The Strong Stoic Podcast

Everyone is encouraged today to “follow your passion”. What they mean by this is that you should pursue whatever fills you up. You should pursue whatever you are passionate about. Obviously, we are all passionate about different things - some love knitting, others football, and others again book reviews! Is this advice, though, to follow one’s passion, actually good advice? And if it is, is it even achievable?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

Ryan is the Author of several books including Designing The Mind and Become Who You Are. He takes a design approach to structuring your thinking to help you approach your life in a more logical and rational way.In this conversation, Ryan and Brandon discuss the concept of psychitecture and the systematic approach to engineering ourselves. They explore the idea of algorithms in self-improvement and the importance of aligning desires and values for deep happiness. They delve into the balance between animalistic impulses and ideals, and the process of becoming the ideal person. They also discuss the significance of cultivating strengths and contributing to the world, as well as the importance of self-awareness and introspection. The conversation concludes with a reflection on self-deception and the Stoic perspective on the soul as character and virtue. The conversation explores the concept of becoming who you are and the pursuit of self-creation. It delves into the idea of living according to nature and the divergence from Stoicism. The host and guest discuss the guest's books and where to find more information.You can find Ryan here:https://designingthemind.orgChapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage01:52 Exploring Psychotexture and Engineering Ourselves04:00 Understanding Algorithms in Self-Improvement06:54 Balancing Animalistic Impulses and Ideals09:00 Breaking Down Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Self-Mastery10:39 Aligning Desires and Values for Deep Happiness11:54 Becoming the Ideal Person: Nietzsche and Stoicism14:06 Differentiating Desires and Values for Long-Term Progress19:05 Acting in Alignment with Admired Traits20:26 Pushing Through Reluctance to Embrace Admirable Actions23:06 Cultivating Strengths and Contributing to the World28:02 Balancing Goals and Virtues in Life31:51 Developing Self-Awareness and Introspection37:52 The Stoic Soul and Developing Character42:22 Self-Deception and the Importance of Self-Observation45:05 Understanding the Soul as Character and Virtue48:09 Becoming Who You Are51:47 The Pursuit of Self-Creation54:28 Living According to Nature57:02 Divergence from Stoicism58:22 Promoting the BooksThis 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 moments of reflection on what we are doing with our lives, the thought can creep up: Am I doing enough? Could I be doing more good in my life? The Stoics have their fair share of radical ideas, but one that may be tremendously useful in the contemplation of this question is that there is no such thing as the idea of doing “more good” in Stoicism. Wherever you are right now is where you are supposed to be, and you can only act appropriately - no more, no less. Of course, unless you are a Sage. But what is a Sage? And is this idea in Stoicism a useful one, or does it simply hold back our ambitions?SummaryIn this conversation, the host explores the concept of the Stoic Sage and the idea of acting virtuously. The Stoic Sage is a person who can do no wrong and always acts in accordance with nature. However, the host acknowledges that the idea of a perfect sage is not realistic. Instead, he suggests that we can look to individuals in our lives who embody qualities of wisdom, kindness, and strength as examples of the Stoic Sage. TakeawaysThe Stoic Sage is a person who can do no wrong and always acts in accordance with nature.The idea of a perfect sage is not realistic, but we can look to individuals in our lives who embody qualities of wisdom, kindness, and strength as examples of the Stoic Sage.Instead of striving for perfection, we should focus on acting appropriately in each present moment.Chapters00:00Introduction and Setting the Context03:20The Concept of the Stoic Sage04:17The Imperfection of the Sage05:07Defining the Qualities of a Sage06:03Different Personalities of Sages07:00Living According to Nature08:00The Actions of a Sage09:54No Such Thing as Doing More Good10:23The Indifference of Yelling11:20Different Sages, Different Contexts12:16The Outcome is Irrelevant13:14Acting Appropriately in the Present Moment18:28Gradual Improvement and Self-Forgiveness30:52Connecting the Questions to the Stoic SageThis 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

