Stoa Conversations: Stoicism Applied

Living like a Stoic is about getting the little things right.  In this episode, Michael Tremblay discusses 7 Stoic habits you can start today to build a more thoughtful, resilient, and Stoic you.

(01:25) Thinking Well

(14:24) Living Philosophically

(17:58) Preparing for Adversity

(30:15) Summary

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

In this episode of Stoic Conversations, Caleb and Michael break down Book III of Cicero's On Ends - the definitive ancient defense of Stoic ethics.

Discover why the Stoics believed virtue alone is sufficient for happiness, and how they justified their unique system of values. Follow along as they unpack Stoic moral development, from our earliest instincts to the cultivation of wisdom.

On Ends Book I: The Epicureans

On Ends Book II: Against The Epicureans

(05:53) Overview Of The Book 

(09:34) Moral Development 

(26:46) Stoicism Defended 

(28:08) Morality is the Only Good 

(38:01) Indifferents 

(54:57) Awesome Lines

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

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

Seneca's brutal play "Medea" reveals what happens when rage takes control. A betrayed wife, an indecisive husband, and a tragic ending that challenges Stoic ideals.  

In this episode, Caleb and Michael analyze Seneca's bloody retelling of the Medea myth - where passion overcomes reason with devastating consequences.

Dana Gioia on Seneca and The Madness of Hercules (Episode 74)

(04:28) Historical Background 

(06:43) The Story of Medea's Revenge 

(17:08) Character: Fortune Takes Wealth, Not Spirit

(21:27) Not Just a Moment's Madness 

(26:36) How Anger Warps Reality 

(33:44) Satisfying Madness

(36:02) The Intoxication of Rage 

(38:41) What's Up With Jason?

(46:03) Seneca's Court Experience 

(50:43) Brutal Ending: "There Are No Gods" 

(58:57) Outro

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

Caleb and Michael take on Book II of Cicero’s On Ends.  In this books Cicero goes off against the Epicureans.  What do you think?

On Ends Book I

Aristippus: The Philosopher Who Mastered Pleasure

(02:43) Different Kinds Of Pleasure

(16:34) Turning AgainstThe Stoics

(18:02) Ranking Pleasures

(24:40) Epicurean Rebranding?

(30:55) Epicureans Ignore Virtue

(34:28) Utilitarianism

(38:18) Topsy Turvy Value Systems

(46:50) Do Epicureans Lie?

(48:17) Is Happiness Up To You

(56:08) Michael's Takeaway

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

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

In this episode, Michael talks with Erick Cloward, the host of the Stoic Coffee Break Podcast.   Erick talks about his journey into Stoicism, his recent use of Amor Fati, and how to have difficult conversations, especially with those you politically disagree with.

(08:49) How Stoicism Makes A Difference 

(16:33) Amor Fati 

(31:03) Amor Fati And Politics 

(39:33) Hard Conversations 

(56:06) Bringing People Together 

(01:02:19) Learn More

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

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

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.

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Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music: https://ancientlyre.com/

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 Everything 

(27:28) The Epicurean Response 

(31:29) Must Virtue Produce Something More? 

(46:53) The Epicurean View of Community 

(53:38) The Epicurean sage

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

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

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

(34:34) Irreverance

(36:09) The Point of Philosophy

(39:08) Cynicism and Stoicism

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophy

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

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, how it distinguishes humans from animals, and why mastering it is essential for living well. A practical discussion for anyone interested in training their mind the Stoic way.

(04:53) Metacognition in Stoicism

(10:11) Metacognition as Philosophy

(24:37) Judgement in Stoicism

(27:05) Metacognition in Practice

(41:31) Takeaways

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

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

If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.

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

Check out our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stoaphilosophy

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