Former Forest Monk, Matthew Gindin, discusses the rise of Stoicism's popularity and its appeal to Buddhism enthusiasts. He explores the historical relationship between Stoicism and Buddhism, emphasizing the similarities in training the mind and taking responsibility. The podcast also delves into Spinoza's influence on Stoicism and the varying Buddhist perspectives on meat consumption. Additionally, it explores the connections between Greek and Indian philosophers, and provides techniques for managing afflicting thoughts and effective emotional coping strategies.