The Strong Stoic Podcast

In this episode, Brandon explores the idea that we often lie to ourselves about why we act in certain toxic ways. He discusses how we attribute our emotions and reactions to external circumstances, when in reality, they are a result of our own choices.Brandon emphasizes the importance of accepting the tough realities of life and not using external factors as excuses for our behaviour. He encourages taking responsibility for our emotions and responses and striving for eudaimonia, or optimal flourishing.This episode is also available on YouTube.Transcripts can be found on Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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

Sharon Lebell is a bestselling author, speaker, composer, and performing musician. She wrote The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness, which is a book I highly recommend.In this episode, Sharon and I discuss the adventures of our lives, how to deal with the pleasant times and unpleasant times, the difference between action, thought, and intention, how to be empathetic, and more. We centre the conversation around Sam’s speech from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – if you are unfamiliar with that scene, I highly recommend giving it a quick YouTube search. If not, you will get the honor of hearing me read it (and no, I don’t do it with a Hobbit accent). This episode is also available on YouTube.Transcripts can be found on Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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

The concept of Chaos and Order is associated with Taoism. It’s rather simple: life is divided between Chaos and Order. Too much Chaos is bad, and too much Order is bad. This is a Stoic podcast, sure, but there is much that we can gain by understanding this concept. And there may actually be more overlap than you think.How can the concept of Chaos and Order be understood through a Stoic lens? And how can we implement this idea in our daily life?This episode is also available on YouTube.Transcripts can be found on Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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

Mike Ryan is an award-winning professional musician, songwriter, studio owner, and author from my home province of Nova Scotia (that’s up in Canada, eh). He also hosts a podcast, the Mike and Kristen Podcast, with his wife, Kristen Herrington, who appeared on the Strong Stoic last year on Episode #249.In this episode, Mike and I discuss music, and the role it plays in our lives. We also talk enjoying the process on the road to success, collaborations, cold plunging, Tom Petty, our experiences being broke af, and much, much more. This conversation was a lot of fun, and I found Mike to be a very insightful, and Stoic individual. Without further ado, please welcome Mike Ryan.Chapters00:00 Introduction and the Role of Music in Our Lives08:25 Collaboration and Creating Something Greater30:35 The Power of Music: Touching Lives and Creating Connections47:05 The Power of Music56:34 Music as a Shared Experience01:26:17 The Energy of MusicYou can find Mike here: https://michaelsryan.com/homeThis episode is also available on YouTube.Transcripts can be found on Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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

Jealousy: we all feel it, have felt it, have grappled with it, and know that it’s toxic. There are arguments about whether anger is a useful emotion. The Stoics say “no” while many other philosophers say “sometimes”.Jealousy, however, is very rarely considered in a positive light at all. Hence, when we feel jealousy, it’s not usually because we want to feel it. It feels outside of our control, so we just sit in it. But is it outside of our control, or can we alleviate this toxic feeling?Keywordsjealousy, toxic feeling, control, character, stoicism, dichotomy of control, stoic Providence, psychological healthChaptersIntroduction: Jealousy as a Toxic FeelingWhat is Jealousy?The Role of Character in Overcoming JealousyStoic Providence: Accepting the Circumstances of LifeAccepting the Piece of the Pie that Life Gives UsThis episode is also available on YouTube.Transcripts can be found on Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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

Mark is a gold-medal Olympic speed skater. He won gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He is also the author of The Stoic Mindset: Living the 10 Principles of Stoicism, which will be released in Canada and the USA on April 9th (yes, that’s today!).In this episode, we talk about balancing hard work with enjoying life, courage in performance, luck and providence, and much more. Mark was a pleasure to speak with and I hope this episode proves useful.You can find Mark here:https://marktuitert.nl/en/Chapters00:00 Introduction00:52 Striving for Excellence02:10 Striving for Worldly Excellence and Understanding What's Truly Important05:03 The Importance of Character and Attitude in Winning08:32 Having a Well-Rounded Life and Avoiding Losing Oneself in a Single Pursuit09:40 The Danger of Losing Direction After Achieving Goals13:30 Embracing Struggle and Tension in Life22:12 Embracing Darkness and Facing Internal Thoughts29:33 Reconnecting with Family and Addressing Internal Struggles32:10 Accepting and Loving Where You Come From36:15 The Role of Luck and Providence40:04Taking Responsibility for Your Character44:11 Finding Inspiration in Others' Struggles49:51 Letting Go and Surrendering to Life55:35 Balancing Seriousness and Humor in LifeThis episode is also available on YouTube.Transcripts can be found on Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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.comKeywords:excellence, character, attitude, identity, Stoicism, competition, humility, grace, learning, setbacks, tension, struggle, courage, fear, obstacles, darkness, judgments, emotions, family relationships, stoicism, philosophy, negative energy, joy, positive emotions, relaxation, balance, athletic performance, luck, providence, surrender, outcomes, discipline, courage, love, support, agency, journey, humor, absurdity.

