Balancing Rumination and Readiness

The end of the year has a way of reminding us that nothing lasts forever. In today’s episode, you will hear a deep dive into the Stoic practice of Memento Mori, the reminder that you could leave life at any moment. Not as something dark or depressing, but as a way to sharpen your focus on what actually matters.

You will hear conversations with psychologists, grief experts, and artists who have all confronted mortality in very real ways. From near death moments and personal loss to ancient Stoic wisdom that still holds up today, this reminder helps make you more present, more patient, and more intentional with your time.

🎙️ Listen to the full episodes:

• Think About Death. Science Says You’ll Be Happier. | Dr. Laurie Santos
• David Kessler on Finding Meaning in Grief and Practicing the Art of Memento Mori
• EGO, DEATH, FAME: Lamb Of God's Randy Blythe

📚 Books Mentioned: 

• Dying Every Day: Seneca at the Court of Nero by James Romm
• Finding Meaning and the Finding Meaning Workbook by David Kessler 
• Just Beyond The Light by Randy Blythe 
• Dark Days by Randy Blythe

🪙 We have a collection of items in the Daily Stoic store to help you in your own memento mori practice, check them out here: https://store.dailystoic.com/

👉 Dr. Laurie Santos is an expert on the science of happiness and the ways in which our minds lie to us about what makes us happy.  Listen to Dr. Laurie’s podcast, The Happiness Lab, where she shares the latest scientific research on what it means to be truly happy. 

Check out more of Dr. Laurie’s work at DrLaurieSantos.com and follow her Instagram @LaurieSantosOfficial, X @LaurieSantos, and on YouTube and TikTok @DrLaurieSantos

👉 David Kessler, a grief and loss expert. David co-authored two books with Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, including On Grief and Grieving and after experiencing the death of his son, he updated her 5 stages of grief with a 6th stage: meaning. 

Follow David Kessler on Instagram and X | @IAmDavidKessler 

👉 Randy Blythe is the lead singer of Lamb of God.

Follow Randy on Instagram and X @DRandallBlythe and check out his Substack

No more waiting. Demand the best for yourself. The Daily Stoic New Year New You challenge begins January 1, 2026. Learn more and sign up today at dailystoic.com/challenge

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