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Recent episodes
Wrestling with Stoic Ethics: Cicero's On Ends V (Episode 183)
May 13, 2025
52m 39s
The Stoic Fragments: Hidden Wisdom from Epictetus (Episode 182)
May 6, 2025
46m 40s
Forgive Your Enemies with Epictetus (Episode 181)
Apr 29, 2025
24m 25s
Trolleys, Torture, and Moral Dilemma's (Episode 180)
Apr 22, 2025
1h 00m 46s
Why Stoicism is False | Cicero's On Ends IV (Episode 179)
Apr 15, 2025
56m 39s
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/13/25 | Wrestling with Stoic Ethics: Cicero's On Ends V (Episode 183) | In this final exploration of Cicero's "On Ends," Michael and Caleb break down Book V, where Cicero reveals his own philosophical sweet spot – an Aristotelian-Platonic approach that challenges both Stoicism and Epicureanism. Against a backdrop of ancient Athens, Cicero's characters debate the core question: What makes a truly good human life? They navigate the middle path between Stoic rigidity (where virtue alone brings happiness) and Aristotle's elitism (where external goods are required). (01:53) Awesome Beginning (07:10) What's Our Purpose? (26:09) Supreme Happiness (31:55) Cicero's Objection (40:39) Summary *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe [http://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe] Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophy Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 52m 39s | ||||||
| 5/6/25 | The Stoic Fragments: Hidden Wisdom from Epictetus (Episode 182) | Discover the hidden gems of Stoic philosophy in this exploration of Epictetus' fragments - those powerful passages preserved by other philosophers but lost from his main works. Caleb and Michael unpack these concentrated nuggets of wisdom, from the surprising idea that we should value people by their capacity to help friends rather than harm enemies, to the famous "persist and resist" maxim that captures the essence of Stoic emotional management. Learn why terrible people are already punished by their own character, how to judge humans by their true virtue rather than superficial success, and why no one is truly free without mastering themselves. (00:00) MT: Fragments (05:18) Fragment 7: Helping Friends vs. Harming Enemies (10:43) Fragment 10: The Clean Jar - Approaching Philosophy Properly (16:19) Fragment 10: The Famous "Persist and Resist" Maxim (19:31) Fragment 13: Why Bad People Are Their Own Punishment (25:39) Fragment 18: Judging Humans by Their True Excellence (28:41) Fragment 17: The Banquet of Life (31:29) Fragment 20: Becoming Resilient to Emotions (37:04) Fragment 26: A Soul Carrying a Corpse (39:39) Fragment 35: True Freedom Through Self-Mastery *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe [http://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe] Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophy Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 46m 40s | ||||||
| 4/29/25 | Forgive Your Enemies with Epictetus (Episode 181) | In this episode, Michael Tremblay explores Epictetus' radical approach to anger and forgiveness. Discover why the Stoics believed we should pity rather than punish those who harm us, and how this ancient wisdom offers a practical path to emotional freedom in your daily life. Through Epictetus' teachings, learn the liberating power of seeing wrongdoers as victims of their own confusion. *** Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 24m 25s | ||||||
| 4/22/25 | Trolleys, Torture, and Moral Dilemma's (Episode 180) | Michael and Caleb dive into classic philosophical thought experiments to uncover Stoic solutions to impossible choices. From the infamous Trolley Problem to the Happiness Machine, they examine how Stoicism's focus on virtue, context, and roles provides a unique framework for moral decision-making. Unlike utilitarian or rule-based ethics, the Stoic approach emphasizes character over consequences, yet remains practical when facing life's hardest choices. This thought-provoking conversation challenges modern assumptions about ethical reasoning while revealing surprising Stoic positions on torture, self-sacrifice, and artificial pleasure. (01:57) Trolley Problem (14:35) Do Stoics Endorse Torture? (20:31) Happiness Machine (24:24) Utility Monster (27:14) Euthyphro Dilemma (35:53) Sinking Ship (40:59) Prisoner's Dilemma (46:11) Omelas Child (53:59) Takeaways *** Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 1h 00m 46s | ||||||
| 4/15/25 | Why Stoicism is False | Cicero's On Ends IV (Episode 179) | Caleb and Michael break down Book IV of Cicero's "On Ends" - his powerful critique of Stoic ethics. Discover why Cicero believed the Stoics fell short by prioritizing virtue alone while dismissing external goods. Is Stoicism just playing word games with what's "good" versus "preferred"? Would the perfect Stoic and the perfect Aristotelian behave the same way? This episode tackles the core tensions in ancient ethics that are relevant for modern life. (03:22) Cicero's Perspective (07:51) Weak Arguments (08:44) Powerful Argument #1 – Stoicism Wasn't New (16:16) Powerful Argument #2 – We Have A Body (22:22) Powerful Argument #3 – The Dilemma (33:27) Defending Stoicism from #3 (48:30) Taking On Argument #2 *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe [http://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe] Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 56m 39s | ||||||
| 4/8/25 | 7 Stoic Habits You Can Start Today (Episode 178) | Living like a Stoic is about getting the little things right. In this episode, Michael Tremblay discusses 7 Stoic habits you can start today to build a more thoughtful, resilient, and Stoic you. (01:25) Thinking Well (14:24) Living Philosophically (17:58) Preparing for Adversity (30:15) Summary *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe [http://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe] Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 36m 09s | ||||||
| 4/1/25 | The Classic Defense Of Stoic Ethics (Episode 177) | In this episode of Stoic Conversations, Caleb and Michael break down Book III of Cicero's On Ends - the definitive ancient defense of Stoic ethics. Discover why the Stoics believed virtue alone is sufficient for happiness, and how they justified their unique system of values. Follow along as they unpack Stoic moral development, from our earliest instincts to the cultivation of wisdom. On Ends Book I: The Epicureans [https://stoameditation.com/blog/the-epicureans-on-ends-book-i-episode-172/] On Ends Book II: Against The Epicureans [https://stoameditation.com/blog/against-the-epicureans-on-ends-book-i-episode-175/] (05:53) Overview Of The Book (09:34) Moral Development (26:46) Stoicism Defended (28:08) Morality is the Only Good (38:01) Indifferents (54:57) Awesome Lines *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe [http://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe] Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 58m 17s | ||||||
| 3/25/25 | Seneca's Medea | Revenge, Violence, and Stoicism (Episode 176) | Seneca's brutal play "Medea" reveals what happens when rage takes control. A betrayed wife, an indecisive husband, and a tragic ending that challenges Stoic ideals. In this episode, Caleb and Michael analyze Seneca's bloody retelling of the Medea myth - where passion overcomes reason with devastating consequences. Dana Gioia on Seneca and The Madness of Hercules (Episode 74) [https://stoameditation.com/blog/gioia/] (04:28) Historical Background (06:43) The Story of Medea's Revenge (17:08) Character: Fortune Takes Wealth, Not Spirit (21:27) Not Just a Moment's Madness (26:36) How Anger Warps Reality (33:44) Satisfying Madness (36:02) The Intoxication of Rage (38:41) What's Up With Jason? (46:03) Seneca's Court Experience (50:43) Brutal Ending: "There Are No Gods" (58:57) Outro Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): stoameditation.com/pod [https://stoameditation.com/pod] If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 59m 41s | ||||||
| 3/17/25 | Against The Epicureans | On Ends Book II (Episode 175) | Caleb and Michael take on Book II of Cicero's On Ends. In this books Cicero goes off against the Epicureans. What do you think? On Ends Book I [https://stoameditation.com/blog/the-epicureans-on-ends-book-i-episode-172/] Aristippus: The Philosopher Who Mastered Pleasure [https://stoameditation.com/blog/aristippus-the-philosopher-who-mastered-pleasure-episode-167/] (02:43) Different Kinds Of Pleasure (16:34) Turning AgainstThe Stoics (18:02) Ranking Pleasures (24:40) Epicurean Rebranding? (30:55) Epicureans Ignore Virtue (34:28) Utilitarianism (38:18) Topsy Turvy Value Systems (46:50) Do Epicureans Lie? (48:17) Is Happiness Up To You (56:08) Michael's Takeaway *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe [http://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe] Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 57m 30s | ||||||
| 3/11/25 | Politics And Amor Fati With Erick Cloward (Episode 174) | In this episode, Michael talks with Erick Cloward, the host of the Stoic Coffee Break Podcast. Erick talks about his journey into Stoicism, his recent use of Amor Fati, and how to have difficult conversations, especially with those you politically disagree with. (08:49) How Stoicism Makes A Difference (16:33) Amor Fati (31:03) Amor Fati And Politics (39:33) Hard Conversations (56:06) Bringing People Together (01:02:19) Learn More *** Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 1h 07m 54s | ||||||
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| 3/4/25 | Making Proper use of Impressions with Epictetus (Episode 173) | Epictetus tells us the chief task of philosophy is just one thing: Make proper use of impressions. In this episode, Michael Tremblay does a deep dive into what this means, how we can do it, and why, for Epictetus, it is the most important thing there is. *** Download the Stoa app (free): https://stoameditation.com/pod For those who find the app valuable but face financial constraints, email us for a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 26m 43s | ||||||
