logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2021
1h 8m

Learning Stoicism: A Systematic Approach...

JON BROOKS
About this episode

Send us a text

I was recently asked to give a Stoicism talk by Peter Limberg on The Stoa.

This episode contains that entire talk.

But before I get into the workshop description…

I just want to give a shout-out to Peter, who hosts regular epic workshops and discussions by fascinating thinkers, for free.

Peter describes The Stoa as follows:

"The Stoa is not a school, think tank, clinic, or commune, and it is definitely not a f*****g YouTube channel. The Stoa is a stewarded daemonic fire—on an obscure hill in the noosphere—serving as a beacon to find the others. It is a surprise, for those who have become weary of the endless pressure to know. It is also a portal, to a new world. A world that you might have stopped believing in, but have always been secretly longing for."
Peter Limberg

In my workshop, I reveal the system I use for both myself and my students in Askesis to learn Stoicism.

Introducing The 4885 System...

Stoicism is quite large, and life is messy. Knowing when to apply Stoicism, how to apply it, and what to focus on is tricky. I call this the complexity problem. 

To overcome that problem, I’ve devised the 4885 System. It’s broken down as follows: 

  • 4 Skill Categories 
  • 8 Critical Skills 
  • 8 Core Principles
  • 5 Learning Methods 


When these are all combined and integrated, Stoicism becomes embodied—and this is the goal… embodied Stoicism. Not just concepts.

The more visually inclined, you can also watch the video here with slides.

Support the show

Resources

Up next
Sep 30
Become Untriggerable: Masculinity, Intimacy, and Healing with Adam Rice
Send us a textMost “men’s advice” teaches tactics. In this conversation, Adam Rice shares a deeper path: becoming untriggerable, relating consciously, and integrating the masculine and feminine so you can lead, love, and live without the drama spiral.We cover how to spot ego flar ... Show More
2h 6m
Sep 24
NVC in Real Life with Hans van Veen
Send us a textIf “be nicer” hasn’t fixed your toughest conversations, try Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in the wild. Coach Hans Nav Neev shows how to turn trigger moments into clarity, how to stop taking things personally, and why conflict—done well—becomes a portal to connectio ... Show More
1h 24m
Aug 26
Good Kid, Tricky Moment: A Calm‑Parenting Reset
Send us a textWhen your child’s “No!” sparks your own surge, this guided reset helps you find your soft voice again. We begin with 4–6 breathing to settle the nervous system, set a one‑line intention, and repeat the cue phrase “Good kid, tricky moment.” Then we practice holding t ... Show More
13m 51s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2019
Episode 62, Epictetus: A Guide to Stoicism (Part III. Modern Stoicism)
Imagine you are in an open field which stretches in every direction, further than your eyes can see. Since there is nothing of interest in your immediate surroundings, you set your sights on the horizon. You begin to walk with purpose; long strides eventually break into a run unt ... Show More
51m 6s
Apr 2025
Stoic Advice for Handling Setbacks, Insults, and Death | William Irvine
How to boost your psychological immune system, the stoic way. William “Bill” Irvine is the emeritus professor of philosophy at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He is the author of eight books that have been translated into more than twenty languages, including Guide to th ... Show More
1h 14m
May 2025
Stoic Actions for Anxious Minds
This episode explores how anxiety can quietly hold us back from the things that matter most—and how Stoic wisdom offers a path through it.Drawing on insights from Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, we look at how changing our judgments, not just our circumstances, empowers us to act ... Show More
5m 19s
Sep 25
Are You Actually A Stoic?
Daily Boost Podcast Show Notes Are You Actually A Stoic? September 24, 2025 | Episode 5189 Host: Scott Smith Episode Description Life's been crazy since 300 BC, and guess what? Nothing's changed. Scott dives into whether you're already practicing stoicism without knowing it. Poli ... Show More
10m 21s
Jul 2019
Episode 62, Epictetus: A Guide to Stoicism (Part IV. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
Imagine you are in an open field which stretches in every direction, further than your eyes can see. Since there is nothing of interest in your immediate surroundings, you set your sights on the horizon. You begin to walk with purpose; long strides eventually break into a run unt ... Show More
37m 35s
Jul 2019
Episode 62, Epictetus: A Guide to Stoicism (Part V. Further Analysis and Discussion)
Imagine you are in an open field which stretches in every direction, further than your eyes can see. Since there is nothing of interest in your immediate surroundings, you set your sights on the horizon. You begin to walk with purpose; long strides eventually break into a run unt ... Show More
58m 3s
Jun 2019
Episode 62, Epictetus: A Guide to Stoicism (Part I. The Context and Life of Epictetus)
Imagine you are in an open field which stretches in every direction, further than your eyes can see. Since there is nothing of interest in your immediate surroundings, you set your sights on the horizon. You begin to walk with purpose; long strides eventually break into a run unt ... Show More
54m 36s
Aug 18
Mingyur Rinpoche: A Meditation Master on Anxiety, Awareness, and Awakening
Dr. Rick and Forrest are joined by Mingyur Rinpoche, a renowned Tibetan Buddhist teacher, to explore calming anxiety with awareness, relaxing unhealthy wanting, and finding a deeper sense of our innate goodness. Rinpoche shares how a near-death experience during his four-year “wa ... Show More
1h 8m
Sep 1
When Shame Shows Up; A Therapy Method For Inner Peace When Doing Personal Growth Work
Tired of trying to think your way out of overthinking?Let me show you what actually works—in less than 30 minutes.Get immediate access to a free class now.In this mini session, you'll discover why looking inward can feel so uncomfortable and one powerful way to quiet the shame an ... Show More
5m 42s
Jun 2019
Episode 62, Epictetus: A Guide to Stoicism (Part II. The Discourses and The Enchiridion)
Imagine you are in an open field which stretches in every direction, further than your eyes can see. Since there is nothing of interest in your immediate surroundings, you set your sights on the horizon. You begin to walk with purpose; long strides eventually break into a run unt ... Show More
1h 4m