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 bubbl…

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 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): h…

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 …

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.stoale…

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) Epictet…

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 surprisi…

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. Reasons Not To Worry (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 A…

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 b…

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 …

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 …

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://stoa…

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 P…

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 unde…

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…

Caleb Ontiveros speaks with Johnathan 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…

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 philos…

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 Relationsh…

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 …

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): stoamedi…

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…

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): sto…

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 (51:2…

“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. Sto…

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 Impo…

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 Cou…

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 o…

"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 …

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 vir…

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 Physic…

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…

“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 th…

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 Epict…

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)…

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…

“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. Transhumanis…

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…

“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) Epicte…

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 (0…

“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 …

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) Train…

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 Prop…

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 revisio…

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 Forcef…

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://s…

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…

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 (10:2…

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) Vir…

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 …

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 t…