Stoa Conversations: Recent Episodes
Stoa
Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay discuss how to build resilience, develop virtue, and make sense of the world through Stoic philosophy.
In this final exploration of Cicero's "On Ends," Michael and Caleb break down Book V, where Cicero reveals his own philosophical sweet spot – an Aristotelian-Platonic approach that challenges both Stoicism and Epicureanism.
Against a backdrop of ancient Athens, Cicero's characters debate the core question: What makes a truly good human life? They navigate the middle path between Stoic rigidity (where virtue alone brings happiness) and Aristotle's elitism (where external goods are required).
(01:53) Awesome Beginning
(07:10) What's Our Purpose?
(26:09) Supreme Happiness
(31:55) Cicero's Objection
(40:39) Summary
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophy
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Discover the hidden gems of Stoic philosophy in this exploration of Epictetus' fragments - those powerful passages preserved by other philosophers but lost from his main works.
Caleb and Michael unpack these concentrated nuggets of wisdom, from the surprising idea that we should value people by their capacity to help friends rather than harm enemies, to the famous "persist and resist" maxim that captures the essence of Stoic emotional management.
Learn why terrible people are already punished by their own character, how to judge humans by their true virtue rather than superficial success, and why no one is truly free without mastering themselves.
(00:00) MT: Fragments
(05:18) Fragment 7: Helping Friends vs. Harming Enemies
(10:43) Fragment 10: The Clean Jar - Approaching Philosophy Properly
(16:19) Fragment 10: The Famous "Persist and Resist" Maxim
(19:31) Fragment 13: Why Bad People Are Their Own Punishment
(25:39) Fragment 18: Judging Humans by Their True Excellence
(28:41) Fragment 17: The Banquet of Life
(31:29) Fragment 20: Becoming Resilient to Emotions
(37:04) Fragment 26: A Soul Carrying a Corpse
(39:39) Fragment 35: True Freedom Through Self-Mastery
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophy
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, Michael Tremblay explores Epictetus' radical approach to anger and forgiveness. Discover why the Stoics believed we should pity rather than punish those who harm us, and how this ancient wisdom offers a practical path to emotional freedom in your daily life. Through Epictetus' teachings, learn the liberating power of seeing wrongdoers as victims of their own confusion.
Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Michael and Caleb dive into classic philosophical thought experiments to uncover Stoic solutions to impossible choices. From the infamous Trolley Problem to the Happiness Machine, they examine how Stoicism's focus on virtue, context, and roles provides a unique framework for moral decision-making.
Unlike utilitarian or rule-based ethics, the Stoic approach emphasizes character over consequences, yet remains practical when facing life's hardest choices. This thought-provoking conversation challenges modern assumptions about ethical reasoning while revealing surprising Stoic positions on torture, self-sacrifice, and artificial pleasure.
(01:57) Trolley Problem
(14:35) Do Stoics Endorse Torture?
(20:31) Happiness Machine
(24:24) Utility Monster
(27:14) Euthyphro Dilemma
(35:53) Sinking Ship
(40:59) Prisoner's Dilemma
(46:11) Omelas Child
(53:59) Takeaways
Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Caleb and Michael break down Book IV of Cicero's "On Ends" - his powerful critique of Stoic ethics.
Discover why Cicero believed the Stoics fell short by prioritizing virtue alone while dismissing external goods.
Is Stoicism just playing word games with what's "good" versus "preferred"? Would the perfect Stoic and the perfect Aristotelian behave the same way? This episode tackles the core tensions in ancient ethics that are relevant for modern life.
(03:22) Cicero's Perspective
(07:51) Weak Arguments
(08:44) Powerful Argument #1 – Stoicism Wasn't New
(16:16) Powerful Argument #2 – We Have A Body
(22:22) Powerful Argument #3 – The Dilemma
(33:27) Defending Stoicism from #3
(48:30) Taking On Argument #2
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Living like a Stoic is about getting the little things right. In this episode, Michael Tremblay discusses 7 Stoic habits you can start today to build a more thoughtful, resilient, and Stoic you.
(01:25) Thinking Well
(14:24) Living Philosophically
(17:58) Preparing for Adversity
(30:15) Summary
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode of Stoic Conversations, Caleb and Michael break down Book III of Cicero's On Ends - the definitive ancient defense of Stoic ethics.
Discover why the Stoics believed virtue alone is sufficient for happiness, and how they justified their unique system of values. Follow along as they unpack Stoic moral development, from our earliest instincts to the cultivation of wisdom.
On Ends Book I: The Epicureans
On Ends Book II: Against The Epicureans
(05:53) Overview Of The Book
(09:34) Moral Development
(26:46) Stoicism Defended
(28:08) Morality is the Only Good
(38:01) Indifferents
(54:57) Awesome Lines
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Seneca's brutal play "Medea" reveals what happens when rage takes control. A betrayed wife, an indecisive husband, and a tragic ending that challenges Stoic ideals.
In this episode, Caleb and Michael analyze Seneca's bloody retelling of the Medea myth - where passion overcomes reason with devastating consequences.
Dana Gioia on Seneca and The Madness of Hercules (Episode 74)
(04:28) Historical Background
(06:43) The Story of Medea's Revenge
(17:08) Character: Fortune Takes Wealth, Not Spirit
(21:27) Not Just a Moment's Madness
(26:36) How Anger Warps Reality
(33:44) Satisfying Madness
(36:02) The Intoxication of Rage
(38:41) What's Up With Jason?
(46:03) Seneca's Court Experience
(50:43) Brutal Ending: "There Are No Gods"
(58:57) Outro
Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Caleb and Michael take on Book II of Cicero’s On Ends. In this books Cicero goes off against the Epicureans. What do you think?
On Ends Book I
Aristippus: The Philosopher Who Mastered Pleasure
(02:43) Different Kinds Of Pleasure
(16:34) Turning AgainstThe Stoics
(18:02) Ranking Pleasures
(24:40) Epicurean Rebranding?
(30:55) Epicureans Ignore Virtue
(34:28) Utilitarianism
(38:18) Topsy Turvy Value Systems
(46:50) Do Epicureans Lie?
(48:17) Is Happiness Up To You
(56:08) Michael's Takeaway
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, Michael talks with Erick Cloward, the host of the Stoic Coffee Break Podcast. Erick talks about his journey into Stoicism, his recent use of Amor Fati, and how to have difficult conversations, especially with those you politically disagree with.
(08:49) How Stoicism Makes A Difference
(16:33) Amor Fati
(31:03) Amor Fati And Politics
(39:33) Hard Conversations
(56:06) Bringing People Together
(01:02:19) Learn More
Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Epictetus tells us the chief task of philosophy is just one thing: Make proper use of impressions.
In this episode, Michael Tremblay does a deep dive into what this means, how we can do it, and why, for Epictetus, it is the most important thing there is.
Download the Stoa app (free): https://stoameditation.com/pod
For those who find the app valuable but face financial constraints, email us for a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music: https://ancientlyre.com/
In 45 BC, amid the turmoil of the Roman Civil War, Cicero wrote one of philosophy's most important works on the meaning of life. This episode unpacks Book I of "On Ends," exploring the clash between Epicurean pleasure-seeking and Stoic virtue.
(01:14) Meeting Cicero
(06:18) Latin over Greek
(11:40) On Ends Core Debates
(16:03) Cicero attacks
(20:44) Why Pleasure isn't Everything
(27:28) The Epicurean Response
(31:29) Must Virtue Produce Something More?
(46:53) The Epicurean View of Community
(53:38) The Epicurean sage
Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Caleb and Michael discuess teacher of Diogenes and the grandfather of Stoicism. Before there were Stoics arguing about virtue, there was Antisthenes. A warrior turned philosopher who studied under Socrates.
(02:40) Antisthenes The Man
(07:32) Cynicism
(12:42) How To Become Cynical
(21:27) Virtue is Action
(23:58) Socratic Influence
(27:02) Antisthenes in Action
(29:38) Death
(34:34) Irreverance
(36:09) The Point of Philosophy
(39:08) Cynicism and Stoicism
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophy
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Freedom isn't about having enough money to do what you want. It's about wanting what you can actually control. In this episode, Michael breaks down Epictetus's radical handbook chapter 14, revealing the four key principles of Stoic desire – and why wanting the wrong things makes us slaves to circumstance.
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophy
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
The ancient Stoics never used the term "metacognition," but this modern psychological concept illuminates the core of their philosophy. Michael and Caleb explore how the Stoic emphasis on examining our thoughts—what psychologists now call metacognition—is central to both Stoic theory and practice. They unpack why the Stoics saw this capacity for mental self-reflection as divine, how it distinguishes humans from animals, and why mastering it is essential for living well. A practical discussion for anyone interested in training their mind the Stoic way.
(04:53) Metacognition in Stoicism
(10:11) Metacognition as Philosophy
(24:37) Judgement in Stoicism
(27:05) Metacognition in Practice
(41:31) Takeaways
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophy
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Ancient and modern Stoics aren't just thinkers - they are runners too.
In this episode, Caleb explores how the simple act of running illuminates core Stoic principles about pain, perception, and perseverance.
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophy
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Meet ancient Greece's original hedonist.
Unlike later philosophers who preached asceticism, Aristippus embraced luxury, courted kings, and still kept his freedom. A student of Socrates who chose pleasure over asceticism, he founded a school of thought that spread through generations of his family. This conversation explores how Aristippus balanced the pursuit of pleasure with self-mastery, challenging both the austerity of his critics and our modern assumptions about ancient philosophy.
(05:11) Wining And Dining
(15:29) Desire and Risk
(21:49) You Need Philosophy
(25:42) The Cyrenaics
(36:38) Respect Aristippus's Consistency
(41:54) His Daughter and Rejecting Social Convention
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, Michael and Caleb explore Meditations 4.49-51, where Marcus Aurelius discusess resilience, misfortune, death, and simplicity.
Be like a promontory against crashing waves.
(01:09) 49, Section 1
(08:20) 49, Section 2
(11:21) It's Not Things Themselves That Harm Us
(15:44) Powerful Phrases
(17:45) Stoicism Is For Everyone
(21:21) 50
(33:39) 51
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Goodhart’s Law says: when a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure. But if that’s true, how should we measure our philosophical progress?
In this episode, Michael Tremblay wrestles with this question.
Download the Stoa app (free): https://stoameditation.com/pod
For those who find the app valuable but face financial constraints, email us for a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music: https://ancientlyre.com/
Get these tested Stoic strategies pull you out of bed and back into life's beauty. Michael and Caleb explore ancient wisdom for reconnecting with meaning through nature, duty, and proper thinking.
(00:47) Set Up
(04:33) Crisis in Thinking
(10:29) Finding Purpose
(19:18) Beauty
(26:59) Play With Time
(38:43) Be Gentle
(42:08) Summary
Download the Stoa app (free): https://stoameditation.com/pod
For those who find the app valuable but face financial constraints, email us for a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music: https://ancientlyre.com/
No one chooses to be wrong. This core Stoic teaching, inherited from Socrates, shaped how ancient philosophers viewed human behavior and mistakes. In this episode, Caleb explores why the Stoics believed people only do what they think is best – even when those choices seem obviously wrong to others.
The episode tackles challenging questions: How do addictions and bad habits fit into this framework? What does this mean for personal responsibility? And most importantly, how can we use this ancient insight to better understand ourselves and others?
Read this letter
Video animation of this letter
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. In this episode, we explore a powerful Buddhist concept that mirrors Stoic wisdom: the Second Arrow. The first arrow is the pain life throws at us - rejection, loss, failure. The second arrow? That's the one we shoot at ourselves through our reactions, stories, and judgments.
Michael Tremblay discusses the Buddhist parable of the second arrow and what it means for practicing Stoics.
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Author and Podcaster Noah Rasheta explores the parallels between Buddhism and Stoicism with Michael Tremblay.
Whether you're seeking practical wisdom or philosophical insight, this conversation offers tools for living more skillfully – regardless of which tradition resonates with you.
From handling grief and identity to achieving wisdom, we uncover where these philosophies converge and diverge.
Noah breaks down core Buddhist concepts like the three poisons (desire, aversion, and ignorance) and the practice of mindful awareness, and Michael talks about how these ideas map onto Stoic ideas about reflection and living according to nature. He shares personal stories about losing his business identity and finding peace during difficult parenting moments.
Whether you're seeking practical wisdom or philosophical insight, this conversation offers tools for living more skillfully – regardless of which tradition resonates with you.
(01:24) The Goal Of Life
(13:11) Judging Ourselves
(19:23) Habitual Responses
(25:04) The Middle Way
(30:44) Identity
(43:37) Wisdom
(54:00) Practice
Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Caleb and Michael discuss Stoic epistemology—how to think well, avoid ignorance, and form justified beliefs. They explore the importance of skepticism, setting realistic standards for truth, and cultivating expertise to navigate complex decisions.
(00:00) Common Sense
(04:54) Default To Skepticism
(09:38) Criterion of Truth
(18:31) Common Sense
(29:10) Building Confidence Through Expertise
(35:01) Epistemic Reserve Clause
(42:27) Takeaways
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Caleb Ontiveros makes the case that Stoicism is more intuitive than you might think. He argues that if minor setbacks don't ruin our lives, why should major ones? This episode explores how Stoic ideas about virtue, happiness, and adversity align with our deepest intuitions about living well.
