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Ever feel like you're drifting through life without a clear moral compass? The ancient Stoics had an answer: four timeless virtues that can transform how you handle stress, make decisions, and find meaning.

In this episode of Stoic Handbook, Jon Brooks breaks down wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance – the four cardinal virtues that philosophers like Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus used to navigate everything from personal anxiety to leading empires.

You'll discover:

• Wisdom: How to see reality clearly and focus on what you can control (with a modern work deadline example)
• Courage: Why acting on your principles matters more than physical bravery (plus the truth about Stoic tattoos!)
• Justice: How treating others fairly becomes the source of all other virtues
• Temperance: The art of balance in a world of excess and distraction

Jon shares practical daily exercises, modern examples, and explains why these 2,000-year-old principles are more relevant than ever in our chaotic world. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, seeking clarity, or just want to be a better human, this episode gives you a framework that actually works.

Perfect for: Anyone new to Stoicism, people struggling with emotional resilience, or philosophy enthusiasts looking for practical wisdom.

Resources mentioned: Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, Epictetus' Enchiridion, Modern Stoicism website

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Reclaim your calm in a world of group chat drama and endless notifications. This 12-minute guided practice breaks down Epictetus' 20 social rules from the Enchiridion Chapter 33—ancient Stoic wisdom for modern chaos.

Learn to pause before reacting, redirect gossip into growth, disarm critics without ego, and curate connections that elevate your energy. Perfect for high-stakes meetings, family dinners, or digital detox.

Each rule includes reflection prompts and breath anchors. Stoic Week research shows 25% less daily stress after one week of practice.

Ideal for: Anyone tired of reactive conversations, people-pleasing, or social media drain.

🎧 Related: How to Handle Difficult People: Stoic Strategies, Empathy vs. Compassion, and Communication Techniques

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Let me guess: you've read Marcus Aurelius. You know some things are up to you and some aren't. And yet... you still lie awake replaying conversations, spiraling over outcomes, or feeling like a failure when things don't go your way.

Yeah. Me too.

Here's the problem: the dichotomy of control is brilliant philosophy—but it's terrible instructions for real life. People hear "focus on what you control" and either become passive ("guess I'll just accept everything") or confused ("wait, don't my actions influence outcomes?").

Today I'm fixing that.

I'm walking you through the Epictetan Control Framework (ECF)—a 6-step process that upgrades Stoicism's most famous tool into something you can actually use without your brain short-circuiting.

We're covering:

• Why even smart people misuse the dichotomy
• The one question that instantly clarifies what's "up to you"
• How to plan like a strategist and evaluate like a Sage
• Real examples: job hunting, tough conversations, and everything in between
• The "reserve clause" that makes you bulletproof
• A field exercise to run the framework on YOUR stressor (right now)

By the end, you'll have a tool you can use in two minutes, any time anxiety or frustration tries to hijack your day.

This is Stoicism that actually works. No fluff. No philosophy-speak. Just clarity, action, and peace.

Let's go.