The Sunday Stoic

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?

In this classic episode, Dr. Benjamin Rider joins the show to discuss the similarities between the ancient philosophy of Daoism and Stoic Philosophy

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

Carnivore diet? Vegetarian diet? Vegan Diet? This week Dan and Steve discuss how to eat like a Stoic? Also, check out this recipe for Zeno Stew! https://eatshistory.com/zenos-stoic-lentil-soup-a-taste-of-ancient-greek-philosophy/gan Diet?

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 complete their journey through Cicero's Stoic Paradoxes. In this episode they discuss the sixth Stoic Paradox - That the Wise Man Alone is Rich. [email protected]

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 third of Cicero's Stoic Paradoxes - All Vice is Equal, and all Virtue is Equal. The Ancient Stoics held that all Vice / inappropriate actions were equal in value and likewise, all Virtue / appropriate actions were equal in value.  Do you agree or disagree?     

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?    

In this episode, Steve and Dan discuss the first of Cicero's Stoic Paradoxes - Virtue is the Only Good. To know what to pursue in life, you must first know what is good. What did the Stoics say was the Good? Virtue, and Virtue alone.

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/

Dan explores the Reserve Clause in this episode and how it is a vital technique to pursue the Cardinal Virtue of Justice while mitigating the Passions of Anger and Fear.  The Reserve Clause relates to the cultivation of Justice, Temperance, and Courage.  The episode explores how the Reserve Clause relates to the Discipline of Action, and the Discipline of Desire and Aversion.  Dan also briefly discusses Cicero’s Archer, and how Christianity and Islam make use of the Reserve Clause.

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

Steve and Dan continue their journey through the CardinalVirtues. This week they discuss Justice. Humans are inherently social animals, and Justice governs how we appropriately interact with each other. 

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.

Steve and Dan continue their journey through the Cardinal Virtues. This week they discuss Courage / Fortitude. Of what use is knowing what the appropriate and Just act would be, if we lack the Courage to do the right thing?

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

What did Zeno, the founder of Stoicism, have to say about happiness, living according to nature, and achieving a smooth flow of life?  Steve and Dan discuss happiness from the perspective of the Stoics

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 classic episode Dr. Kevin Vost joins the show to discuss the crossroads that connect Stoic philosophy and Christianity.

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

Its the time of year when we all make, then break New Year's resolutions. What are a few good Stoic resolutions and how can we stick to them? In this classic episode Steve Discusses Stoic themed resolutions. Moral Letters to Lucilius: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Moral_letters_to_Lucilius/Letter_16https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Moral_letters_to_Lucilius/Letter_83https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Moral_letters_to_Lucilius/Letter_120

 What do we do when we encounter the shamelessness of others?  What did the Ancient Stoics advise? 

Shame tends to be looked on as a negative emotion in our society, but can it sometimes be useful? This week Dan and Steve explore the Stoic view of Shame and guilt. 

Unlike the Epicureans, Stoics are called to be part of the whole. All is one, we are part of the body of the Cosmos, let's make sure we are a good part! 

How would a Stoic handle being wronged by others? This episode explores how Stoics respond when wronged—transforming insults and injustice into exercises in virtue. 

Steve reflects on Thanksgiving, family, history, and the importance of the present moment. 

 This week, in honor of Thanksgiving, Dan discusses themes of gratitude found in Stoicism. 

 Death is inevitable and when it takes a loved one by surprise, the grief can be devastating.  It is good to have been preparing for that moment in advance, so as to lessen the potentially devastating impact.  

One way to ensure you make progress is to list out your basic rules for life. In this episode I go over my 10 rules for living. I will revere NatureI will not conceal the truthI will not not compare myself to othersI cannot control events, so I must control yourselfI will strive to subdue my passionsI will strive for arete in all that I doI will honor those who have nurtured me and ensure that I nurture others I will place family before all elseI will be present in all that I do I will never stop learning

In this autumn-themed episode of the Sunday Stoic Podcast, Steven and Dan explore the Stoic practice of memento mori—remembering death to live more fully. Through quotes from Seneca, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Socrates, they discuss how facing mortality can free us from fear and help us focus on what truly matters. From writing your own obituary to reflecting on the fleeting nature of life, this episode offers practical and philosophical tools to seize the day. As the leaves fall and days grow shorter, it's the perfect time to contemplate life’s impermanence and embrace the present.

