Episodes

  • What If It Actually Is My Job?

    What If It Actually Is My Job?
    Aug 22 2025
    In this episode I reflect on the idea of responsibility through the lens of Spider-Man’s famous question, “What if it is my job?” I talk about how we can discern whether something really falls to us or not, how our roles and duties guide those decisions, and why happiness isn’t the point of life for a Stoic — virtue is. Along the way, I share thoughts on gut reactions, role-based reasoning, and how we can both accept where we are and still strive for better. Key takeaways from this episode include: — Stoics should be cautious of following gut or heart impulses, since these are often driven by immediate emotions rather than reason. — Our roles in life (parent, spouse, citizen, friend, etc.) help determine whether something “is our job” or not, and when no role obligates us, we can weigh whether new responsibilities can be taken on justly. — Happiness is not about external circumstances but about who we are; contentment and striving can coexist when both are approached with justice and gratitude. For an ad-free version of this podcast please visit https://stoicismpod.com/members For links to other valuable Stoic things, please visit https://links.stoicismpod.com If you'd like to provide feedback on this episode, or have question, you may do so as a member. Email sent by non-members will not be answered (though they may be read). This isn't punitive, I just cannot keep up. Limiting access to members reduces my workload. You're always invited to leave a comment on Spotify, member or not. Thanks for listening and have a great day! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    18 mins
  • A Stoic's Perspective on Immigration (Broadly)

    A Stoic's Perspective on Immigration (Broadly)
    Aug 11 2025
    In this episode I explore how Stoic principles apply to the controversial and often emotionally charged topic of immigration. Using the Circles of Concern as a framework, I examine why Stoics must care for all members of the Cosmopolis, even when cultural differences challenge us. I also break down why preserving culture “at all costs” is un-Stoic, and how moral reasoning—not fear, nationalism, or rigid legality—should guide immigration policy and enforcement. Real-world examples, from COVID-era mask debates to refugee scenarios, help illustrate how Stoic justice differs from legal justice and why discernment is essential. Key takeaways from this episode include: Stoicism calls us to care for everyone in the Cosmopolis, even when differences exist, but requires reasoned discernment about how to act in distant circles of concern Preserving culture “at all costs” is not Stoic; the only pursuit worth that cost is perfect moral knowledge Stoic justice is based on moral reasoning and context, not on strict adherence to law or partisan ideology For an ad-free version of this podcast please visit https://stoicismpod.com/members For links to other valuable Stoic things, please visit https://links.stoicismpod.com If you'd like to provide feedback on this episode, or have question, you may do so as a member. Email sent by non-members will not be answered (though they may be read). This isn't punitive, I just cannot keep up. Limiting access to members reduces my workload. You're always invited to leave a comment on Spotify, member or not. Thanks for listening and have a great day! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    28 mins
  • Rhetoric as a Method of Self-Betterment [Interview with Jay Heinrichs]

    Rhetoric as a Method of Self-Betterment [Interview with Jay Heinrichs]
    Aug 4 2025
    My interview with Jay Heinrichs, author of "Aristotle's Guide to Self-Persuasion." Buy the book here: https://stoicismpod.com/jay All my links here: https://links.stoicismpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr
  • Introducing Season 3: Applied Stoicism

    Introducing Season 3: Applied Stoicism
    Jul 27 2025
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    14 mins
  • Guest Interview: The Strong Stoic Podcast

    Guest Interview: The Strong Stoic Podcast
    Jul 23 2025
    Check out the Strong Stoic podcast at https://brandontumblin.com/strongstoicpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Guest Interview: The Tech Stoic Podcast

    Guest Interview: The Tech Stoic Podcast
    Jul 15 2025
    Find Brian's show here on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/14w68JEPb1D2suzGHAEWU9?si=4d97cdfb29244780 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Quick Update: I'm not dead!

    Quick Update: I'm not dead!
    Jul 13 2025
    I live! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins
  • Figs, Fate, and When to Quit (Meditations 4.6)

    Figs, Fate, and When to Quit (Meditations 4.6)
    Jun 24 2025
    This week I reflect on Meditations 4.6 and consider whether Marcus is really writing about death—or if he's reminding himself of the silliness of resisting what naturally unfolds. I explore the Stoic view of fate through the lens of the causal chain and point out where I think Stoicism allows some space for personal agency and emotional response. We also address the human tendency to lament things we cannot change, and I explain why indulging in that lamentation holds us back from our progress toward virtue. In the second half of the episode, I respond to a thoughtful listener question about how to let go of responsibilities when you've taken on too much. We dig into the difference between permanent and elective roles, what Stoicism asks of us when it comes to stepping away from duties, and how to abandon certain roles without abandoning our moral character in the process. “These are natural and necessary results from creatures of this kind, and one who wants this to be otherwise wants the fig-tree not to yield its acrid juice. And in general remember this, that within a very little while both he and you will be dead, and a little after not even your name nor his will be left.” — Meditations 4.6 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    21 mins