In this episode of The Strong Stoic, I’m joined by classicist and author Inger Kuin to dive deep into the wild, hilarious, and surprisingly practical life of Diogenes—the original Cynic and, in many ways, the “stress test” for Stoic ideas.

We explore:

Who Diogenes was and why his life still matters

• Why he chose to live in a jar, throw away his cup, and embrace radical simplicity
• How his ideas flowed through Crates to Zeno, making him Stoicism’s “intellectual grandfather”
• The difference between training your body vs punishing it
• How temporary discomfort (no-spend months, cabin weekends, etc.) can build real resilience
• Cultural norms, door-holding in Canada, and why Diogenes cared more about justice than etiquette
• Cosmopolitanism and being a “citizen of the cosmos” instead of a slave to one culture’s expectations
• Whether Diogenes was “crazy” or just radically consistent with his philosophy
• The tension between independence and human connection: why Diogenes avoided close attachments—and why Inger (and I) think that might throw the baby out with the bathwater
• How to examine your own motives honestly: are you saying “yes” for good, joy, or just money and status?

We close with practical advice on bringing a bit of Diogenes into modern life without selling your house and moving into a barrel—by questioning your motives, experimenting with less comfort, and rethinking the weight you give to externals.

Guest & Book

Inger’s new book, Diogenes: The Rebellious Life and Revolutionary Philosophy of the Original Cynic, is out November 11, 2025 and available wherever you buy books (hardcover, e-book, and audiobook).

🔗 Learn more about Inger and her work: ingerkuin.com

If you enjoy this conversation, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe for more episodes on Stoicism, character, and the hard work of being a good human.

Show Notes / Key Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction & timeboxing the conversation
• 01:10 – Who was Diogenes? Exile from Sinope, life in Athens, and his role as Stoicism’s “grandfather” through Crates and Zeno.
• 05:35 – Diogenes as a stress test for Stoic principles
• 06:40 – Radical simplicity: living in a jar and throwing away the cup
• 10:40 – Temporary discomfort vs permanent renunciation
• 13:25 – Door-holding in Canada and the problem with overvaluing etiquette
• 18:20 – Cosmopolitanism: being a citizen of the cosmos
• 22:35 – “The dog” and “a raving Socrates”: was Diogenes mad?
• 28:20 – Shame, shamelessness, and why the world doesn’t end when you break a norm
• 29:50 – Needing to be liked vs needing to be understood
• 32:30 – Did Diogenes go too far in rejecting close relationships?
• 36:50 – Externals vs internals: Epictetus, wealth, and Diogenes’ influence
• 40:40 – How Inger uses Diogenes’ lens to make real-life decisions
• 43:00 – Watching your intentions: status, money, or genuine good?
• 43:50 – Book details and live events
• 46:30 – Closing reflections & mutual appreciation

In this episode, Brandon discusses the journey of personal growth and self-improvement, emphasizing the importance of learning from past experiences and embracing change. He highlights how incremental improvements can lead to greater wisdom and the challenges of overcoming feelings of shame associated with past actions.


Takeaways

• As you develop and learn, you become wiser.
• Incremental improvements lead to better decision-making.
• It's common to feel ashamed of past actions.
• Growth involves recognizing and laughing at your past mistakes.
• Many people struggle to move forward due to shame.
• Awareness of your growth can be burdensome.
• Embracing change is essential for personal development.
• Self-improvement is a continuous journey.
• Learning from the past is crucial for future success.
• Overcoming shame can unlock potential for growth.

After nearly two years away from the Stoic world, author and researcher Kai Whiting returns to share—candidly—what happened: sudden metabolic illness, becoming a father, career upheaval, a public rift, and rebuilding meaning from first principles. We talk attachment, grief, diet experiments, masculinity, work identity, and how to live the virtues when theory isn’t enough.

