
The Stoic Handbook by Jon Brooks
Modern practical breakdowns of the best ideas in ancient Stoicism.
Latest episodes

Jul 18, 2022 • 10min
How to Use Stoicism to Increase Joy and Peak Experiences w/ Donald Robertson
Send us a textModern Stoicism says a lot about how to be more resilient and how to "accept things" with equanimity. But what about feelings of joy, awe, and laughter. Can Stoicism help us live a more joyful life... really? I ask Stoicism writer Donald Robertson in a new series where I'll be picking his brain about important Stoic ideas. Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

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Jul 12, 2022 • 58min
Donald Robertson Writes The World’s First Stoic Graphic Novel
Send us a textOrder a copy of Verissimus hereStoic author, philosopher and cognitive behavioural therapist, Donald Robertson, returns to discuss his brand new graphic novel, VERISSIMUS. This is the most epic philosophical project that I am aware of to date. If Ridley Scott's Gladiator had a baby with Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, you’d get Verissimus.As you’ll hear in this interview, this project was a massive undertaking, taking nearly 3 years to complete. Detailing the life, times, and philosophy of Marcus Aurelius, the book acts as a historically accurate, action-packed entry point into the Stoic landscape.In this episode, we cover:The process of creating this bookWhy Donald decided to make a graphic novelWhy many Romans actually opposed Marcus AureliusMarcus’ mission to cultivate natural compassion towards all human beings, even his worst enemiesThe absurdity of Stoicism’s most popular criticism Stoicism’s deep influence on early ChristianityThe relationship between intuition and reasonJon's single favourite chapter on StoicismLinks to Donald's Work: Verissimus: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius, by Donald Robertson How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, by Donald RobertsonDonald’s websiteModern StoicismSupport the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Jul 1, 2022 • 6min
The Path of the Spiritual Warrior
Send us a textThis is a short clip taken from a much longer workshop on turning adversity to advantage, which is a bonus module in Stoic Anxiety Mastery. Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Jun 24, 2022 • 11min
James Stockdale and the Power of Realistic Optimism
Send us a textIn a new series, I will be giving short lessons on my favorite "Stoic superheroes," both ancient and modern. We will begin by talking about James Stockdale and the Stockdale Paradox. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a friend who might benefit from listening. Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Jun 11, 2022 • 7min
The Stoic Reframe to Deal with Loss of Any Kind
Send us a textIf you deeply recognize that life is impermanent, ever-changing and that everything we enjoy is a gift from the Universe, you can no longer suffer in the same way when things are taken from you.This episode is inspired by the following quote from Epictetus: “Under no circumstances ever say ‘I have lost something,’ only ‘I returned it.’ Did a child of yours die? No, it was returned. Your wife died? No, she was returned. ‘My land was confiscated.’ No, it too was returned.Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

May 20, 2022 • 1h 17min
How I Overcame Anxiety Using Stoicism: Interview with Jon Brooks
Send us a text“I’ve spent the last 7 or 8 years of my life with the prime objective of healing my anxiety and I have looked at so many different modalities. This course is the one course that I would recommend to anyone who is dealing with anxiety.”- Nic Stubbs, InterviewerIn this interview, my friend and colleague Nic Stubbs and I flesh out the details of my new course: Stoic Anxiety Mastery.Who is it for? Why I created it. And how it works.As well as a bunch of other topics around my personal journey with anxiety and how I transformed it from enemy to ally, the reasons why spiritual people shy away from these thoroughly research-backed cognitive healing modalities, and some of Nic's insights from his own struggles with social anxiety.Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

May 17, 2022 • 6min
Hard Challenges Unlock Inner Superpowers
Send us a text Stay updated with all Stoic Handbook podcasts, courses, and articles, you can sign up here. ---This episode features my breakdown of the following quote: For every challenge, remember the resources you have within you to cope with it. Provoked by the sight of a handsome man or a beautiful woman, you will discover within you the contrary power of self-restraint… In time, you will grow to be confident that there is not a single impression that you will not have the moral means to tolerate.— Enchiridion, Chapter 10, EpictetusSupport the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

May 5, 2022 • 8min
Pain Is a Problem for the Body, Not The Mind
Send us a textSickness is a problem for the body, not the mind – unless the mind decides that it is a problem. Lameness, too, is the body’s problem, not the mind’s. Say this to yourself whatever the circumstance and you will find without fail that the problem pertains to something else, not to you.— EpictetusSupport the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Apr 30, 2022 • 6min
Stoic Acceptance Contemplation to Reduce Anxiety Over an Uncertain Future
Send us a textIn this episode, we explore Chapter 8 of the Enchiridion and learn about an approach to accepting events exactly as they are instead of resisting against the will of nature and fortune. Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Apr 22, 2022 • 4min
How to Let Go of Things You Love
Send us a textLearn more about Stoic Anxiety Mastery: https://stoichandbook.ck.page/anxietyIn this episode, we explore Chapter 7 of the Enchiridion and learn about an analogy that can help us practice letting go of the things we enjoy in life when it is time to "return" back to our source. Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter
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