Seneca’s very first chapter in Letters From a Stoic is titled “On the Use of Time”. Time is something that is very paradoxical in the sense that we never feel like we have enough, yet our lives are longer than anything else we will do. Put another way, our days are often long while our days are short.Another curious thing about time is that we all have the same amount everyday - 24 hours - yet we all use it in different ways. Some of us use it for productivity, others for pleasure, and yet others are oblivious because they are in a state of suffering. But what constitutes time well spent? What is wasted time? And how can we go about not wasting much of it?SummaryThe conversation explores the concept of time and how to avoid wasting it. It emphasizes the finite nature of time and the importance of making the most of it. Wasted time is defined as time spent not living according to nature, not fulfilling one's duty, and engaging in vice. The conversation also provides practical tips on how to spend time wisely, including getting enough sleep, exercising, and finding a job that aligns with one's nature. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of being intentional with how time is spent.TakeawaysTime is finite, and it will eventually run out. It is important to make the most of the time we have.Wasted time is spent not living according to nature, not fulfilling one's duty, and engaging in vice.Practical tips for spending time wisely include getting enough sleep, exercising, and finding a job that aligns with one's nature.Being intentional with how time is spent is crucial for living a full life.ChaptersOn the Use of TimeDefining Wasted TimeSetting the Foundation for a Day Not WastedHow Should We Spend Our Time?Remaining Hours and Personal ChoicesIntentionality and UnintentionalityLiving a Full LifeThis episode is also available on YouTube.Transcripts can be found on Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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

A ship accumulates marine growth on its hull as it traverses through water. Some would suggest that our souls do a similar thing, accumulating trauma from the challenging and difficult circumstances that life puts us through.This is understandable on one end; we can all point to situations in our past that seem to still bother us in conscious and sometimes subconscious ways. On the other hand, one could perhaps make the case that a Stoic does not let the past bother them. Is trauma a real thing, or is it simply an unStoic way of looking at your past?SummaryThe conversation explores the concept of trauma and its impact on our lives. It discusses how trauma is accumulated from past experiences and how it can shape our present behaviors. The history of trauma studies is briefly mentioned, highlighting the idea that something in our past can emotionally scar or break us. The conversation also delves into the Stoic perspective on trauma, emphasizing the importance of extracting lessons from the past to guide our future actions. It suggests that while we cannot change the past, we have control over our thoughts, judgments, and actions in the present.TakeawaysTrauma is the accumulation of emotional scars or brokenness from past experiences that affect our present selves.The study of trauma dates back to the 1800s, with various researchers exploring its causes and effects.Stoicism teaches that while we cannot change the past or other people's actions, we have control over our thoughts, judgments, and actions.Extracting lessons from past experiences allows us to grow and guide our future actions.Bullying, although morally wrong, can be viewed as an opportunity to practice Stoicism and develop resilience.Processing trauma involves journaling, extracting lessons, and taking responsibility for our own actions.We have the strength and agency to overcome trauma and write our own narrative in life.This episode is also available on YouTube.Transcripts can be found on Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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

We can’t improve if we don’t change. Self-development is change. Remember that we need to know three things to improve: where we are, where we want to go, and how to get there. Change is the very process by which we get from where we are to where we want to be.But change is hard. If it were easy, all of us would be Stoic sages, living in virtue and harmony. So what is the nature of change? And why do so many of us know, on some level, that there are things about us that we need to modify, yet we fail to do so?Topics:The Need for ChangeThe Nature of ChangePositive Change Requires IntentionThe Difficulty of Personal ChangeThe Influence of Social MediaFear of the UnknownThe Comfort of FamiliarityThe Process of ChangeThis episode is also available on YouTube.Transcripts can be found on Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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

In this episode, I discuss the concept of luck in Stoicism and its portrayal in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. I explore the idea of biased fortune and providence, highlighting the difference between mere chance and acting appropriately.I also shares the story of the game of riddles between Bilbo and Gollum, emphasizing how Bilbo's actions and virtues influenced the outcomes. Finally, I draw parallels between Stoicism and Christianity, emphasizing the importance of acting virtuously and the potential rewards and consequences that follow.TakeawaysLuck in Stoicism is not mere chance but biased fortune or providence.Acting appropriately and virtuously increases the likelihood of positive outcomes.Evil and vice ultimately lead to negative consequences.The Stoic perspective on luck aligns with the Christian concept of grace and rewards for virtuous actions.This episode is also available on YouTube.Transcripts can be found on Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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