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Bryan Caplan, economist and bestselling author, discusses practical wisdom from modern economics and ancient philosophy.
He argues against medicalization of human behavior, champions personal agency, and reveals why appeasement often beats confrontation. Caplan shows how lessons from economics can serve as self-help and why creating a "social bubble" – the modern version of an Epicurean garden – might be the smartest way to navigate modern life.
The conversation spans Epicurean and Stoic perspectives on death, social obligations, and the thinker Thomas Szasz.
Self-Help Is Like a Vaccine
The Myth of the Rational Voter
Caplan on Szasz
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Michael and Caleb explore how understanding ourselves as our faculty of choice—not our bodies, possessions, or reputation—transforms our approach to life's challenges.
Learn how clarifying what we are (and aren't) guides self-improvement and decision-making, unlocks insights in Stoic theory, and ultimately leads to a more tranquil existence.
(06:10) Why It Matters Who We Are
(09:30) What Are We?
(16:28) You Are Not Your Thoughts
(24:25) Personal Identity And Indifferents
(30:29) Solving What Is Up To You
(34:34) So How Do We Live?
(43:22) We Really Really Cannot Be Harmed By Others
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Why Epictetus tells us to compare our suffering to others. This simple exercise can help you in times of crisis.
Join Michael as he breaks down Epictetus’s Handbook 26.
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Has Science proven that the world is nothing more than a physical machine without overarching purpose?
Spencer Klavan’s most recent book answers with an emphatic no. Ancient philosophy and modern science reveal that the worldview of materialism is not enough.
Instead, our picture of the world must include mind as a fundamental ingredient – just as the Stoic and Christian worldviews do.
Light of the Mind, Light of the World
Young Heretics Podcast
(01:28) Resetting the Narrative About Science
(10:14) Science vs. Religion
(23:30) Secularism and the Sacred
(29:48) Genesis
(42:50) The Stoic View of the World
(49:48) Determinism
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
What if the things you obsess over daily don't ultimately matter? The ancient Stoics had a radical idea: most of what we chase - wealth, fame, even health - is neither good nor bad. They called these things "indifferents."
In this episode, Caleb reads his short piece on indifferents and adds additional commentary.
Read the piece: https://www.stoaletter.com/p/indifferents
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, Michael and Caleb break down Handbook 42, where Epictetus lays out Socratic Intellectualism and explains why people's harsh words say more about them than you
This episode will challenge your assumptions about conflict and equip you with practical Stoic tools for navigating a world of criticism and misunderstanding.
(00:52) Epictetus's Handbook 42
(05:48) Empathy
(09:26) People's Words Say More About Them
(14:41) It Seemed So To Him
(18:48) This Applies To Everything
(23:36) Stoic Determinism
(26:22) Difficulty With Socratic Intellectualism
(33:40) Handbook 42
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Money talks, but what do the Stoics say about it?
In this episode, Caleb and Michael dive into the relationship between Stoicism and wealth. They explore the risks of chasing riches, the virtue of moderation, and why philosophy should come before your bank account.
You'll hear Epictetus' take on why honesty trumps money-making and Seneca's surprising advice on the "shortest cut to riches." The hosts unpack the hidden dangers of comfort and how to avoid them, discuss why obsession with wealth might mean you're missing the point, and offer insights on how to pursue success without sacrificing your values.
Whether you're grinding for that next promotion or living on ramen noodles, this episode will make you rethink your relationship with money. Don't let your wallet own you – tune in and learn how to own your wealth instead.
(00:00) Wealth, Money, and Riches
(05:34) Wisdom From The Stoics
(08:09) When To Pursue Wealth
(14:39) Risks of Wealth
(20:20) You Always Need More
(25:41) Stoic Capitalism
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Michael talks with Brigid Delaney about her journey into Stoicism, the value it has had in her life, and the unique role it has to play in helping others.
(03:41) Stoicism vs Wellness
(13:15) Ataraxia
(18:07) Stoic Friends
(20:26) Favorite Stoic
(24:14) How To Explore The Stoics
(29:47) Persauding Non-Stoics
(34:11) Stripping Away Illusions
(38:51) Idealism Vs Stoicism
(51:44) Stoic Fable
(53:53) Story Of Stoicism
(57:45) What's Special Today?
(01:02:39) Desire
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
The four pillars of Stoic Justice.
Justice isn't just about courtrooms and laws. For the Stoics, it was a way of life. In this episode, Caleb and Michael break down the four components of Stoic justice: piety, kindness, good fellowship, and fair dealing.
They explore how these ideas apply to our lives today, from helping strangers to making tough business decisions. You'll learn why the Stoics thought we should expand our circles of concern to include all of humanity, and how to deal fairly with others without being a pushover.
(03:21) Defining Justice
(05:36) Piety
(11:47) What Piety Looks Like
(16:22) Kindness
(24:06) Good Fellowship
(35:03) Fair Dealing
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Blushing, sweating, stumbling over words - we've all been there. But what if these physical reactions are holding you back from greatness?
In this episode, Caleb and Michael unpack Seneca's advice on handling embarrassment like a Stoic.
(00:46) Embarrassing Introduction
(04:50) Seneca On Blushing
(08:08) Feelings vs Judgments
(10:02) You Are Not A Horse
(13:05) Embarrassment For Learning
(14:52) Caring About What Others Think
(19:24) Natural Bugs
(22:47) Seneca On Nature
Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, Caleb and Michael explore how Stoicism reframes our understanding of risk, teaching us to embrace uncertainty while focusing on what truly matters. They discuss:
- Why Stoics aren't reckless, but cultivate caution
- How Stoicism offers the highest reward with the lowest real risk
- Critiques that Stoicism is for the risk-averse, and why they fall short
- Why Stoicism may provide the ultimate psychological aid for meaningful risk-taking
Learn how ancient wisdom can help you navigate life's gambles with grace and purpose. The Stoics knew: true risk lies not in external outcomes, but in compromising your character.
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Is Stoicism just toxic positivity? No, obviously.
But what's the difference between toxic positivity and unrealistic optimism? And how can Stoics avoid the real risks of both?
In this episode, Caleb and Michael dive deep into Stoic practice and its alleged similarity to toxic positivity.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
The Stoic art of solitude and self-consistency
Can you be alone with your thoughts? Seneca's Letter X challenges us to master the art of solitude.
In this conversation, Caleb and Michael unpack Seneca's advice on solitude and explore its relevance in our hyperconnected world.
(00:58) The Paradox of Solitude
(05:40) Consistency Between Private and Public Life
(12:35) The Dangers of Isolation
(19:08) Keeping Others and Nature in Mind
(26:12) Is Solitude a Goal?
(31:04) The Internet: A Modern Challenge to Stoic Principles
(35:00) Becoming a Friend to Oneself
Listen as they discuss the Stoic approach to balancing social engagement with self-reflection, the importance of character in both solitude and company, and how to cultivate a healthy relationship with oneself.
Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Join Caleb and Michael as they dissect the mental game of competition and explore how ancient philosophy can give us an edge in modern battles – both on and off the mat.
In this gripping episode, Caleb shares his experience competing in his first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament and the valuable lessons he learned about applying Stoic principles under pressure. Michael, who has competed hundreds of time, offers advice and challenges Caleb along the way.
Whether you're a martial artist, a competitor in any field, or someone looking to apply Stoicism to life's challenges, this episode offers actionable insight on maintaining composure and clarity – as well as challenges and reflections on how to apply Stoicism to jiu jitsu in particular.
(02:48) Jiu Jitsu Competitions
(04:58) What Is Jiu Jitsu
(07:05) Why Compete
(12:54) How Did It Go?
(17:23) Michael on Caring And Stoicism
(21:26) Michael's Advice For Caleb
(29:08) Should You Use The Restroom?
(35:06) Zooming In Too Much
(36:41) Epictetus vs Marcus on Competition
(39:24) Participation Trophies Matter
(43:11) Caleb Doesn't Like Participation Trophies
(46:15) Social Resistance And Ego
(54:05) Caleb's Learnings
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Diogenes: the man who lived in a barrel and inspired Stoic philosophy.
In this episode, Michael and Caleb explore the life and ideas of Diogenes the Cynic - one of the most influential and eccentric philosophers of ancient Greece. They discuss:
(00:00) Epictetus on Diogenes' Freedom
(03:21) Diogenes' Life and Connection to Stoicism
(08:29) Diogenes' Approach to Philosophy
(15:59) Looking for an Honest Man
(21:27) Behold a Man – Plucked Chicken
(26:12) The Cup
(30:00) You Need A Master
(34:35) Alexander the Great – So Called
(39:00) Takeaways: Epictetus on Diogenes
(44:48) Favorite Diogenes Stories
Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Caleb Ontiveros speaks with Jonathan Bi, an entrepreneur and philosopher, about Friedrich Nietzsche's critique of Stoicism and egalitarianism.
The conversation begins with Jonathan sharing his personal journey from STEM to philosophy, setting the stage for a deep dive into Nietzsche's challenging ideas. They explore Nietzsche's opposition to Stoic egalitarianism and his concept of "higher men." The discussion delves into the psychology behind moral beliefs and value systems, examining how Nietzsche's insights can be applied to critically examine our own philosophical commitments.
https://greatbooks.io/
Johnathan’s YouTube
(01:50) From Hating Humanities to Loving Philosophy
(06:06) Silicon Valley Detour
(11:01) The Life of Action VS Contemplation
(19:58) Philosophy as a Way Of Life
(27:43) Nietzsche's Challenge To Stoicism
(31:04) The Equality Illusion
(39:20) Nietzsche on Epictetus
(50:04) Nietzsche For Every Day Life
(56:31) Why Ad Hominems Win & Metaethics
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode of Stoic Conversations, Michael Tremblay offers a deep dive into one of Stoicism's most popular concepts: the Dichotomy of Control. Drawing from his 2021 article for the Modern Stoicism blog, Tremblay explores common misunderstandings about this principle and provides a more nuanced interpretation aligned with authentic Stoic philosophy.
Key points covered:
- Misinterpretations arising from the English word "control"
- Two common misunderstandings:Control as absolute ability to decide
Control as strong influence - A more accurate interpretation: what depends on us vs. what doesn't
- Practical applications of this refined understanding
https://modernstoicism.com/what-many-people-misunderstand-about-the-stoic-dichotomy-of-control-by-michael-tremblay/
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Should Stoics become rich? What is your relationship to money?
Caleb speaks with Darius Foroux about his new book The Stoic Path To Wealth. They discuss a practical investment strategy and how Stoics should think about investing.
https://dariusforoux.com/
https://stoicpathtowealth.com/
(00:50) Darius's Story
(04:32) Stoicism
(11:51) Your Relationship With Money
(22:37) Becoming Rich
(34:25) Avoiding The Sidelines
(42:07) The Miracle of Compounding
(50:02) Role Models
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
The ancient Stoic, Arius Didymus, provided a framework for practical wisdom and prudence. It’s still applicable today.
Courage
Moderation
(02:29) Reading
(05:01) Judgment
(17:19) View
(26:24) Shrewdness
(31:11) Discretion
(37:38) Soundness of aim
(41:31) Resourcefulness
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Michael and Caleb discuss the differences between modern self help and Stoicism – where self help is useful, where it isn’t, and recommend their favorite self help books.
(04:07) Defining Self Help
(11:31) Where Self Help Goes Wrong
(28:09) The Good in Self Help
(45:02) Best Self Help Books
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Caleb and Michael read through Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations. Specifically: Meditations 2.6-2.10.
There are several essential themes in these passages: the importance of self-examination, maintaining focus on what matters, and the philosophical underpinnings of Stoicism. in the Meditations we get to see Marcus Aurelius rehearsing Stoic maxims – and apply that practice to our own life too.
(04:51) Meditations 2.6
(12:04) Meditations 2.7
(18:45) Meditations 2.8
(26:11) Meditations 2.9
(34:34) Meditations 2.10
(48:20) Summary
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
This one is different.
Caleb reads from his essay, Why Stoicism Is True. It’s a short encapsulation of the what he takes to be the three most important ideas of the philosophy – as well as a philosophical defense of their veracity.
Let us know what you think.
https://calebontiveros.substack.com/
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, Michael presents the Stoic idea of "indifferents." It’s one of the key ideas behind Stoicism, one’s that often misunderstood but necessary to know in order to understand Stoicism.
(02:52) The 3 Value Categories
(06:22) Defining Good
(15:32) Defining Indifferents
(37:32) Total Indifferents
(39:06) How To Live With Indifferents
(51:22) Summary
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
“Moderation is subdivided into good discipline, seemliness, modesty, and self-control.”
The ancient Stoic breakdown of moderation is essential for becoming more disciplined. It will help you think about the ideas of moderation, discipline, and self-control more deeply and generate strategies for how to becoming more moderate in your life today.
Stoic Courage
(00:22) The Meaning Of Moderation
(07:17) David Goggins Can't Hurt Me
(12:06) Moderate Role Models
(18:08) Stoic Sources
(22:15) Self-Discipline
(27:17) Propriety
(34:58) Modesty
(41:13) Self-Control
(44:27) Improving Day By Day
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Michael and Caleb discuss Epictetus’s chapter On Attention (Discourses 4.12). It’s an essential reading from the Stoic master on an essential topic.