This week Dan discusses how hypomnema journaling can become a vital part of your Stoic practice

 Commander William C. Spears, a U.S. Navy submarine warfare officer and author of Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy, joins the Sunday Stoic Podcast to explore how ancient Stoic wisdom guides modern warriors. From James Stockdale’s legacy to moral autonomy and duty, this episode dives deep into philosophy, leadership, and virtue in service.  A video of this interview is also available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDBCMLYaRQYYou can find a link to his book here : https://a.co/d/1uxjZHaHis website: https://williamcspears.com/

In this episode Dan discusses the Stoic technique that allows you to keep your head and fulfil your social roles even under adverse conditions.  

In this episode, we explore the subtle yet powerful Stoic concept of protopathē—the initial stirrings of emotion that arise before reason has a chance to intervene. Often misunderstood as signs of weakness or failure, these “proto-passions” are actually natural physiological responses: a racing heart, a sudden flush of fear, a jolt of surprise. The Stoics didn’t condemn these reactions—they distinguished them from full-blown passions (pathē) that result from poor judgment.

In this episode, we confront the most sobering—and liberating—truth of Stoic philosophy: our mortality. Drawing from the timeless wisdom of Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, and Epictetus, we explore how remembering death can sharpen our focus, deepen our gratitude, and guide us toward a life of purpose. 

In this classic episode Massimo Pigliucci visits the show to discuss  ethics and the use of reason. According to the Stoics, the one thing that distinguishes us from the rest of nature is that we are capable of reason. But what exactly is reason and how does it relate to living a complete life?  Dr. Massimo Pigliucci joins the podcast this week to discuss Stoicism, Reason, Science and Scientism. Check out more from Massimo Pigliucci herehttps://platofootnote.wordpress.com/https://howtobeastoic.wordpress.com/

In this episode Dan discusses the ancient Stoic paradox that Virtue is the only good.

In this episode of The Sunday Stoic, I sit down with author, actress, and former MTV VJ Karen Duffy to explore her latest book, Wise Up: Irreverent Enlightenment from a Mother Who's Been Through It. With her signature wit and warmth, Duffy shares Stoic-inspired insights drawn from a life of resilience, motherhood, and being followed by bears—yes, really.

We investigate the Stoic technique of breaking things down to their component parts to put some distance between events and our emotions. 

This week we explore one of the main tools of maintaining equanimity in the face of adversity. It is the idea passed down from Socrates that no one does evil on purpose. 

 In this episode Donald Robertson Joins the show to discuss his book How to Think Like a Roman Emperor. We discuss the life and philosophy of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and how to apply this ancient wisdom to modern life. Check out Donald's website here: https://donaldrobertson.name/

This week we discuss the Enchiridion 6. Epictetus warns us not to take pride in the characteristics of our possessions as only our character is our own. 

 What if ancient wisdom could help you thrive in modern chaos? In this episode, Steve  sits down with philosopher and author William B. Irvine to explore A Guide to the Good Life, a modern roadmap to Stoic joy. From battling hedonic adaptation to embracing voluntary discomfort, Irvine shares practical tools for cultivating resilience, tranquility, and purpose. Whether you're new to Stoicism or seeking deeper insight, this conversation offers timeless strategies for living deliberately—and joyfully.

In this episode, we discuss the Enchiridion Chapter 5, a very influential text. We can't change the facts of the world, but we can change what we believe about them! 

Life is not permanent, our time here should be thought of like a stop at an Inn.  When you spend the night at a hotel, you don't typically get attached to the furniture or other objects within. When its time to go you move on and another guest takes your place. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Of_Con....Epictetus and the boat #7…  http://classics.mit.edu/Epictetus/epi... Marcus V #33    http://classics.mit.edu/Antoninus/med...Thank you to Dr. Gregory Sadler for the introduction!  

Today we discuss the Enchiridion 3 and 4. Book 3 is one of the most challenging to apply to modern life and book 4 is something we should remember each and every day! 

Steve and Dan discuss Epictetus's advice on desires and aversions as we cover the Enchiridion 2. 

The Sunday Stoic Podcast Returns!Steve returns to the mic along with Dan to discuss the Enchiridion Chapter 1. contact the show at [email protected]