In this episode:

• Breaking the silence: why Kai disappeared (02:00)
• Severe health spiral, hospitalizations, and discovering diabetes (03:30)
• Losing the bodybuilding identity—and the grief that follows (12:35)
• Food, mood, and mitochondria: one person’s n=1 (18:30) (not medical advice)
• Stoicism vs. “pure abstraction”: why bodies and sports matter (24:30)
• On Peterson, bricklaying, and zooming out to purpose (53:20)
• Leaving academia, starting over in sales, and serving the beehive (49:00, 54:40)
• Rebuilding a professional identity without losing your soul (1:04:50)

Key ideas & takeaways

• Grief is Stoic: when you lose an identity (athlete, academic, whatever), you grieve first—then choose your next courageous action.
• Meet yourself where you are: programs (training or life) must fit your current capacity, not your past PRs or future fantasies.
• Bodies matter: movement can be a pressure-release valve while the “heat source” (deeper causes) is addressed.
• Serve the beehive: tie daily tasks to a larger vision; energy savings at a school becomes trees planted and kids learning.
• Change your mind in public: integrity > consistency; update beliefs when evidence (or life) demands it.

Connect

• Guest: Kai Whiting — best reached via LinkedIn for sustainability/energy efficiency conversations.
• Host: Brandon Tumblin — Strong Stoic Podcast, Substack, and socials.

Disclaimer: This episode includes one person’s health and nutrition experiences and is not medical advice.

The Jedi sought to control their emotions. Luke Skywalker mastered them through compassion. In this episode, I explore how Star Wars reflects the core tension in Stoicism — the balance between discipline and humanity. We’ll examine Yoda’s flawed advice, the Jedi’s dogmatism, and why Luke’s compassion made him the most Stoic of them all.

We often think of monsters as creatures hiding under our beds. But real monsters walk among us — and sometimes, they are born of sickness, isolation, and the collapse of reason.

In this episode, Brandon explores the story of Ed Gein, the real-life inspiration behind Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs. Through a Stoic lens, we look at what happens when a human being is cut off from the cosmos, when rationality breaks down, and when evil emerges from confusion rather than choice.

This isn’t about excusing atrocity — it’s about understanding the fragile boundary between reason and madness, and why Stoicism calls us not to hate the wicked, but to pity them.

An 18-year-old boy lies dying. When asked if he’s afraid, he simply says, “Yeah.”

In this episode, I explore what that single word reveals about mortality, honesty, and the limits of Stoicism. From family stories of loss to Christopher Hitchens’ final writings, we look at the stark truth that no philosophy can soften: we will all die, and that’s okay to admit.

Listen for a reflection on death, courage, and the quiet strength of facing fear without pretending it’s not there.

In this episode, I explore the idea that life is not about escaping problems but learning how to face them. We often think the grass is greener on the other side—that a new job, relationship, or lifestyle will free us from the struggles we face today. But in reality, every path comes with its own weeds.

Drawing from Stoic philosophy, I break down why problems aren’t curses but gifts—opportunities to grow stronger, more competent, and more resilient. Instead of trading one set of problems for another, we should focus on tending our own garden, cultivating gratitude for the challenges we already have, and using them to shape our character.

If you’ve ever caught yourself daydreaming about an easier life, this episode will help you see your problems in a new light.

In this episode, I revisit my recent conversation with Tim Ash on evolutionary psychology and take a deeper dive into its most cited facts. From sex differences in mate preferences to jealousy, pair bonding, and courtship rituals, these scientific findings describe human nature as shaped by our evolutionary past. But facts alone don’t tell us how to live. That’s where the Red Pill movement often goes wrong — by adding value judgments and weaponizing these facts to justify cynicism, control, and distrust. Stoicism offers a different path: align with facts, but act with wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance. I’ll walk through ten evolutionary psychology findings, show how Red Pill frames and distorts them, and explain the Stoic framing that keeps us grounded in virtue.

In this episode of The Strong Stoic Podcast, I share reflections from my recent two-week trip to Vietnam—my first time in Asia. Travel today is often portrayed as a flex on social media, but beneath the highlight reels lies a deeper opportunity: stepping outside your cultural bubble and immersing yourself in another way of life.

I talk about how travel challenges assumptions we take for granted—whether it’s family expressions of affection, adapting to year-round warm weather, or simply letting go of routines like coffee and gym time. The Stoic lesson is clear: when you travel, you’re not there to judge, but to learn, to adapt, and to remind yourself that people are people, no matter where you are.

Ultimately, travel is a way to live out the Stoic idea of the Cosmopolis—that we are all brothers and sisters, meant to share this planet, to learn from one another, and to grow through those differences.

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.