Buddhism 101
Stoicism and Mindfulness
Caleb and Michael also preview an upcoming conversation on Moderation…Stay tuned. It will be released in the next few weeks.
(01:04) The Importance of Attention
(06:07) Pay Attention Now
(08:48) Attention Fuels the Fire
(10:27) Always On
(15:08) What's Wrong With Phones
(20:41) Moderate Shoutout
(22:17) What Are You Attending To?
(31:45) What Else Should You Pay Attention To
(34:59) The Meaning of Life Is Game
(37:48) Attention Is a Habit
(45:31) The Soul Becomes Dyed With the Color of Its Thoughts
(48:45) Reactive Focus
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
The Stoics promoted the four cardinal virtues: courage, moderation, justice, and wisdom. In this episode, we talk about Stoic courage. Caleb and Michael discuss what it is and how the Stoics broke it down into different subdisciplines.
Their breakdown still provides an effective framework for building the skill of bravery today.
(01:03) What Is Courage?
(10:19) Aristotle
(14:14) The Subcomponents Of Courage
(15:36) Endurance
(19:03) Confidence
(21:23) Greatness Of Soul
(27:34) Vitality
(33:54) Love Of Work
(39:07) Not Just Overcoming Fear
(40:59) Seneca Motivation
(46:18) Summary
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Do you want to learn how to Journal like Marcus Aurelius?
Parker Settecase explains different approaches to journaling, writing, and recording your thoughts. He and Michael take a deep dive into how and why to think about journaling.
Use these strategies to organize your thinking, and be the best version of yourself.
Park Notes
Michael and Parker on Parker's Pensées
(01:32) Journaling As A Philosophical Practice
(18:24) Transformative Journaling
(22:32) Self-Dialogue
(31:44) Why You Need A Catch All
(34:32) Journaling To Be Present
(38:09) Diary Vs Journal
(44:35) Marcus Aurelius Had A Journal Not A Diary
(45:45) Commonplace Book Vs Compendium
(57:17) Recommendations
(59:18) Michael Pushes Back
(01:02:08) Creation Over Consumption
(01:08:40) Nature Log
(01:12:02) Learn More
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
"The thought for today is one which I discovered in Epicurus; for I am wont to cross over even into the enemy's camp, – not as a deserter, but as a scout."
In this conversation, Caleb and Michael talk about lessons from Epicureanism. To do this, use Seneca’s quotations of Epicurus and other Epicureans as a source. The Epicurean tradition has a lot of wisdom about how to relate to wealth, master desire, and study philosophy.
(00:26) Introduction
(02:38) What Epicureanism Is
(07:54) The Enemy's Camp
(17:37) Philosophy Matters
(22:18) Urgency
(26:10) Money Money Money
(32:01) Desire
(38:06) Drugs
(40:05) Friendship
(49:24) Summarize
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Why did talking about virtue fall out of fashion – and why is it coming back now?
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Judith Stove about that very question, providence, and Marcus Aurelius as God.
Judith Stove is a Sydney, Australia, researcher and writer, focusing on Jane Austen and her reception, as well as on Stoicism and other classical virtue ethics. Along with Simon J.E. Drew, she co-hosts the podcast 'Soul Searching With Seneca' at The Walled Garden philosophical community. She is currently assistant editor of the online journal 'Stoicism Today.' Judith is part of the organising team for Stoicon-X Melbourne, which is preparing its fourth in-person event in October 2024. Having published two books on Jane Austen's life and times, she is working on her third, about the legacies of Marcus Aurelius, to appear in 2025.
This is How We Become Godlike: Marcus Aurelius and His Monuments
(00:57) What is Stoicism?
(04:21) Community
(09:49) Finding Stoicism
(18:34) Where Did Virtue Go?
(30:09) Providence
(41:20) Does Caleb Believe In The Stoic God?
(46:15) Marcus Aurelius As God
(54:46) Resources
The ancients talked about Nature, Reason, Zeus, and God – but what did they mean by it?
In this conversation, Michael tells us who or what the Stoic God is.
We’re here to tell you – and share how the Stoic’s beliefs about God influenced their practice and picture of Stoicism.
(00:58) Why The Stoic God Matters
(03:21) The Agenda
(05:40) Stoic Physics
(08:29) Is This Like Aristotle?
(14:13) God Is Fire
(23:35) The Forms of God
(28:53) God Is Everything
(31:52) The Divine In Us
(37:15) Reason
(38:31) The Cyclic Universe
(45:36) The Problem Of Evil
(54:18) Living In Accordance With Nature
(56:25) Summary
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
The philosopher and the general. Stoic philosophy in ancient Roman history.
In this podcast, Caleb speaks with Alex Petkas about Pompey and Posidonius – the great Roman general and his Stoic mentor.
Both of their lives were epic in the greatest sense. They carry lessons for applying Stoic emotion management, cosmopolitanism, and, even, inquiry into the natural world.
https://costofglory.com/
(01:27) Seneca on Posidonius
(03:28) The World of Posidonius
(12:35) The Roman Civil War
(15:59) Pompey Meets Posidonius
(19:08) Stoic Cosmopolitanism in Action
(26:12) Paying Respects to the Philosopher
(31:04) The Rest of Pompey's Story
(32:14) Pompey's Stoic and Non-Stoic Attributes
(43:48) Posidonius on the Divine
(53:06) Fate Willing
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
“Show me a man who is not a slave; one is a slave to lust, another to greed, another to ambition.”
– Seneca
In this conversation, Michael and Caleb discuss how Stoics think about ambition. What does healthy ambition look like? The unhealthy kind? How do you navigate between the two?
Caleb and Michael talk through the Stoic tradition’s answers to these questions.
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this Stoa Conversation, Michael Tremblay speaks to Brian Johnson about Stoic roles ethics, methods of teaching, and how martial arts.
The start with the question: does martial arts improve character? What about other forms of physical training?
They then move to Stoic Role Ethics, especially the role ethics of Epictetus.
The Role Ethics of Epictetus
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
What advice do the Stoics have for managing social anxiety?
In this conversation, Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay talk about Epictetus on anxiety – and how his advice for dissolving anxiety can be applied to social situations.
(03:29) Epictetus On Anxiety
(13:13) You Will Not Have Anxiety If You Do This
(23:42) Learning From Experience
(26:36) Epictetus On How To Make It Happen
(34:40) Why Is It Weird To Treat Social Skills Like A Craft?
(38:34) Focus On What Is Up To You
(47:14) Summarizing Epictetus On Anxiety
(48:22) Epictetus's Two Handles
(51:35) Learning From Negative Feelings
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
How should modern Stoics understand the relationship between the mind and the body?
In this conversation, Caleb Ontiveros and Marcus Hedahl discuss Stoicism and the mind-body connection. They walk through issues of theory and practice that the tight bond between our minds and bodies brings up.
This episode has both significant practical upshots and takes a few detours into theory on the way. Let us know what you think.
(04:18) The Body Influences the Mind
(11:23) Your Body Is Not Up to You
(13:33) Independence
(36:21) There's No Separation
(46:04) Getting Theoretical About Lekta
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
“Although we don’t often recognise it, the 21st century is a transhuman era, where everything that currently makes us human, from our brains and bodies, to our values and ways of life, is poised to be transformed or superseded.”
In this episode, Caleb and Michael consider a contemporary philosophical issue through the lens of Stoicism.
Transhumanism is the idea that humans should use technology to radically enhance human capabilities, lifespan, and experience. So, what do Stoics have to say about it?
Caleb argues that they should be largely in favor of it – with some serious qualifications.
Classical Transhumanism, essay from Caleb
Future Superhuman by Elise Bohan
(02:12) Future Superhuman
(12:54) Objections to Transhumanism
(19:35) Human Nature And Stoicism
(32:22) Warning From The Stoics
(38:53) Moderation Is A Virtue
(40:01) Transcendence
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Donald Robertson about Marcus Aurelius. They dive into what we know about the man and the critical episodes of his life. Donald shares his thoughts on the Marcomannic wars, whether Marcus Aurelius ordered the assassination of one of his top generals, and why he appointed Commodus as his successor.
They end by discussing the central role that Stoicism and Stoic practices played in Marcus Aurelius’s life.
Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor
How To Think Like A Roman Emperor
Donald Robertson’s Substack
(00:45) Changing Mind
(07:29) Commodus / Different Views of History
(16:58) Marcomannic Wars
(33:42) What Marcus Aurelius Didn't Say
(40:50) Stoicism in Marcus Aurelius's Life
(49:41) Avidius Cassius
(01:01:18) Marcus Aurelius and Stoic Practices
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
“Everything has two handles, and it may be carried by one of these handles, but not by the other.”
In this conversation, Caleb and Michael talk about these lines from Epictetus.
They talk about how it points the way towards Stoic creativity, offensive and defensive Stoicism ,and role ethics. It’s a simple passage with a lot of depth.
(00:31) Epictetus
(05:05) Creativity in Stoicism
(12:31) Stop Shutting Down
(20:56) A Better Interpretation
(33:54) Marcus Aurelius
(44:00) The Handbook
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this podcast, Caleb speaks with professor Rob Colter.
Rob has extensive experience teaching Stoicism in camps, universities, and prisons.
He talks about the powerful idea of Stoic freedom, how he’s seen Stoicism make a difference in people’s lives, and why he calls himself a Socratic.
Learn more about Wyoming Stoic Camp here.
(00:51) Stoicism
(03:49) Rationality
(09:10) The Central Idea: Freedom
(21:34) Teaching Stoicism
(27:06) How Stoicism Changes Lives
(33:32) Role Ethics
(35:28) Underrated Stoic Ideas
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
“A Stoic is a Buddhist with attitude”
How do you not just survive in chaos, but benefit from it?
In this podcast, Caleb and Michael review Nassim Taleb’s book “Antifragile.” In it, Taleb describes a Stoic philosophy grounded in the realities of randomness and practice.
They talk about how ideas from this book have impacted them – and the questions of theory and practice that remain.
(06:43) Antifragility
(25:55) The Barbell Strategy
(37:22) Skin In The Game
(45:40) Stoic Skin In The Game
(47:04) How Stoic Is This Book?
(53:23) Different Kinds Of Lives
(01:01:41) The Greek vs Roman Stoics
(01:06:47) The Philosopher King
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Who were the Cynics and why did the Stoics treat them as exemplars?
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Dr. M. D. Usher about the ancient philosophy of Cynicism, its training program, and way of life.
How to Say No
(00:47) Farming
(02:21) What Is Cynicism
(06:56) Outsiders
(10:39) Living In Accordance With Nature
(15:15) Storytime
(23:18) Training Program
(32:39) Socrates
(38:38) Modern Cynics
(45:12) Returning to Stoicism and Cynicism
(48:19) Lazy Stoics
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Time for another Stoic movie review. This week Caleb and Michael talk 300. They cover the good, bad, and and provocative aspects of the film on the Spartan’s epic last stand at Thermopylae.
Gladiator
(02:29) The Movie
(06:58) Spartan Stoic Virtues
(08:36) Powers Of Perception
(15:00) Action Over Words
(19:48) What Winning Means
(24:26) Spartan Propaganda
(29:46) Sparta Was Not Stoic
(41:31) Steelmanning The Silver People
(47:25) King and Queen
(51:58) Summary
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
This one is for all of you interested in Stoic theory.
In this conversation, Caleb and Scott Aikin discuss objections to Stoicism.
Scott defends a revisionary kind of Stoicism. In some places, Caleb questions how revisionary it is – is Scott just restating things the ancients solved already? In other places, Caleb questions whether it’s too revisionary to work – do we need an account of nature after all? Scott responds.
Listen and work through the problems yourself.
Epictetus’s 'Encheiridion': A New Translation and Guide to Stoic Ethics
Earlier Stoa Conversation on Why What You Think Is Up To You
Caleb and Michael discuss The Impossibility Objection
Scott Aikin on We Are The Stoics Now
(04:44) Fatalism
(12:29) Dichotomy of Control
(18:45) Where Your Control Lies
(20:04) Skepticism
(22:28) Determinism
(31:30) How You Revisionary Is Scott?
(34:38) The Ruin Problem
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Caleb and Michael discuss an objection to Stoicism: the impossibility objection. Along the way, they talk about the challenge of living by Stoic principles, especially in extreme situations, and whether achieving the ideal Stoic sage is possible.
03:26 The Argument
14:47 Why It Matters
17:06 Stoicism Doesn't Require Unrealistic Control
27:15 Forceful Impressions
35:44 Can We All Be Sages?
44:54 Can Anyone Be A Sage?
50:10 Wrapping Up
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
How can you use Stoicism to cultivate compassion and build deeper connections?
Brittany Polat joins Caleb to talk about the themes from her new set of meditations: Deeper Connections. They discuss the meaning of Stoic compassion and what becoming more compassionate looks like in theory and practice.
Deeper Connections
Journal Like A Stoic
https://stoicismforhumans.substack.com/
(01:11) Stoic Compassion
(11:11) Becoming More Compassionate
(19:43) Abundance Mindset
(25:58) Friendship
(29:15) Forgiving Others
(36:28) Forgiving Oneself
(43:12) Practice And Meditation
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Caleb and Michael talk about Seneca’s 94th Letter to Lucilius. In it Seneca debates the place of rules in the philosophical life with the ancient Stoic Aristo.