| 2/25/25 | The Epicureans | On Ends Book I (Episode 172) | In 45 BC, amid the turmoil of the Roman Civil War, Cicero wrote one of philosophy's most important works on the meaning of life. This episode unpacks Book I of "On Ends," exploring the clash between Epicurean pleasure-seeking and Stoic virtue. (01:14) Meeting Cicero (06:18) Latin over Greek (11:40) On Ends Core Debates (16:03) Cicero attacks (20:44) Why Pleasure isn't Everything (27:28) The Epicurean Response (31:29) Must Virtue Produce Something More? (46:53) The Epicurean View of Community (53:38) The Epicurean sage *** Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 55m 07s | ||||||
| 2/18/25 | The First Cynic | Antisthenes (Episode 171) | Caleb and Michael discuess teacher of Diogenes and the grandfather of Stoicism. Before there were Stoics arguing about virtue, there was Antisthenes. A warrior turned philosopher who studied under Socrates. (02:40) Antisthenes The Man (07:32) Cynicism (12:42) How To Become Cynical (21:27) Virtue is Action (23:58) Socratic Influence (27:02) Antisthenes in Action (29:38) Death (34:34) Irreverance (36:09) The Point of Philosophy (39:08) Cynicism and Stoicism *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe [http://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe] Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophy Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 45m 02s | ||||||
| 2/11/25 | Stoic Guide to Mastering Desire | Epictetus Handbook 14 (Episode 170) | Freedom isn't about having enough money to do what you want. It's about wanting what you can actually control. In this episode, Michael breaks down Epictetus's radical handbook chapter 14, revealing the four key principles of Stoic desire – and why wanting the wrong things makes us slaves to circumstance. *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe [http://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe] Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophy Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 26m 06s | ||||||
| 2/4/25 | Going Meta With Metacognition (Episode 169) | The ancient Stoics never used the term "metacognition," but this modern psychological concept illuminates the core of their philosophy. Michael and Caleb explore how the Stoic emphasis on examining our thoughts—what psychologists now call metacognition—is central to both Stoic theory and practice. They unpack why the Stoics saw this capacity for mental self-reflection as divine, how it distinguishes humans from animals, and why mastering it is essential for living well. A practical discussion for anyone interested in training their mind the Stoic way. (04:53) Metacognition in Stoicism (10:11) Metacognition as Philosophy (24:37) Judgement in Stoicism (27:05) Metacognition in Practice (41:31) Takeaways *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe [http://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe] Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophy Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 46m 51s | ||||||
| 1/28/25 | Top 7 Things I Learned about Stoicism from Running (Episode 168) | Ancient and modern Stoics aren't just thinkers - they are runners too. In this episode, Caleb explores how the simple act of running illuminates core Stoic principles about pain, perception, and perseverance. *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe [http://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe] Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophy Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 14m 17s | ||||||
| 1/21/25 | Aristippus: The Philosopher Who Mastered Pleasure (Episode 167) | Meet ancient Greece's original hedonist. Unlike later philosophers who preached asceticism, Aristippus embraced luxury, courted kings, and still kept his freedom. A student of Socrates who chose pleasure over asceticism, he founded a school of thought that spread through generations of his family. This conversation explores how Aristippus balanced the pursuit of pleasure with self-mastery, challenging both the austerity of his critics and our modern assumptions about ancient philosophy. (05:11) Wining And Dining (15:29) Desire and Risk (21:49) You Need Philosophy (25:42) The Cyrenaics (36:38) Respect Aristippus's Consistency (41:54) His Daughter and Rejecting Social Convention *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe [http://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe] Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 44m 25s | ||||||
| 1/14/25 | The Roman Emperor on Strength, How to Transform Misfortune Into Fortune, And Death (Episode 166) | In this episode, Michael and Caleb explore Meditations 4.49-51, where Marcus Aurelius discusess resilience, misfortune, death, and simplicity. Be like a promontory against crashing waves. (01:09) 49, Section 1 (08:20) 49, Section 2 (11:21) It's Not Things Themselves That Harm Us (15:44) Powerful Phrases (17:45) Stoicism Is For Everyone (21:21) 50 (33:39) 51 *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe [http://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe] Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 38m 54s | ||||||
| 1/7/25 | Goodhart's Law and Stoicism (Episode 165) | Goodhart's Law says: when a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure. But if that's true, how should we measure our philosophical progress? In this episode, Michael Tremblay wrestles with this question. *** Download the Stoa app (free): https://stoameditation.com/pod For those who find the app valuable but face financial constraints, email us for a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 16m 36s | ||||||
