Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.
In this episode, we explore a theme that quietly weighs on many people during this time of year: navigating the holidays alone. While the holiday season is often portrayed as a time of togetherness, joy, and celebration, it can also amplify feelings of loneliness, pressure, and comparison. The Stoics approached these moments differently, not by denying the difficulty, but by understanding it through reason, acceptance, and self-knowledge.

At the heart of this episode is the Stoic distinction between loneliness and solitude. Loneliness arises when our desires and expectations clash with reality, when we believe something essential is missing. Solitude, by contrast, is a state of inner steadiness, a calm connection with oneself that does not depend on external circumstances.

Seneca captures this beautifully when he writes:
“…we say the wise man is self-content; he is so in the sense that he is able to do without friends, not that he desires to do without them.”
Seneca, Letters from a Stoic, Letter 9

For the Stoics, this wasn’t about rejecting relationships or becoming emotionally distant, but about grounding our well-being in what truly belongs to us: our judgments, values, and character. When Seneca speaks of self-contentment, he isn’t praising isolation, but reminding us that inner stability is the foundation for meaningful connection, not its opposite.

Here are a few Stoic practices from this episode you can explore in your own life:

• Examining desires – Notice where your expectations about the holidays come from, and whether they are reasonable or imposed by social pressure.

• Reframing impressions – When thoughts of “I shouldn’t be alone” arise, pause and question the judgment behind them.

• Practicing solitude – Use time alone for reflection, rest, and reconnection with your values, rather than distraction.

• Voluntary withdrawal from comparison – Step back from social media when it fuels restlessness or self-judgment.

This episode gently reframes the holidays as an opportunity for honesty and presence. By applying the Stoic view, moments of solitude can become moments of clarity, grounding, and even quiet joy. Stoicism shows us that peace does not come from having life look a certain way, but from learning to meet life as it is, with reason and kindness toward ourselves.

Listen to the full episode now and discover how navigating the holidays alone can transform the way you think, act, and relate to yourself.

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📧 info@viastoica.com

🎙️ Produced by: badmic.com

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

In this Stoic Quotes episode, we turn to Epictetus and one of the most important passages from the Handbook (Enchiridion), 1. Epictetus writes:

“Practice then from the start to say to every harsh impression, ‘You are an impression and not at all the things you appear to be.’ Then examine it and test it by these rules … whether it has to do with the things which are up to us or with the things which are not. And if it has to do with the things which are not up to us, be ready to reply, ‘It is nothing to me.’”

This quote points to a core Stoic insight: events themselves do not disturb us, but the judgments we add to them do. Impressions arise automatically, but we always have the capacity to pause, examine them, and decide whether they concern what is truly up to us. This is where Stoic freedom begins.

The same idea appears throughout Stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius urges us to remove opinion from events, while Seneca warns how unchecked impressions quickly turn into destructive emotions. Through the disciplines of Desire, Assent, and Action, the Stoics teach us to release attachment to externals, question our immediate reactions, and act from virtue rather than impulse.

In practice, this means learning to pause when something unsettling happens, asking whether it lies within your control, and letting go of value judgments where it does not. What remains is the freedom to respond well, no matter the circumstances.

For more, check out this related article with quotes on control:
https://viastoica.com/10-epictetus-quotes-on-control/
And if you’re looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:
https://viastoica.com/stoic-quotes
https://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quotes
https://viastoica.com/epictetus-quotes
https://viastoica.com/seneca-quotes
Make sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.
Support the show
https://viastoica.com
https://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching
https://viastoica.com/benny-voncken
https://x.com/ViaStoica
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, I sit down with Eric Weiner, celebrated author, philosophical traveler, and former NPR foreign correspondent, to explore how philosophy, travel, and character shape a meaningful life. Known for The Socrates Express and The Geography of Bliss, Eric brings a mix of humor, honesty, and depth to the conversation.

We dive into the wisdom behind The Socrates Express, the surprising modern relevance of ancient philosophers, and why Stoic ideas continue to resonate today. Eric also shares insights from Ben and Me, his exploration of Benjamin Franklin’s habits, virtues, and practical philosophy for living well.

Whether you’re into Stoicism, philosophy, or simply searching for grounded guidance in daily life, this conversation offers clear, practical takeaways. If you enjoy the episode, rate, review, and subscribe, and read our full review of The Socrates Express: https://viastoica.com/the-socrates-express/Support the show

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Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.
In today’s Stoic Quotes edition, we explore a powerful passage from Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 11.16:

“Why is it so hard when things go against you? If it is imposed by nature, accept it gladly and stop fighting. And if not, work out what your own nature requires and aim at that… None of us is forbidden to pursue our own good.”