It's a topic of theoretical and practical importance. How do you use rules, proverbs, and precepts well when they are such imperfect tools? What's the difference between rules and principles?
(02:39) The Debate Over Rules
(16:19) Aristo
(21:40) Memorizing Philosophy Does Not Work
(26:02) Rules Are Either Obvious Or Misunderstood
(31:02) Summarizing Aristo
(32:53) Seneca's Response
(45:20) The Point of Rules
(49:54) Are Rules Specific Enough?
(52:38) How To Use Rules
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Michael Tremblay and Erlend MacGillivray take a deep dive into Stoic history and the life of Epictetus.
It’s an excellent discussion for anyone looking to enrich their knowledge of ancient history and situate the Stoics in their time.
https://schoolofepictetus.substack.com/
(01:20) Getting Into Stoicism
(05:33) Epictetus
(10:26) Epictetus's World
(13:34) Philosophy in Rome
(20:51) Epictetus's Students
(45:40) Stoics and Lay People
(01:03:30) Popularization vs Elitism
(01:10:08) What's Next
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Caleb and Michael talk Socrates. Why was he held in such high regard by the Stoics? What’s the line of philosophical theory and practice connecting Stoicism to Socrates? And how did Socrates philosophy differ from the Stoics?
(03:52) Who Was Socrates?
(07:07) Philosophy As A Way Off Life
(14:48) The Socratic Method
(20:49) Virtue Is Knowledge
(26:15) Self-knowledge
(33:40) The Importance Of Character
(43:19) Differences
(49:14) Philosophy With Socrates
Learn more about our new year’s course: stoameditation.com/course
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with William O Stephens about his 6 core themes of Stoicism.
Epictetus’s 'Encheiridion': A New Translation and Guide to Stoic Ethics
https://williamostephens.com/
(04:12) Self-Control
(09:31) Seeing Things As They Are
(14:34) Living In Accordance With Nature
(22:12) Role Ethics
(35:57) Virtue Depends On Knowledge
(42:59) Stoicism Is Aspirational
Learn more about our new year’s course: stoameditation.com/course
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Register for a free workshop January 3rd: stoameditation.com/workshop
Join our live course – starting next week: stoameditation.com/course
Happy new year! Thanks for listening to Stoa Conversations.
In this one, Caleb and Michael discuss their highlights from 2023 – one year of podcasting in public. Relive your favorite philosophical moments with them as they share the key insights from the year and shoutout guests.
And let us know what you think at stoameditation.com/survey.
(01:31) Stoic Psychology
(06:20) Stoicism Is Deep
(09:08) Thinking, Fast And Slow
(13:45) Voluntary Suffering
(22:17) Anger Sucks
(27:26) The Stoic God
(32:01) Randolph Nesse
(36:04) Julia Galef
(40:22) Chris Gill
(45:25) Greg Sadler
(48:09) Dana Gioia
(51:06) What's Next For Stoa Conversations
Learn more about our new year’s course: stoameditation.com/course
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
(00:11) Scott Aikin
(03:35) Massimo Pigliucci
(05:08) Donald Robertson
(07:09) Brittany Polat
(10:29) Tim Lebon
(14:34) Chris Gill
Learn more about our new year’s course: stoameditation.com/course
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Register for a free workshop January 3rd: stoameditation.com/workshop
Are New Year’s resolutions Stoic?
Caleb and Michael talk about the Stoic cases for and against the practice. Then they move to what we can learn from the Stoics about setting resolutions well.
(01:41) Against Resolutions
(09:44) The Case For Resolutions
(18:47) Making New Year’s Resolutions Well
(24:14) Getting Concrete
(26:55) Realistic and Ambitious
(33:14) Stoic Principles
(37:25) Michael's Planning
(40:09) Caleb Is Too Impulsive
(45:50) Summary
(49:54) Stoicism Applied
Learn more about our new year’s course: stoameditation.com/course
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Aiste Celkyte about the Stoic theory of beauty. They cover what the Stoics saw as beautiful, how their aesthetics expresses their ethics, and the practical application of this neglected topic.
Aiste Celkyte is a professor at the university of Leiden and author of The Stoic Theory of Beauty.
(00:57) What Is Beautiful For The Stoics?
(06:51) Ancient Sources
(09:55) What Makes Stoicism Different
(18:18) Beauty And Morality
(28:00) Practical Application
(30:43) Convential Beautfy
(39:24) Moral Responsibility
(43:33) The Most Important Insight
Learn more about our new year’s course: stoameditation.com/course
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Start the year with others looking to apply Stoicism to our life. Join our 3-week intensive course: https://stoameditation.com/course
The Stoics are always reminding us to improve ourselves now. But how do you actually do that? What advice do they have for us? Caleb and Michael discuss a simple 3 step approach to procrastination we can glean from the ancient Roman Stoics.
(03:33) The Stoic Solution to Procrastination
(08:42) Marcus Aurelius on Procrastination
(12:16) Putting Off Writing
(15:01) Directness
(28:28) Motivating Yourself With Philosophy
(36:39) The Virtues
(39:24) Trust
(46:09) Putting It All Together
Learn more about our new year’s course: stoameditation.com/course
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Rob LaFleur, Professor of Anthropology & History at Beloit College and teacher of The Great Courses Books That Matter: The Analects of Confucius.
Stoics care about virtue and role ethics – two things central to Confucianism. Understanding the similarities and differences between the two philosophies can only enrich one’s philosophical theory and practice.
But going directly to the Confucian works is difficult. Conversations with experts like Professor LaFleur then are essential.
https://www.beloit.edu/live/profiles/270-robert-lafleur
(07:47) Understanding The Analects
(14:19) Reading Passages From The Analects
(21:32) Virtue Ethics
(28:34) Relationships
(36:34) Hierarchy
(44:42) Filial Piety
(50:18) Grieving
Learn more about our new year’s course: stoameditation.com/course
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Caleb and Michael debate the role of politics in the modern Stoic life. Caleb argues that Stoics should stay away from politics – like the Epicureanism. Michael thinks this couldn’t be any more wrong. Heated, if Stoic, debated ensues.
(05:18) Arguments Against Politics
(25:49) The Wisdom of Epicurus
(33:52) Justice Without Politics
(37:57) The Stoic Case for Politics
(51:33) The Norms for Engaging Well
Learn more about our new year’s course: stoameditation.com/course
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, Caleb speaks with Mahmoud Rasmi, a former philosophy professor from Lebanon, on philosophy, business, and the importance of asking questions well.
Philosophy for Business Leaders: https://amzn.to/3NeQ7gi
https://twitter.com/Decafquest
(03:04) Getting Into Philosophy
(12:26) Losing Your Business
(14:11) Philosophy vs Critical Thinking
(25:23) Are Philosophers The Best Thinkers?
(32:09) Getting Down to Business
(38:46) Asking Questions
(48:49) Leaving Academic Philosophy
(54:44) Shifting Perspective
(58:22) Stoa
Register for our freeworkshop: stoameditation.com/workshop
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Caleb and Michael engage in a discussion on Existentialism, explaining its essence, distinguishing it from Stoicism, and extracting valuable insights.
Michael underscores the significance of authenticity, while Caleb highlights the ideas of bad faith and radical freedom.
(02:20) Existentialism
(18:20) Stoicism vs Existentialism
(32:17) Existentialism for Stoics
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
For episode 100, Caleb and Michael discuss Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations 2.1.
Thank you for listening. Send us a note at stoa@stoameditation.com if you ever have any comments, questions, or requests.
(03:01) Reading 2.1
(04:32) Praemediatio Malorum
(09:44) Dealing With Others
(17:15) Seeing Goodness
(24:46) No One Can Harm Us
(27:15) Overcoming Anger
(36:16) Working With Others
(41:44) The Obstacle is the Way
(44:40) Summary
(47:14) One Hundred Episodes
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Caleb and Michael talk about forgiveness and clemency. How does the Stoic idea of forgiveness differ from the popular account – and when should we pardon other’s wrongdoing or address it head on?
(01:16) What Is Forgiveness?
(15:59) The Stoic Account
(25:00) Forgive Everyone At Once
(28:18) Clemency
(35:10) Is Clemency Only A Tool For The Strong?
(45:07) Challenges
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Caleb speaks with Jennifer Baker about teaching Stoicism and its application to modern day life. Along the way they discuss Aristotle, business ethics, the meaning of living in accordance with nature, and natural vs actual virtue.
https://philosophy.cofc.edu/faculty-staff-listing/baker-jennifer.php
(00:40) Teaching Stoicism In Academia
(04:22) Aristotle
(12:26) Natural Virtue vs Actual Virtue
(17:40) Stoics In The Economy
(30:25) Stoic Answer To Happiness
(36:54) Why Aren't We Happy Already?
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Caleb and Michael discuss the Stoics strategy for setting boundaries.
Learn about the issues many Stoic practitioners face with boundaries and how Epictetus counsels us to live better.
(02:59) What Are Boundaries?
(06:13) The Challenge for Stoics
(19:58) Defining and Enforcing Boundaries
(30:46) Everything Is A Scam
(38:33) Enforce Boundaries For The Right Reason
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
“Stoicism is not so much an ethic as it is a paradoxical recipe for happiness.”
Caleb speaks with Allan from What Is Stoicism about the practice of Stoicism as a philosophy of daily life.
They discuss how they think about Stoicism, the work of Pierre Hadot, underrated ideas in Stoicism, and their Stoic practices.
https://whatisstoicism.substack.com/
https://whatisstoicism.com/what-is-stoicism/
(00:33) Allan's Story
(04:59) What Is Stoicism?
(10:54) An Underrated Stoic Idea
(18:18) Stoic Exercises
(28:06) Widening The Domain of Being
(31:48) Philosophy As Gardening
(35:10) Refined Selfishness
(39:55) Stoic Meditation
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
“Shadows and dust”
Caleb and Michael talk about the philosophical themes in the epic movie “Gladiator.” It's the very first Stoa film review.
(00:39) Introduction
(07:26) Movie Review
(09:32) Commodus as Anti-Model
(13:57) Is Maximus Stoic?
(17:03) Marcus Aurelius in Gladiator
(19:50) Maximus is a Stoic Hero
(23:28) The Afterlife
(29:11) Proximo
(34:37) Gladiatorial Games
(37:19) Masculinity and Role Ethics
(48:26) Restoring the Republic
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Why does Musonius Rufus lecture on food and men’s fashion?
Caleb talks to William O Stephens to find out. Learn how the Stoics thought about ordinary issues of life in order to live extraordinarily well.
https://williamostephens.com/
(01:11) Musonius Rufus and Epictetus
(09:09) Why Care About Food and Fashion?
(13:42) Food
(23:16) Optimizing Health
(29:58) The Social Dimension
(36:14) Beards
(45:17) What is Natural?
(52:42) Epictetus on Beards
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
"Nothing has happened which was not going to be, and likewise nothing is going to be of which nature does not contain causes working to bring that very thing about."
The Stoics believed that we were responsible for our actions and that every action was fated.
In this conversation, Michael explains how they made sense of those two ideas.
We cover determinism, freewill, and moral responsibility in Stoicism.
(00:54) Introduction
(04:41) The Lazy Argument
(07:03) Stoic Physics
(15:56) The Argument for Causal Determinism
(25:10) Moral Responsibility
(35:33) Free Will
(44:29) Objections
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Jeremy Reid. Jeremy is an Assistant Professor in Philosophy at San Francisco State University. They talk about anger and forgiveness, using his excellent paper “Stoic Forgiveness” as a launching off point.
This is an excellent conversation for understanding the Stoic view of anger and enriching it with their practical and compassionate take on forgiveness. Highly recommended.
https://jeremywreid.weebly.com/
(00:30) Stoics on Anger
(11:13) Why Do We Get Angry?
(15:47) Responding to Wrongdoing
(26:24) Forgiveness
(35:08) Forgiving Everyone at Once
(37:36) Self-Forgiveness
(40:48) Flexibility
(43:15) Children Healing Children
(47:59) Intuitive Stoicism
(50:56) Other People's Anger
(54:38) Becoming Less Angry
(01:00:26) Compassion in Stoicism
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
“And what are we by nature? We are free, honorable, and self-respecting. After all, does any other animal blush or feel shame?”
The fear of social disgrace, shame, can prevent us from living well. Yet, the Stoics argued that there’s a related emotion, a kind of self-respect, that can help us live more freely. In this conversation, Caleb and Michael discuss both.
(00:06) Introduction
(04:48) Shame as a Passion
(15:47) Positive Shame?
(17:19) The Role of Our Self-Image
(25:40) Everyone's Guardian Spirit
(32:07) The Hidden Philosopher
(34:28) Halftime Summary
(37:55) Challenges
(40:20) Shame for the Past
(45:04) Self-respect
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
“This day will end like all others.”
“And after that?”
