logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
1h 14m

Stoic Advice for Handling Setbacks, Insu...

10% Happier
About this episode

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 the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy and Stoic Challenge: A Philosopher’s Guide to Becoming Tougher, Calmer, and More Resilient.

 

Bill is one of many great teachers featured on Waking Up, a top-notch meditation app with amazing teachers and a ton of courses for all levels. If you subscribe via this link: wakingup.com/tenpercent, you’ll get a 30-day free trial—and you’ll be supporting the 10% Happier team, too. Full and partial scholarships are available.

 

In this episode we talk about:

  • How Bill was first introduced to Stoicism (the story involves a midlife crisis and a banjo.) 
  • The comparison between Stoicism and Buddhism
  •  Psychological strategies for attaining equanimity 
  • The practice of negative visualization
  • Stoic approaches to handling anger and insults
  • How to reframe setbacks as tests
  • Stoicism VS emotional suppression
  • Tools for navigating the challenges of our digital age
  • What Stoics say about pursuing fame and status
  • And why death is the “ultimate exam”

 

Join Dan’s online community here

Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

 

Additional Resources: 

 

Up next
Aug 22
How To Handle Your Demons | Vinny Ferraro
We’re bringing you some of our favorite gems from the archives, as chosen by our staff. This week, we’re hearing from dharma teacher Vinny Ferraro, as chosen by our producer Eleanor Vasilli. Vinny explores the concept of “alignment” and how you can actually choose your own attitu ... Show More
19m 53s
Aug 20
Next Time You’re Suffering, Ask Yourself This Question | Caverly Morgan
The highest form of self compassion (is seeing there’s no self in the first place). Caverly Morgan is a meditation teacher who blends the original spirit of Zen with a modern nondual approach, drawing from her eight years of training in a silent Zen monastery. She's authored two ... Show More
1h 3m
Aug 18
The Science of Self-Hypnosis | Dr. David Spiegel
How it can help with stress, anxiety, and panic. Dr. David Spiegel is Willson Professor and Associate Chair of Psychiatry at Stanford School of Medicine. Standing on a lifetime of research and clinical experience (nearly 50 years), he is a world renowned expert on hypnosis and ha ... Show More
1h 8m
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2023
A Stoic Life: Real-world Applications of Stoic Principles with Donald Robertson
Send us a text"Stoicism provides us with a kind of psychological toolbox. It's full of strategies for helping us cope with anxiety, anger, pain, and all sorts of emotional problems.""People who love Stoicism often read the Meditations over and over. You can squeeze more and ... Show More
1h 19m
Feb 2025
Stoicism Is a Practice—Not Just a Philosophy
Send us a textReading about Stoicism won’t change your life—practicing it will. In this conversation with Donald Robertson, one of the world's leading Stoic authors and cognitive-behavioral therapists, we explore a major misconception: Stoicism isn’t just a philosophy to stu ... Show More
6m 2s
Nov 2024
Donald Robertson on Socrates, Philosophy, and Modern Self-Help
Send us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Donald Robertson, renowned author, psychotherapist, and expert in ancient philosophy, to dive deep into the life, methods, and lessons of Socrates. Donald brings his unique perspective, blending cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and ... Show More
2h 57m
Nov 2023
The 3 Limits of Modern Stoicism
Send us a text💥 This episode is sponsored by Podia. This is the platform I use to host all of my Stoic courses and premium offerings. I highly recommend it, and you can create a free account with this link: 🔗  https://www.podia.com/jon -- In this lesson, I explore the three lim ... Show More
10m 20s
Aug 2024
50 Harsh Stoic Truths That Will Improve Your Life
The Stoics believed that Stoicism was a cure for our ills. Epictetus would talk about how like the philosopher's school is like a hospital. Not all treatments, not all remedies are fun. Medicine doesn't always taste good. 🎥 Watch 50 Harsh Stoic Truths That Will Improve Your Life ... Show More
24m 42s
Feb 2025
Coping Flexibility: The Stoic Art of Picking Your Battles Wisely
Send us a textHow do you know when to speak up and when to stay silent? When to push forward and when to step back? In this conversation with Donald Robertson, we explore the concept of coping flexibility—the ability to adapt your response based on the situation. Drawing from Sto ... Show More
7m 8s
Jan 2025
Dr. Rangan Chatterjee’s Essential Daily Practices for a Healthier, Happier Life
How do your emotional responses and daily habits affect your health? Dr. Rangan Chatterjee joins Ryan to discuss how intentional practices can create lasting change in both your physical and emotional well-being. Drawing from personal experiences and over 20 years of clinical exp ... Show More
1h 3m
Jul 2024
Facing Mortality: A Stoic Death Meditation
Send us a textIn this episode, we delve into the profound Stoic philosophy surrounding death. Join us for a guided meditation that will help you confront and accept mortality, diminish the fear of death, and find peace in the natural cycle of life and death. Learn to focus on wha ... Show More
15m 34s
Aug 2024
Philosophical Antagonists? The Real Story of Stoicism and Epicureanism
The stereotypes of Stoics as emotionless brutes and Epicureans as self-indulgent pleasure-seekers is not just misleading, but is an injustice to the two philosophies. Tune in to learn the similarities, differences, myths, stories, and history behind Stoicism and Epicureanism. 🗞️ ... Show More
23m 52s
Jul 21
You 2.0: The Wisdom of Stoicism
What does it mean to be stoic? Many of us assume it means you have a stiff upper lip, or that you suppress your emotions. That's what Massimo Pigliucci thought — until he started to peruse a book called Meditations. It was written nearly two thousand years ago by the Roman Empero ... Show More
50m 11s