Stoa Conversations: Stoicism Applied

Mar 04 2025 173 ep. 51 mins 84
Stoa Conversations: Stoicism Applied Podcast artwork

Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay discuss how to build resilience, develop virtue, and make sense of the world through Stoic philosophy.

One episode a week.

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Making Proper use of Impressions with Epictetus (Episode 173)

Mar 04 2025 26 mins  
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 cons

The Epicureans | On Ends Book I (Episode 172)

Feb 25 2025 55 mins  
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 Everyt

The First Cynic | Antisthenes (Episode 171)

Feb 18 2025 45 mins  
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

Stoic Guide to Mastering Desire | Epictetus Handbook 14 (Episode 170)

Feb 11 2025 26 mins  
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 lin

Going Meta With Metacognition (Episode 169)

Feb 04 2025 46 mins  
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

Top 7 Things I Learned about Stoicism from Running (Episode 168)

Jan 28 2025 14 mins  
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]

Aristippus: The Philosopher Who Mastered Pleasure (Episode 167)

Jan 21 2025 44 mins  
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

The Roman Emperor on Strength, How to Transform Misfortune Into Fortune, And Death (Episode 166)

Jan 14 2025 38 mins  
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

Goodhart's Law and Stoicism (Episode 165)

Jan 07 2025 16 mins  
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

Stoicism for When You're Stuck (Episode 164)

Dec 31 2024 46 mins  
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: