Practical Stoicism

In this episode, I discuss Meditation 12 from Book 2 of Meditations, where Marcus Aurelius reflects on the transient nature of life, death, and the things we often fear or desire. Marcus emphasizes that everything in the Universe is impermanent, including our bodies, desires, and even the monuments we create. These fleeting aspects of life, he suggests, should be seen as trivial or “cheap” when compared to the pursuit of virtue.

Marcus also contemplates death, framing it not as something to be feared but as a natural and necessary part of the Universe’s self-sustaining design. Death is not just Nature’s handiwork; it is her well-being—a crucial component in maintaining balance. By accepting death as a fundamental part of the Cosmos, we can shift our focus from fearing mortality to embracing a life aligned with our values. Marcus further encourages us to consider who we look to for praise and honor, questioning whether their judgments align with virtue or merely societal vanity.

In Stoic philosophy, the true aim of life is not to evade death but to live justly and virtuously. By understanding death as a natural phenomenon, we can resist the urge to abandon our values out of fear. Instead, we stand firm in the pursuit of a life that honors virtue, regardless of life’s brevity.

"How all things are vanishing swiftly, bodies themselves in the Universe and the memorials of them in Time; what is the character of all the things of sense, and most of all those which attract by the bait of pleasure or terrify by the threat of pain or are shouted abroad by vanity, how cheap, contemptible, soiled, corruptible, and mortal:—these are for the faculty of mind to consider. To consider too what kind of men those are whose judgements and voices confer honour and dishonour; what it is to die, and that if a man looks at it by itself and by the separating activity of thought strips off all the images associated with death, he will come to judge it to be nothing else but Nature's handiwork. But if a man fears Nature's handiwork he is a mere child; and yet death is not merely Nature's handiwork, but also her well-being. To consider also how mortal man touches God and through what organ of himself, and when that part of him is in what sort of condition." - Meditations 2.12

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In this episode, I discuss Meditation 11 from Book 2 of Meditations, where Marcus Aurelius reminds us to live each moment as if death could come at any time, encouraging a focus on living virtuously. Marcus addresses the nature of death and the existence of gods, framing them in a way that reduces fear. He explains that if gods exist, they are just, so there is no need to fear death. If gods do not exist, then life has no divine meaning, and death is a natural peace. Marcus implies that life is purposeful and that the Cosmos supports virtuous living, so we should focus on actions aligned with our goals and moral growth.

I explore how this perspective allows Stoics to view life’s challenges, including the existence of evil, with less distress. Marcus frames “evil” as ignorance and vice, and by trusting in the rationality of the Cosmos, we believe that every challenge has a virtuous counter. This mindset helps us avoid responding to darkness with darkness. Instead, by seeing every obstacle as an opportunity to act rightly, we resist the urge to adopt negativity in response to life’s hardships. This focus on virtuous action enables us to maintain a Stoic purpose, finding strength in aligning our actions with reason and justice.

"In the conviction that it is possible you may depart from life at once, act and speak and think in every case accordingly. But to leave the company of men is nothing to fear, if gods exist; for they would not involve you in ill." - Meditations 2.11

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Introducing Renee Montgomery WNBA Finals Reaction, Her New Doc, Plus WNBPA Opt Out Latest with Terri Carmichael Jackson from In Case You Missed It with Khristina Williams.

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First Khristina talks with WNBPA Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson about the WNBA Players Union deciding to opt out of the collective bargaining agreement. Khristina goes straight to the source to find out the reasons why the players want a new deal, and what they are willing to do to get it done.

Plus, Khristina is joined by NCAA Champion, 2-time WNBA Champion, and current part owner and executive of the Atlanta Dream Renee Montgomery! Khristina and Renee react to the incredible WNBA Finals Series and the epic Game 5 between the Lynx and the Liberty. Renee gives her thoughts on the series and which players impressed her the most, she also talks about Coach Cheryl Reeve and how she gets the best out of her players.

Renee discusses the new documentary about her, called "A Radical Act: Renee Montgomery” and how she worked with LeBron James and his production company, she even gets into her role in politics and her advice to those who want to effect change.

