The Strong Stoic Podcast

Viktor Frankl once wrote, “Those who cannot find a deep sense of meaning distract themselves with pleasure.” It’s a quote that resonates deeply within the Stoic tradition. The Stoics, much like Frankl, warned against the unmoderated pursuit of indulgence. Pleasure, entertainment, materialism—these things are not inherently wrong, but when used to fill a void of meaning, they become distractions. And distractions, by their nature, pull us away from our true purpose.Yet, there’s an intriguing inversion of this quote—one that opens the door to deeper reflection. Chris Williamson, host of Modern Wisdom, proposed it: “Those who cannot find a deep sense of pleasure distract themselves with meaning.” At first glance, this seems to oppose Stoic thought. But when we dig deeper, we find that it holds an important truth for those of us on the path of self-improvement.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

As Stoics, we are called to play many roles in life, each with its own set of duties and responsibilities. These roles—whether as professionals, parents, partners, community members, or homeowners—shape our lives and define how we engage with the world. Yet, balancing these roles is a constant challenge. Sometimes, despite our best intentions, we fail to meet the demands of one or more of these roles. The important question is: How do we face those failures with honesty, humility, and resolve?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

“You know what, from my experience, what I found out? That God tests you to see how much of this you can take before you say, ‘Let’s just be finished with this.’ He wants to show you something. He wants to see how much you can take, how much you can handle of life. You say you love life? You want to live life? I’m gonna show you life. Life is beautiful, but you have to accept the good and the bad as being beautiful.”– Mike TysonAt first glance, this quote might seem like an emotional reflection on life’s hardships, but underneath it lies one of the most deeply Stoic messages you could ever hear. It’s about embracing amor fati—the love of fate. It’s about seeing every part of life, including pain and loss, as necessary and even beautiful.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

It was a typical Saturday night. The kind where you’re winding down after a fun outing, and you’re almost home. That was me a few weeks ago. It was around 11 PM, and as I turned right at an intersection, I noticed another car turning left… directly into mine. I stopped, expecting them to notice and adjust. They didn’t. Instead, they drove straight into the front of my car, damaging the fender, blinker, and fog light.The driver, visibly shaken, got out of the car in tears and admitted fault on the spot. I stayed calm. I remembered: I’ve been in her shoes before — caused accidents myself. It’s not fun. It feels like your whole world flips in an instant, and your stomach drops at the thought of premiums rising, deductibles looming, and the hassle to come.And in that moment, I leaned on Stoicism — not as a theory, but as a practical philosophy.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 this episode, we dive deep into the totalitarian world of George Orwell’s 1984 and ask: Could a Stoic survive—and even thrive—there? What does inner freedom look like when the outer world is a prison? And how might Stoic philosophy be the ultimate rebellion in a world where truth is erased, thought is policed, and fear is everywhere?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

Last week, I attended the funeral of a man who had worked for our company for 25 years. He was deeply woven into the fabric of our organization—one of those steady presences who quietly held things together. He died too young, and the ceremony was filled with friends, family, coworkers, and members of the community who came to say goodbye.As his manager, I came into the service with the perspective of someone who had worked closely with him. I knew him as a kind, capable engineer—someone always willing to lend a hand. But during the service, I realized something striking. While his career was mentioned briefly, the focus of the eulogies—the true story that was told—was about his character. His warmth. His generosity. His love for his family and even his dogs. His relationships.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

Joshua W. Bertolotti is the host of the In Search of Wisdom Podcast and the Perennial Podcast where he talks about all kinds of ancient wisdom and engages in meaningful conversations with modern thinkers. He also manages the Perennial Leader Project, which includes these podcasts along with a weekly newsletter and blog posts. Josh is a regular guest on the podcast.In this conversation, Josh and I explore the concept of imperfectionism, discussing what it means for personal acceptance, relationships, and self-worth. We talk about the struggles of accepting our own imperfections—as well as those of others—and emphasize the importance of humility and recognizing our mortality. We also get into the nature of ego, the pursuit of perfection, and how mindfulness can help us navigate life’s challenges. Ultimately, we highlight that a good life isn’t a perfect one, and we encourage embracing imperfections as part of the journey toward growth.We also dive into the importance of challenges in personal growth, the complexities of pride and self-reflection, the journey toward mastery, and how our hobbies and interests evolve with different seasons of life. For us, character development through hardship is key, and we talk about the nuanced nature of pride and the importance of staying flexible in how we pursue our passions.You can find Josh here:https://www.perennialleader.comThis 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

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