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Zena Hitz about her recent book “A philosopher looks at the religious life.” They discuss meaning, Christianity, and Stoicism.
https://catherineproject.org/
(01:10) Wholeheartedness
(06:59) Meaning
(14:18) Abandonment
(17:45) Devotion and Role Ethics
(30:08) Service and Happiness
(40:32) Freedom
(44:33) Nietzsche
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael
“It’s worse to be the thief, than the person who has their things stolen from them”
In this conversation, Michael and Caleb talk about how Stoics think about anger, revenge, and justice.
They cover common philosophical views of punishment – and note where the Stoics would disagree. This topic is important in many areas of our lives. It's about how we handle situations when someone has treated us badly, how we think about guilt, and how we can build just communities.
(00:35) Introduction
(06:55) Common Accounts of Punishment
(15:51) Stoicism and Anger
(25:47) Epictetus on Punishment
(32:26) Responding as a Stoic
(33:56) The Stoic Review of Everyone Else's Take on Punishment
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael
Caleb Ontiveros speaks with Dr. Steven C. Hayes, the originator of acceptance commitment therapy.
Acceptance commitment therapy deeply influenced our programs at Stoa, so this discussion was an honor.
In this wide ranging conversation, we cover how Steven thinks about “negative emotions” and cultivating wisdom in our technological age.
A Liberated Mind
(00:58) Introduction
(04:51) What's Bad About Bad Emotions?
(16:31) Ancient Wisdom Traditions
(25:39) Anxiety & Meaning
(32:13) Living With Emotions
(34:50) Death & Love
(39:38) Getting Better With Technology
(45:55) Wisdom
(50:29) The Dangers of Choosing Virtue For Others
Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael
In this conversation, Caleb and Michael discuss the discipline of action.
(02:30) Introduction
(03:51) The Discipline of Action
(08:16) Indifferents
(12:59) Acceptance and Justice
(19:54) The Seriousness of Action
(27:05) The Sage
(30:01) Choosing Between Indifferents
(31:52) Reserve Clause
(42:37) Praemeditatio Malorum
(46:13) Clarify Your Roles
(49:21) Challenges
(56:09) Managing Desire
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael
In this conversation, I speak with Noah Rasheta about Buddhism.
We talk about the key tenets of Buddhism, meditation, and even who shouldn’t be Buddhist. Noah has a clear and focused approach to Buddhism that I think you’ll find useful – whether or not you’re familiar with the philosophy.
https://secularbuddhism.com/
(01:56) Introduction
(03:56) Becoming Buddhist
(05:19) Why Do We Suffer
(09:11) Craving
(13:16) Habitual Cycles
(19:20) Meditation
(24:33) Judgment
(28:56) Interdependence and Impermanence
(34:23) Identity
(42:20) Who Shouldn't Be Buddhist
(45:33) Role Models
(47:26) Stoicism
(48:57) Enlightenment
(54:18) The Rabbit Hole
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael
“Would you have a great empire? Rule over yourself”
In this conversation, Michael and Caleb discuss the Stoic discipline of desire.
(02:05) Introduction
(10:41) Mastering Desire
(13:21) Stoic Theory of Happiness
(15:43) Beginner vs Advanced
(19:00) Love for Universal Nature
(21:00) Mindfulness
(25:37) Reinterpretation
(28:26) Amor Fati
(31:15) Attention
(38:35) Circumscribing the Present
(44:42) Challenges
(49:17) How Can You Love Fate?
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael
In this conversation Caleb speaks with Alexandra Hudson, the founder of Civic Renaissance and author of The Soul of Civility.
They discuss why politeness is overrated, the Stoic theory of political change, numerous contemporary and classical role models – intellectual and political theory, and what it means to be a good citizen in the modern age.
Pre-order The Soul of Civility
(03:04) Introduction
(12:04) Civility as Aristotelian Mean
(15:33) Politeness – Overrated?
(21:47) Might Makes Right
(26:08) The Immaterial vs Material World
(30:11) Role Models
(34:55) Politics as War
(38:04) Porching
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: stoameditation.com/course
“The discipline of assent consists essentially in refusing to accept within oneself all representations which are other than objective or adequate.”
In this conversation, Caleb and Michael discuss the discipline of judgement (also called the discipline of assent).
It's all about how to think like a Stoic.
(01:48) Introduction
(07:49) Significance
(14:30) Lines from Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus
(19:32) The Judge
(22:49) Decomposition
(26:43) Basic Mistakes
(32:49) Logical Skill
(35:43) Changing Behavior
(38:39) Suspending Judgement
(40:42) Impression vs Lekta
(46:55) Helping the Ignorant
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on Maven
Have you thought about the Roman Republic today?
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Josiah Osgood, a professor of classics and author of Uncommon Wrath: How Caesar and Cato’s Deadly Rivalry Destroyed the Roman Republic. They discuss Cato the Younger, Julius Caesar, and the lessons we can take from both men.
(02:21) Cato's Rome
(07:30) The Young Caesar and Cato
(14:21) Populist vs Aristocrat
(16:05) When Did He Become Stoic?
(18:30) Cato vs Caesar
(25:11) Caesar's Life Philosophy
(29:49) Did Cato Do the Right Thing?
(37:03) What Can We Learn From Caesar
(41:49) Was the Republic Worth Saving?
(44:56) Should Stoics Always Resist a Tyrant?
(50:59) Fabius Maximus – a Roman Model
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on Maven
This conversation covers the key ideas of Buddhism and compares it with Stoicism. This will be the first of many more conversations. We thought it was important to start with a 101.
(01:49) Introduction
(06:36) The Founding Parable
(14:33) The 4 Noble Truths
(20:07) The Middle Way
(31:39) Buddhist Evolution
(40:17) Stoicism vs Buddhism: Similarities
(48:10) Stoicism vs Buddhism: Differences
Episode 55: Building Stoic Mindfulness
Episode 56: Greg Lopez on Stoicism and Buddhism
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on Maven
“If a text is not offensive to anyone, it probably isn't very important.”
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Jeremy Wayne Tate, the Co-founder and President of the Classic Learning Test.
The Classic Learning Test is bringing back a focus on educating the whole human person by focusing on the great works and fundamental philosophical questions about how to live.
If you check out the CLT author bank you’ll find several Stoic names – which we at Stoa love to see.
This conversation focuses on the purpose of education, testing, and how to approach the classics today – all with someone who is in the arena shaping how education is done today.
https://www.cltexam.com
https://twitter.com/JeremyTate41
(03:31) Telos and Tests
(06:06) Why Go Back To The Classics?
(08:17) The SAT
(09:09) Elite Education
(11:05) The Stoics
(12:14) Crucial Questions
(16:46) How to Approach the Great Works
(20:07) C. S. Lewis
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on Maven
Does Contemporary psychology overlap with Stoic philosophy?
In this episode, Michael and Caleb go through Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. It’s a seminal book in modern cognitive psychology and behavioral economics. Most importantly for our purposes, it’s discussion of two key thinking styles, can deepen one’s knowledge of Stoicism and, potentially, help one think better.
(01:21) Introduction
(06:35) Book Summary
(13:44) Going Deeper
(23:21) Anchoring
(26:05) Stoic Parallels
(37:26) Walking Through The Two Systems
(50:24) Takeaways
Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on Maven
"Happiness, as the goal of life, can be understood as the highest expression of human nature, as encapsulating the chief markers of humanity at its best, namely rationality and sociability."
In this conversation, I (Caleb) speak with Chris Gill. We kick off the conversation with topics from his most recent book Learning to Live Naturally: Stoic Ethics and its Modern Significance. It’s no exaggeration to say that Chris Gill is a legend in modern Stoicism so having him on again was a real privilege.
Learning to Live Naturally
(02:19) Indifferents
(10:39) What Grounds Virtue?
(16:55) How to Think About Virtues and Nature
(26:44) Stoicism and the Natural World
(29:43) Stoic Detachment
(38:02) Does Stoicism Promote Self-sufficiency?
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on Maven
What does a Stoic eat?
How does a Stoic think about food?
That's what Caleb and Michael discuss in this episode.
Citing all 4 of the Roman Stoics, they cover how ancient Stoics thought about food and how that can shape our behavior today.
(01:56) Intro
(05:06) Musonius Rufus on Food
(14:05) The Social Role of Food
(19:09) Seneca on Food
(24:53) Mythbusting
(28:00) What Should Other People Eat?
(33:00) Context Context
(35:29) Implications
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
“Iron sharpens iron”
In this conversation, Michael speaks with Gregory Sadler.
Greg is the Founder and President of ReasonIO, a company dedicated to making resources of contemporary and classical philosophy available and accessible to non-philosophers. I first encountered Greg through his popular YouTube channel, which has hundreds of videos breaking down the thinking of philosophers ranging from Epictetus and Seneca to Hegel and Hume.
In this conversation, we cover challenges to the Stoics from a range of philosophers – each criticism should sharpen your picture of Stoicism.
(02:04) Greg's Story
(06:37) What Attracted Greg to Stoicism?
(13:28) Hegel on the Stoics
(25:12) Nietzsche’s Challenge
(33:36) William James on Stoicism
(43:39) Experimentation
(46:00) Shifty Stoicism
(48:15) Neo-Aristotelian Arguments
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
The best skiers don’t study ancient skiers. The best physicists don’t turn to Ancient Greece in order to push their field forward. So why should philosophers look back at the work of the ancients?
In this episode, Caleb and Michael wrestle with that question. Their answers may surprise you.
(02:11) The Argument Against Studying Ancient Philosophy
(07:00) Who is Actually Doing Philosophy Today?
(16:27) Mining for Diamonds
(25:00) The Motivational Force of Philosophy
(28:17) Communion with the Ancients
(32:08) Caleb on Why He Studies Ancient Philosophy
(35:55) An Aside on Organs
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
“The central theme of Seneca’s tragedies is how to endure a world in which there is no justice, no safety, no guarantees—political or divine—of human dignity.”
For this episode, I went to Sonoma County, California to speak with the poet Dana Gioia.
Seneca was a brilliant philosopher and statesman, but not many know he was also a world-class playwright. Dana Gioia is changing that.
Our conversation focuses on Dana’s translation of Seneca’s The Madness of Hercules but also covers Dana’s story, Stoicism, and much more.
https://danagioia.com/
https://www.wisebloodbooks.com/store/p131/seneca-the-madness-of-hercules-translate-by-dana-gioia.html
(02:19) Dana's Story
(13:29) Choosing Art Over Material Success
(19:30) Seneca Enters the Picture
(32:02) The Madness of Hercules
(38:25) The Value in Seneca's Violence
(44:44) Reading The Play
(51:21) Reading vs Listening vs Seeing
(57:59) Bacchus
(59:55) Seneca the Playwright vs Seneca the Philosopher
(01:07:31) Seneca on Anger
(01:14:26) Stoicism Today
(01:21:11) Fasting
(01:29:05) Final Words
Note: I had use backup audio for 1:02 to 1:08. You’ll notice a slight decline in audio quality for those 6 minutes.
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
"They say that love is an effort to form a friendship because of an impression of beauty in young persons at their prime..."
In this conversation, Caleb and Michael talk about the Stoics on eros and romantic love. First, they cover how the Stoics saw the nature of romantic love. Then, they look at what advice they have for us today. Finally, they end on the topic of heartbreak.
(01:35) Introducing Love
(05:36) Erotic Love
(20:18) Friendship
(27:00) Stoic Advice for Modern Relationships
(30:39) Knowing How To Say The I
(36:59) Role Ethics
(41:24) The Stoics on Heartbreak
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Dr. Randolph Nesse.
Randolph is the author of Good Reasons for Bad Feelings: Insights from the Frontier of Evolutionary Psychiatry. His work focuses on answering fundamental questions like why humans get sick and why we experience anxiety from an evolutionary perspective.
This is an essential conversation for understanding the nature of negative emotions. We touch on why we get anxious, what we can do about it, why we may not want to become less anxious, the role of advice, and, of course, the insights of the Stoics.
https://www.randolphnesse.com/
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
“Must I be wasting my time sitting in a corner when I might have been crowned at Olympia?”
In this conversation, we discuss failure, how to avoid it, and how to deal with it when it happens. We end by revealing personal experiences with failure.
“And what advantage does a wrestler gain from his training partner? The greatest.”
(01:57) Introduction
(10:40) How To Avoid Failure
(21:54) How To Deal With Failure
(27:50) Contemplating Adversity
(34:52) Failure as Practice
(40:06) Failure as Indifferent
(44:46) Free for All
(48:53) Personal Failure
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Catherine Wilson is a Professor of Philosophy, currently at the City University of New York. She is the author of How to Be an Epicurean: The Ancient Art of Living Well, which covers Epicureanism, an ancient philosophy, as a way of life.
In this conversation Michael and Catherine cover the basics of Epicureanism, a philosophical alternative to Stoicism based on minimizing the painful experiences of yourself and others, while maximizing enjoyment. They also discuss the contrasts between Stoicism and Epicureanism, including the idea that Stoicism is a tool for stress management, while Epicureanism is a tool for stress avoidance.
This conversation is a must for anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of Hellenistic philosophy, or anyone interested in ancient philosophies of life besides Stoicism.
