Stoa Conversations: Stoicism Applied

Ancient and modern Stoics aren't just thinkers - they are runners too.

In this episode, Caleb explores how the simple act of running illuminates core Stoic principles about pain, perception, and perseverance. 

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

Meet ancient Greece's original hedonist.

Unlike later philosophers who preached asceticism, Aristippus embraced luxury, courted kings, and still kept his freedom. A student of Socrates who chose pleasure over asceticism, he founded a school of thought that spread through generations of his family. This conversation explores how Aristippus balanced the pursuit of pleasure with self-mastery, challenging both the austerity of his critics and our modern assumptions about ancient philosophy.

(05:11) Wining And Dining 

(15:29) Desire and Risk 

(21:49) You Need Philosophy 

(25:42) The Cyrenaics 

(36:38) Respect Aristippus's Consistency

(41:54) His Daughter and Rejecting Social Convention

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

In this episode, Michael and Caleb explore Meditations 4.49-51, where Marcus Aurelius discusess resilience, misfortune, death, and simplicity.

Be like a promontory against crashing waves.

(01:09) 49, Section 1

(08:20) 49, Section 2

(11:21) It's Not Things Themselves That Harm Us

(15:44) Powerful Phrases

(17:45) Stoicism Is For Everyone

(21:21) 50

(33:39) 51

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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/

Goodhart’s Law says: when a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure.  But if that’s true, how should we measure our philosophical progress? 

In this episode, Michael Tremblay wrestles with this question.

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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: https://ancientlyre.com/

Get these tested Stoic strategies pull you out of bed and back into life's beauty. Michael and Caleb explore ancient wisdom for reconnecting with meaning through nature, duty, and proper thinking.

(00:47) Set Up

(04:33) Crisis in Thinking

(10:29) Finding Purpose

(19:18) Beauty

(26:59) Play With Time

(38:43) Be Gentle

(42:08) Summary

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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: https://ancientlyre.com/

No one chooses to be wrong. This core Stoic teaching, inherited from Socrates, shaped how ancient philosophers viewed human behavior and mistakes. In this episode, Caleb explores why the Stoics believed people only do what they think is best – even when those choices seem obviously wrong to others.

The episode tackles challenging questions: How do addictions and bad habits fit into this framework? What does this mean for personal responsibility? And most importantly, how can we use this ancient insight to better understand ourselves and others?

Read this letter
Video animation of this letter

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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/

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. In this episode, we explore a powerful Buddhist concept that mirrors Stoic wisdom: the Second Arrow. The first arrow is the pain life throws at us - rejection, loss, failure. The second arrow? That's the one we shoot at ourselves through our reactions, stories, and judgments.

Michael Tremblay discusses the Buddhist parable of the second arrow and what it means for practicing Stoics.

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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/

Author and Podcaster Noah Rasheta explores the parallels between Buddhism and Stoicism with Michael Tremblay.

Whether you're seeking practical wisdom or philosophical insight, this conversation offers tools for living more skillfully – regardless of which tradition resonates with you.

From handling grief and identity to achieving wisdom, we uncover where these philosophies converge and diverge.

Noah breaks down core Buddhist concepts like the three poisons (desire, aversion, and ignorance) and the practice of mindful awareness, and Michael talks about how these ideas map onto Stoic ideas about reflection and living according to nature. He shares personal stories about losing his business identity and finding peace during difficult parenting moments.

Whether you're seeking practical wisdom or philosophical insight, this conversation offers tools for living more skillfully – regardless of which tradition resonates with you.

(01:24) The Goal Of Life

(13:11) Judging Ourselves

(19:23) Habitual Responses

(25:04) The Middle Way

(30:44) Identity

(43:37) Wisdom

(54:00) Practice

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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 discuss Stoic epistemology—how to think well, avoid ignorance, and form justified beliefs. They explore the importance of skepticism, setting realistic standards for truth, and cultivating expertise to navigate complex decisions.

(00:00) Common Sense

(04:54) Default To Skepticism

(09:38) Criterion of Truth

(18:31) Common Sense

(29:10) Building Confidence Through Expertise 

(35:01) Epistemic Reserve Clause

(42:27) 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

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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 Ontiveros makes the case that Stoicism is more intuitive than you might think. He argues that if minor setbacks don't ruin our lives, why should major ones? This episode explores how Stoic ideas about virtue, happiness, and adversity align with our deepest intuitions about living well.

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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/

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