Marcus invites us to examine why unexpected events unsettle us so deeply. His answer is simple but demanding: if something follows from the natural order of things, resisting it only creates frustration. And if the difficulty doesn’t come from nature itself but from our own value judgments and desires, then our task is to return to what our own nature requires, the pursuit of virtue, clarity, and good character.

This passage points directly to the heart of Stoic freedom. What harms us is not the event but the judgment we attach to it. Marcus reminds himself that externals merely “hover before us,” without the power to determine our perception. Our beliefs and attitudes do that. And because they are ours, we can change them.

Stoicism becomes clearer when we apply this to our own lives. Many of the things that upset us do so because they collide with external desires, the career we want, the praise we seek, the outcomes we imagine. When those things fail, we call it “misfortune,” even though the true good was always in our character, not in the result.

Practical reflections for your day:
• When something unpleasant happens, pause and ask: “Is this from nature, or from my expectation?”
• Break the situation into its simple parts, what actually occurred versus the story you attached to it.
• Shift your focus from external outcomes to internal excellence: “What is the virtuous thing for me to do right now?”

These small shifts make the Stoic path real, not theoretical. They help you respond with steadiness instead of frustration, clarity instead of confusion, and purpose instead of reactivity.

For more, check out this related article with quotes on acceptance and perspective:
https://viastoica.com/how-to-practice-stoic-acceptance-of-what-is/

And if you’re looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:
https://viastoica.com/stoic-quotes
https://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quotes
https://viastoica.com/epictetus-quotes
https://viastoica.com/seneca-quotes

Make sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.

Support the show
https://viastoica.com
https://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching
https://viastoica.com/benny-voncken
https://x.com/ViaStoica
info@viastoica.com

Produced by: badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.
In this episode, we explore what it truly means to socialize like a Stoic in a world shaped by screens, quick fixes, and the rising tide of loneliness. Many believe confidence comes from external aids like alcohol or status, yet the Stoics approached human connection from a far deeper place. This conversation invites you to pause and reconsider where real confidence and meaningful relationships actually begin.

At the heart of this episode is the Stoic understanding that we are, by nature, social beings, meant to contribute to one another and to the greater whole. As Marcus Aurelius reminds us in Meditations 5.1:
“At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: I have to go to work as a human being.”
For the Stoics, this wasn’t about productivity or social performance, but about duty, contribution, and showing up as a rational, pro-social being. When Marcus writes this, he isn’t being harsh, but reminding us that withdrawing from life and others is not in harmony with who we are meant to be.

Here are a few Stoic practices from this episode you can explore in your own life:
– Examining impressions – noticing when fear of rejection or discomfort shapes your social choices.
– Voluntary discomfort – practicing sober, deliberate presence in social settings to build real confidence.
– View from above – stepping back to see how small momentary rejection truly is in the larger pattern of life.
– Daily reflection – journaling how you showed up for others and where you avoided connection.

Modern life offers endless stimulation but little depth. Algorithms, digital validation, and social shortcuts promise connection yet often strengthen isolation. Stoicism offers another way—one grounded in character, clarity, and courage. By the end of this episode, you’ll see that Stoicism isn’t a cold philosophy of detachment, but a way of living with presence, responsibility, and quiet inner strength.

Referenced clips from the episode
Scott Galloway on Bill Maher:
https://youtu.be/BeTLZasgWS4?si=p0a4l-Bp7Us3_0Tv

Gary Vaynerchuk on confidence and judgment:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/A-BFFp9TdD4

Listen to the full episode now and discover how social connection can transform the way you think, act, and see your life.

Support the show
🌐 viastoica.com
🎯 viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching
👤 viastoica.com/benny-voncken
▶️ YouTube: @viastoica
📧 info@viastoica.com

🎙️ Produced by: badmic.com

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

In this episode, we explore a powerful line from Seneca’s On Anger (Book 3.5):

“The first essential is not to become angry; the second, to cease being angry; the third, to cure anger in others.”

Seneca calls anger a form of “momentary madness,” a state that pulls us away from clarity and keeps us from making the right moral choice.

We walk through why the Stoics saw anger as a judgment rather than an inevitable reaction, and how examining that judgment helps us understand the emotion instead of being overpowered by it. Drawing on the Stoic disciplines of Desire, Assent, and Action, this episode shows how we can pause before anger rises, return to reason when it does, and eventually help others do the same.

