Stoicism & Jesus: The Surprising Truth About Self-Leadership and Inner Peace with Brittany Polat

What if the key to self-leadership, peace, and purpose has been hiding in plain sight across both Stoicism and the teachings of Jesus? In this episode of The Self-Leadership Lab, Bobby sits down with Brittany Polat, PhD in Applied Linguistics, editor of Stoicism Today, and author of Jesus and Stoicism, to explore the powerful overlap between ancient philosophy and Christian faith. Together, they unpack how these two traditions point to the same core truth: You must govern your inner world before you can lead your outer life. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • What Stoicism really is (and what most people get wrong) • The biggest misconceptions Christians have about Stoicism • How Stoicism and Christianity both emphasize inner transformation over external success • Why self-mastery is NOT selfish and how it enables you to serve others • The difference between modern “broicism” vs. true Stoic philosophy • How to handle stress, suffering, and chaos with clarity and purpose • Why happiness isn’t a feeling but a way of being • The concept of “preferred indifference” and how it reshapes your priorities • How both Stoics and Jesus warned against hypocrisy and performative living • Practical ways to start applying Stoic principles today Core Idea of the Episode: Stoicism and Christianity aren’t competing belief systems they are complementary frameworks for becoming a better human being. Both teach: • Discipline over distraction • Purpose over comfort • Inner peace over external validation • And ultimately that Transformation starts within. Resources Mentioned: • Jesus and Stoicism – Brittany Polat • Stoicism in Early Christianity (edited by Rasimus, Engberg-Pedersen, and Dunderberg). • A Guide to the Good Life – William Irvine • Modern Stoicism (community + resources) • Brittany’s Substack: https://stoicismforhumans.substack.com/ Who This Episode Is For: • Leaders who feel overwhelmed or burned out • Men seeking mental and spiritual clarity • Anyone exploring Stoicism, faith, or personal growth • High performers tired of chasing external success without inner peace Powerful Quote from This Episode: “You don’t become a better leader by controlling others… You become one by mastering yourself.” The Self-Leadership Lab is where we explore how to govern your inner world, so your outer life reflects your convictions through real conversations on mindset, discipline, purpose, and personal growth. Want to be a guest on The Self-Leadership Lab? Send Bobby Shelton a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17641667851977069fa15a161 stoicism, stoic philosophy, Christianity and stoicism, Jesus and stoicism, self-leadership, the self-leadership podcast podcast, personal development, mindset, discipline, inner peace, purpose driven life