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Practical Stoicism

Practical Stoicism

By: Evergreen Podcasts
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 Stoicism is the pursuit of Virtue (Aretê), which was defined by the Ancient Greeks as "the knowledge of how to live excellently," Stoicism is a holistic life philosophy meant to guide us towards the attainment of this knowledge through the development of our character. While many other Stoicism podcasts focus on explaining Ancient Stoicism in an academic or historical context, Practical Stoicism strives to port the ancient wisdom of this 2300-plus-year-old Greek Philosophy into contemporary times to provide practical advice for living today, not two millennia ago. Join American philosopher of Stoicism Tanner Campbell, every Monday and Friday, for new episodes.Evergreen Podcasts 2025 Philosophy Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Why "Retreating Into Yourself" Isn't Always Practical (Meditations 4.3)

    Why "Retreating Into Yourself" Isn't Always Practical (Meditations 4.3)
    May 20 2025
    PendingIn today’s episode of Practical Stoicism, I explore Meditations 4.3, a passage that, while often celebrated, carries the potential for self-abuse if misunderstood. Marcus Aurelius reflects on the desire to escape daily life by retreating into nature—something he admits he feels compelled to do himself. But rather than criticize that impulse, I suggest we reframe it: needing a retreat isn’t weakness, it’s part of the process of becoming better. While a sage might retreat into their mind, we Prokoptôns might genuinely need to retreat physically from time to time—and that’s not failure, it’s reality. Growth doesn’t happen on command. It takes time, rest, and humility. Meditations 4.3Men look for retreats for themselves, the country, the sea-shore, the hills; and you yourself, too, are peculiarly accustomed to feel the same want. Yet all this is very unlike a philosopher, when you may at any hour you please retreat into yourself... The Universe is change, life is opinion. THREE TAKEAWAYS — The urge to escape isn’t a weakness, it’s a sign of being human—and sometimes necessary for moral progress. — Perfection isn’t the goal; striving for better while accepting your limitations is. — If seashore retreats help you grow, they’re not indulgences—they’re tools for becoming a better person. Join the Practical Stoicism community, the Society of Stoics, at https://community.stoicismpod.com. Members enjoy ad-free episodes, weekly journaling prompts, a membership medallion, and access to regular live calls and discussions. Join today at https://community.stoicismpod.com. Buy my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Read source material: https://stoicismpod.com/far Subscribe on YouTube: https://stoicismpod.com/youtube Follow me on Bluesky: https://stoicismpod.com/bluesky Grab the app: https://qotd.tannercampbell.net/ Follow me on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tannercampbell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    19 mins
  • Are You Living Purposefully? (Meditations 4.2)

    Are You Living Purposefully? (Meditations 4.2)
    May 13 2025
    This episode of Practical Stoicism dives into the thought-provoking yet concise Meditations 4.2 by Marcus Aurelius. I explore what it means to act with purpose and how the Stoic tradition invites us to examine our actions not by their strict planning but by their alignment with Virtue. I argue that taking time to rest or reconnect with nature is not inherently aimless if it serves the goal of living well. I also reflect on a listener’s question about why I choose not to use skin-tone-specific emojis, connecting this personal choice to Stoic principles of identity and focus. The conversation touches on the dangers of over-identification with external labels and the value of keeping one’s attention on what truly matters: our role as rational participants in the Cosmopolis. MEDITATIONMeditations 4.2 — “Nothing that is undertaken is to be undertaken without a purpose, nor otherwise than according to a principle which makes the art of living perfect.” THREE TAKEAWAYS — Purposeful living doesn’t mean relentless scheduling, but thoughtful engagement with your actions. — Rest and leisure, when chosen with intention, align with the Stoic pursuit of Virtue. — Avoiding identity labels can help maintain focus on the most important identity: being a rational part of the Cosmos. LINKS — Go ad-free: https://stoicismpod.com/members — Order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book — Source Text: https://stoicismpod.com/far — Follow me on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tannerocampbell.bsky.social — Follow me on YouTube: https://stoicismpod.com/youtube — Stoicism QOTD App: https://qotd.tannercampbell.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    19 mins
  • Your Daemon, Divine Reason, and the Fire Within (Meditations 4.1)

    Your Daemon, Divine Reason, and the Fire Within (Meditations 4.1)
    May 6 2025
    In this episode, I begin Book 4 of Meditations with reflection 4.1, a powerful meditation that compares the rational mind to a fire that consumes everything it encounters, growing stronger because of obstacles rather than being snuffed out by them. Marcus is teaching us that when we align our rational faculty with Nature, we develop the ability to transform adversity into fuel for flourishing. I explore the Stoic concepts of the hegemonikon, the daemon, and how humans uniquely possess a concentrated portion of the divine Logos—making us capable of rationality in a way no other beings are. I explain how Pneuma and Tonos work to contain Reason in the Cosmos and connect this to the philosophical notion that our true “self” is the divine spark within us. In the listener Q&A, I respond to a question about how to manage aging parents with grace and justice, emphasizing the Stoic responsibility to act fairly without compromising other vital roles. Meditations 4.1 “The sovereign power within, in its natural state, so confronts what comes to pass as always to adapt itself readily to what is feasible and is presented to it. This is because it puts its affection upon no material of its own choice; rather it sets itself upon its objects with a reservation, and then makes the opposition which encounters it into material for itself. It is like a fire, when it masters what falls into it, whereby a little taper would have been put out, but a bright fire very quickly appropriates and devours what is heaped upon it, and leaps up higher out of those very obstacles.” THREE TAKEAWAYS — The Stoic “sovereign power within” refers to our rational faculty, which is naturally adaptive when aligned with Nature. — Humans uniquely embody a concentrated share of the divine Logos, and this forms the essence of our self—our daemon. — Caring for others, like aging parents, must be guided by Reason and Justice, not guilt or emotional manipulation. LINKS Go ad-free: https://stoicismpod.com/members Order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text: https://stoicismpod.com/far Follow me on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tannerocampbell.bsky.social Follow me on YouTube: https://stoicismpod.com/youtube Stoicism QOTD App: https://qotd.tannercampbell.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 mins

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