Katie Feltmate is a poet based in my home province of Nova Scotia. She believes in the writing process as a tool for healing and self-growth. In 2021, she released her first self-published poetry book, Love in the Age of Quarantine, which is about, in my words, transitioning from an abusive and toxic relationship to a more whole self. I found her book in a local bookstore and immediately noticed the Stoicism in her writing, especially near the end when she has the trauma past her. In this episode, we talk about abusive relationships, loneliness and self-discovery, the paradoxes and complexity of love, and much more. I was thrilled to speak with Katie, and I think what follows is a very open conversation about some very difficult topics.You can find Katie here: https://www.katiefeltmate.comThis 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

Stoicism teaches that living in harmony with nature leads to happiness and flourishing. This harmony is achieved through tension, similar to how a guitar string must be under tension to produce the right note. Taking responsibility for ourselves and our relationships is essential in living in harmony. Stoics must balance their personal nature, communal nature, and mother nature. Strength is crucial in maintaining this balance and resonating with the demands of nature. The practice of stoicism involves cultivating virtues and acting appropriately in our daily lives.TakeawaysLiving in harmony with nature is key to happiness and flourishing.Taking responsibility for ourselves and our relationships is important in stoicism.Stoics must balance their personal nature, communal nature, and mother nature.Strength is crucial in maintaining this balance and resonating with nature.The practice of stoicism involves cultivating virtues and acting appropriately in our daily lives.Chapters00:00Living in Harmony with Nature02:27The Importance of Tension03:28Taking Responsibility05:25Balancing Personal, Communal, and Mother Nature06:21The Strength to Live in Harmony08:06The Role of Strength10:34The Practice of Stoicism12:06Developing Strength and Resonating with NatureThis 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

Merriam-Webster defines fatigue as “weariness or exhaustion from labour, exertion, or stress”. I’m sure this rings a bell with you, and most of us become fatigued from time to time. In fact, fatigue can be of various types – exhaustion from work, exercise, stress, and even spiritual. That’s right – we can become spiritually or philosophically fatigued, even from Stoicism.This episode is also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TtKSLdblCPQTranscripts 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

Kyle is a clarity consultant who coaches people to live spiritual yet practical lives, and the host of the Limitless Life Podcast. We met sometime in 2023, where I first appeared as a guest on his podcast. What I love about speaking with Kyle is his positive energy. He’s a great conversationalist with an ability to really be present – something we all could strive to aim at.In this episode, we talk about what’s holding people back from achieving their goals, the importance of competence, and route to healing, miracles in life, and much more. I hope you enjoy this conversation just as much as I did. Without further ado, please welcome Kyle Smith.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

This is episode 301, which makes it the first episode after I hit the 300-episode mark. 300 episodes is about 150 hours of podcast content, which is about 6 days of steady listening (for those interested in binge-listening all of the episodes).I saw that Chris Williamson, the host of Modern Wisdom, does this thing every hundred episodes or so where he recaps the biggest takeaways in the last one hundred episodes. I certainly cannot go back and do that after reaching 100 or 200 episodes, but thought that this may be a useful thing to do, so here we go. Here are 4 lessons from 300 episodes!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

Simon Drew is an alignment coach, poet, author, musician, photographer, and the founder of The Walled Garden Philosophical Society. He has a Bachelor of Music Performance and is most well known for his work with the Practical Stoic Podcast, which has since evolved into The Walled Garden. I’ve known Simon for a couple of years at this point. It is his third appearance on the SS. He has appeared in Episodes 134 and 222. This conversation with Simon was as engaged and meaningful as the previous ones. He has a real talent for conversation, which is one of the things I respect most about him. In this episode, we speak about the current challenges of our time, the utility of prayer and its various forms, how to find peace and contentment amidst the inherent chaos of life, and much more.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 Stoicism, externals are outside of your control, and hence, cannot ultimately give you eudaimonia. That is true; your environment, the people around you, etc. are ultimately not up to you, and are unable to grant your eudaimonia. However, that isn’t to say that externals don’t have any effect on us. Externals can and do make things easier or harder on us. Luckily for us, we do have some control over our environment. How can we best manage and change our environment to make our success in our endeavours more likely?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