The Strong Stoic Podcast

It’s a compelling question—one I’ve spent years thinking through, not only as someone who once followed a strict vegan diet, but as someone who continually aims to live according to Stoic principles. The deeper I explore Stoicism, the more I realize this philosophy doesn’t often provide simple yes-or-no answers. Rather, it offers a rational, values-based framework to navigate complex ethical dilemmas—including the one around eating animals.Let’s explore. This podcast is listener-supported; if you would like to support the Strong Stoic (as well as gain access to exclusive content), you can do so on Patreon or Substack:Patreon: www.patreon.com/brandontumblinSubstack: https://strongstoic.substack.com

Over the years, I have experimented with countless daily habits, each aimed at optimizing my productivity, happiness, and health. Some worked, some didn’t, and some I struggled to implement effectively. However, through trial and error, I have identified ten key habits that have remained consistent in my routine. These habits have stood the test of time and are the ones I would recommend to anyone looking to improve their daily life.Before diving into the list, I want to clarify my priorities. My habits are rooted in three main pillars: productivity, happiness (or meaning), and health. These three elements align well with stoicism, where productivity plays a vital role in contributing to the world, happiness derives from meaningful actions, and health—though a preferred indifferent—is essential in supporting the other two. This podcast is listener-supported; if you would like to support the Strong Stoic (as well as gain access to exclusive content), you can do so on Patreon or Substack:Patreon: www.patreon.com/brandontumblinSubstack: https://strongstoic.substack.com

Like many people living in cities, I’ve noticed that the homeless population has grown significantly. In my home province of Nova Scotia, this was hardly an issue in the past, but now it's become much more apparent. The city has taken some steps, such as setting up small shelters—tiny homes that provide a temporary place to stay. While these efforts are positive, they raise a deeper question: What can we as individuals do to help?When you visit larger cities, it’s hard to ignore the reality of homelessness. People stand at traffic lights asking for money, and some are clearly struggling with addiction. The immediate reaction many people have is to assume that giving money is unhelpful because it might be spent on drugs or alcohol. But before making that judgment, it’s important to approach the situation with compassion.This podcast is listener-supported; if you would like to support the Strong Stoic (as well as gain access to exclusive content), you can do so on Patreon or Substack:Patreon: www.patreon.com/brandontumblinSubstack: https://strongstoic.substack.com

In The Handbook of Epictetus, paragraph 46, the Stoic philosopher provides a powerful lesson on humility, wisdom, and the importance of embodying philosophy rather than simply discussing it. His words offer a practical guide on how to conduct oneself in social environments and how true wisdom is demonstrated through actions, not rhetoric.This podcast is listener-supported; if you would like to support the Strong Stoic (as well as gain access to exclusive content), you can do so on Patreon or Substack:Patreon: www.patreon.com/brandontumblinSubstack: https://strongstoic.substack.com

If we think of wisdom and stoicism as embodied in an elder figure, it’s often someone like a grandfather—calm, patient, slow to anger. Grandparents tend to be forgiving, knowing that life is long and that small mistakes aren’t the end of the world. They let things slide. They slip their grandchildren candy when the parents aren’t looking. They offer guidance without the intensity of immediate responsibility.But before you can become a grandfather, you must first be a father.Fathers (and parents in general) are different from grandparents because they are deeply involved in the daily development of their children. They discipline. They set rules. They get frustrated because they are directly responsible for molding their children into functioning adults. The stakes feel higher because they are.This podcast is listener-supported; if you would like to support the Strong Stoic (as well as gain access to exclusive content), you can do so on Patreon or Substack:Patreon: www.patreon.com/brandontumblinSubstack: https://strongstoic.substack.com

In his Handbook, Epictetus offers a profound insight into human suffering“What upsets people is not things themselves but their judgments about the things. For example, death is nothing dreadful or else it would have appeared dreadful to Socrates. But instead, the judgment about death—that it is dreadful—that is what is dreadful. So when we are thwarted or upset or distressed, let us never blame someone else but rather ourselves. That is, our own judgments. An uneducated person accuses others when he is doing badly. A partly educated person accuses himself. An educated person accuses neither someone else nor himself.”At first glance, this passage seems paradoxical. If Stoicism emphasizes personal responsibility and the dichotomy of control—the idea that some things are within our power while others are not—then wouldn’t an educated person, at the height of wisdom, still recognize their own role in their suffering? Why does the progression move from blaming others, to blaming oneself, to blaming no one at all? To understand this, we need to break down Epictetus’ argument step by step.This podcast is listener-supported; if you would like to support the Strong Stoic (as well as gain access to exclusive content), you can do so on Patreon or Substack:Patreon: www.patreon.com/brandontumblinSubstack: https://strongstoic.substack.com

Hard work and perseverance are not innate qualities—they are carved into a person through experience, struggle, and discipline. The philosophy of Stoicism teaches many things, but at its core, it urges people to become useful.To be useful is to contribute, to be of value to others. This means being courageous, pro-social, disciplined, and willing to take on challenges that others shy away from. However, achieving this usefulness does not happen overnight, nor does it happen without pain.Our society often divides into two mindsets: those who do the bare minimum to get by, and those who push themselves to their limits—the few who embrace the struggle and become stronger for it. Becoming useful means going through a difficult learning phase, one that is often painful and exhausting.This podcast is listener-supported; if you would like to support the Strong Stoic (as well as gain access to exclusive content), you can do so on Patreon or Substack:Patreon: www.patreon.com/brandontumblinSubstack: https://strongstoic.substack.com

Tariffs, tariffs, tariffs. A term that has been the subject of heated debate in North America, particularly in the context of economic policy shifts. While tariffs may not seem like a typical topic for Stoic reflection, the truth is that everything can be examined through a philosophical lens—including trade policies.As a Canadian who has lived in the United States and traveled to Mexico, I see North America as a connected entity, a single people. Historically, the continent embraced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which facilitated trade among Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. However, this agreement evolved into the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and with it came renewed discussions on tariffs—particularly under the leadership of President Donald Trump, who advocated for increased tariffs to protect American industries.This podcast is listener-supported; if you would like to support the Strong Stoic (as well as gain access to exclusive content), you can do so on Patreon or Substack:Patreon: www.patreon.com/brandontumblinSubstack: https://strongstoic.substack.com

In the face of life’s greatest certainty—death—there exists a paradox of fear and transcendence. It’s a subject both daunting and enlightening, woven deeply into human philosophy, mythology, and even our collective acts of courage. In this exploration, let’s revisit the battlefield cry from The Lord of the Rings—“Death! Death! Death!”—and how it mirrors real-life heroism, like the sacrifices on D-Day. These expressions of defiance, courage, and ultimate purpose invite us to view death not as a curse, but as a gift.The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin, as he breaks down a wide variety of complex and difficult topics aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.This podcast is listener-supported; if you would like to support the Strong Stoic (as well as gain access to exclusive content), you can do so on Patreon or Substack:Patreon: www.patreon.com/brandontumblinSubstack: https://strongstoic.substack.com

Few scenes in cinematic history manage to capture the raw essence of courage as powerfully as King Théoden’s speech in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. As he rallies his riders before charging into near-certain death, the emotions resonate beyond Middle-earth, connecting deeply to real-world acts of valor.This isn’t just about a fictional battle. It’s a study in human courage—a theme that echoes through history and our own lives.The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin, as he breaks down a wide variety of complex and difficult topics aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.This podcast is listener-supported; if you would like to support the Strong Stoic (as well as gain access to exclusive content), you can do so on Patreon or Substack:Patreon: www.patreon.com/brandontumblinSubstack: https://strongstoic.substack.com