| 12/31/24 | Stoicism for When You're Stuck (Episode 164) | Get these tested Stoic strategies pull you out of bed and back into life's beauty. Michael and Caleb explore ancient wisdom for reconnecting with meaning through nature, duty, and proper thinking. (00:47) Set Up (04:33) Crisis in Thinking (10:29) Finding Purpose (19:18) Beauty (26:59) Play With Time (38:43) Be Gentle (42:08) Summary *** Download the Stoa app (free): https://stoameditation.com/pod For those who find the app valuable but face financial constraints, email us for a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 46m 40s | ||||||
| 12/24/24 | Why Other People Do Wrong – Socrates Was Right! (Episode 163) | No one chooses to be wrong. This core Stoic teaching, inherited from Socrates, shaped how ancient philosophers viewed human behavior and mistakes. In this episode, Caleb explores why the Stoics believed people only do what they think is best – even when those choices seem obviously wrong to others. The episode tackles challenging questions: How do addictions and bad habits fit into this framework? What does this mean for personal responsibility? And most importantly, how can we use this ancient insight to better understand ourselves and others? Read this letter [https://www.stoaletter.com/p/stoic-empathy] Video animation of this letter [https://youtu.be/nQogk007yAc?feature=shared] *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe [http://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe] Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): stoameditation.com/pod [http://stoameditation.com/pod] If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 14m 19s | ||||||
| 12/17/24 | The Second Arrow (Episode 162) | Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. In this episode, we explore a powerful Buddhist concept that mirrors Stoic wisdom: the Second Arrow. The first arrow is the pain life throws at us - rejection, loss, failure. The second arrow? That's the one we shoot at ourselves through our reactions, stories, and judgments. Michael Tremblay discusses the Buddhist parable of the second arrow and what it means for practicing Stoics. *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe [http://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe] Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 18m 39s | ||||||
| 12/10/24 | Noah Rasheta on Stoicism vs. Buddhism (Episode 161) | Author and Podcaster Noah Rasheta explores the parallels between Buddhism and Stoicism with Michael Tremblay. Whether you're seeking practical wisdom or philosophical insight, this conversation offers tools for living more skillfully – regardless of which tradition resonates with you. From handling grief and identity to achieving wisdom, we uncover where these philosophies converge and diverge. Noah breaks down core Buddhist concepts like the three poisons (desire, aversion, and ignorance) and the practice of mindful awareness, and Michael talks about how these ideas map onto Stoic ideas about reflection and living according to nature. He shares personal stories about losing his business identity and finding peace during difficult parenting moments. Whether you're seeking practical wisdom or philosophical insight, this conversation offers tools for living more skillfully – regardless of which tradition resonates with you. (01:24) The Goal Of Life (13:11) Judging Ourselves (19:23) Habitual Responses (25:04) The Middle Way (30:44) Identity (43:37) Wisdom (54:00) Practice *** Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 1h 04m 59s | ||||||
| 12/3/24 | Making Epistemology Cool Again (Episode 160) | Caleb and Michael discuss Stoic epistemology—how to think well, avoid ignorance, and form justified beliefs. They explore the importance of skepticism, setting realistic standards for truth, and cultivating expertise to navigate complex decisions. (00:00) Common Sense (04:54) Default To Skepticism (09:38) Criterion of Truth (18:31) Common Sense (29:10) Building Confidence Through Expertise (35:01) Epistemic Reserve Clause (42:27) Takeaways *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe [http://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe] Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 46m 29s | ||||||
| 11/26/24 | The Intuitive Case for Stoicism (Episode 159) | Caleb Ontiveros makes the case that Stoicism is more intuitive than you might think. He argues that if minor setbacks don't ruin our lives, why should major ones? This episode explores how Stoic ideas about virtue, happiness, and adversity align with our deepest intuitions about living well. *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe [http://www.stoaletter.com/subscribe] Download the Stoa app (it's a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account. Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/ Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ | 16m 57s | ||||||
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