The Sunday Stoic

In this episode, Steve and Dan discuss the Stoic concept of Amor Fati (Love Your Fate). They explore whether Amor Fati is tenable under different conceptions of Divine Providence.

In this continuation of Mary Miller’s interview on The Sunday Stoic, Steve and Mary explore how Stoic philosophy can shape courage, leadership, parenting, resilience, and moral clarity in the modern world. Drawing from her father’s deeply practical wisdom, Mary shares unforgettable stories from her childhood, her groundbreaking career in the nuclear Navy, and the hard-earned lessons that taught her to lead with integrity under pressure.The conversation weaves together the teachings of Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and James Stockdale with real-life experiences involving bullying, authority, toxic workplaces, emotional discipline, religion, and the importance of protecting one’s mind from manipulation and social pressure.Mary reflects on tactical Stoicism in high-stakes naval environments, explains how practical wisdom is learned through struggle rather than theory, and discusses how parents can model virtue through their actions instead of merely preaching it. The episode also explores the dangers of modern “brainwashing” through media and social influence, the importance of choosing one’s battles wisely, and how true leadership often means creating safety and accountability for others.This episode is a profound meditation on Stoic virtues—wisdom, justice, temperance, and courage—and how ancient philosophy can still guide us through the chaos of modern life.

Steve and Dan explore the topic of marriage as it relates to Stoicism. What did the ancient Stoics have to say on the topic of marriage? Do Stoic practitioners have a duty to marry? To have children? How much of what the ancient Stoics had to say regarding marriage is still persuasive in the 21st century?

The fear of death has haunted humans for as long as we’ve been able to imagine the future. The early Stoics knew this, and they insisted that learning to face mortality with clarity—not panic—is one of the first steps toward real freedom. This week, we open the worn pages of Marcus Aurelius’ journal to explore how he wrestled with anxiety, impermanence, and the stories the mind invents when we’re afraid.Marcus doesn’t offer melodrama or mysticism. Instead, he gives us three grounded reminders:Death is natural—as natural as fruit ripening and falling. What is natural is not to be feared.Stay with the present moment—most of our suffering comes from imagination, not reality.There is nothing to dread—either death is a peaceful end of sensation, or a transition into another form of life.In this episode, we’ll unpack these ideas and consider how they can help us live with more courage, calm, and purpose today. All readings come from the 1896 translation of The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius

In this episode, Dan Monks and Sean O'Connor act out a Socratic dialogue, wherein they explore how to behave appropriately when you are in the employ of a tyrant. The dialogue takes place circa 200 CE, but unfortunately, for many this scenario is not a hypothetical in our own time. Dan and Sean touch upon Living According to Nature, human nature, the universal human role, acquired roles, using role models to provide inspiration for appropriate action, and the Premeditatio Malorum spiritual exercise. References:Aurelius, Marcus (1916), Meditations:https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius_(Haines_1916) Cicero(1914), De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum: https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_ufOZBzV878IC/mode/2up Cicero (1913), De Officiis: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/47001 Diogenes Laertius (1915), Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/57342 Epictetus (1904), Discourses: https://archive.org/details/discrsepictetus00epiciala/page/n5/mode/2up Epictetus (1948), Enchiridion: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/45109/pg45109.txt Homer, Iliad: https://classics.mit.edu/Homer/iliad.html Sellars, John (2003), The Art of Living, Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, New York City and London. Seneca (1918), Moral Letters to Lucilius: https://en.m.wikisource.org/wiki/Moral_letters_to_Lucilius Stobaeus (1824), Florilegium: https://archive.org/details/joannisstobaeif00gaisgoog

Steve and Dan discuss the fourth and fifth of Cicero's Stoic Paradoxes, #4: That Every Fool is a Madman, and #5: That the Wiseman Alone is Free, and That Every Fool is a Slave.

Steve and Dan discuss the second of Cicero's Stoic Paradoxes - Virtue is Sufficient for Happiness. The Ancient Stoics held that Virtue is all that is necessary for happiness. How and why? After all, aren’t wealth, prestige, and other External things also necessary to have the good life?

A rebroadcast of an early episode where I had a chance to chat with the brilliant Brittany Polat about Stoicism and parenting. Check out her book Tranquility Parenting here https://www.amazon.com/Tranquility-Pa...Brittany also has a website! https://www.brittanypolat.com/

Steve and Dan complete their journey through the Cardinal Virtues. This week they discuss Prudence / Practical Wisdom, and the Discipline of Assent

In this supplemental episode, Dan clarifies why he does not think military service in the USA is a prudent life choice in the present moment.

Happiness is a byproduct of living virtuously. In this episode, Steve and Dan discuss how to cultivate the cardinal virtue of Temperance.

In this rebroadcast, Donald Robertson joins the podcast to discuss his new graphic novel Verissimus. This graphic novel follows the life and philosophy of Marcus Aurelius. We discuss the writing process, the life of Marcus Aurelius and Donald's new project Plato's Academy Center. https://platosacademy.org/

In this re-released episode, Ryan hosts the show and discusses New Year's Resolutions