The Strong Stoic Podcast

In this episode, Brandon sits down with an educator and school principal, Kyle Sarka, to explore Stoic resilience—not as brute toughness, but as endurance guided by wisdom.The conversation moves fluidly between Stoic philosophy, leadership, fitness, history, and modern life, examining what it really means to persevere when outcomes are uncertain and comfort is abundant.Rather than glorifying suffering for its own sake, this episode argues that resilience is about knowing when to endure, when to adapt, and when to step back—and having the courage to act either way.

In this episode of The Strong Stoic, I explore a Stoic paradox: the one making the most progress often feels it the least.Drawing from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and real-world examples from leadership, fitness, and personal responsibility, this episode breaks down why conscientious people feel behind, why growth creates insecurity, and why feeling unstable doesn’t mean you’re weak.I talk about:Why rising standards distort self-perceptionThe difference between awareness and anxietyWhy imposter syndrome often signals expansionHow to separate your role from unrealistic expectationsAnd why shaking knees don’t invalidate strengthIf you’ve felt stretched, inadequate, or unsure lately—this episode may help you see that discomfort differently.

Explore the harsh reality that life isn't fair and how Stoicism equips us to handle this truth with grace. Discover the distinction between character and reputation, and when honesty might not be the best policy. Learn to reassess outcomes while staying focused on personal effort, and find out when it's wise to remain silent. Through anecdotes and philosophical insights, gain tools for maintaining composure under pressure and responding to unfairness without falling into bitterness. This journey encourages compassion over blunt honesty.

We all try to live with intention—but life keeps interrupting us.In this episode, I explore the tension between daily reactivity and long-term vision through a Stoic lens. Why do we keep returning to Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca? Why do we need constant reminders of principles we already know?Because life pulls us away—daily, hourly, relentlessly.This episode is about carving out small moments of intention inside a reactive world, and why you don’t need more time—just space—to live with clarity and character.

Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re weak.It often means you’re growing.In this episode of The Strong Stoic Podcast, I explore imposter syndrome through a Stoic lens—why it shows up during periods of growth, why it often steals our sleep, and why it may actually be evidence that your character is strengthening.When we take on new roles—at work, in relationships, as parents, or in life—we carry weight we haven’t carried before. Our knees shake. Our confidence wavers. And at night, when there’s no more room in the day to process it all, the mind takes over.Drawing on Stoic philosophy, personal experience, and thinkers like Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Viktor Frankl, this episode reframes restless nights not as failure—but as adaptation.Life doesn’t necessarily get easier.We get stronger.But there’s also a limit. Not all weight can be squatted. Growth requires ambition and humility—knowing when to stretch your capacity, and when the load risks crushing you.This episode is for anyone:Taking on a new responsibilityFeeling behind, unqualified, or overwhelmedLosing sleep during a season of growthWondering whether they’re built for the weight they’re carryingYou are.But strength is built under load—and with rest.

In this episode, Brandon explores Hemingway’s famous line: “The world breaks everyone.”But instead of treating breaking as failure, we look at it through the Stoic lens—as a natural part of being human, and the raw material for growth.From tendon micro-tears in heavy lifting, to emotional micro-fractures in leadership and relationships, we break far more often than we admit. And yet every fracture offers us a choice: shatter through denial… or rebuild into something stronger.Brandon talks about:• Why strong people break harder• The illusion of invulnerability• Micro-damage as a metaphor for character development• Stoic recovery: reflection, realignment, rebuilding• How to turn every break into wisdom• Why breaking means you’re becoming—not failingIf you’re carrying a heavy load, if you feel cracks forming, or if you’ve recently broken and are trying to make sense of it—this episode will help you rebuild strong at the broken places.

