Podcast
The What Is Stoicism? Podcast
Hosted by Allan John (What Is Stoicism?) · EN
Using Stoic philosophy to help you (and me): LEARN from the past, PLAN for the future, LIVE in the present.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
22episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Only Thing You Need to Be
2w ago00:07:20Tap to summarizeThis episode explores Stoicism as a love of wisdom and a daily practice of character.By understanding virtue as human excellence—thinking clearly, acting justly, facing difficulty bravely, and resisting excess—the philosophy becomes immediately useful and practical rather than theoretical and abstract.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: The Object is Bound to Perishhttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-the-object Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →How to Stop Missing Your Life
3w ago00:05:49Tap to summarizeThis episode turns Seneca’s call to “hold every hour in our grasp” into something more concrete.Through Montaigne’s habits of writing and walking, and Matt Haig’s reflections on acceptance, we look at how attention can slow the feeling of life rushing past. The point isn't to seize time by force, but to notice what's here, accept what can't be changed, and live the hour instead of losing it.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: The Object is Bound to Perishhttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-the-object Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →The Stoic Case Against Anger
4w ago00:05:53Tap to summarizeThis episode examines anger through the lens of Seneca and Epictetus.Seneca warns that anger harms us first, clouding reason and undermining self-control, while Epictetus reframes wrongdoing as error rather than malice.Together, they suggest a practical response: pause, question the impression, and consider the cost of reacting.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Go to Their Soulshttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-go-to-their Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →You Don’t Have to Form an Opinion
Apr 2900:06:09Tap to summarizeThis episode explores how much of our distress comes not from events themselves, but from the interpretations we layer on top of them. Marcus Aurelius reminds us that opinions are optional, while Epictetus shows how easily appearances can mislead us. By sticking closer to the facts and examining our impressions carefully, we reduce unnecessary mental noise.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: Go to Their Soulshttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-go-to-their Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Stoic Instructions For Acting Wisely
Apr 2200:06:16Tap to summarizeThis episode explores Cicero’s three-part guide to living well: let reason govern impulse, see things as they truly are, and practice moderation. These principles form a practical framework for navigating daily decisions without being carried away by instinct or excess. With Epictetus reinforcing the need to understand before we act, the focus is on building a well-ordered mind step by step.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: When Something Stands in the Wayhttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-when-something Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →The Slow Work of Healing the Soul
Apr 1500:06:13Tap to summarizeThis episode is a gentle return to practice for anyone who’s drifted or struggled to begin.Seneca and the Stoics remind us that growth starts with effort, but becomes easier—and even rewarding—once it takes hold.The aim isn’t perfection, but steady progress: correcting judgments, strengthening character, and moving a little closer each day.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: When Something Stands in the Wayhttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-when-something Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Guarding Your Soul in an Unpredictable World
Apr 800:06:31Tap to summarizeThis episode reflects on the Stoic call to care for your own soul.Marcus Aurelius warns that misery comes not from ignoring others, but from neglecting the activity of our own mind.Seneca adds that a well-formed soul—guided by reason, courage, and discipline—becomes independent of fortune, because its true wealth lies within.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: The Stoic View on Interior Designhttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-the-stoic-b16 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →How Strange It Is, What People Do
Apr 100:06:21Tap to summarizeThis episode looks at how Stoicism handles insults without turning us into “unfeeling statues.” Epictetus suggests taking a cue from a stone: insults only work if we grant them importance. When we pause and refuse that inner assent, the words lose their grip.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: To Live Without Error is Impossiblehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-to-live-126 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Aphorisms for Action: Making Stoicism Stick
Mar 2500:06:51Tap to summarizeThis episode explores how Stoicism moves from theory to instinct. The ancients distilled complex teachings into sharp, portable aphorisms—short phrases designed to steady the mind under pressure. From Delphic maxims to Cicero’s call to let reason govern impulse, these lines function as mental anchors when stress rises.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: To Live Without Error is Impossiblehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-to-live-126 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Why Genuine Kindness Is Irresistible
Mar 1800:06:24Tap to summarizeThis episode reflects on the power of everyday kindness—the remembered question, the use of someone’s name, the simple act of inclusion that makes a person feel seen.It explores traditions like Turkey’s askıda ekmek and Italy’s caffè sospeso, where generous acts are done without recognition or reward.👇 👇 👇📻 FOR MORE STOIC AUDIO CONTENTCheck out one of my latest daily Micro Morning Meditations here on Substack:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: To Live Without Error is Impossiblehttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-to-live-126 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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