

The Everyday Stoic
William Mulligan
The Everyday Stoic is hosted by William Mulligan, Author of the book "The Everyday Stoic : The Simple Rules for a Good Life". He is also widely recognised as one of the Mulligan Brothers a network of social pages and films with the missions of inspiring change around the world.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 11, 2024 • 15min
The Dark Side of Stoicism | Day 28 of Stoic School with William Mulligan
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In today's episode, William delves into a critical issue affecting young men who are misinterpreting stoicism. William discusses how this powerful philosophy is being twisted by certain influencers, leading to "broicism," a misguided version that promotes coldness, emotion suppression, and hedonism. He emphasizes that true stoicism is not about being emotionless or seeking wealth and pleasure but about understanding and managing emotions, fostering virtuous living, and focusing on what we can control.
Join William as he sets the record straight, offering insights from original stoic texts and modern authors like Donald Robertson and Massimo Pigliucci. He highlights the importance of observing and assessing emotions rather than suppressing them and shares practical advice on seeking help and maintaining meaningful relationships. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to truly understand and apply stoic principles in their life.
Tune in for an enlightening discussion that reclaims the essence of stoicism and steers it away from harmful misconceptions.

Jul 10, 2024 • 12min
The Key to Mental Strength | Day 27 of Stoic School with William Mulligan
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Welcome to day 27 of our 100-day journey through stoicism. Today, we delve into the timeless Stoic exercise known as "pre-meditation of evils" (premeditatio malorum). This practice involves mentally rehearsing potential adversities, from minor annoyances like a rude colleague to major life events like losing a job. By envisioning these scenarios, you prepare your mind to remain undisturbed, no matter what comes your way.
William shares personal insights on how this exercise has transformed his approach to life's challenges, drawing from the teachings of Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius. He explains how integrating this practice into your daily routine can foster a mindset of acceptance and resilience, allowing you to handle disruptions with grace and composure.
Tune in to learn how anticipating challenges can lead to a life of tranquillity and character growth. Join us for practical wisdom and timeless philosophy, and continue your journey toward stoic mastery.

Jul 9, 2024 • 13min
The Stoic Secret to Success | How Boredom Will Change Your Life, Day 26 of Stoic School with William Mulligan
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In today’s episode, William explores the unexpected benefits of embracing boredom. Contrary to the constant hustle culture that dominates our lives, William reveals how allowing ourselves to be bored can lead to profound personal growth and mental clarity. By resisting the urge to constantly fill our time with distractions, we can clear the mental fog, uncover answers to lingering questions, and connect more deeply with the present moment.
William shares his personal journey from viewing boredom as an enemy to recognizing it as a powerful tool for self-improvement. He discusses how modern society has conditioned us to avoid boredom at all costs, leading to a perpetual cycle of pointless busyness. By deliberately seeking moments of boredom, we can give our minds the space to find creative solutions and gain a deeper understanding of our true desires and goals.
Join us in this enlightening episode as we challenge the conventional wisdom about productivity and discover the transformative power of boredom. Embrace the quiet moments, live more mindfully, and experience the benefits of a clearer, more focused mind.

Jul 8, 2024 • 19min
The Stoic Way to Overcome Anxiety | Day 25 of Stoic School with William Mulligan
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In today's episode, William explores how to overcome nervousness and anxiety using Stoic principles. He shares his personal journey from being crippled by anxiety to achieving his dreams of being on TV, writing a book, and hosting this podcast. He emphasizes the importance of changing your values, believing in yourself, and consistently stepping out of your comfort zone to expand it.
By shifting your focus from external validation to internal values, you can diminish the power of nervousness over your life. William's practical advice includes real-life examples and proven steps that helped him transform his life. Tune in to learn how to break free from the shackles of anxiety and live a life unburdened by nervousness.

Jul 7, 2024 • 24min
11 Stoic Rules for Inner Peace | Day 24 of Stoic School with William Mulligan
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In this episode, William delves into 11 essential Stoic rules for finding peace and tranquility. Through the inspiring lives of Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca, we explore how these Stoic masters maintained their inner calm amidst immense struggles. Discover the profound lessons of these philosophers and learn how to apply their wisdom to cultivate tranquility in your own life. From understanding the nature of change to the importance of living in the present moment, these timeless principles will guide you towards a serene and meaningful existence.
Join us as we unpack these 11 Stoic rules, designed to help you develop mental strength and resilience. Embrace the teachings of the Stoics, who remind us that our perception of external events, not the events themselves, determines our peace of mind. Enhance your journey towards personal growth and inner peace with these practical insights.

Jul 5, 2024 • 16min
The Twofold Goal of Stoicism | Day 23 of Stoic School with William Mulligan
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In today’s episode, William explores the essence of Stoic wisdom through the concept of the two-fold goal of Stoicism, as introduced by Chrysippus, a pivotal figure in Stoic philosophy. This principle centres on living in accordance with your own nature and the nature of the universe, forming the foundation for a tranquil and balanced life.
William delves into the significance of this goal, explaining how embracing your internal nature involves cultivating virtues such as wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice. On the other hand, understanding and accepting the external world's nature involves recognizing that events beyond our control are part of a larger universal order, often referred to as fate. By integrating these principles, we can navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and serenity.
The episode also touches upon the practical applications of these Stoic teachings. By accepting what we cannot change and focusing on our reactions, we align ourselves more closely with the Stoic ideal of inner peace and resilience.

Jul 3, 2024 • 16min
The Truth Behind Stoicism | The 3 Stoic Pillars, Day 22 of Stoic School With William Mulligan
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In today's episode, William dives into the three foundational pillars of Stoicism: physics, logic, and ethics.
Many new to Stoicism often view it solely as a guide to self-improvement—boosting confidence, overcoming anxiety, and fostering courage. While these practical applications are indeed part of Stoicism, there's a richer, deeper philosophical structure underpinning these teachings, dating back over 2,000 years. Zeno, the founder of Stoicism, structured his teachings around these three topics, which together form a comprehensive framework for understanding the world and our place in it.
Physics, or natural philosophy, delves into metaphysics, theology, and the nature of the universe, emphasizing the Stoic belief in a deterministic and interconnected cosmos. Ethics focuses on virtue, the nature of good, and living a virtuous life, aligning closely with modern self-help and therapeutic practices. Logic involves the study of reasoning, definitions, dialectics, and rhetoric, providing the tools for clear and objective thinking.
Understanding these core areas enriches the practice of Stoicism, making the ancient texts more meaningful and applicable to modern life. Stay tuned for more insights and practical advice on living a Stoic life.

Jul 2, 2024 • 20min
The Secret To The Good Life | 4 Stoic Virtues, Day 21 of Stoic School with William Mulligan
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Today is day 21 of the 100-day Stoic School journey, and the focus is on the essence of Stoic philosophy: virtue. Drawing inspiration from Cicero and Socrates, William explores why virtue is considered the only true good and the key to happiness according to the Stoics.
In Stoicism, virtue is about excelling at human nature. It is represented by the four cardinal virtues: wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice. Wisdom involves good judgment and purpose, courage encompasses endurance and bravery, temperance means self-control and discipline, and justice is about fairness and public service. Living with virtue means embodying these virtues in daily life, which the Stoics believed leads to true happiness and fulfilment.
Practicing virtue is like building a skill; it requires consistent effort and reflection. By contemplating the virtues given by nature, admiring and emulating virtuous qualities in others, and reviewing actions daily, one can strengthen character and live in accordance with nature. This journey of self-improvement and virtuous living is the core of Stoic philosophy and the path to becoming the best version of oneself.

Jul 1, 2024 • 17min
The Stoic Way To Find Happiness | Day 20 of Stoic School with William Mulligan
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In today's episode, William tackles the modern-day obsession with wealth, fame, and material possessions. As society relentlessly pursues money, luxury cars, and designer brands, William reminds us that true happiness lies far beyond these fleeting symbols of success. He shares the wisdom of the Stoics, offering seven practical ways to cultivate genuine happiness in 2024.
William emphasizes the importance of gratitude, explaining how it can transform your mindset from one of negativity to positivity. By focusing on what you can control and letting go of external factors, you can find a deeper sense of peace and contentment. He also highlights the significance of doing good deeds, suggesting that small acts of kindness can profoundly impact your happiness.
The episode encourages listeners to simplify their lives by embracing minimalism and reducing distractions. By seeking internal approval rather than external validation, you can liberate yourself from the pressures of social media and societal expectations. William also stresses the importance of recognizing that you already have enough and that true wealth comes from appreciating what you possess.
Finally, William discusses the value of embracing adversity. By facing challenges head-on and cultivating resilience, you can grow stronger and more fulfilled. Through personal anecdotes and practical exercises, William guides listeners on integrating these Stoic practices into their daily lives, paving the way for a happier and more meaningful 2024.

Jun 30, 2024 • 25min
The 7 Stoic Methods to Combat Worry | Day 19 of Stoic School with William Mulligan
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In today's episode, we explore seven practical Stoic methods to help you worry less in 2024. Worry can be a heavy burden, but with the guidance of Stoic principles, we can find a path to a more peaceful and balanced life.
William shares his personal journey with worry and anxiety, illustrating how Stoicism transformed his outlook. From learning to distinguish between imagination and reality to the concept of de-catastrophizing, these timeless teachings help us manage our fears effectively. By removing unrealistic expectations and focusing on the present moment, we can reduce the anxiety that often stems from anticipating future uncertainties.
One powerful analogy William uses is the block of wood, symbolizing our potential to shape our lives despite initial roughness. Coupled with the dichotomy of control, which emphasizes focusing on what we can influence, these teachings provide a roadmap to inner peace. Finally, the concept of Memento Mori, or remembering our mortality, encourages us to live fully without being paralyzed by fear.
Tune in to discover how these Stoic strategies can help you cultivate a worry-free, more confident life.