In this episode of The Strong Stoic, I’m joined by classicist and author Inger Kuin to dive deep into the wild, hilarious, and surprisingly practical life of Diogenes—the original Cynic and, in many ways, the “stress test” for Stoic ideas.We explore:Who Diogenes was and why his life still mattersWhy he chose to live in a jar, throw away his cup, and embrace radical simplicityHow his ideas flowed through Crates to Zeno, making him Stoicism’s “intellectual grandfather”The difference between training your body vs punishing itHow temporary discomfort (no-spend months, cabin weekends, etc.) can build real resilienceCultural norms, door-holding in Canada, and why Diogenes cared more about justice than etiquetteCosmopolitanism and being a “citizen of the cosmos” instead of a slave to one culture’s expectationsWhether Diogenes was “crazy” or just radically consistent with his philosophyThe tension between independence and human connection: why Diogenes avoided close attachments—and why Inger (and I) think that might throw the baby out with the bathwaterHow to examine your own motives honestly: are you saying “yes” for good, joy, or just money and status?We close with practical advice on bringing a bit of Diogenes into modern life without selling your house and moving into a barrel—by questioning your motives, experimenting with less comfort, and rethinking the weight you give to externals.Guest & BookInger’s new book, Diogenes: The Rebellious Life and Revolutionary Philosophy of the Original Cynic, is out November 11, 2025 and available wherever you buy books (hardcover, e-book, and audiobook).🔗 Learn more about Inger and her work: ingerkuin.comIf you enjoy this conversation, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe for more episodes on Stoicism, character, and the hard work of being a good human.Show Notes / Key Timestamps00:00 – Introduction & timeboxing the conversation01:10 – Who was Diogenes? Exile from Sinope, life in Athens, and his role as Stoicism’s “grandfather” through Crates and Zeno.05:35 – Diogenes as a stress test for Stoic principles06:40 – Radical simplicity: living in a jar and throwing away the cup10:40 – Temporary discomfort vs permanent renunciation13:25 – Door-holding in Canada and the problem with overvaluing etiquette18:20 – Cosmopolitanism: being a citizen of the cosmos22:35 – “The dog” and “a raving Socrates”: was Diogenes mad?28:20 – Shame, shamelessness, and why the world doesn’t end when you break a norm29:50 – Needing to be liked vs needing to be understood32:30 – Did Diogenes go too far in rejecting close relationships?36:50 – Externals vs internals: Epictetus, wealth, and Diogenes’ influence40:40 – How Inger uses Diogenes’ lens to make real-life decisions43:00 – Watching your intentions: status, money, or genuine good?43:50 – Book details and live events46:30 – Closing reflections & mutual appreciation

In this episode, Brandon discusses the journey of personal growth and self-improvement, emphasizing the importance of learning from past experiences and embracing change. He highlights how incremental improvements can lead to greater wisdom and the challenges of overcoming feelings of shame associated with past actions.TakeawaysAs you develop and learn, you become wiser.Incremental improvements lead to better decision-making.It's common to feel ashamed of past actions.Growth involves recognizing and laughing at your past mistakes.Many people struggle to move forward due to shame.Awareness of your growth can be burdensome.Embracing change is essential for personal development.Self-improvement is a continuous journey.Learning from the past is crucial for future success.Overcoming shame can unlock potential for growth.

After nearly two years away from the Stoic world, author and researcher Kai Whiting returns to share—candidly—what happened: sudden metabolic illness, becoming a father, career upheaval, a public rift, and rebuilding meaning from first principles. We talk attachment, grief, diet experiments, masculinity, work identity, and how to live the virtues when theory isn’t enough.In this episode:Breaking the silence: why Kai disappeared (02:00)Severe health spiral, hospitalizations, and discovering diabetes (03:30)Losing the bodybuilding identity—and the grief that follows (12:35)Food, mood, and mitochondria: one person’s n=1 (18:30) (not medical advice)Stoicism vs. “pure abstraction”: why bodies and sports matter (24:30)On Peterson, bricklaying, and zooming out to purpose (53:20)Leaving academia, starting over in sales, and serving the beehive (49:00, 54:40)Rebuilding a professional identity without losing your soul (1:04:50)Key ideas & takeawaysGrief is Stoic: when you lose an identity (athlete, academic, whatever), you grieve first—then choose your next courageous action.Meet yourself where you are: programs (training or life) must fit your current capacity, not your past PRs or future fantasies.Bodies matter: movement can be a pressure-release valve while the “heat source” (deeper causes) is addressed.Serve the beehive: tie daily tasks to a larger vision; energy savings at a school becomes trees planted and kids learning.Change your mind in public: integrity > consistency; update beliefs when evidence (or life) demands it.ConnectGuest: Kai Whiting — best reached via LinkedIn for sustainability/energy efficiency conversations.Host: Brandon Tumblin — Strong Stoic Podcast, Substack, and socials.Disclaimer: This episode includes one person’s health and nutrition experiences and is not medical advice.

The Jedi sought to control their emotions. Luke Skywalker mastered them through compassion. In this episode, I explore how Star Wars reflects the core tension in Stoicism — the balance between discipline and humanity. We’ll examine Yoda’s flawed advice, the Jedi’s dogmatism, and why Luke’s compassion made him the most Stoic of them all.