cannot harm you — inside or out."— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.8📻 FOR M...
How to Eat, Drink, and Exercise Like a Stoic
12 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"You have to submit to discipline, maintain a strict diet, abstain from rich foods, exercise under compulsion at set times in weather hot and cold, re...
How To Quickly Extinguish Anger And Resentment Toward Others
05 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode unpacks the specific guidelines Marcus Aurelius reminded himself of when feeling anger and resentment toward others for their actions....
This Could Change How You Think About Stoicism
28 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How to look beyond isolated quotes, find the deeper meaning, and benefit by applying the principle.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out ...
"What does Stoicism mean to you?": Answers from modern Stoics
21 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For today's episode, I welcome 8 guests who kindly submitted their own answers to the question: "What does Stoicism mean to you?"Their considered resp...
Here’s What We Are... (A Brief Perspective Reset)
14 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What we are and what we think we are can sometimes be very different things.When we get overwhelmed, it can help to look for an alternative perspectiv...
How to Use Stoicism to Discard Your Anxiety: An Interview With Jon Brooks
07 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A special interview to mark episode 50 of The What Is Stoicism? Podcast!Today's guest is Jon Brooks, creator of The Stoic Handbook and HighExistence. ...
A Better (Stoic) Way To Escape Pain
31 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“Wanting to get out of pain is the pain; it is not the “reaction” of an “I” distinct from the pain. When you discover this, the desire to es...
A Quick Reminder Of What Is And Isn't Within Your Control
24 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
🔗 Cheat sheetWhat is and isn't within your control: https://whatisstoicism.com/stoicism-resources/what-is-and-isnt-within-your-control-a-cheatsheet...
These 2 Stoic Practices Will Ease Your Anxiety
17 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
🔗 Show links:Amor Fati: https://whatisstoicism.com/stoicism-definition/what-is-amor-fati/Negative Visualisation: https://whatisstoicism.com/stoicis...
Why We Have Two Ears And One Tongue
10 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How to stay Stoic in a noisy world.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:https://whatisstoicism.substack.co...
10 Stoic Questions That Will Get You To Take Action Today
03 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Waste no more time arguing what a good person should be. Be one.💪 Exercise linksAnonymous acts of kindness: https://whatisstoicism.com/stoicism-res...
Stoicism, Whisky, And Seeing Things For What They Are
27 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Without a story, without an imagined reality, everything can be seen for what it is.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicis...
How To Return To The Present Moment
20 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Stoic perspectives to change how you think about the past and the future so you can stop all that mental time travel.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL...
The Stoicism Of Looking At A Sheep
13 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a lot we can learn from animals.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:https://whatisstoicism.substack.com...
Meditation Episode: Practicing Stoic Acceptance
06 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"Do not seek for things to happen the way you want them to; rather, wish that what happens happen the way it happens: then you will be happy." - Epict...
Success Might Not Be What You Think It Is
29 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When you set a goal and try to achieve it, you’re ultimately either successful or not.But consider this – if you become rich and famous without tr...
A Short But Powerful Exercise: Define Your Own Principles
22 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With a clear focus on your guiding principles, you can quickly apply them and make decisions more easily. Decisions that reflect your character.📻 F...
4 Stoic Questions To Ask Yourself When You've Been Criticised
15 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How to be less disrupted by criticism by using it as a learning experience.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:ht...
Life Is A Mere Moment, Do As A Stoic Would And Live Immediately
08 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The present is all anyone has — the past is gone, the future is yet to come. Yes, it is wise to learn from the past and to plan for the future, but ...