In this episode, I engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Professor Christopher Gill of the University of Exeter. As a renowned scholar in Ancient Thought and author of several influential books, including the recent "Learning to Live Naturally," Professor Gill shares his deep insights into Stoicism. Our discussion centers on Stoic Compatibilism, Nature, Free Will, and Autonomy, offering a unique perspective on these classical concepts. Professor Gill elaborates on the Stoic view of uni...
Dec 08, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 187
In this episode of "Practical Stoicism," I delve into Enchiridion 10, a personal favorite, which prompts us to consider how we can use our abilities to properly handle different situations in life. The core message revolves around transforming life's challenges into opportunities for practicing virtues like self-restraint, fortitude, and patience. I candidly share my own struggles and complaints, such as dealing with a complicated emigration process, to illustrate how easy it is to fall into the...
Dec 06, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 186
Today's episode features Meditations 5.26. I delve into the profound teachings of Marcus Aurelius, focusing on the importance of maintaining rational control over bodily afflictions. Marcus advises us to accept natural sensations like pain without labeling them as good or bad. He emphasizes the need to avoid letting physical discomforts, such as pain from minor injuries, overwhelm our rational faculties. This concept resonates with me personally, as I share an ongoing struggle to manage my anger...
Dec 04, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 185
In this episode of "Practical Stoicism," I delve into the profound teachings of Enchiridion 9, a text that compellingly explores the concept of freedom of choice. The irony isn't lost on me that we're discussing this topic, especially as we anticipate introducing the third guest in our series soon. Enchiridion 9 teaches us that our physical conditions, like sickness or lameness, do not impede our ability to choose. This wisdom comes from a former slave who experienced physical torment firsthand,...
Nov 29, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 184
Today's episode takes a deep dive into a particularly challenging meditation from Marcus Aurelius – Meditation 25 from Book 5. This meditation, often misinterpreted, addresses how we should respond to the wrongdoings of others. It reads: "Another does wrong. What is that to me? Let him look to it; he has his own disposition, his own activity. I have now what Universal Nature wills me to have, and I do what my own nature wills me to do." At first glance, this might seem like Marcus is suggesting ...
Nov 28, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 183
In this podcast episode, myself and guest Dr. William O. Stephens, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Creighton University, delve into the concept of free will in Stoicism, defined as "uninhibited freedom of choice." Initially, I share my emotional response to criticisms received on a previous episode about free will. Recognizing my response as un-Stoic, I offer an apology and clarify my views, emphasizing my responsibility in presenting Stoicism accurately, especially to the young and impressi...
Nov 24, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 182
In this episode, I explore the complex topic of free will, particularly through the lens of Stoicism and its modern interpretations. I begin by defining free will as our capacity to act, think, or behave in ways that aren't predetermined by past events. I delve into Sam Harris's book "Free Will," which posits that our brains make decisions before we're consciously aware of them, challenging the existence of free will. However, I argue against this perspective, suggesting instead that the brain d...
Nov 22, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 181
In today's episode, despite battling sickness, we delve into Meditation 24 from Book 5 of Marcus Aurelius' 'Meditations'. We explore the profound Stoic concept of our minuscule existence in the vastness of the universe and the flow of time. Marcus prompts us to acknowledge our tiny role in the grand chain of causation, reminding us of our shared substance with the cosmos. This meditation serves as a humbling yet empowering reflection on our place in the world. Additionally, we discuss the import...
Nov 20, 2023•13 min•Season 1Ep. 180
Want for anything that comes your way, for there is no other way but the miserableness of a kicking and screaming child. -- #1: Get rid of ads and support my work : https://actualstoicism.com/support #2 : Read Actual Stoicism : https://read.actualstoicism.com #3 : Read Everyday Stoicism : https://everydaystoicism.com #4 : Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (George Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Meric...
Nov 17, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 179
You can never step into the same river twice. -- #1: Get rid of ads and support my work : https://actualstoicism.com/support #2 : Read Actual Stoicism : https://read.actualstoicism.com #3 : Read Everyday Stoicism : https://everydaystoicism.com #4 : Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (George Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Meric Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy ...
Nov 15, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 178
Traveling to the UK by way of Canada today, finally reuniting with my wife! Because it made more sense schedule wise, we're going to move Marcus and Epictetus to Wednesday and Friday this week (respectively). Today I'll be reflecting on the Dichotomy of Control, and why we should stop calling it that once and for all. -- #1: Get rid of ads and support my work : https://actualstoicism.com/support #2 : Read Actual Stoicism : https://read.actualstoicism.com #3 : Read Everyday Stoicism : https://eve...
Nov 13, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 177
Great question from a Patron this week, and one that catches me out as speaking non-Stoically on a Stoicism podcast. Oh the shame! Don't forget to register for this weekend's free workshop with William Stephens (on Epictetus and the Dichotomy of Control). Do that here: https://actualstoicism.com/workshop -- #1 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2 : Support my work : https://actualstoicism.com/support #3 : Read Actual Stoicism : https://read.actualstoicism.com #4 : Re...
Nov 10, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 176
#1 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2 : Support my work : https://actualstoicism.com/support #3 : Read Actual Stoicism : https://read.actualstoicism.com #4 : Read Everyday Stoicism : https://everydaystoicism.com #5 : Read Uphill From Here : https://read.uphillfromhere.com #6 : Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord Online copy of Meditations (George Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Meric Casaubon) : https...
Nov 08, 2023•13 min•Season 1Ep. 175
#1 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2 : Support my work : https://actualstoicism.com/support #3 : Read Actual Stoicism : https://read.actualstoicism.com #4 : Read Everyday Stoicism : https://everydaystoicism.com #5 : Read Uphill From Here : https://read.uphillfromhere.com #6 : Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (George Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Meric Casaubon) : ht...
Nov 06, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 174
William Stephens, author of the latest work on Epictetus and his Enchiridion (Epictetus's Enchieridion a New Translation and Guide to Stoic Ethics) pops on the show to talk about... what else? The Enchiridion. William is a joy, I love him, he's great, and I think you'll enjoy the chat. -- If you'd like to register for our upcoming workshop you can go to https://actualstoicism.com/workshop and register for free. -- If you'd like to purchase William's book, you can do so here: https://a.co/d/8cEE2...
Nov 03, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 173
#1 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2 : Support my work : https://actualstoicism.com/support #3 : Read Actual Stoicism : https://read.actualstoicism.com #4 : Read Everyday Stoicism : https://everydaystoicism.com #5 : Read Uphill From Here : https://read.uphillfromhere.com #6 : Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord Online copy of Meditations (George Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Meric Casaubon) : https...
Nov 01, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 172
#1 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2 : Support my work : https://actualstoicism.com/support #3 : Read Actual Stoicism : https://read.actualstoicism.com #4 : Read Everyday Stoicism : https://everydaystoicism.com #5 : Read Uphill From Here : https://read.uphillfromhere.com #6 : Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord Online copy of Meditations (George Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Meric Casaubon) : https...
Oct 30, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 171
#1 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2 : Support my work : https://actualstoicism.com/support #3 : Read Actual Stoicism : https://read.actualstoicism.com #4 : Read Everyday Stoicism : https://everydaystoicism.com #5 : Read Uphill From Here : https://read.uphillfromhere.com #6 : Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord Online copy of Meditations (George Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Meric Casaubon) : https...
Oct 27, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 170
#1 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2 : Support my work : https://actualstoicism.com/support #3 : Read Actual Stoicism : https://read.actualstoicism.com #4 : Read Everyday Stoicism : https://everydaystoicism.com #5 : Read Uphill From Here : https://read.uphillfromhere.com #6 : Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord Online copy of Meditations (George Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Meric Casaubon) : https...
Oct 25, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 169
#1 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2 : Support my work : https://actualstoicism.com/support #3 : Read Actual Stoicism : https://read.actualstoicism.com #4 : Read Everyday Stoicism : https://everydaystoicism.com #5 : Read Uphill From Here : https://read.uphillfromhere.com #6 : Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord Online copy of Meditations (George Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Meric Casaubon) : https...
Oct 23, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 168
Patreon supporter JC Howard asks a question about Virtue and specifically why it is the only good in Stoicism. I try my best to answer. -- #1 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2 : Support my work : https://actualstoicism.com/support #3 : Read Actual Stoicism : https://read.actualstoicism.com #4 : Read Everyday Stoicism : https://everydaystoicism.com #5 : Read Uphill From Here : https://read.uphillfromhere.com #6 : Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord -...
Oct 20, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 167
There's only one obstacle, and it ain't the way -- #1 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2 : Support my work : https://actualstoicism.com/support #3 : Read Actual Stoicism : https://read.actualstoicism.com #4 : Read Everyday Stoicism : https://everydaystoicism.com #5 : Read Uphill From Here : https://read.uphillfromhere.com #6 : Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (George Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-lo...
Oct 18, 2023•13 min•Season 1Ep. 166
When it comes to judging whether or not you are a virtuous person, the material placed on the scales is your choices. -- #1 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2 : Support my work : https://actualstoicism.com/support #3 : Read Actual Stoicism : https://read.actualstoicism.com #4 : Read Everyday Stoicism : https://everydaystoicism.com #5 : Read Uphill From Here : https://read.uphillfromhere.com #6 : Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of M...
Oct 16, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 165
Do we have a shortage of wise people? Yes. Is that surprising? Marcus seems to think so. -- #1 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2 : Support my work : https://actualstoicism.com/support #3 : Read Actual Stoicism : https://read.actualstoicism.com #4 : Read Everyday Stoicism : https://everydaystoicism.com #5 : Read Uphill From Here : https://read.uphillfromhere.com #6 : Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (George Long) : ht...
Oct 12, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 164
Let's talk about chasing the impossible OR claiming to be able to provide it. Meditations 17 from Book 5. -- It's time to support this podcast: https://stoicismpod.com/support Australian? Click here: https://stoicismpod.com/sydney -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : ht...
Oct 05, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 163
This is NOT about bathing. It's about hobbits. No it's not. -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : https://read.stoicismpod.com #5: Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join the journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy ...
Sep 27, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 162
On The Corporeality of Virtue -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : https://read.stoicismpod.com #5: Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join the journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (George Long) :...
Sep 26, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 161
Of course not. What would being cruel say about our character? -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : https://read.stoicismpod.com #5: Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join the journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online co...
Sep 25, 2023•13 min•Season 1Ep. 160
If you don't, you'll struggle to overcome trauma in the future. This is why the absence of philosophy in general education is such a travesty. -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : https://read.stoicismpod.com #5: Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Jo...
Sep 20, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 159
On Obedience to the Universal Will -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : https://read.stoicismpod.com #5: Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join the journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (George Lo...
Sep 19, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 158
