In this first episode of Via de la Plata Eric Vendley shares the deeply personal story behind his decision to leave behind three decades in Germany—selling his business, his home, and a complex life—to walk the 1,000km Via de la Plata Camino in Spain. As he journeys through sunlit landscapes, Eric dives into Stoic philosophy, seeking clarity, simplicity, and a more intentional way of living. Whether you're curious about the Camino, Stoicism, or personal reinvention, this story is your invitation to start walking with purpose.

The Camino Stoic is written and presented by Eric Fendley, produced by Viil Fjøse, with music by Stonecraft. If you find value in this episode, please consider following and sharing the podcast with a fellow traveller.

Episode 5 - Summary: How can Stoic philosophy support us in our daily struggles? In this reflective episode, Eric explores four common life situations—uncertainty, anger, solitude, and setbacks—and shows how each of the Stoic virtues can guide our responses. With personal insights from the Camino de la Plata and practical applications, this episode offers a compass for navigating life with steadiness and purpose.

Whether you’re on the trail or simply seeking wisdom, this episode brings Stoicism down to earth.

The Camino Stoic is written and presented by Eric Fendley. Produced by Viil Fjøse, with music by Stonecraft.

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, consider following the podcast and sharing it with a fellow traveller. Thank you for walking with us.

Episode 4 - Temperence: In today’s world of constant distraction, instant gratification, and overconsumption, the Stoic virtue of Temperance can feel like an ancient relic. But what if it’s exactly what we need to reclaim balance, presence, and peace?

In this episode of The Camino Stoic, Eric guides us through the final cardinal virtue—temperance—drawing insights from the Camino de Santiago and the teachings of the Stoics. Through personal stories from the Via de la Plata, we examine how moderating our desires isn’t about deprivation—it’s about freedom.

Whether it’s craving comfort, control, or praise, temperance helps us ask: Do I really need this? And as we walk, we begin to hear the quiet answer: You already have enough.

Tune in to reflect, reset, and reconnect with the virtue of moderation.

The Camino Stoic is written and presented by Eric Fendley, produced by Viil Fjøse, with music by Stonecraft. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, consider following the podcast and sharing it with a fellow traveller.

Episode 3 - Justice: In this third episode of The Camino Stoic, we explore the Stoic virtue of justice—or dikaiosýnē—and why the Stoics considered it the highest of all virtues. Justice isn't about grand declarations; it's found in the everyday decisions we make when no one is watching. Whether it's giving up a bunk for an injured pilgrim, sharing water in the heat, or listening with patience when we’d rather rest, the Camino is full of opportunities to walk justly. Through stories from the trail and reflections on real-life choices, this episode invites you to ask: Am I being fair—not just right?

The Camino Stoic is written and presented by Eric Fendley, produced by Viil Fjøse, with music by Stonecraft. If you find value in this episode, please consider following and sharing the podcast with a fellow traveller.

Episode 2 – Courage: The Quiet Strength to Keep Walking

In this second episode of The Camino Stoic, we explore the Stoic virtue of courage—not as fearlessness, but as the moral strength to do what’s right, even when fear, fatigue, and doubt are present.

Stoicism calls this kind of bravery andreia—a steady inner resilience that helps us move forward through difficulty, uncertainty, and discomfort. Whether you're walking the Camino de Santiago or navigating a hard moment in your life, courage is what keeps you grounded and moving.

Eric shares reflections from the trail—blisters, exhaustion, sleepless nights, and moments of emotional weight—and connects them to the deeper Stoic understanding of courage. We also hear how courage played a role in major life decisions, including leaving behind a life built over decades to follow a simpler, more aligned path.

You'll hear insights on:

How fear evolved, and why it’s not always helpful

How to distinguish between real danger and simple discomfort

Why courage is essential to living out the other Stoic virtues

Practical ways to walk through your own fear—on the Camino and in everyday life

The Camino Stoic is written and presented by Eric Fendley, produced by Viil Fjøse, with music by Stonecraft. If you find value in this episode, please consider following and sharing the podcast with a fellow traveller.

Episode 1 - Wisdom: In the very first episode of The Camino Stoic, Eric sets the tone for a journey into the heart of Stoic philosophy—grounded not in abstract theory, but in the lived, dusty, footsore experience of walking a very long way.

Drawing on his 2024 pilgrimage along the 1,070 km Via de la Plata from Seville to Santiago de Compostela, Eric connects the Stoic virtue of wisdom to the real challenges of the Camino: sore feet, heavy backpacks, cold winds, and unexpected rain.

You'll learn how wisdom, in the Stoic sense, means focusing on what you can control—your thoughts, your responses, your next step—and letting go of what you can't. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by life, this episode offers a calming, grounded perspective and an invitation to respond more thoughtfully and deliberately.

Tune in, reflect, and take your first step on The Camino Stoic.

The Camino Stoic is written and presented by Eric Fendley, produced by Viil Fjøse, with music by Stonecraft. If you find value in this episode, please consider following and sharing the podcast with a fellow traveller.

Welcome to The Camino Stoic — a podcast where ancient philosophy meets the long, dusty road. In this short trailer, host Eric shares the inspiration behind the show: a 1,000-kilometer pilgrimage along Spain’s Via de la Plata camino, guided by the principles of Stoic wisdom. Discover what to expect from upcoming episodes, and how walking with intention can lead to greater clarity, resilience, and peace — both on the trail and in everyday life.

The Camino Stoic is written and presented by Eric Fendley. Produced by Viil Fjøse, with music by Stonecraft.

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, consider following the podcast and sharing it with a fellow traveller. Thank you for walking with us.