This episode of Practical Stoicism dives into the thought-provoking yet concise Meditations 4.2 by Marcus Aurelius. I explore what it means to act with purpose and how the Stoic tradition invites us to examine our actions not by their strict planning but by their alignment with Virtue. I argue that taking time to rest or reconnect with nature is not inherent ... Show More
Yesterday
How Much News Should a Stoic Consume?
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 resp ... Show More
20m 55s
Sep 8
Hegel on Stoicism (Part One)
Discussing the section on Stoicism in Hegel's "Phenomenology of Spirit," which is under "Freedom of Self-Consciousness," "Stoicism, Scepticism, and the Unhappy Consciousness." This comes right after his famous lordship and bondage chapter, and explains how in reaction to being de ... Show More
58m 13s
Sep 30
The Power of Choosing to Be Single: Stoic Strategies Explained
Discover if being single aligns with your values through the wisdom of Stoic philosophers like Epictetus, Cleanthes, and Marcus Aurelius. Explore seven Stoic strategies to make value-based relationship decisions, freeing yourself from societal pressures. Learn to: Think clearly a ... Show More
26m 5s
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
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
Sep 6
3728: Our Everloving Quest to Control Our Lives by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits on How to Sit with Uncertainty
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3728: Most of us spend our days trying to create order and comfort, yet life never stays under control for long. Leo Babaut ... Show More
9m 50s
Sep 16
The struggle for the good life | Massimo Pigliucci on ancient philosophy for the modern era
We all want to live the good life. But how many of us can claim to be truly content? Join philosopher and evolutionary biologist Massimo Pigliucci as he argues that pleasure, character, and a healthy dose of doubt, form the basis of the good life, and that purpose in life is cruc ... Show More
29m 29s
Sep 22
How To Live Well—Even Amidst Failure, Uncertainty, Loss, and Physical Pain | Kieran Setiya
Practical ways to lead a good life. Kieran Setiya is the Peter de Florez Professor of Philosophy at MIT, where he works on ethics and related questions about human agency and human knowledge. He is the author of Midlife: A Philosophical Guide and Life Is Hard: How Philosophy Can ... Show More
1h 18m
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