In this episode, I explore Epictetus’ challenge: Can you gain wealth and possessions without losing your dignity, self-respect, and character? Drawing from Enchiridion 24, I unpack the Stoic idea of detachment—why possessions so easily ensnare us, how loss reveals our attachments, and what it really means to see everything in life as borrowed, not owned. From backyard saunas to daily conveniences, I share how to enjoy externals without clinging to them, and why the only thing life can’t take from you is your character.

Dating has never been more complicated. Between the rise of online apps, shifting cultural expectations, and the pull of red pill and feminist extremes, many people are left frustrated—or giving up altogether.

In this episode, I sit down with Tim Ash, co-author of Primal Dating, to uncover the evolutionary psychology beneath our modern mating struggles. We explore why men and women play by different rules when it comes to attraction, what the friend zone really signals, how porn and OnlyFans are reshaping relationship dynamics, and why situational leadership—becoming a “situational alpha”—matters more than ever in today’s hyper-connected world.

Tim also breaks down how red pill communities misuse evolutionary psychology, why men and women both lose when relationships collapse, and what practical steps each side can take to build deeper, healthier connections.

Whether you’re navigating dating yourself, reflecting on past relationships, or trying to understand the cultural shifts around intimacy, this conversation goes straight to the root of human nature—and how we can live with it wisely.

Tim Ash
You can find Tim and his works at www.timash.com

In this episode, I dive deep into one of Epictetus’s striking passages: “As a target is not set up for the archer to miss it, so there is no intrinsic evil that exists in the world.” At first glance, it’s an odd way to phrase things—but hidden within is a Stoic lesson on victimhood, agency, and what it truly means to be free.

We live in a culture that often glorifies the victim mentality, and while injustices undeniably exist, the Stoics remind us that our character—not our circumstances—is what defines us. Epictetus himself, once a literal slave, rejected the label of victim. Why? Because virtue is the only good, and no external force—not chains, not poverty, not betrayal—can rob us of our ability to choose our response.

Join me as I explore what it means to step out of the victim mindset, how to recognize when we’re subtly slipping into it in our daily lives, and why the world is not out to get us. The target is just there—it’s up to us to take our aim.

In this episode of The Strong Stoic Podcast, I sit down once again with Chuck Chakrapani, author of The Power to Change: Stoic Strategies to Transform Your Life. Chuck shares practical wisdom on how Stoicism can be applied to modern problems—overthinking, fear, indecision, and the messy complexity of life.
We discuss:

• Why most people struggle to change despite good intentions.
• The role of inner dialogue in shaping our experience of reality.
• The “backseat drivers” that pull us away from virtue.
• How to embrace life’s messiness without wishing for utopia.
• The true meaning of courage—and why cowardice is more dangerous than fear.

This conversation is full of practical Stoic strategies that go beyond theory and into the challenges of everyday life. If you’ve ever wrestled with fear, regret, or the chaos of being human, this episode will give you tools to reframe, refocus, and take back your power to change.

Chuck Chakrapani
www.chuckchakrapani.com
www.thestoicgym.com

From the outside, my decision at work didn’t make much sense — it cost more time, more money, and even confused a few people. But it was the right call for the people involved. That’s justice in the Stoic sense — not just what’s legal, not just what looks efficient on paper, but what’s fair. In this episode, we explore justice as one of the four Stoic cardinal virtues, why it’s inseparable from wisdom, courage, and temperance, and why it often costs you something to live it. From workplace promotions to gym etiquette to keeping promises with friends, we’ll uncover why real justice isn’t flashy — and why it matters most when no one’s watching.

In this episode, I dive into something I’ve recently experienced firsthand—what some might call overtraining, but what I’ve come to see as something deeper. Yes, I was pushing hard in the gym, but I wasn’t just tired—I had adapted so well to the constant pressure that I didn’t even notice the damage building up underneath.

That got me thinking about how we do the same thing in life. When things get tough, our bodies, our minds, even our character start to shift and adapt to survive. And while that can be a strength, it’s also a warning sign. Just because you’re functioning doesn’t mean you’re thriving.

I talk about the importance of recovery—not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Because real growth doesn’t come from pushing constantly. It comes from pushing, then pausing. From working, then reflecting. From struggling, then recovering.

This episode is a reminder: your strength is incredible—but it doesn’t always have to be tested. Sometimes, the most Stoic thing you can do is rest.

In this episode, I’m joined by longtime friend and fellow philosopher Joshua Bertolotti—writer, father, and host of Dying Every Day. We dive into what it really means to know yourself, why emotional presence matters more than emotional distance, and how even rest can unearth hidden tension.

Joshua opens up about decompressing after years in the military, the subtle art of relaxing with intention, and how practicing Stoicism in isolation differs from practicing it socially. We also explore the paradoxes of Stoic behavior: when detachment appears as apathy, when teaching Stoicism isn’t the Stoic thing to do, and why empathy might be the ultimate expression of wisdom.

Want to hear more about Joshua’s backstory and his philosophy of success? Join us on Steps to Success, available to Substack Premium and Patreon supporters.

📝 Follow Joshua’s work:

• Podcast: Dying Every Day
• Newsletter: Perennial Meditations on Substack

Each game strips away the veneer of civilization, exposing what lies beneath—fear, desire, ambition, and the will to survive. But true strength is not found in surviving by any means necessary. It is found in choosing virtue, even when the price is death.

Recently, I’ve been watching Squid Game, catching up on the later seasons. While it’s been out for a while, the brutality and moral tension still hit hard. And like any good overthinker—and Stoic—I started asking the deeper questions: What does this show reveal about human nature? And what would the Stoics have to say about it?

If you haven’t seen Squid Game, I’ll warn you now: spoilers ahead. But the premise is simple, and disturbing. Financially desperate individuals—those with massive debts, the homeless, the abandoned—are lured into a series of deadly games. These are childhood games twisted into fatal trials, and for each person who dies, money is added to the winner’s prize. A sick trade of blood for fortune.

At first, the contestants don’t know death is on the line. Once they do, they’re given a chance to vote and leave. Some do. But many choose to return. Why? Because they saw the prize money, and with it, a glimpse of hope. A way out of shame, debt, despair. And that’s where the moral decay begins.

This podcast is listener-supported; if you would like to support the Strong Stoic (as well as gain access to exclusive content), you can do so on Patreon or Substack:
Patreon: www.patreon.com/brandontumblin
Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com

If there are no sages, what are we even aiming for?

That was the quiet undercurrent flowing through my second conversation with Tanner Campbell, host of the Practical Stoicism podcast. We sat down not just to revisit Stoic ethics, but to tangle with a thorny but essential topic: how should a Stoic think about health and fitness?

This isn’t just a theoretical question. As someone deeply invested in physical wellbeing and Stoic philosophy, I often wonder where the line is between virtue and vanity. Where does discipline end and obsession begin? What’s the Stoic stance when you’ve skipped the gym three days in a row—neglect or appropriate role balancing?

Who is Tanner Campbell?

Tanner Campbell is a Stoic philosopher, author, and the host of Practical Stoicism, one of the most popular Stoicism podcasts in the world. With a focus on ethics, role theory, and the original Greek foundations of Stoic thought, Tanner brings clarity and depth to complex philosophical ideas. He’s also a husband, a father, and a thoughtful voice helping modern audiences apply ancient wisdom in practical, grounded ways.

This podcast is listener-supported; if you would like to support the Strong Stoic (as well as gain access to exclusive content), you can do so on Patreon or Substack:
Patreon: www.patreon.com/brandontumblin
Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com

You may find yourself struggling with certain emotions or having poor reactions to things – anger, for example. You can treat the symptom. Meditation, anger management techniques, deep breathing. Marcus Aurelius had a long list of anger management tools, and using them isn’t a bad thing.

But as a Stoic, you must dig deeper. You must ask: what is the underlying cause here?

This podcast is listener-supported; if you would like to support the Strong Stoic (as well as gain access to exclusive content), you can do so on Patreon or Substack:
Patreon: www.patreon.com/brandontumblin
Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com