Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the Podcast on Stoicism.

In this episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, Benny explores the Stoic Discipline of Desire, one of the three core disciplines that guide us toward a calmer and more meaningful life.

In a world where everything we want is just a buy button away and social media constantly tempts us to compare ourselves with others, Stoicism offers a way out. Instead of chasing external goals like wealth, status, or possessions, the Stoics teach us to redirect our desires inward, toward virtue, peace of mind, and harmony with nature.

Drawing from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and later Roman Stoics, Benny explains why unchecked desire leads to anxiety and dissatisfaction, and how suppressing or redirecting desire can create true freedom. You’ll hear about practical Stoic exercises such as pausing before impulses, practicing gratitude, journaling about wants and aversions, and realigning your goals with virtue.

If you’ve ever wondered how to stop craving more and start living with enough, this episode will give you the tools to begin. For more on this topic, see the full guide:
👉 https://viastoica.com/how-to-practice-the-stoic-discipline-desire/

Support the show
🌐 https://viastoica.com
🎯 https://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching
👤 https://viastoica.com/benny-voncken
▶️ YouTube: /viastoica
📧 Reach us: info@viastoica.com
🎙️ Produced by: http://badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the Podcast on Stoicism.

In this Stoic Quotes episode, Benny reflects on Epictetus’ words from Discourses 3.9:

“You too should drop your desire. Do not covet many things and you will get what you want.”

For Epictetus, the path to freedom and peace begins with the discipline of desire. We often chase after externals — wealth, success, recognition — only to find ourselves restless and unsatisfied. The more we want, the less content we feel. But when we align our desires with what is truly up to us, namely virtue and right action, we discover lasting satisfaction.

In this episode, Benny unpacks how Epictetus connects unchecked desire to frustration, anger, and fear, while showing that virtue is the only secure object of desire. You’ll hear how the Stoics distinguished between healthy wishes and destructive passions, and why letting go of unnecessary wants is the key to freedom.

Perfect for anyone exploring Epictetus’s quotes on desire, the Stoic discipline of desire, and practical philosophy for living a more grounded life.

In the Stoic Quotes series, we explore timeless wisdom from Seneca, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and more — discovering what they meant then and how we can live them today. In this episode, Benny connects Epictetus’ insight to the daily struggle of ambition, the need for role clarity, and the courage to choose virtue over externals.

If you are looking for more quotes like this one, visit viastoica.com. We have hundreds of Stoic sayings with full references, so you can find them in the original texts or use them in your own reflections.

🔗 viastoica.com/stoic-quotes🔗 viastoica.com/epictetus-quotes🔗 viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quotes🔗 viastoica.com/seneca-quotes

Make sure to subscribe for more quote episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer Stoic discussions. Leave a comment if you have thoughts or questions — we might feature them in a future episode.

Support the show

🌐 viastoica.com🌐 viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching🌐 viastoica.com/benny-voncken🐦 /viastoica📩 Reach us: info@viastoica.com

Produced by: badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, The Podcast on Stoicism.

In this episode of The Via Stoica Podcast, Benny speaks with Dr. John Sellars, one of today’s leading scholars of Stoicism and the history of philosophy. Dr. Sellars is Reader in the History of Philosophy at Royal Holloway, University of London, Associate Editor for the Ancient Commentators on Aristotle series at King’s College London, and a founding member of both Modern Stoicism and the Aurelius Foundation. He has authored and edited numerous works, including Stoicism (recently revised), Stoicism and Emotion, and The Cambridge Companion to Marcus Aurelius.

Our conversation traces Dr. Sellars’ journey from his early fascination with science and politics to his lifelong study of ancient philosophy. We explore how the Stoics carried forward the legacy of Socrates in a way that feels both practical and deeply human, and why their materialist, empiricist outlook resonated more with him than Plato’s metaphysical idealism. Dr. Sellars reflects on how philosophy has shaped his own life, from changing his views on free will to cultivating a “big picture” perspective that keeps ego and ambition in check.

The discussion ranges widely: from common misconceptions about Stoicism, such as that it is unemotional, politically disengaged, or only for men, to the role of community in mental health, and the tension between Stoic determinism and ideas of God, providence, and nature. We also dive into Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, examining why the book endures, how Marcus grappled with death and difficult people, and why we should see him not as a perfect sage but as a flawed human being struggling to live well.

Dr. Sellars also shares insights into his ongoing projects, including new research on Stoicism and leadership (with Justin Stead of the Aurelius Foundation), and his work with psychologists at Royal Holloway testing Stoic practices in peer-reviewed studies on resilience, anxiety, and anger.

Whether you are new to Stoicism or looking to go deeper into its history and modern applications, this episode offers both scholarly depth and practical wisdom for living a good life.

You can find Dr. Sellars’ books, including the revised edition of Stoicism and The Cambridge Companion to Marcus Aurelius, through major booksellers. To learn more, visit the Aurelius Foundation or the Center for the Study and Application of Stoicism at Royal Holloway.

Support the show

⁠https://viastoica.com⁠https://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching⁠

https://viastoica.com/benny-voncken

⁠https://viastoica.com/brendan-hogle

⁠https://x.com/ViaStoica⁠info@viastoica.com

⁠Produced by: ⁠http://badmic.com