(01:33) Stoicism vs Epicureanism
(03:45) Convention vs Nature
(10:13) Epicurean Altruism
(20:35) The Garden
(25:17) Back to Convention
(29:11) Intellectual Pleasure
(30:49) Stoicism vs Epicureanism, Revisited
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, we review Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman’s Lives of the Stoics, focusing on their accounts of the big three Roman Stoics: Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius. This is a great episode for getting a sense of the lives of key figures we talk about.
Stoicism Applied course
(02:54) Introduction
(08:39) Seneca the Striver
(24:00) Epictetus the Free Man
(37:16) Marcus Aurelius the Philosopher King
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Today’s Stoic revival is the second one. The first resurgence of Stoicism actually happened during the Renaissance.
In this podcast, David Fideler and I discuss what Modern Stoics today can learn from the Renaissance Humanists.
It’s a conversation that touches on history, education, and virtue ethics. It should be of interest to anyone who wants to increase the influence of Stoicism on society.
https://www.davidfideler.com/
https://therenaissanceprogram.com/
(02:24) Introduction
(08:35) The Birth of the Renaissance
(15:37) What Made Florence Great
(17:49) Stoics in the Rennaissance
(26:57) Stoic Exercises
(30:25) Other Influences
(32:44) What Modern Stoics Can Takeaway From the Humanists
(38:54) Reinventing Education
(46:10) Where to Learn More
“You are mortal.” So whispered the slaves of triumphant Roman generals as they celebrated their return in a glorious parade.
In this episode we discuss memento mori: Remembering the fact that you will die in order to live well.
We discuss the Stoic view of death and why they argued that one should always keep death in mind. We end by summarizing the benefits and risks of memento mori exercises so that you can translate Stoic philosophy into real practice.
(02:16) Introduction
(08:37) Memento Mori
(17:49) Face Death to Pursue Knowledge
(22:07) Overcoming Death
(27:08) You Are Free
(32:30) How to Practice
(39:04) Summarizing the Benefits
(42:55) Risks
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with the investor, author, and philosopher Michael Gibson.
You’ll hear why Michael thinks novelists are the successors of Plato, what some of the key entrepreneurial virtues he looks for are, how a philosopher like him ended up managing a sizable venture capitalist fund, and what his criticisms are of Stoicism in Silicon Valley.
So I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did and do check out his most recent book: Paper Belt on Fire – as it has a number of gems we don’t even begin to touch on.
https://www.1517fund.com/
(09:29) Redesigning Academic Philosophy
(19:34) The Meaning of Polytropon
(23:18) Do Founders Need a Life Philosophy?
(26:38) Does Virtue Pay?
(31:54) Virtue Ethics in Entrepreneurship
(33:55) Stoicism and Silicon Valley
(50:22) A Role Model
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Michael and Caleb talk about philosophy graduate school. We discuss the good, bad, and interesting. You’ll learn why we think it’s awesome, but fewer people should go to graduate school and whether we’d do the experience again.
(01:31) Our Academic Stories
(07:45) Logic in the Academy
(12:52) Getting Paid $$$
(18:15) Custodians of Civilization
(21:33) Surrounded by Serious People
(24:09) Bad Business
(28:56) Too Many Graduate Students
(33:33) A Culture of Perfection
(36:56) Philosophies of Life
(42:21) The Obsession about Prestige
(48:23) Making Graduate School Better
(52:10) Would You Do Graduate School Again?
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this discussion, Caleb speaks with Leo Konstantakos. Leo a veteran, professor of international relations and co-author of Being Better: Stoicism for a World Worth Living In.
We cover how Leo came to see Socrates in a different light, Stoicism in ancient Sparta, and how the ancients viewed justice differently. We also lightly spar over whether someone can or should call themselves Stoic today.
Leo has a unique cut on many of these issues and a clear love for the Stoic tradition, check it out.
Being Better
(02:03) Introduction
(02:48) Seeing Socrates in a New Light
(05:26) Rediscovering Stoicism
(10:01) Stoicism in Sparta
(16:18) Justice in the Ancient World
(25:11) Can You Be Stoic Today?
(41:53) Opposing Heroes
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
How do you live in an uncertain world?
In this episode Caleb and Michael talk about the life philosophy of Skepticism. Skepticism was one of the Stoic’s rival philosophical. Michael and I discuss what skepticism is, what living like a skillful skeptic looks like, and our impressions of the philosophy.
(01:15) Introduction
(04:22) What is Skepticism?
(12:37) Questioning Skepticism
(23:29) Skeptic Ethical Exercises
(31:53) Areas of Agreement with the Stoics
(35:56) Disagreements between the Stoics and Skeptics
(43:13) Is Skepticism Self-refuting?
(49:09) The Ancient Stoic Response
(54:02) Summing Up
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Michael McGill.
They discuss Michael's story, Roman history, and how Michael applies Stoic philosophy to his life. It’s a great look at how anyone can take lessons from Greco-Roman philosophy and use them in work, family life, and hobbies in a positive and energetic way.
https://twitter.com/mcgillmd921
(02:46) Introduction
(04:34) How Stoicism Shows Up In Michael's Life
(10:56) What Lost Stoic Do You Want To Read?
(13:21) Roman History
(19:23) Cicero
(22:12) Time Management
(26:06) Cato the Younger
(31:38) Role Models and Anti-Models
(35:39) Introducing Others To Stoicism
(43:06) Advice for Creators
(47:57) Busts
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
The Stoics thought anyone could be happy in any situation.
This is because virtue is the only good and it is obtainable by anyone.
But why did the Stoics think virtue was the only good?
That’s what Caleb and Michael discuss in this conversation. They frame the discussion around objections to that idea from Scott Aikin, William Stephens, and Massimo Pigliucci (all past Stoa Conversations guests).
Epictetus’s Encheiridion: A New Translation
Virtue cannot be the ultimate good
(02:51) Why This Matters
(09:04) What is Virtue?
(17:45) The Objection
(26:31) Response: Stoic Move I
(31:59) Response: Stoic Move II
(39:43) The Practical Upshots
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Brittany Polat.
She’s has done excellent work teaching and promoting the ideas of Stoicism through her books, blog, and Stoicare, so we’re always happy to have her on. In this conversation, we talk about what we can learn from monasteries, how to think about Stoicism & accountability, what Epictetus believed about the Cynics, and the Stoic attitude towards beauty.
Stoicism for Humans
(01:41) Introduction
(03:11) Ethical Development
(09:15) Determinism and Accountability
(16:55) Learning From Medieval Monks
(21:19) Medieval Monks on Meditation
(29:40) Beauty
(33:39) Epictetus on the Cynics
(38:54) Devotion
(42:56) Learning To Live Naturally
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this podcast, Michael Tremblay discusses everything you should know about ancient Stoicism in 1 hour. Consider it a Stoic speed run.
(01:54) Introduction
(04:46) The History
(13:48) Stoic Ethics
(19:35) Psychological Claims
(26:49) Stoic Epistemology
(33:09) Stoic Metaphysics
(42:05) Stoic Exercises
(52:09) Objections
(56:58) Last Challenge
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Spencer Klavan. Spencer is a classicist, author of How to Save the West, and host of the Young Heretics podcast.
Spencer argues that we face five crises and how we respond to them determines who we are as individuals and society. These crises pertain to reality, body, meaning, religion, and regime.
We discuss these challenges, Classical accounts of virtue, and whether Stoicism has what it takes to answer the predicament we're in.
Gateway to the Stoics
How to Save the West
(00:32) Spencer's Story
(06:59) Career and The Hero's Journey
(11:12) Recovering The Good
(16:55) The Unitary Nature of Virtue
(30:30) How to Save The West
(35:00) When was the West at its Best?
(39:11) Crises
(44:11) Is Stoicism Enough?
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
We discuss one of the most important Stoic ideas: Role ethics.
This is a decision making framework from the Stoic philosopher, Epictetus. It’s a challenge to live a meaningful life by performing the roles you’ve been assigned and the roles you’ve chosen with excellence. We talk about the different kinds of roles we should occupy according the Stoics and how these roles provide a direction for life.
(01:54) Why Role Ethics Matters
(09:11) What Role Ethics Is
(11:36) What Are My Roles?
(13:18) The Role of Human Being
(18:00) Specific Roles
(23:54) Relationships
(35:29) Chosen Roles
(42:23) Role Ethics and Career Choice
(48:49) Outstanding Questions
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation Caleb speaks with Greg Lopez. Greg is a practicing secular Buddhist and Stoic. He’s also the co-author, with Massimo Pigliucci, of A Handbook for New Stoics.
They discuss Greg’s struggle to combine the two philosophies, and different accounts of mindfulness.
Greg's Stoicon 2020 talk
(02:12) Buddhism and Stoicism
(12:25) Daily Practice
(16:05) Varieties of Mindfulness
(21:20) Stoic Mindfulness
(33:13) The Notion of Self
(38:21) Karma
(42:45) Eclecticism
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, Caleb and Michael discuss mindfulness and Stoicism.
They start by covering two central definitions of modern mindfulness, move to comparing those accounts with Stoic mindfulness, and end by talking about different ways to become more mindful.
(05:47) What is Mindfulness?
(15:52) Stoic Mindfulness
(26:12) Comparing Mondern Mindfulness & Stoic Mindfulness
(33:27) What's The Purpose of Mindfulness?
(37:10) How to Build Mindfulness
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: https://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
Remember – if you try it and find it useful, but truly cannot afford Stoa, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation Caleb speaks with Will Johncock, the philosopher, sociologist and author of Beyond the Individual: Stoic Philosophy on Community and Connection.
Will’s work highlights the deeply social aspect of Stoicism and offers an essential frame for thinking about our own lives, the lives of the people around us, and our world.
Will reminds us that we share our nature with the world and people around us. This provides a source of meaning and guidance.
https://willjohncock.com/
(03:28) The Individual and Social Aspects of Stoicism
(07:54) Being Social
(13:38) Rationality in the Universe
(18:59) Egoism
(29:52) Autonomy Culture
(36:17) Virtue
(38:58) The Problem of Evil
(42:56) Moral Luck
(46:58) History or Life Philosophy?
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
They say that if you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention.
The Stoics don’t agree with that. In their view, anger is always bad. If you’re angry, you’re not seeing things as they are.
Caleb and Michael discuss why you’d think that in this conversation. It’s grounded in Seneca’s On Anger. Enjoy.
(02:09) Introduction
(06:57) What Is Emotion
(12:55) What Is Anger
(24:13) Why Defenses For Anger Do Not Work
(24:47) But Vengeance Is Justified
(34:16) But Anger Is Useful
(43:20) My Anger Is Controllable
(46:31) If You're Not Angry, Something Is Wrong With You
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Chris Gill. It is one of the best explanations from a scholar who regularly interacts with practitioners.
This episode was released previously on the Stoa App. We’re currently running an annual special for our membership in the month of June: https://stoameditation.com/
We discuss the Stoic virtue, the idea of indifference, the Stoic view of emotions, and how to be happy.
(01:32) Defining Stoicism
(06:34) Indifferents
(09:06) Social and Ethical Development
(11:48) Emotional Development
(21:20) Practice vs Theory
(25:23) Epictetus's Advice
(28:25) 3 Disciplines
(37:02) Grounding Virtues
(42:02) Stoic Exercises
(44:34) Open Questions
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Today, we talk about the View from above. It’s the one of the most popular Stoic practices for generating a sense of calm, perspective, and purpose.
What it is, how to practice it, and the risks associated with the practice. We also touch on the importance of consuming art and how you can use art to get into a Stoic mental state.
Arvo Pärt
6 Ways to Practice the View from Above
(03:23) The View From Above
(16:48) How to Practice
(24:39) Philosophically Grounding the Exercise
(30:31) View From Above In Art
(34:53) Risks
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
This is our 50th episode! Thank you for listening and supporting Stoa Conversations. If you’d like to support the show, please subscribe, leave a review, and share an episode with a friend. Also, send a note to stoa@stoameditation.com. We read and respond to every single one.
This episode is with Dr. Marcus Hedahl. Marcus turns the tables and asks Caleb Ontiveros about his article, Stoicism For Me But Not For Thee. They each discuss how to talk to irrational and non-Stoic people.
Stoicism For Me But Not For Thee
Marcus Hedahl on Stoic Happiness
(03:01) Stoicism for Me
(16:28) Blaming Others
(19:18) Pluralism?
(20:55) Inviting Others to Stoicism
(31:57) Why Do We Want Others to be Stoic
(33:52) Groaning With Others
(40:43) Pity and Empathy
Michael and Caleb discuss…Jordan Peterson. In a previous episode, we covered 12 Rules for Life. Jordan Peterson is a controversial political and cultural figure – but in that discussion, we put all that aside.
In this discussion, we bring it all back.
We cover what Peterson’s virtues and vices in this conversation. We discuss soldier mindset, audience capture, beauty, and neuroticism. Peterson is a role model for us, but also, an anti-model. This was a useful discussion for clarifying what we find valuable from the man and what we don’t.
01:49 Introduction
03:44 The Good
12:29 Don't Apologize to the Mob
18:39 The Bad
27:58 Soldier Mindset
45:31 Outstanding Questions
49:07 Conclusion
https://stoameditation.com/blog/12-rules-for-life/
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download):
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US≷=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Michael Tremblay speaks with Gordon Marino. Gordon is a professor of philosophy at St. Olaf's College and a specialist in existentialism.
