The Strong Stoic Podcast

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.

We often think of monsters as creatures hiding under our beds. But real monsters walk among us — and sometimes, they are born of sickness, isolation, and the collapse of reason.In this episode, Brandon explores the story of Ed Gein, the real-life inspiration behind Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs. Through a Stoic lens, we look at what happens when a human being is cut off from the cosmos, when rationality breaks down, and when evil emerges from confusion rather than choice.This isn’t about excusing atrocity — it’s about understanding the fragile boundary between reason and madness, and why Stoicism calls us not to hate the wicked, but to pity them.

An 18-year-old boy lies dying. When asked if he’s afraid, he simply says, “Yeah.”In this episode, I explore what that single word reveals about mortality, honesty, and the limits of Stoicism. From family stories of loss to Christopher Hitchens’ final writings, we look at the stark truth that no philosophy can soften: we will all die, and that’s okay to admit.Listen for a reflection on death, courage, and the quiet strength of facing fear without pretending it’s not there.

In this episode, I explore the idea that life is not about escaping problems but learning how to face them. We often think the grass is greener on the other side—that a new job, relationship, or lifestyle will free us from the struggles we face today. But in reality, every path comes with its own weeds.Drawing from Stoic philosophy, I break down why problems aren’t curses but gifts—opportunities to grow stronger, more competent, and more resilient. Instead of trading one set of problems for another, we should focus on tending our own garden, cultivating gratitude for the challenges we already have, and using them to shape our character.If you’ve ever caught yourself daydreaming about an easier life, this episode will help you see your problems in a new light.

Explore the intriguing intersection of evolutionary psychology and relationship dynamics. Discover how sex differences in mate preferences reveal underlying truths about human nature. Unpack the contrasting views on jealousy, love, and commitment, highlighting the Red Pill's cynicism versus Stoicism's call for virtue. Delve into the importance of health and character over reductionist views. Finally, understand the role of genuine charm and generosity in courtship, promoting a compassionate dialogue that separates facts from values.

In this episode of The Strong Stoic Podcast, I share reflections from my recent two-week trip to Vietnam—my first time in Asia. Travel today is often portrayed as a flex on social media, but beneath the highlight reels lies a deeper opportunity: stepping outside your cultural bubble and immersing yourself in another way of life.I talk about how travel challenges assumptions we take for granted—whether it’s family expressions of affection, adapting to year-round warm weather, or simply letting go of routines like coffee and gym time. The Stoic lesson is clear: when you travel, you’re not there to judge, but to learn, to adapt, and to remind yourself that people are people, no matter where you are.Ultimately, travel is a way to live out the Stoic idea of the Cosmopolis—that we are all brothers and sisters, meant to share this planet, to learn from one another, and to grow through those differences.

In this episode, I explore Epictetus’ challenge: Can you gain wealth and possessions without losing your dignity, self-respect, and character? Drawing from Enchiridion 24, I unpack the Stoic idea of detachment—why possessions so easily ensnare us, how loss reveals our attachments, and what it really means to see everything in life as borrowed, not owned. From backyard saunas to daily conveniences, I share how to enjoy externals without clinging to them, and why the only thing life can’t take from you is your character.

Dating has never been more complicated. Between the rise of online apps, shifting cultural expectations, and the pull of red pill and feminist extremes, many people are left frustrated—or giving up altogether.In this episode, I sit down with Tim Ash, co-author of Primal Dating, to uncover the evolutionary psychology beneath our modern mating struggles. We explore why men and women play by different rules when it comes to attraction, what the friend zone really signals, how porn and OnlyFans are reshaping relationship dynamics, and why situational leadership—becoming a “situational alpha”—matters more than ever in today’s hyper-connected world.Tim also breaks down how red pill communities misuse evolutionary psychology, why men and women both lose when relationships collapse, and what practical steps each side can take to build deeper, healthier connections.Whether you’re navigating dating yourself, reflecting on past relationships, or trying to understand the cultural shifts around intimacy, this conversation goes straight to the root of human nature—and how we can live with it wisely.Tim AshYou can find Tim and his works at www.timash.com