Want more women’s basketball scoop?

Follow the show on Instagram @ICYMIwithKW and X @ICYMIwithKW and for more on Khristina follow her on Instagram @khristinawilliams

Let us know what you think of the show by leaving a rating and a review! 

CREDITS

Executive Producers:

Nikki Ettore

Jessie Katz

Tyler Klang

Jonathan Strickland

Supervising Producer:

Peter Coughter

Producer & Editor:

Tari Harrison

Host:

Khristina Williams

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

In this episode, I cover Meditation 10 from Book 2 of Meditations, where Marcus Aurelius reflects on the comparison between faults driven by anger and those driven by desire. He references Theophrastus, who argued that errors rooted in pleasure and appetite are graver than those caused by anger. I explore this idea, explaining how Stoics view actions driven by desire as more deliberate and habituated than those caused by reactive emotions like anger. When we act out of anger, it is often a response to external stimuli, a proto-emotion that we can manage. However, when driven by pleasure, it is a deeper habituation that reflects ongoing indulgence in vice, making it harder to correct.

I also discuss the translation issues around the term "effeminate," which appears in some versions of this meditation. I explain how the term used in Greek more accurately means "morally weak" rather than a critique of femininity. Marcus’ message is not about gender but about the danger of succumbing to our desires without rational consideration, a habit that can lead to greater moral failings over time.

The episode further delves into the concept of habituation as a critical Stoic tool. I emphasize that Stoicism is not just a philosophy but a practice that requires repeated, deliberate actions. Through consistent practice, our responses to situations become reflexive, turning virtuous behavior into a habit. This is why true Stoic progress involves moving beyond conscious effort to a stage where virtue becomes second nature, a goal that even I am still striving to achieve.

"Like a true philosopher Theophrastus says, when comparing, as men commonly do compare, various faults, errors of appetite are graver than errors of temper. For clearly one who loses his temper is turning away from Reason with a kind of pain and inward spasm; whereas he who offends through appetite is the victim of pleasure and is clearly more vicious in a way and more effeminate in his wrong-doing." - Meditations 2.10

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Introducing MBA2534 Q&A Wednesday: How Do I Find My Passion? from The $100 MBA Show.

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Struggling to figure out how to find your passion and turn it into a thriving business? Ever wondered if following your passion is the best way to create a successful venture? If so, this episode is a must-listen.

In today’s lesson, Omar takes an unconventional approach to the age-old advice of building a business around your passion. He explains why this popular strategy might actually lead you astray and offers a more effective alternative: focusing on the value you can provide. Using personal examples and market insights, Omar guides you through identifying your unique strengths and leveraging them for business success.

Don’t wait to unlock the secrets to building a business that lasts! Tap play at the top of the page and start focusing on what truly matters. Dive in now to discover how adding value can lead you to entrepreneurial triumph.

The post MBA2534 Q&A Wednesday: How Do I Find My Passion? appeared first on The $100 MBA.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

In this episode, I reflect on Meditation 9 from Book 2 of Meditations. Marcus Aurelius reminds us to always remember the nature of the Cosmos and our place within it. He emphasizes that the Cosmos is a rational and self-sustaining system, and as part of it, we share in that logic and beneficence. Marcus urges us to act in accordance with Nature, meaning that we should strive to be rational and beneficent, just as the Cosmos is.

I explore how the Cosmos, though not consciously acting like a human, sustains itself in a way that allows everything within it to exist and perform its roles. By understanding this, we realize that no external force can prevent us from making choices in line with our rational nature. While external circumstances may influence us, it is ultimately our choice how we respond to them. Marcus reminds us that it is not the external situation, but how we make choices, that determines whether we act with wisdom and virtue.

I also touch on the Stoic concept of personal responsibility, explaining how we are always accountable for our choices. Even when provoked, such as by an unkind boss, it is our choice how we react, and only we can choose to act with virtue or vice. The key is not just in the choice itself, but in the reasoning behind that choice. By internalizing the understanding that we are in control of our responses, we can aim to align ourselves with the rational and beneficent nature of the Cosmos.

