The What Is Stoicism? Podcast

Breaking free from outdated beliefs is a journey worth taking. The discussion encourages confronting inner turmoil rather than seeking distractions. Self-reflection is presented as a crucial step for personal growth. Stoicism is highlighted as a valuable tool for re-evaluating opinions and embracing change. Insights from philosophers and poets enrich this exploration, inviting listeners to let go of old versions of themselves for a more fulfilling existence.

Discover how the ancient Stoics, including Marcus Aurelius, believed in the power of virtue as the cornerstone of a good life. Internal clarity is highlighted as far more valuable than the chase for material wealth and external validation. The discussion emphasizes autonomy and the importance of being indifferent to distractions, urging listeners to focus on what truly matters for a fulfilling existence.

Erick Cloward is the host of the popular Stoic Coffee Break podcast where every week he discusses how to live a more resilient and happy life using ancient Stoicism and modern wisdom.He's also a Leadership Coach and Speaker, as well as an author who’s just realised a new book called Stoicism 101.In this episode, I talk to Erick about his book, his Stoic background, the problem with Broicism, and more. I hope you enjoy.Erick's book can be found here:https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Stoicism-101/Erick-Cloward/Adams-101-Series/9781507223574👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:Will You Follow Or Be Dragged?https://open.substack.com/pub/whatisstoicism/p/micro-morning-meditation-will-you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the wisdom of silence and the art of measured speech to enhance communication. Discover how choosing restraint can lead to more impactful dialogue, embodying the stoic virtue of temperance. Dive into the power of introspection as a tool for cultivating inner peace. Reflect on four essential questions that boost self-awareness and emotional resilience. This journey emphasizes that sometimes, what we don’t say can enrich our lives.

In this episode I talk to Benny Voncken, a writer, speaker, and practicing Stoic who's originally from the Netherlands.He's also the co-founder of an online Stoicism platform called Via Stoica, which offers personalized Stoic coaching services, an online Stoic community, live conversations on X, and their own Via Stoica podcast.I really enjoyed talking with Benny. In the conversation, he shares some of the difficulties he's been through that led to him taking Stoicism seriously as a philosophy of life and how he now uses that experience to help others in his work as a Stoic coach. I hope you enjoy the episode.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:https://whatisstoicism.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The most common misunderstanding about Stoicism is that it’s all about suppressing or burying our emotions.This tends to come from the confusion between Stoicism (upper case ‘S’) and stoicism (lower case ‘s’); the former is the ancient Greek philosophy that we learn about and practice, the latter is simply a “stiff-upper-lip” coping style.In this episode, we look at why it's better to understand and process our emotions rather than dismiss and suppress them.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:https://whatisstoicism.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover how modern art, like a Red Hot Chili Peppers song, mirrors Stoic principles of personal growth and confronting destructive thoughts. The discussion dives into the importance of introspection, showing how it relates to both Stoicism and today's culture. The conversation also challenges traditional individualism, illustrating the need for community and cooperation in embracing a Stoic mindset. Explore these refreshing perspectives on age-old philosophy brought into contemporary life!

Explore Seneca's insights on managing disappointment and the unpredictability of fortune. Learn how to maintain balanced expectations by using a 'reserve clause' in your daily life. Delve into the essence of Stoic philosophy, focusing on the stark difference between what we can control and what we can't. Embrace losses as opportunities for growth and resilient thinking, drawing on wisdom from Epictetus and Elizabeth Bishop. This discussion encourages a perspective shift that helps navigate life's uncertainties.

If we practice philosophy, it’s up to us to get to know ourselves. It’s up to us to know the principles by which we live and, by extension, what we find reasonable and unreasonable.In this episode, we look at what Epictetus had to say about this responsibility and how our efforts each day can help us live an examined life.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:https://whatisstoicism.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When those unfamiliar with Stoicism learn about the four cardinal virtues of Wisdom, Justice, Temperance, and Courage, they are sometimes disturbed that kindness isn’t among them.Kindness, however, is indeed a huge part of Stoicism. In this episode, we look at how it is essentially a subdivision of the virtue of Justice, which governs how we should treat others.📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO + EMAIL CONTENTCheck out What Is Stoicism? on Substack:https://whatisstoicism.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.