Stoa Conversations: Stoicism Applied

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on Maven

Why do you want what you do? Are your desires even yours?

In this conversation, Caleb Ontiveros speaks with Luke Burgis. Luke’s most recent book, Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life,  covers mimetic theory, as does this conversation.

Mimetic theory is essential for Stoics to know because it explains why we end up wanting so many things that are outside of our control. Luke shares how mimetic theory does this and tactics for focusing on “thick” as opposed to “thin” desires.

Anti-Mimetic newsletter

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Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.

Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.

Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod

Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/

Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros

Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay

Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on Maven

What's the Stoic view on active euthanasia?

In this conversation we discuss MAID (medical assistance in dying), Canada’s active euthanasia law.

Warning: We’re discussing suicide. That’s what this episode is about.

We discuss why this is an important issues, what the Stoic view on suicide is, and how that applies to the political issue of MAID.

(01:18) Why Talk about MAID?

(02:28) Background on MAID

(07:46) Stoics on Suicide

(23:22) The Stoic View of MAID

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Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.

Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.

Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod

Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/

Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros

Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay

Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on Maven

What’s required for freedom? What does self respect demand?

In this conversation, Caleb Ontiveros speaks with William Stephens about Epictetus’s Handbook.

They discuss Epictetus’s conception of freedom, self-respect, and end with a discussion on his role ethics.

We’ve had several conversations with William Stephens, he’s one of the foremost philosophical experts on Epictetus, so we’re excited to share another one.

Epictetus’s 'Encheiridion': A New Translation and Guide to Stoic Ethics

(01:56) What is the Handbook?

(05:53) Historical Impact of Epictetus

(11:26) How Epictetus Understood Freedom

(24:18) Tranquility

(28:33) Self-respect

(32:09) Role Ethics

(37:59) Epictetus on Career Choice

(41:54) Stoic Heroes

(45:39) Stoic Antiheroes

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Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.

Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.

Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod

Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/

Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros

Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay

Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on Maven

“Musonius used to say that it was the height of shamelessness to think about how weak our bodies are when enduring pain, but to forget how weak they are when experiencing pleasure.”

In this podcast, Michael and I discuss the Roman Socrates, Musonius Rufus. Musonius Rufus was the teacher of Epictetus. He played a crucial role building Roman Stoicism. In this podcast we talk about who he was, what writings we have from him, and three key practical ideas from his thought: the division between theory and practice, Spartan minimalism, and egalitarianism.

(01:40) Introduction

(09:31) Theory vs Practice

(17:33) Spartan Minimalism

(31:35) Egalitarianism

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Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.

Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.

Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod

Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/

Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros

Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay

Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on Maven

Stoics have a contemplative practice called The View From Above – it involves looking down on our life from a larger vantage point. An excellent way to do that is to zoom out and look at history, the rise and fall of civilizations. When we do that, the trivial falls away and what is important remains.

This conversation with Dr Michael Bonner takes that larger perspective. Michael is a classist, civil servant, an expert on the Islamic Golden Age, and the author of In Defense of Civilization, an expert on the Islamic Golden Age.

He and Caleb discuss the nature of civilization, ideas of renewal, beauty, and order, what it means to be civilized, and what it means to be human.

In Defense of Civilization

(01:54) Introduction

(05:18) What is Civilization?

(11:38) The Beginning of Civilization

(17:39) Ancient Greece

(22:06) The Role of Philosophy in Civilization

(34:05) The Challenge to Civilization

(46:37) What Should We Do?

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Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.

Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.

Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod

Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/

Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros

Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay

Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on Maven

Why did the Stoics believe what you think is up to you? What are the components of thought?

Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay discuss that in this episode. We start with the Stoic theory of mind and then move to how we can use their psychology to understand others and ourselves better. We then cover the radical Stoic ideas that no one does wrong willingly and the idea that weakness of will is impossible.

(00:53) Introduction

(03:14) The Hegemonicon

(07:12) Four Abilities of the Mind

(18:51) Choosing What To Believe

(31:41) The Importance of Preconceptions

(37:08) No One Does Wrong Willingly

(43:14) Thinking Better

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Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.

Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.

Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod

Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/

Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros

Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay

Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on Maven

In this conversation, Caleb Ontiveros speaks with Nate Anderson, the deputy editor at Condé Nast’s Ars Technica. Nate is also the author of In Emergency, Break Glass: What Nietzsche Can Teach Us About Joyful Living in a Tech-Saturated World.

We cover the philosophy of Nietzsche and how he challenges us to do better in this digital age.

(00:27) Intro

(01:19) Nate and Nietzsche

(12:08) Role Models for Nietzsche

(15:49) The Life of Reason vs the Life of Passion

(18:45) The Last Man

(25:29) Nietzsche on the Information Age

(34:05) Egalitarianism

(40:02) Amor Fati

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Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.

Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.

Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod

Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/

Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros

Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay

Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on Maven

Bryan Hill is a television, film, and comic book writer. His work in comics includes writing for Batman and Buffy's Angel and his work in television includes HBO Max's Titans, and Ash vs. The Evil Dead. He is a practitioner of Stoicism, and has incorporated Stoic ideas into his craft of writing.

In this discussion, Michael Tremblay and Bryan cover using Stoicism to overcome the ego, imposter syndrome, and fear of rejection that comes both with being a writer, and with pursuing any craft.

They talk about learning to commit yourself to process of self-improvement, rather than seeking external validation. They also talk about how to overcome the fear of being bad at something by learning to give yourself permission to be a beginner.

This conversation is a must listen for anyone who has struggled with their own confidence and self-identity, and wants specific strategies to help.

(01:11) Intro

(02:14) The Impact of Stoicism

(15:10) Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

(28:25) Commit to the Process

(36:07) Seeking Excellence

(44:54) What Bryan's Struggled With the Most

(50:29) Stoicism in Bryan's Craft

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Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.

Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.

Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod

Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/

Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros

Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay

Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on Maven

“We realized that Nietzsche’s approach represents a productive and healthy sequel to Stoicism, particularly for the disruptive entrepreneur.”

Investor, entrepreneur, and researcher Dave Jilk joins Caleb to talk about Nietzsche and Entrepreneurship.

With Brad Feld, Dave wrote The Entrepreneur's Weekly Nietzsche. They cover how Nietzsche challenges

In this conversation, Dave shares how Nietzsche challenges us to clarify our values, cultivate faith, and embrace reality.

(00:12) Who Was Nietzsche

(02:57) Why Nietzsche?

(07:00) Silent Killers

(11:54) Staring Into The Abyss

(19:20) Nietzsche and Stoicism

(28:34) Faith

(33:44) Nietzsche in David's Life

(36:39) Nietzsche's Business Ethics

(41:20) Amor Fati

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Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.

Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.

Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod

Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/

Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros

Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay

Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on Maven

What's the best test of a business idea? Are we doomed by AI?

Caleb Ontiveros talks with Liron Shapira about specificity, startup ideas, crypto skepticism, and the case for AI risk.

Bloated MVP

Specificity Sequence

(02:19) Criticizing Crypto

(04:31) Specificity

(10:11) Intellectual Role Models

(15:06) Insight from the Rationality Community

(19:22) AI Risk

(31:07) Back to Business

(39:46) Making Sense of Our lives when the AI Apocalypse is Coming

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Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.

Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.

Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod

Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/

Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros

Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay

Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/