In this conversation, they speak about existentialism and in particular the work of Kierkegaard. They discuss the idea of authenticity and human's capacity for self-deception. Towards the end of the podcast, Gordon's experience as a boxing coach and how his athletic journey relates to existentialism.
This podcast will of value to anyone who wants to learn more about approaches to philosophy as a way of life that differ from Stoicism.
Gordon on Twitter
(01:41) What Is Existentialism?
(04:37) Authenticity
(08:26) Emotions in Existentialism
(12:18) How Should We Live?
(14:07) Wait - Who Is Kierkegaard?
(25:48) The Role of Faith
(30:16) Obedience
(30:54) Sport and Coaching
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: https://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download Stoa:
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US≷=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, Caleb and Michael discuss the Socrates and the Socratic method.
The Socratic method is the core philosophical technique. So, it's essential to understand.
Caleb and Michael start start by giving an initial background on Socrates and then move to discussing the strengths and risks of Socratic questioning.
(01:28) Introduction
(04:17) Who Was Socrates?
(12:13) Socrate’s Historical Impact
(14:31) The Socratic Method
(29:35) The Method As A Tool of Ethical Improvement
(39:25) Pros of the Socratic Method
(48:59) The Risks of the Socratic Method
This conversation will help you think more deeply about the nature of rhetoric.
Caleb Ontiveros speaks with the political scientist Rob Goodman. You may recognize his name from the book Rome’s Last Citizen, which he wrote with past Stoa Conversations guest, Jimmy Soni. He's also the author of Words on Fire: Eloquence and Its Conditions.
We discuss ancient Romans, current politics, risk, and rhetoric.
(02:03) Introduction
(03:56) Who was Cicero?
(07:00) Cicero & Cato the Younger
(19:53) Rhetoric
(29:50) Responsibilities of the Audience
(32:57) Politics as Spectators
(36:43) Politics as Conflict
(39:13) Why Rome?
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download):
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US≷=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Michael and Caleb discuss Ryan Holiday’s book The Obstacle Is the Way. They cover the good, bad, and provocative.
Both argue that it’s practically inspiring even if philosophically shallow. Michael argues that in a real sense, it’s not a Stoic book. Caleb pushes back – a little.
(05:30) Protreptic Philosophy
(11:44) The Necessity of Popularization
(14:35) Stoicism as An Operating System
(19:00) Motivational Power
(22:01) Shallow Stoicism
(31:16) Holiday Didn't Understand Stoicism
(33:32) Muddling Through Stoic Theory
(41:38) The Cognitive Theory of Emotions
(47:03) The Spiritual Aspect of Stoicism
(48:54) 3 Disciplines
(53:43) Meditations 5 20
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download):
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US≷=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
What is happiness?
In this discussion, Caleb speaks with Marcus Hedahl, a philosophy professor at the US naval academy.
They discuss happiness, its subjective versus objective nature, the meaning of life, what we can and can't reframe, and much more.
It's an excellent conversation for understanding Stoicism, beginning with its account of happiness.
09:59 The Nature of Happiness
13:57 Is Happiness Something One Can Search For?
22:43 The Happiest Person Marcus Knows
26:36 The Stoic View of Harm
29:11 Stoics Do Not Judge
43:08 Is A Longer Life Better?
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: https://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download Stoa:
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US≷=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Are things really right or wrong? Is morality objective?
In this conversation, Caleb gives three arguments for thinking that it is. Michael questions each one. Along the way, they discuss the Stoic response to skepticism, why this issue matters, and how the ancient Stoics grounded their picture of the good life.
06:51 What is Moral Realism?
16:12 The Argument from Intuition
26:47 The Argument from Practical Reason
40:12 Epistemic Realism
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download):
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Michael Tremblay speaks to David Fideler about Seneca. They cover how the Stoic philosopher provided valuable guidance for how to live today. David’s book Breakfast with Seneca serves as the launching point for the discussion.
(03:04) Facing the Mob
(09:06) Cosmopolitanism
(20:03) Authenticity
(24:42) Confronting Death
(29:21) Experiencing Grief
(34:25) Cosmic Gratitude
(41:28) Deep vs Shallow Stoicism
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download):
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
One of the best ways to understand what Stoicism is and contemporary Stoic debates is learning about Aristo of Chios.
Today, we’re having debates over the place of physics and logic in Stoicism and the place of Stoic advice today. Well, Aristo challenged the Stoics on these issues hundred of years ago.
In this episode, Michael and Caleb talk about what he had to say, how the orthodox Stoics responded, and what they have to say about the issues themselves.
(02:12) Introduction
(09:17) The Rejection of Logic and Physics
(18:50) Rejecting Preferred Indifferents
(32:20) Rejecting Precepts
Related episodes
Conversation on Traditional Stoicism with Chris Fisher
Conversation with Massimo Pigliucci
Conversation on Six Stoicisms
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download):
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US≷=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, Caleb speaks with Hampus Jakobsson. Hampus is a venture capitalist and serial entrepreneur. He is currently a general partner at Pale Blue Dot.
We talk about Stoicism and entrepreneurship. It’s a practical discussion centering on how to use Stoicism as a tool to accomplish your goals. You’ll get a number of tactics you can use to solve problems, build habits, and hear how a leading investor and entrepreneur thinks.
https://hajak.se/
(00:36) Hampus on Stoicism
(03:47) Playing A Single Player Game
(07:35) Identity
(11:48) What's Holding You Back
(14:24) Identity
(21:43) Caring What Other's Think
(28:50) Quitting
(36:31) Misconceptions About Companies
(43:56) Role Models
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download):
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US≷=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, Michael and Caleb review Jordan Peterson’s book 12 Rules for Life.
We each pick out 1 idea we believe is true, 1 false, and 1 provocative. There’s a lot to say about this controversial book. Both of us think it has a number of life-changing lessons, but also gets important things wrong.
(04:29) Hierarchy and Feedback Loops
(15:49) Tell the Truth
(23:55) Clean More Than Your Room
(36:03) Too Much Freud
(45:25) The Centrality of Myth
(56:49) Sacrifice
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download):
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
This conversation is with Tanner Campbell., the founder of Practical Philosophy and host of the Practical Stoicism Podcast.
Tanner specializes in bringing Stoicism to a broad audience in a way that is practical and accessible. In this episode, he and Michael Tremblay how to navigate our roles and responsibilities as Stoics, Tanner's journey from being skeptical of Stoicism to a Stoic advocate, and Tanner's relationship with the Stoic God as the former host of an atheism podcast.
01:16 Introduction
10:40 Podcast as Practice
22:55 The Difference That Stoicism Makes
36:10 Virtue Signaling
38:37 How Do You Know What Your Roles Are?
48:14 Common Pitfalls
50:29 Popularizing Stoicism
01:01:39 Traditional Stoicism
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download):
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US≷=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Are you even Stoic if you don't take ice-baths, fast, or regularly underdress?
Michael and I discuss why the Stoics argued for voluntary suffering – but also what they said about how it should be practiced. We then debate whether one should show off and share how we practice voluntary suffering in our own lives.
(03:18) What is Voluntary Suffering?
(07:31) Why You Should Train Your Body
(19:51) Stoic Warnings
(38:59) Summarizing
(41:31) How We Practice Voluntary Suffering
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download):
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US≷=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Michael speaks with Julia Galef, author of The Scout Mindset.
Julia is a modern advocate for what the Stoics argued: improving our reason and learning to pursue the truth. Michael and Julia discuss her arguments for the scout mindset as compared to the soldier mindset.
(01:28) Scout Mindset
(10:25) The Case For Scout Mindset
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download):
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US≷=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
(21:50) Sophism
(28:37) True vs Fake Scout Mindset
(38:06) Choosing Reasoning Processes
(41:15) Epistemology
(46:36) What Does This Mean For The Good Life?
Why do you do things you know you shouldn’t?
The ancient term for doing what you knew wasn’t best for was akrasia or weakness of will. Plato and Aristotle believed in it. The Stoics did not. What this means and why it matters for us today is the subject of this episode.
(01:04) What is Weakness of Will
(11:54) Plato on Weakness of Will
(22:22) Aristotle
(28:44) The Stoics
(36:31) The Early Stoic Solution
(41:27) Epictetus and Weak Beliefs
(49:14) Nonreflective Judgments
(53:18) Practical Upshot
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download):
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US≷=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, I speak with Emily Austin. Emily is the professor of philosophy at Wake Forest University and she's also the author of Living for Pleasure, which is an introduction to the ancient philosophy of Epicureanism, and that's what we'll be focusing on today.
Ancient Stoics, like Seneca, found a lot of wisdom in Stoicism’s philosophical rival, we can do the same today. We talk about Stoicism’s ancient rival, whether it makes sense as a philosophy today, and what the Epicurean life would look like.
(01:30) What is Epicureanism?
(08:11) Misinterpreting Epicureanism
(12:09) Epicureanism vs Utilitarianism
(15:52) What makes Epicureans different
(29:09) Does Epicureanism defeat itself?
(35:03) Living the Epicurean life
(40:21) Why aren't we happy all the time
(42:27) Learning how to die
(49:40) Takeaways
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: https://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download Stoa:
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US≷=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, Michael and I speak with Chris Fisher. We discuss traditional Stoicism: its religious aspects, the role of the Stoic God, and what modern Stoics miss from the ancient philosophy.
You'll learn what Traditional Stoicism is and why it matters.
https://traditionalstoicism.com/
(01:55) Chris's Background
(09:17) What is Traditional Stoicism?
(19:45) Defending Providence
(29:00) The Stoic God
(40:14) What's the Practical Upshot
(48:50) The Problem of Evil
(57:27) Is Modern Stoicism a Bad Thing?
(01:12:00) What's Missing from Modern Stoic Epistemics?
(01:13:44) Building Habits
(01:18:40) Summing Up
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: https://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download Stoa:
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US≷=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
I speak with Scott Aikin, a philosopher at Vanderbilt University. This marks Aiken's third appearance on Stoa Conversations.
During this episode, we delve into significant philosophical challenges to Stoicism, including the foundation of virtue, the impossibility objection, and issues arising from Traditional Stoicism. These topics hold theoretical importance, but they also influence our practical lives. Especially it comes to issues like reframing obstacles and determining the degree to which Stoics should adhere to tradition. Scott, and another Stoa Conversations guest, William Stephens, are publishing Epictetus’s 'Encheiridion': A New Translation and Guide to Stoic Ethics this summer.
(02:38) What is Stoicism?
(07:13) The Stoic View of Virtue
(22:29) We Need People To Depend on Us
(27:34) Is it Possible to Be A Stoic?
(46:51) Traditional vs Modern Stoicism
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download):
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US≷=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
“He gives his sole attention to how he might carry out his own activities, and attends continually to his own strand in the whole web; he makes sure that his own activities are done rightly, and he is convinced that his own strand in the web is good.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 3.4
Caleb and Michael do a close reading of Meditations 3.2 - 3.4.
Chris Gill’s Translation: https://amzn.to/4330B8H
(04:16) Meditations 3.2
(16:17) Meditations 3.3
(27:54) Meditations 3.4
(35:46) Continuing 3.4
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download):
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US≷=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
"No, we have not picked all the low-hanging fruit yet."
In this conversation, Caleb Ontiveros speaks with William Eden – a recovering economist turned biotech venture capitalist. They talk about a wide range of topics: the importance of history, whether Rome is a good analogy to today, Stoicism, voluntary discomfort, negative visualization, and Covid.
BecomingEden
(00:43) Introduction
(01:55) History
(13:23) Rome
(34:40) Will's Take on Stoicism
(58:50) Negative Actualization
(01:07:54) Covid
(01:44:06) Lab Leak
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download):
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoa-stoic-meditation-diary/id1446345567
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stoameditation.stoa&hl=en_US≷=US&pli=1
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
How can you remain Stoic when everyone around you has lost their head?
Caleb and Michael discuss the problem of Non-Stoics. Often others can’t handle the stress of life and want to share Stoic techniques with them – when is that the right play? Luckily, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius gave for this very issue.
At the end of this conversation, we summarize 8 strategies you can use to deal with non-Stoic people. Check out StoaLetter.com if you haven’t already, the Wednesday letter will summarize the eight strategies.
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Why do you want what you do? Are your desires even yours?
In this conversation, Caleb Ontiveros speaks with Luke Burgis. Luke’s most recent book, Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life, covers mimetic theory, as does this conversation.
Mimetic theory is essential for Stoics to know because it explains why we end up wanting so many things that are outside of our control. Luke shares how mimetic theory does this and tactics for focusing on “thick” as opposed to “thin” desires.
Anti-Mimetic newsletter
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
What's the Stoic view on active euthanasia?
In this conversation we discuss MAID (medical assistance in dying), Canada’s active euthanasia law.
Warning: We’re discussing suicide. That’s what this episode is about.
We discuss why this is an important issues, what the Stoic view on suicide is, and how that applies to the political issue of MAID.
(01:18) Why Talk about MAID?
(02:28) Background on MAID
(07:46) Stoics on Suicide
(23:22) The Stoic View of MAID
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
What’s required for freedom? What does self respect demand?
In this conversation, Caleb Ontiveros speaks with William Stephens about Epictetus’s Handbook.
They discuss Epictetus’s conception of freedom, self-respect, and end with a discussion on his role ethics.
We’ve had several conversations with William Stephens, he’s one of the foremost philosophical experts on Epictetus, so we’re excited to share another one.
(01:56) What is the Handbook?
(05:53) Historical Impact of Epictetus
(11:26) How Epictetus Understood Freedom
(24:18) Tranquility
(28:33) Self-respect
(32:09) Role Ethics
(37:59) Epictetus on Career Choice
(41:54) Stoic Heroes
(45:39) Stoic Antiheroes
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
“Musonius used to say that it was the height of shamelessness to think about how weak our bodies are when enduring pain, but to forget how weak they are when experiencing pleasure.”
In this podcast, Michael and I discuss the Roman Socrates, Musonius Rufus. Musonius Rufus was the teacher of Epictetus. He played a crucial role building Roman Stoicism. In this podcast we talk about who he was, what writings we have from him, and three key practical ideas from his thought: the division between theory and practice, Spartan minimalism, and egalitarianism.
(01:40) Introduction
(09:31) Theory vs Practice
(17:33) Spartan Minimalism
(31:35) Egalitarianism
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Stoics have a contemplative practice called The View From Above – it involves looking down on our life from a larger vantage point. An excellent way to do that is to zoom out and look at history, the rise and fall of civilizations. When we do that, the trivial falls away and what is important remains.
This conversation with Dr Michael Bonner takes that larger perspective. Michael is a classist, civil servant, an expert on the Islamic Golden Age, and the author of In Defense of Civilization, an expert on the Islamic Golden Age.
He and Caleb discuss the nature of civilization, ideas of renewal, beauty, and order, what it means to be civilized, and what it means to be human.
In Defense of Civilization
(01:54) Introduction
(05:18) What is Civilization?
(11:38) The Beginning of Civilization
(17:39) Ancient Greece
(22:06) The Role of Philosophy in Civilization
(34:05) The Challenge to Civilization
(46:37) What Should We Do?
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Why did the Stoics believe what you think is up to you? What are the components of thought?
Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay discuss that in this episode. We start with the Stoic theory of mind and then move to how we can use their psychology to understand others and ourselves better. We then cover the radical Stoic ideas that no one does wrong willingly and the idea that weakness of will is impossible.
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this conversation, Caleb Ontiveros speaks with Nate Anderson, the deputy editor at Condé Nast’s Ars Technica. Nate is also the author of In Emergency, Break Glass: What Nietzsche Can Teach Us About Joyful Living in a Tech-Saturated World.
We cover the philosophy of Nietzsche and how he challenges us to do better in this digital age.
(00:27) Intro
(01:19) Nate and Nietzsche
(12:08) Role Models for Nietzsche
(15:49) The Life of Reason vs the Life of Passion
(18:45) The Last Man
(25:29) Nietzsche on the Information Age
(34:05) Egalitarianism
(40:02) Amor Fati
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Bryan Hill is a television, film, and comic book writer. His work in comics includes writing for Batman and Buffy's Angel and his work in television includes HBO Max's Titans, and Ash vs. The Evil Dead. He is a practitioner of Stoicism, and has incorporated Stoic ideas into his craft of writing.
In this discussion, Michael Tremblay and Bryan cover using Stoicism to overcome the ego, imposter syndrome, and fear of rejection that comes both with being a writer, and with pursuing any craft.
They talk about learning to commit yourself to process of self-improvement, rather than seeking external validation. They also talk about how to overcome the fear of being bad at something by learning to give yourself permission to be a beginner.
This conversation is a must listen for anyone who has struggled with their own confidence and self-identity, and wants specific strategies to help.
(01:11) Intro
(02:14) The Impact of Stoicism
(15:10) Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
(28:25) Commit to the Process
(36:07) Seeking Excellence
(44:54) What Bryan's Struggled With the Most
(50:29) Stoicism in Bryan's Craft
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
“We realized that Nietzsche’s approach represents a productive and healthy sequel to Stoicism, particularly for the disruptive entrepreneur.”
Investor, entrepreneur, and researcher Dave Jilk joins Caleb to talk about Nietzsche and Entrepreneurship.
With Brad Feld, Dave wrote The Entrepreneur's Weekly Nietzsche. They cover how Nietzsche challenges
In this conversation, Dave shares how Nietzsche challenges us to clarify our values, cultivate faith, and embrace reality.
(00:12) Who Was Nietzsche
(02:57) Why Nietzsche?
(07:00) Silent Killers
(11:54) Staring Into The Abyss
(19:20) Nietzsche and Stoicism
(28:34) Faith
(33:44) Nietzsche in David's Life
(36:39) Nietzsche's Business Ethics
(41:20) Amor Fati
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
What's the best test of a business idea? Are we doomed by AI?
Caleb Ontiveros talks with Liron Shapira about specificity, startup ideas, and the case for AI risk.
Bloated MVP
Specificity Sequence
(02:19) Criticizing Crypto
(04:31) Specificity
(10:11) Intellectual Role Models
(15:06) Insight from the Rationality Community
(19:22) AI Risk
(31:07) Back to Business
(39:46) Making Sense of Our lives when the AI Apocalypse is Coming
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
“Is our life really so painful and burdensome that it would be advantageous for us to trade it for a fossilized Stoic way of life? Things are not bad enough for us that they have to be bad for us in the Stoic style!”
Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay talk about how both Nietzsche challenges Stoics. The Stoics and Nietzsche agree on the idea that we are self-sufficient and on embracing fate, amor fati. However, Nietzsche thought that the idea of living in accordance with Nature was silly “self-tyranny.” What does that mean?
Caleb also confesses to reading Nietzsche too early in his life.
(01:52) Introduction
(06:50) Nietzsche's Philosophy
(14:15) Amor Fati
(18:52) Self-Sufficiency
(28:15) Nietzsche on Suffering
(39:16) Nietzsche on Nature
•••
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: https://www.stoaletter.com
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
How does Stoicism actually make a psychological difference?
In conversation Caleb Ontiveros speaks with the author, researcher and psychologist, Tim Lebon on that very question.
Tim shares how Stoicism has made a concrete difference to his life and how it has transformed the lives of others. He then discusses how Stoicism works and how it can help you shape you into a more resilient person.
We end with a discussion on the future of Stoicism.
365 Ways to Be More Stoic
(1:15) What is Stoicism?
(5:00) How has Stoicism made a difference to Tim?
(10:00) How has it made a difference to others?
(20:00) How Stoicism works
(36:00) The future of Stoicism
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode we do a close reading of the first two chapters of Epictetus’s Handbook. Epictetus packages key theoretical and practical insights in the first few packages – read along!
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
All ages will produce men like Clodius, but not all ages men like Cato.– Seneca
Why did Stoics idolize Cato the Younger?
In this episode Caleb Ontiveros speak with Jimmy Soni, author of Rome's Last Citizen.
We focus on what is admirable about Cato the Younger, his contradictions, and his legacy. We also touch on Soni’s book The Founders which is a deep dive on the story of PayPal. It’s a engaging book on the early days of what are now Silicon Valley legends.
Follow Jimmy on Twitter.
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Stoicism is apparently huge in Silicon Valley. Investors recommend Marcus Aurelius. Founders promote Stoic ideas like voluntary suffering.
What’s up with that?
In this episode, Caleb Ontiveros and Michael talk about how big Stoicism really is in Silicon Valley, how Stoicism helps build startups, and discuss criticism of Silicon Valley Stoicism.
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, Caleb Ontiveros speak with Dr. Massimo Pigliucci.
Massimo is one of the key figures behind the Renaissance of modern stoicism. They discuss how Stoicism has made a difference to Massimo's life, Stoicism and politics, and end with a discussion of the proper attitude towards social media.
This is an excellent conversation for thinking about how Stoicism can fit into a life – and why there open questions with the philosphy even if it is the best practical philosophy available.
•••
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
How Stoicism can improve our game and sport can make us better Stoics.
Martial artist Michael Tremblay and marathoner Caleb Ontiveros discuss the relationship between sport and Stoicism.
(00:12) Intro
(02:07) Similarities Between Stoicism and Sport
(14:19) Stoicism For Sport
(32:49) Sport for Stoicism
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Find out why Donald Robertson now calls Stoicism a fundamentally Socratic philosophy.
In this episode Caleb Ontiveros speaks with Donald Robertson. Donald is the author of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor and The Philosophy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and a number of other excellent books. He is trained as a psychotherapist and is one of the key players behind modern Stoicism.
We talk about Socrates, Epicureanism from the psychological point of view, ways that different psychological techniques can backfire, and the state of Stoicism today.
This is one of my favorite episodes. Donald has expertise in both psychotherapy and Stoic philosophy – for that reason he has many significant things to say that have shaped how I, and many others, think about Stoic theory and practice.
Plato’s Academy
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app (iPhone, Android). Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Is the ultimate aim of life tranquility?
Epicurus answered this question with a resounding "yes." The school he founded, Epicureanism, pitted itself against other ancient schools focused on virtue.
Michael and Caleb go deep into the philosophy, explain why they think it is mistaken, but also talk about what it can teach us today.
(00:41) Intro
(02:16) History of Epicureanism
(03:20) Epicurean Philosophy
(16:38) Differences Between Stoic and Epicurean Practice
(21:56) Similarities
(28:25) Problems with Epicureanism
(43:16) Why Does This Matter
(44:16) The Wisdom in Epicureanism
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
What lessons are hidden in ancient biographies?
Alex Petkas is a former Classics professor who now works in the industrial coatings industry. Combining theory and practice. Modernizing Plutarch's Parallel Lives in his Cost of Glory podcast is one of his key projects. Plutarch was an ancient biographer, his most famous work, Parallel Lives, is a set of biographies of great Roman and Greeks that we can learn a lot from today.
In this conversation Caleb Ontiveros and Alex Petkas talk about characters like Marius, Cato, Sulla, and Pyrrhus. They also discuss the importance of role models and what Plutarch can teach us today.
Learn more about Alex Petkas at his website: https://ancientlifecoach.com/alex-petkas/, follow him on Twitter: @alexpetkas, and check out The Cost of Glory
In this conversation Michael and Caleb discuss six different kinds of Stoicism:
- $toicism
- broicism
- stoicism (little s stoicism)
- Traditional Stoicism
- Academic Stoicism
- Modern Stoicism
Some of these are misunderstandings, or at least incomplete, other's are much more meaningful uses of the philosophy. Michael and Caleb talk about each with the aim of correctly understanding theory and determining what's useful to apply in ordinary life.
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Stoicism is a philosophy that is ultimately geared towards attaining knowledge. Because of that it is crucial to know what kind of media environment we live in and how to navigate it.In this episode, Caleb speaks with philosophy professor Justin McBrayer. They discuss his most recent book Beyond Fake News: Finding the Truth in a World of Misinformation. Caleb and Justin talk about how to think about the problem and strategies for individuals who want to see the world as it is.Learn more about Justin McBrayer at his website: https://www.justinmcbrayer.com/(2:05) The Problem of Fake News
(4:20) Why is there Fake News?
(12:41) Impact of the Internet
(16:10) is it our fault?
(21:50) Proximity kills our heroes
(24:19) Becoming better believers
(32:46) Relying on Experts
(38:31) Expert incentives
(43:29) Problems with media scoring
(46:15) Long covid
(48:52) Rules for dealing with experts
(50:00) Does intelligence matter?
***Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
*Bonus episode***
In this conversation, Caleb and John Vervaeke talk about the nature of transformative experience and how Stoicism can deeply transform who you are. The discussion is deep and will repay multiple listens.
John Vervaeke is an Assistant Professor in Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Science at the University of Toronto. His work constructs a bridge between science and spirituality in order to understand the experience of meaningfulness and the cultivation of wisdom so as to afford awakening from the meaning crisis.
Check out John Vervaeke's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpqDUjTsof-kTNpnyWper_Q
(1:06) The Meaning Crisis
(11:59) The View From Above
(22:34) Participatory Knowledge
(24:39) Transformative Experience
(33:25) The View From Nowhere
(42:46) Contemplative Practice
(44:26) The Meaning Crisis
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, Caleb and Michael discuss why you should compare yourself to other people – but not just anyone.They discussion focuses on Caleb's recent article: You Should Compare Yourself to Other PeopleStoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, Caleb speaks with bestselling author Sharon Lebell. They discuss:
- Why judgement is the beginning of connection
- How Sharon thinks about role models
- Key ideas in The Art of Happiness
- The importance of clarifying and communicating values
- Why optionality is overrated
Sharon is the bestselling author of The Art of Happiness and a cofounder of the Walled Garden. Read more about her here: https://www.sharonlebell.com/
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, Caleb and Michael discuss important and frequently asked questions about Stoicism:
-
What do the Stoics say about free will?
-
What is the Stoic version of happiness? Can we be happy?
-
What do the Stoics think about death?
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
In this episode, Caleb and Michael discuss important commonly asked questions about Stoicism:
-
Who you should read first
-
The concept of the dichotomy of control
-
The meaning of virtue
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
Stoicism offers the promise of emotional tranquility. But what does this mean? And should we even want to eliminate our negative emotions?
In this conversation, Michael and Caleb discuss the Stoic account of emotions: what emotions are and how to manage them.
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay