The Via Stoica Podcast

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the show where ancient wisdom meets modern life. In this episode, Benny explores a passage from Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 1.9, a lesson Marcus attributes to his teacher Sextus:“Not to display anger or other emotions; to be free of passion and yet full of love.”Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 1.9This quote captures a profound Stoic balance, emotional freedom without emotional emptiness. Marcus reminds himself that true strength lies not in suppressing feelings, but in mastering them through reason. To be “free of passion” (apatheia) is not to be cold, but to live without being ruled by destructive impulses like anger or fear.Seneca called anger “temporary madness,” and Epictetus taught that emotions begin as impressions, automatic responses we don’t control, but that what we do with them is up to us. The Stoic discipline of Assent helps us pause between feeling and action, so that love, kindness, and reason guide our response instead of passion and impulse.This teaching also points to the discipline of Desire, learning not to crave emotional intensity, and instead to choose harmony. And through Action, we express virtue outwardly: gentleness, compassion, and integrity toward others.How to Practice This Teaching:When anger arises, recognize it as a pre-emotion, a reflex, not a command.Pause before reacting, and ask: “What would love choose here?”Cultivate the good emotions (eupatheiai), joy, wish, and caution that arise from virtue and clear thinking.By freeing ourselves from destructive passions, we make space for a tender, affectionate heart, the kind Marcus admired in Sextus, and that remains a timeless expression of Stoic strength.For more, check out this related article with quotes on anger and emotional control:https://viastoica.com/what-is-the-stoic-emotional-focus/And if you’re looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:https://viastoica.com/stoic-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/epictetus-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/seneca-quotesMake sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.Support the show:https://viastoica.comhttps://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coachinghttps://viastoica.com/benny-vonckenhttps://x.com/ViaStoicainfo@viastoica.comProduced by: badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.Gratitude is often seen as soft, sentimental, or religious, but for the Stoics, it was a pillar of strength. In this episode, we explore how Stoicism offers a deeper, more grounded form of gratitude: one rooted in reason, awareness, and acceptance of the present moment.Drawing on Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, we reveal how the Stoic view of gratitude isn’t about comparison or comfort, it’s about clarity. Through practice, gratitude becomes a rational response to life’s impermanence and change. When Epictetus writes, “When you kiss your child goodnight, whisper softly: tomorrow you will die,” he isn’t being morbid. He’s reminding us to be fully present, to love, notice, and appreciate what’s here before it’s gone.From there, we can connect gratitude to the three Stoic disciplines:Desire – wanting less and appreciating what you already have.Assent – perceiving events clearly, without distortion or complaint.Action – living with fairness, kindness, and awareness of the whole.You’ll learn how gratitude aligns with Amor Fati, the love of fate, and how to stop the mental habit of complaining that clouds perception. With practical reflections and modern examples, we show how even simple awareness of what’s present can calm anxiety, reduce comparison, and restore peace of mind.By the end of this episode, you’ll see that Stoicism is not a cold philosophy of detachment; it’s a joyful, grateful way of seeing the world as it truly is.Listen to the full episode now and discover how gratitude can transform the way you think, act, and see your life.Read the companion article: https://viastoica.com/how-to-view-the-world/Support the show:🌐 viastoica.com🎯 viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching👤 viastoica.com/benny-voncken▶️ YouTube: @viastoica📧 info@viastoica.com🎙️ Produced by: badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on StoicismIn this episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, we reflect on a powerful line from Seneca’s Letters to Lucilius, Letter 12: On Old Age:“How nice is it to have outworn one’s desires and left them behind.”Seneca, Letters to Lucilius, Letter 12Seneca’s words remind us that there’s peace in growing beyond our old desires. What many see as loss, fewer passions, less drive, a quieter rhythm of life, can instead be freedom. The Stoics teach that as we age, we shed the compulsions that once ruled us and move closer to calm, reason, and virtue. Seneca himself wrote this late in life, finding new joy not in chasing but in observing, not in striving but in understanding.This reflection connects deeply with Epictetus’ warning not to let our wants drive us, and with Marcus Aurelius’ reminder to “be content with what nature gives.” It points to the Stoic discipline of Desire, learning to want only what’s up to us, and to the discipline of Assent, choosing which thoughts and impulses deserve our attention.So what can we take from Seneca’s view on aging today?Learn to see detachment not as loss but as liberation.Recognize how changing desires can open space for peace and reflection.Use each stage of life to align more closely with virtue rather than vanity.Seneca invites us to see old age not as a decline but as a refinement, the quiet strength that comes when we finally stop running after what never mattered.For more, check out this related article with quotes on dealing with death:https://viastoica.com/10-seneca-quotes-on-death/And if you’re looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:https://viastoica.com/stoic-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/epictetus-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/seneca-quotesMake sure to subscribe to more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.Support the showhttps://viastoica.comhttps://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coachinghttps://viastoica.com/benny-vonckenhttps://x.com/ViaStoicainfo@viastoica.comProduced by: badmic.com

Explore the fascinating analogy of the Stoic Archer, where choosing the right target embodies the Stoic aim of virtue. Discover how the bow represents nature’s rational order and the arrow symbolizes moral action in motion. Learn about the importance of letting go of outcomes with Amor Fati and the necessity of accepting fortune’s unpredictability. Engage in the art of living by practicing awareness and treating mistakes as valuable information on your journey to growth. Find clarity in aligning your aim with what truly matters!

The Via Stoica Podcast: Stoic Quotes SeriesIn the Stoic Quotes series, we take a look at what the Stoics said and uncover the wisdom they left behind. We explore the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, Seneca, and more, to see how their lessons still guide us today.In this episode, we reflect on a quote by Epictetus, Handbook (Enchiridion), 37:“If you take on a role that is beyond your powers, you not only disgrace yourself in that role, but you neglect the role that you were capable of fulfilling.”Epictetus reminds us to know our limits and live in harmony with our true nature. Trying to play a part that isn’t ours leads to frustration and imbalance. The Stoic lesson here is simple but powerful: fulfillment comes from performing our genuine roles well, not from chasing status or proving ourselves.In this episode, we explore how to recognize when a role no longer fits, how to realign with what truly matters, and why stepping back can sometimes be an act of wisdom rather than failure.If you are looking for more Stoic quotes like this one, visit ⁠viastoica.com⁠, where you’ll find hundreds of authentic Stoic sayings with full references to the original texts.⁠https://viastoica.com/stoic-quotes⁠⁠https://viastoica.com/seneca-quotes⁠⁠https://viastoica.com/epictetus-quotes⁠⁠https://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quotes⁠Make sure to subscribe to The Via Stoica Podcast for new Stoic quote episodes every Friday, and our regular Tuesday conversations and interviews. If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating — it helps us reach more like-minded people.Support the show:🌐 ⁠https://viastoica.com⁠🎓 ⁠https://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching⁠👤 ⁠https://viastoica.com/benny-voncken⁠🐦 ⁠https://x.com/ViaStoica⁠📧 Reach us: ⁠info@viastoica.com⁠Produced by: ⁠badmic.com⁠

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.What does it mean to lead yourself, before leading others? In this episode of The Via Stoica Podcast, Benny speaks with Becky Schmooke, founder of Stoic Edge Consulting and Becky’s Mindful Kitchen, and author of Choose the Handle That Holds.Blending Stoic philosophy, modern science, and real-world leadership, Becky helps people transform everyday challenges into opportunities for growth. Her approach isn’t about motivational hype; it’s about practical, lasting change through action-based mindfulness.Together they explore:How Stoicism helps you “choose the handle that holds” when facing obstaclesThe connection between mindfulness, leadership, and self-masteryWhy true leadership is a lifestyle, not a job titlePractical ways to apply Stoic tools in your personal and professional lifeYou can read about this interview here: https://viastoica.com/a-stoic-approach-to-leadership/With humor, vulnerability, and a deep understanding of both philosophy and human behavior, Becky shares insights from her work with organizations across the U.S., from healthcare teams and first responders to the NFL, showing that Stoic principles can empower anyone to live and lead with purpose.Follow Becky’s work here:🌐 beckyschmooke.com💼 linkedin.com/in/becky-schmooke📸 instagram.com/beckyschmooke✉️ substack.com/@beckyschmooke

The Via Stoica Podcast: Stoic Quotes SeriesIn the Stoic Quotes series, we take a look at what the Stoics said and uncover the wisdom they left behind. We explore the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, Seneca, and more, to see how their lessons still guide us today.In this episode, we reflect on a quote by Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 4, Number 7:“Choose not to be harmed and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed and you haven’t been.”Marcus Aurelius reminds us that our sense of being “hurt” depends on our judgment, not the event itself. By removing the thought “I am hurt,” the pain itself disappears. This is a core Stoic idea about emotional freedom: that while we cannot control what others do or say, we can control our response to it.In this episode, we explore how Stoics understood the process of emotion, from first impressions to assent, and how to apply this in daily life. You’ll learn how to pause before reacting, see events for what they are, and gradually weaken the thoughts that lead to anger or distress.If you are looking for more Stoic quotes like this one, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of authentic Stoic sayings with full references to the original texts.viastoica.com/stoic-quotesviastoica.com/seneca-quotesviastoica.com/epictetus-quotesviastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quotesMake sure to subscribe to The Via Stoica Podcast for new Stoic quote episodes every Friday, and our regular Tuesday conversations and interviews. If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating, it helps us reach more like-minded people.Support the show🌐 viastoica.com🎓 viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching👤 viastoica.com/benny-voncken👤 viastoica.com/brendan-hogle🐦 twitter.com/ViaStoica📧 Reach us: info@viastoica.comProduced by: badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on StoicismAI is changing fast, and so are our reactions to it. Some people resist it, others embrace it, and many feel afraid. In this episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, Benny looks at AI through a Stoic lens and asks a simple question: how do we meet rapid change with reason rather than fear?Benny clarifies what today’s “AI” mostly is: tools that predict and generate language, and why labeling it good or bad is our addition, not a fact. From there, he applies core Stoic ideas: AI as an external and therefore an indifferent, the three disciplines as a daily guide, and the need to keep agency over judgment and action. You will hear practical examples of using AI to support your work without outsourcing your voice, along with common risks to watch for, like misinformation, over-reliance, and letting tools set your identity.The episode offers concrete practices: negative visualization to rehearse possible losses or overuse, the view from above to place AI among past waves of change like the internet and mobile phones, and journaling to keep your reason active rather than passive. The goal is not to glorify or demonize AI, but to cultivate wisdom, courage, and self-command while the world shifts around us.If you want a grounded way to use AI as a tool, without letting it use you, this conversation will help you stay steady, thoughtful, and free.Support the show🌐 ⁠https://viastoica.com⁠🎯 ⁠https://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching⁠👤 ⁠https://viastoica.com/benny-voncken⁠▶️ YouTube: /viastoica📧 Reach us: ⁠info@viastoica.com⁠🎙️ Produced by: ⁠http://badmic.com⁠

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.In this Stoic Quotes episode, Benny reflects on the words of Seneca from On Providence, section 4:“You are unfortunate in my judgment, for you have never been unfortunate. You have passed through life with no antagonist to face you. No one will know what you were capable of, not even yourself.”Seneca reminds us that trials and obstacles are not punishments but opportunities. Without resistance, we never learn our limits or discover our inner strength. For the Stoics, hardship is the training ground for virtue, a test that sharpens self-knowledge and resilience.Benny explores how this insight connects to the Socratic principle of “know yourself,” the Stoic embrace of adversity as a teacher, and the mindset shift that transforms obstacles from burdens into opportunities for growth. From athletes seeking worthy opponents to Marcus Aurelius’ reminder that “the obstacle is the way,” Stoicism teaches us that challenges reveal what we are truly capable of.Practical ReflectionsWhen facing obstacles, pause and ask: What is this teaching me about myself?Reframe difficulties as tests of character rather than punishments of fate.Remember past struggles you overcame; you are stronger than you imagine.For more, check out this related article on overcoming adversity:https://viastoica.com/stoic-freedomAnd if you’re looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:https://viastoica.com/stoic-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/seneca-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/epictetus-quotesMake sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.Support the showhttps://viastoica.comhttps://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coachinghttps://viastoica.com/benny-vonckenhttps://x.com/ViaStoicainfo@viastoica.comProduced by: badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.Immigration is one of the most polarizing topics of our time, stirring emotions, fears, and debates across nations. But how might the Stoics approach it?In this episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, Benny explores immigration through the lens of Stoic philosophy. Drawing from Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and the Stoic idea of cosmopolitanism, he unpacks how we might see beyond national borders and labels to recognize each other as fellow citizens of the world.Benny examines the natural movement of people, the fears that immigration often provokes, such as economic competition, cultural change, and security, and contrasts these with Stoic principles of justice, compassion, and role ethics. He reflects on Hierocles’ circles of concern, the Stoic “view from above,” and what it means to treat strangers as kin.Rather than succumbing to fear and division, Stoicism invites us to build understanding through education, dialogue, and shared humanity. Immigration, seen from this perspective, becomes not just a challenge but an opportunity to practice virtue, unity, and wisdom in our global community.If you’ve ever wondered how Stoic philosophy can help us reframe modern debates about borders, culture, and identity, this episode offers a thought-provoking starting point.Support the show🌐 ⁠https://viastoica.com⁠🎯 ⁠https://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching⁠👤 ⁠https://viastoica.com/benny-voncken⁠▶️ YouTube: /viastoica📧 Reach us: ⁠info@viastoica.com⁠🎙️ Produced by: ⁠http://badmic.com⁠