The Strong Stoic Podcast

In everyday conversation, we often hear terms like "optimist," "pessimist," and "realist" thrown around to describe how people approach life. These labels have clear associations: an optimist tends to see the positive in things, a pessimist expects the worst, and a realist tries to focus on practical matters without letting emotions or opinions cloud their perspective.

While Stoicism has its own unique framework, many wonder where Stoic philosophy fits into this spectrum. Is it fundamentally realistic, as the Stoics strive to see life as it is? Or does it lean slightly toward optimism because of its emphasis on resilience and inner peace?

Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic

The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin, as he breaks down a wide variety of complex and difficult topics aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.

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

Money preoccupies most of us, whether it’s deciding which bills to pay or aiming for financial goals. Personal finances, while essential, can consume a lot of mental space. For Stoics, though, money is not inherently good or bad; it’s a “moral indifferent,” a category of things that neither inherently enhance nor damage our character. As we navigate money’s role in our lives, we can look to Stoicism for a balanced approach to wealth.

Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic

The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin, as he breaks down a wide variety of complex and difficult topics aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.

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

Pain is an unavoidable part of life. Whether it’s physical, emotional, or mental, no one is immune to it. The Stoics, especially philosophers like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, offer a unique approach to pain. Instead of viewing it as something inherently bad, they argue that it is a natural occurrence—something that, while unpleasant, can be transcended by the power of the human spirit.

In a reflection drawn from Epictetus' teachings, we encounter the idea that while certain outcomes are inevitable—death, imprisonment, exile—we have a choice in how we experience these events. Epictetus reminds us that even if the body is in chains, our will remains free. No one, not even the gods, can conquer the human will. This profound insight becomes the foundation for understanding how Stoics approach pain.

Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic

The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin, as he breaks down a wide variety of complex and difficult topics aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.

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

In Game of Thrones, Tyrion Lannister recounts a story to his brother Jaime about their cousin Orson, who spent his days crushing beetles with a rock. The tale is simple, yet it speaks volumes about the complexity of human behaviour, the nature of evil, and how we, as individuals, respond to it.

Tyrion's contemplation about Orson's actions leads to profound philosophical questions: why do people commit seemingly meaningless acts of destruction? Why do they harm others? The metaphor of crushing beetles becomes a lens through which we examine larger truths about power, suffering, and virtue.

Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic

The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin, as he breaks down a wide variety of complex and difficult topics aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.

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

In the words of the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius, “It is the responsibility of leadership to work intelligently with what is given and not waste time fantasizing about a world of flawless people and perfect choices.” This wisdom extends beyond leadership, applying to how we manage our lives, relationships, and daily challenges.

The essence of Stoicism, which Marcus Aurelius practiced and wrote about, emphasizes the importance of accepting reality as it is and working with what we have, rather than lamenting what could be. In this article, we'll explore how Stoic philosophy and leadership align and how we can apply these principles to our own lives.

Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic

The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin, as he breaks down a wide variety of complex and difficult topics aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.

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

Did you know that we become physically stronger not in the gym, but afterwards, during recovery? It's when we’re resting—on the couch, drinking water, and watching TV—that our muscles rebuild and strengthen. This principle doesn’t just apply to the body; it holds true for the mind and soul as well.

Mental fortitude is developed during periods of recovery, when we return to our baseline and heal.However, it’s essential to note that recovery alone isn't enough. Just as muscles don't grow stronger without being broken down through resistance training, we can't expect mental or emotional resilience without facing challenges. Growth requires stress, followed by recovery.

Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic

The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin, as he breaks down a wide variety of complex and difficult topics aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.

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

In this episode, I delve into the profound insights that arise from confronting life's challenges. Drawing parallels with mixed martial arts (MMA)—particularly the fighting philosophy of Khabib Nurmagomedov—I emphasize the duality of human nature and the importance of facing our weaker selves. By embracing discomfort and adversity, we can foster personal growth, resilience, and humility.

Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic

The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin, as he breaks down a wide variety of complex and difficult topics aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.

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

The episode explores the idea of being convinced in your heart that you're doing the best you can with what you've been given. It emphasizes that true contentment and happiness come from developing your character and putting forth your best effort, rather than seeking worldly success. 

It also highlights the importance of detachment from outcomes and focusing on virtue. The episode also touches on the idea that even in the face of failure or difficult circumstances, if you are convinced in your heart that you're doing your best, that is enough. The key takeaway is that true contentment comes from living a virtuous life and doing right by others.

Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic

The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin, as he breaks down a wide variety of complex and difficult topics aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.

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

In today’s episode, I’m diving into the idea of embracing adversity and finding joy in doing hard things. We’ll explore the importance of strength—both in Stoicism and Christianity—and how bearing heavy burdens can shape us. I’ll talk about the concept of worthiness, reminding us that while everything worth doing is hard, not all hard things are worth our time.

We’ll examine the connection between a task’s difficulty and its payoff and why it’s essential to cultivate our strengths and competence to make a positive impact. Finally, we’ll discuss the collaborative nature of tackling life’s challenges and how each of us has a role to play in the bigger picture.







Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic

The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin, as he breaks down a wide variety of complex and difficult topics aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.

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

We often procrastinate happiness, believing that achieving certain goals will make us happy. However, looking back, we realize that achieving those goals did not bring lasting happiness. We constantly put off being happy, thinking that once we reach a certain point in life, everything will be fine. But life proves us wrong, and we continue to deceive ourselves.

One of the reasons for this is our inability to truly understand and accept our mortality. It is only when we fully grasp the fact that we will die someday that we can appreciate the present moment and find happiness. We must learn to be happy with what we have and not rely on external achievements for our happiness. The purpose of life is to enjoy the journey and find contentment in the present.

Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic

The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin, as he breaks down a wide variety of complex and difficult topics aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.

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