"Always remember the following: what the nature of the Whole is; what my own nature is; the relation of this nature to that; what kind of part it is of what kind of Whole; and that no man can hinder your saying and doing at all times what is in accordance with that Nature whereof you are a part." - Meditations 2.9

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In this episode, I discuss Meditation 8 from Book 2 of Meditations. Marcus Aurelius reflects on how people rarely suffer from not understanding the thoughts of others but are bound to suffer if they don’t observe their own thoughts. I explain how spending too much time worrying about what others think leaves us no energy to examine our own thoughts and work toward virtue. This meditation is not about ignoring others, but rather about prioritizing our mental energy wisely. We can care for others, but we must avoid wasting time on trivial judgments about why someone acts a certain way or holds an opinion about us.

I tie this to a broader Stoic understanding of how most people are "sick" with ignorance, often chasing material desires or misconceptions about what is good. This lack of understanding causes people to live in private worlds of delusion, where their judgments are skewed by false perceptions. Stoicism, on the other hand, teaches that the only true good is virtue, and once we embrace that understanding, we gain clarity on how lost most people are. By focusing on our own character and its alignment with virtue, we avoid the misery that comes from spending too much time concerned with the faults of others.

"Men are not easily seen to be brought into evil case by failure to consider what passes in another's soul; but they who do not read aright the motions of their own soul are bound to be in evil case." - Meditations 2.8

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In this episode, I discuss Meditation 7 from Book 2 of Meditations, where Marcus Aurelius advises us to give ourselves moments of quiet to focus on learning something good, while also warning against aimlessness. I explore how modern distractions—whether from media, politics, or content creators—are constantly vying for our attention. Marcus’ advice to focus on "something good" can be interpreted as learning about virtue, which helps quiet the noise of the world. Alternatively, it can mean focusing on something personally meaningful, not driven by fear of missing out, but chosen for its value.

However, Marcus cautions that even when we think we are focusing on something good, we must beware of aimlessness. Those who live without broader goals, Marcus says, waste their lives in trivial pursuits. I analyze how this warning applies to modern content that distorts Stoicism, particularly hyper-masculine and red-pill ideologies that mislead young men by portraying women as distractions. These misguided ideas lead people to chase false solutions to non-existent problems, wasting time and attention.

The meditation emphasizes that distractions are not external forces, but a result of our lack of attention management. A Stoic response is not to eliminate external influences, but to strengthen inner resolve and temperance. Marcus reminds us that a Stoic should not allow external events, like a breakup, to compromise moral character. Instead, the Stoic improves, recognizing that virtue is the only true good, and distractions—whether relationships or the noise of society—are indifferent unless we let them affect us.

"Do things from outside break in to distract you? Give yourself a time of quiet to learn some new good thing and cease to wander out of your course. But, when you have done that, be on your guard against a second kind of wandering. For those who are sick to death in life, with no mark on which they direct every impulse or in general every imagination, are triflers, not in words only but also in their deeds." - Meditations 2.7

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Introducing Reid riffs on Silicon Valley, politics, and the election from Possible.

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With Election Day fast approaching, Reid tackles some big questions: Is Silicon Valley leaning increasingly red? How can—and should—the government modernize voting? Is there a place for AI agents in politics? And which party is really best for business right now? 

For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

In this episode, I explore Meditation 6 from Book 2 of Meditations, where Marcus Aurelius reflects on how we often fail to honor our own well-being, instead placing it in the hands of others. I dive into the Stoic concept of violence, explaining that true violence, in Stoic terms, is the damage we do to our own moral character through vice, not the physical acts we traditionally associate with violence. Using examples like murder, I explain how Stoicism teaches that no external action can harm another’s virtue, but choosing to act unjustly damages our own character. This episode also touches on the nuanced relationship between Stoicism, religion, and moral decision-making, emphasizing that for Stoics, the measure of uprightness is the quality of one’s character, aligned with Nature and the pursuit of virtue.

"You are doing yourself violence, violence, my soul; and you will have no second occasion to do yourself honour. Brief is the life of each of us, and this of yours is nearly ended, and yet you do not reverence yourself, but commit your well-being to the charge of other men's souls." - Meditations 2.6

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