The Everyday Stoic

In this episode, William explores Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, Book 10, Passage 35—an insight into accepting all of life, not just the pleasant parts. William reflects on the Stoic concept of amor fati—loving one’s fate—drawing connections to Buddhism, Taoism, and Nietzsche’s philosophy on human greatness. We discuss why resisting life's hardships only increases suffering, how embracing discomfort leads to growth, and why trying to avoid pain ultimately makes us weaker. Through personal experiences and timeless wisdom, this episode encourages you to shift your perspective—seeing obstacles not as burdens, but as stepping stones.

PewDiePie—once the biggest YouTuber on the planet—has stepped back from the internet spotlight to focus on something unexpected: philosophy. In this episode, William dives into his passion for Stoicism and the book he calls “the one book to rule them all”—The Enchiridion and Discourses of Epictetus. Felix's book club is introducing Stoicism to a massive new audience, and we explore why The Enchiridion is the perfect guide to Stoic living. From Epictetus' powerful lessons to the real-world application, this book is a practical roadmap for resilience, virtue, and inner strength. Tune in to hear why Stoicism is like wearing armour for life, how it shifts our perspective on challenges, and why this ancient philosophy remains so relevant today.

Feeling lost can be overwhelming, but what if it’s actually a sign that you’re exactly where you need to be? In this episode, William explores the idea that confusion and struggle are not obstacles but necessary steps toward growth. Instead of searching endlessly for answers in your mind, the key is to take action—creating results, not just ideas. Overthinking often keeps us stuck, imagining endless possibilities without ever stepping forward. But the truth is, you don’t need to have it all figured out. You simply need to be present, to follow what feels right, and to trust that the path unfolds as you move forward. By shifting your focus from achieving a fixed destination to embracing the journey itself, you’ll realize—you were never lost at all.

In this episode, William takes a bold and introspective look at the flaws and limitations of Stoicism. Despite being a daily practitioner and teacher of the philosophy, he opens up about the challenges he faced when reconciling Stoic teachings with modern psychology, science, and personal experience. He explores the common criticism that Stoics are emotionless and detached, addressing the misconception that practicing Stoicism means suppressing emotions rather than understanding and managing them. He also discusses the rigid dichotomy of control, questioning whether a more nuanced approach—acknowledging areas where we have partial influence—might be more practical. A major focus is on anger and whether Stoicism’s stance on eradicating it is truly beneficial or if anger, when used correctly, can be a powerful and necessary tool for setting boundaries and enforcing justice. William reflects on the ways Stoicism has not been fully adapted to modern life, acknowledging that while its core principles are timeless, the philosophy often speaks to an idealized Stoic Sage rather than the everyday person. He shares his thoughts on the need for a clearer structure within Stoicism, making it more accessible and actionable for those seeking personal growth. He also explores the issue of inclusivity, questioning why Stoicism has historically been dominated by male figures and how making it more relatable to all people can enrich the philosophy as a whole. As he works toward developing a modern, structured approach to Stoicism, William invites listeners to reflect and engage. Do you agree with his critiques? What would you change about Stoicism? This episode is an open discussion on how we can evolve Stoic practice for the modern world without losing its core essence.

In this episode, William delivers a powerful message: you are not lazy. Instead, five critical barriers may be keeping you from achieving the life you want. With honesty and insight, William explores how these obstacles—lack of direction, dopamine overload, mental clutter, unresolved pain, and fear—limit your potential and how you can overcome them. Drawing from personal experience and Stoic philosophy, William explains the importance of setting clear, actionable goals and the harm caused by an overstimulated mind. He shares how stepping away from easy dopamine fixes like social media can reignite your drive and create space for meaningful progress. By addressing the chaos of a "full cup" and embracing life's inevitable pain, he offers a path to healing and growth. Finally, he emphasizes the need to confront fear, focusing only on what’s within your control. This is more than just advice; it’s a call to action. William’s words challenge you to stop consuming and start applying these principles to rediscover the greatness you already possess. Tune in to this transformative episode and begin taking the steps that will make you unrecognizable—in the best possible way.

Click here to check out HUEL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my.huel.com/mulliganbros⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#ad In this episode, William delves into the challenges young men face today, from feeling lost and anxious to being consumed by misguidance and destructive pursuits. Reflecting on his own journey, William shares how Stoicism became the foundation that saved him, offering clarity, resilience, and purpose when he needed it most. Through the teachings of Marcus Aurelius and the timeless wisdom of the Stoics, he found strength and direction in a chaotic world. William explores the dangers of unawareness, the traps of ego and greed, and the misguided pursuit of greatness at the expense of ourselves and others. He explains how understanding the Stoic principles of the dichotomy of control and virtue ethics provides a clear path to a meaningful life. By embracing wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice, we can transcend the chaos and build a life of true fulfillment. This episode is a heartfelt call to action for young men searching for guidance and for those who wish to inspire others to find their strength and purpose. Stoicism, as William shows, is not about detachment or emotionlessness but about building a strong foundation for living a good and virtuous life. If you or someone you know is searching for direction, this episode is a transformative starting point.

Click here to check out HUEL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my.huel.com/mulliganbros⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#ad In today’s episode, William sits down with Haemin Sunim, one of the most influential Zen monks and bestselling authors, to explore profound lessons from his latest book, When Things Don’t Go Your Way. They discuss the universal struggle of chasing happiness in distant goals, only to find it was always within reach. Haemin shares his personal journey—from his upbringing in South Korea to studying at Harvard and joining a monastery—and how his search for happiness ultimately led him back to the present moment. Together, William and Haemin examine the transformative power of gratitude, overcoming subconscious fears, and practicing mindfulness amidst life’s challenges. Whether you’re struggling with setbacks or seeking peace in a busy world, this conversation offers actionable insights to help you cultivate presence, acceptance, and joy in the here and now.

Zöe Winter, an expert in shadow work and Jungian psychology, shares her insights on unlocking personal potential by confronting the hidden aspects of our personalities. She explains how repressed traits can lead to self-sabotage and discusses practical methods like integrating an alter ego and Jungian journaling for self-discovery. With personal anecdotes, Zöe emphasizes the importance of embracing our shadows to foster growth, overcome limiting beliefs, and achieve lasting change.

Click here to check out HUEL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my.huel.com/mulliganbros⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#ad In today's thought-provoking episode, William explores the hidden trap many self-improvement enthusiasts fall into: the cycle of consuming endless motivational content without meaningful application. With stories from his own journey, William challenges the idea that self-help guarantees growth. Drawing from his experience founding one of the first major motivational platforms, he reflects on how self-help can ironically become the ultimate form of procrastination, allowing us to avoid our real vulnerabilities. William shares candid insights into his years of disciplined effort, how he overcame his shyness and anxiety, and the hard truth that genuine growth comes not from relentless hustle but from compassionate self-awareness. Learn practical strategies to identify and work on your weaknesses, and understand why treating yourself with the same kindness and patience you'd offer a loved one is essential for lasting transformation. Plus, William discusses the power of presence, the dangers of prioritizing social norms over meaningful connections, and how small but intentional changes can revolutionize your life. Tune in for a refreshing take on self-help, guided by the wisdom of Stoicism and real-life lessons.

Click here to check out HUEL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my.huel.com/mulliganbros⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#ad In today’s episode of Stoicism from Scratch, William delves into one of the most powerful and profound concepts of Stoic philosophy: Memento Mori, the practice of remembering our own mortality. The Stoics believed that contemplating death was not a morbid exercise, but a means to liberate us from fear, inspire gratitude, and lead us to live each moment to its fullest. William discusses how ancient Stoic thinkers like Seneca, Epictetus, and even historical figures depicted in art approached death with courage and grace. By keeping the impermanence of life in mind, we can transcend anxiety and appreciate the fleeting beauty of our experiences, from a simple walk in the park to shared moments with loved ones. Reflecting on his own journey—from childhood fears of death to finding solace in Stoic wisdom—William shares practical ways to integrate Memento Mori into daily life, emphasizing that it’s not about chasing thrills or living recklessly but about finding profound meaning in the present. The episode closes with a heartfelt reminder: life’s odds are astronomically against us ever existing, yet here we are, alive and gifted with this moment. Don’t waste it. Tune in next week for Episode 4, and until then, live with intention, embrace each moment, and stay grounded in the wonder of being alive.