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PODCAST

Practical Stoicism

Evergreen Podcasts

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

society & culture philosophy

All Episodes

60:50

The Stoic Blot [with Jason Pack]

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/11/01

In this episode I talk with Jason Pack — a world-class backgammon grandmaster, geopolitical analyst, and host of Disorder, a podcast about what he calls “the global enduring disorder.” It’s an unexpected mix of topics: the psychology of high-stakes decision-making, the Stoic discipline of attention, and how lessons from the game board apply to politics, leadership, and life. What starts as a conversation about dice and probability evolves into a reflection on courage, restraint, and rational focus —

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59:10

Phi Curious [with Massimo Pigliucci]

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/10/23

In this episode I sit down with philosopher and author Massimo Pigliucci to talk about his book Beyond Stoicism—and why, in his view, no single philosophy can capture everything it means to live well. We dive into the limits of ancient Stoicism, what modern life can borrow from other Greco-Roman schools, and how practices like skepticism, tempered hedonism, and transcendence can enrich our pursuit of virtue today.Key takeaways from this episode include: — Stoicism was born from synthesis, and

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20:33

What Stoicism Teaches About Courage Under Fire

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/10/15

In this episode I reflect on the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado — a living case study in courage, justice, and Stoic composure under pressure. I unpack what Stoic philosophy can teach us about moral action when outcomes are uncertain, why courage must always serve justice, and how to handle praise, power, and fear without losing our moral footing.Key takeaways from this episode include: — Courage, in Stoic terms, isn’t fearlessness but

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20:55

How Much News Should a Stoic Consume?

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/10/08

In this episode I wrestle with how much news a practicing Stoic should actually consume. I define a “news media diet,” weigh different source types (fellow citizens, establishment outlets, and subject-matter experts), and argue for a role-driven, locality-first approach that respects our limits of time, competence, and control. I also share my own daily routine and a practical way to stay informed without burning out or being dragged into performative outrage.Key takeaways from this episode

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11:00

Can We Stoics Take A Day Off?

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/09/28

In this episode I tackle a question that every practicing Stoic has probably wrestled with: can we ever take a day off from Stoicism? If the pursuit of virtue is supposed to shape every moment of our lives, does that mean we must always be vigilant, never resting? I explore what the ancient texts say, how the ancients themselves surely stumbled, and why purposeful rest isn’t a betrayal of Stoic practice but part of sustaining it.Key takeaways from this episode include: — While Epictetus and Marcus

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15:45

The Stoic Perspective on Abortion

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/09/21

In this episode I take on one of the hardest and most emotionally charged topics of our time: abortion. Not to argue politics or to inflame division, but to examine how Stoicism frames the issue. We look at both pro-life and pro-choice arguments through Stoic logic, explore why rational agency is the core of the debate, and consider what it means to respect the choices of others when those choices belong to them and not to us.Key takeaways from this episode include: — For Stoics, moral weight

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23:51

From Defense to War: A Stoic Response to America’s...

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/09/12

In this episode I unpack the recent announcement that the U.S. Department of Defense is being renamed the Department of War — and why, from a Stoic perspective, that shift in language and intent is antithetical to virtue. I explore what a true warrior ethos looks like according to Stoic philosophy, why intentions matter more than branding or rhetoric, and how populist theatrics around power can easily drift away from justice and wisdom.Key takeaways from this episode include: — The Stoic warrior

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23:45

Can Stoics Eat Meat?

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/09/03

In this episode I dig into the Stoic approach to diet and the perennial “should Stoics eat meat?” question. I lay out what “living in accordance with Nature” really means (Logos, not tree-hugging shorthand), why eating animals isn’t inherently un-Stoic, and where our reasoning can go vicious—especially with industrialized, commodified animal agriculture. I also talk through practical ways contemporary Stoics can eat more justly without pretending to be sages or purists.Key takeaways from this

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22:31

Should Stoics Care About The Environment?

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/08/30

In this episode I explore the Stoic perspective on the environment — how we should think about our roles and responsibilities toward nature, and whether caring for the natural world is a Stoic duty or an indulgence in trying to control what we cannot. Along the way, I share examples of real-world environmental issues, discuss the balance between regulation and freedom, and outline some practical ways we can each live “according to Nature” in our daily lives.Key takeaways from this episode

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18:02

What If It Actually Is My Job?

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/08/22

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

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28:20

A Stoic's Perspective on Immigration (Broadly)

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/08/11

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

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60:21

Rhetoric as a Method of Self-Betterment [Interview...

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/08/04

My interview with Jay Heinrichs, author of "Aristotle's Guide to Self-Persuasion." Buy the book here: https://stoicismpod.com/jayAll my links here: https://links.stoicismpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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14:02

Introducing Season 3: Applied Stoicism

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/07/27

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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71:36

Guest Interview: The Strong Stoic Podcast

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/07/23

Check out the Strong Stoic podcast at https://brandontumblin.com/strongstoicpodcastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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63:20

Guest Interview: The Tech Stoic Podcast

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/07/15

Find Brian's show here on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/14w68JEPb1D2suzGHAEWU9?si=4d97cdfb29244780Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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5:27

Quick Update: I'm not dead!

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/07/13

I live!Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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22:55

Figs, Fate, and When to Quit (Meditations 4.6)

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/06/24

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

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27:05

Fear of Death? Listen to This (Meditations 4.5)

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/06/19

In this episode, I reflect on Meditations 4.5 and Marcus Aurelius’ effort to habituate acceptance of death as a natural and necessary part of life. Drawing from Marcus' experiences leading Rome through war and plague, I explore how his preoccupation with death wasn’t morbid, but practical—an attempt to remain aligned with Nature and his duty within the Cosmopolis. Death, like birth, is part of the universal order, and Stoicism teaches us that fearing it contradicts the very reason and nature we’re

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25:59

Is Rape a Stoic Indifferent?

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/06/10

In this episode, I respond to a challenging and emotionally heavy listener question: how can Stoicism claim that only Virtue is Good and only Vice is Evil, even in the face of horrific acts like rape? This isn’t a theoretical exercise in cruelty—it's a serious inquiry into Stoic ethical nuance. The heart of the issue is understanding what Stoicism means when it calls something "indifferent," and why it insists that moral value resides not in actions themselves, but in the moral character of the

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33:32

Even after years of practice, I still fail

Practical Stoicism ·

2025/06/04

In this episode, I share a personal story about nearly losing my temper on a train—a moment that reminded me, yet again, how far I am from sagehood and how important continuous attention (prosochē) is in Stoic practice. A long day in London, a rowdy group of teens, and a few minor annoyances were enough to push me near my breaking point. But in reflecting on the moment, I was reminded that even when we slip, our years of practice can still protect us from our worst impulses.I share this story not

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