You’ll also hear practical ways to apply Seneca’s three steps in daily life, from creating a pause between trigger and response, to setting a calmer example for the people around us. This is a reflective and grounded look at how Stoicism helps us navigate one of the most common and disruptive emotions.

For more, check out this related article with quotes on anger:
https://viastoica.com/how-to-take-right-action-like-a-stoic/

And if you’re looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:
https://viastoica.com/stoic-quotes
https://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quotes
https://viastoica.com/epictetus-quotes
https://viastoica.com/seneca-quotes

Make sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.

Support the show
https://viastoica.com
https://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching
https://viastoica.com/benny-voncken
https://x.com/ViaStoica
info@viastoica.com

Produced by: https://badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.
In today’s episode, we explore a simple but powerful December practice: returning to a few meaningful books as a way to reflect, reset, and prepare for the year ahead. This is a time when many people think about change, but the Stoics approached renewal differently. For them, reflection wasn’t about waiting for January 1st, it was about using this moment, right now, to strengthen the mind and clarify intention.

At the heart of this episode is the idea that reading is not an escape but a form of self-examination. He isn’t urging perfectionism, but pointing us toward small, present-moment choices, the kind of choices this yearly reading ritual helps illuminate.

Here are a few Stoic practices from this episode you can explore in your own life:

• Reflective reading — return to books that ground you, not for new information but to renew your mindset and revisit forgotten insights.
• Preparing the mind early — instead of waiting for New Year’s resolutions, use December as your mental runway to understand why you want to change.
• Examining impressions — pause when you feel pulled toward old habits and ask yourself what belief or expectation sits underneath the impulse.
• Daily philosophical reminders — create your own “handbook” of quotes or ideas that steady you when life becomes noisy.

This episode is a quiet invitation to step back from the rush of the year and reconnect with what matters. The books Benny discusses — Man’s Search for Meaning, Epictetus’ Handbook, and Marcus Aurelius' Meditations are not just texts but companions that sharpen attention, deepen gratitude, and restore a sense of direction. By returning to them, we rediscover that Stoicism is not about cold detachment. It is about remembering who we want to be and choosing to live with clarity, courage, and a bit more kindness toward ourselves.

Listen to the full episode now and discover how end-of-year reflection can transform the way you think, act, and see your life.

You can also check out the article: https://viastoica.com/the-best-stoic-books-for-reflection/

Support the show
🌐 viastoica.com🎯 viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching👤 viastoica.com/benny-voncken▶️ YouTube: @viastoica📧 info@viastoica.com

🎙️ Produced by: badmic.com

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

In today’s Stoic Quotes episode, we explore a powerful teaching from Epictetus taken from the Handbook (Enchiridion), Section 4, a short, concentrated guide to Stoic practice.

“When you are about to undertake some action, remind yourself what sort of action it is.”
Epictetus, Handbook, 4

This simple instruction contains a profound Stoic discipline: prepare your mind before entering situations where frustration, irritation, or impatience are likely to arise. Epictetus uses the example of going to the public baths in ancient Rome, a chaotic place full of noise, crowds, and annoyances. His point is timeless: if you remember what you are stepping into, you won’t be surprised by what happens inside it.

What he’s really pointing to is the Stoic principle of prosochē, attentive presence. When you anticipate the nature of the situation, you protect your freedom of response. You remember that your task is not just to “take a bath,” or “drive a car,” or “stand in a queue,” but to keep your choices aligned with nature, meaning aligned with reason, patience, and virtue.

When you adopt this mindset, daily life becomes far less reactive. You stop wishing people were different and begin practicing who you want to be.

In practical terms, this teaching can help you:
• Reduce frustration in situations you already know will test you — driving, airports, crowded shops, delays.
• Take a brief mental pause before entering a task and ask, “What am I about to do — and who do I want to be while doing it?”
• Shift from reacting to others’ behavior toward fulfilling your own role with patience, calm, and steadiness.

By preparing your mind before the moment, you create space for virtue within the moment.

For more, check out this related article with quotes on how to take the right action:
https://viastoica.com/how-to-take-right-action-like-a-stoic/
And if you’re looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:
https://viastoica.com/stoic-quotes
https://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quotes
https://viastoica.com/epictetus-quotes
https://viastoica.com/seneca-quotes

Make sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.

Support the show
https://viastoica.com
https://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching
https://viastoica.com/benny-voncken
https://x.com/ViaStoica
info@viastoica.com

Produced by: badmic.com