Every man has his excuses.

And the more vile the man becomes, the more touching the story has to be.

In this episode of The Strong Stoic, we explore a brutal truth: no one thinks they’re the villain. From The Blade Itself to Game of Thrones to Breaking Bad, we examine how the human mind protects itself with narrative.

We talk about:

• Why evil rarely feels evil from the inside
• How rationalization becomes identity
• Why dictators loved dogs and went home to dinner
• The Stoic discipline of self-interrogation
• Why moral discomfort is a feature of growth

If you’ve ever lost sleep over a decision, questioned your integrity, or struggled with criticism—this episode is for you.

Being a good person isn’t about feeling good.

It’s about facing uncomfortable truths and refusing to exile the people who bring them to you.

Be dangerous to your excuses.

Leave room for the human.

In this episode of The Strong Stoic, I sit down with an active-duty Navy submarine officer to explore Stoicism through the lens of military leadership, conflict, and responsibility.

We discuss:

Why Stoicism isn’t emotional suppression

• The role of anger in leadership and combat
• How virtue makes you more effective — not softer
• Why roles matter more than feelings
• The connection between strength training and moral discipline
• What Marcus Aurelius can teach modern leaders about conflict

This is not a romanticized conversation about war.

It’s a grounded exploration of responsibility under pressure.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of leadership…

If you’ve ever questioned how to handle conflict…

If you’re trying to be dangerous — but disciplined —

This one’s for you.

Most people don’t fail at Stoicism because they don’t know enough.

They fail because they don’t practice enough.

In this episode, I talk about why I stopped buying Stoic books, why fiction pulled me back into reading, and how the real work of philosophy happens far away from the page.

We explore the gap between knowing and becoming, why mastery takes decades—not weeks—and why repetition, not insight, is the true currency of growth.

If you feel stuck despite “doing everything right,” this episode is for you.

Our culture glorifies multitasking—but the Stoics would call it a mistake.

In this episode of The Strong Stoic Podcast, we explore why doing more at once often means experiencing less. Drawing on Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, we examine presence, intention, and why even “productive” multitasking quietly erodes meaning.

We’ll talk about:

Why multitasking feels productive but isn’t

• The difference between intentional rest and avoidance
• How presence transforms ordinary actions
• Why life feels short when attention is scattered

Slow down. Focus. Do what matters—fully.

Not everyone regulates themselves the same way.

Some people measure their actions by character. Others measure by consequences. In this episode, we explore the difference between internal and external regulation, why Stoics tend to be internal regulators, and why that can quietly lead to rumination and burnout if left unchecked.

We cover:

• Why not everyone thinks the way you do
• How internal regulation drives growth—and suffering
• When reflection stops being useful
• A simple Stoic method to close the rumination loop

Being internally regulated is a strength—but only if you know when to move on.

Most leadership failures don’t come from incompetence.

They come from imbalance.

Too much edge and people comply—but stop trusting you.

Too much kindness and standards quietly collapse.

Real leadership lives in the tension between humanity and consequence.

In this episode, I break down:

• Why edge without warmth creates feaWhy kindness without teeth creates entitlement
• What “teeth” actually mean (and what they don’t)
• The real cost of balanced leadership
• Why every Stoic is a leader—whether you want the role or not

Be kind enough to protect the human.

Be dangerous enough to protect the standard.

In this episode, Brandon sits down with an educator and school principal, Kyle Sarka, to explore Stoic resilience—not as brute toughness, but as endurance guided by wisdom.

The conversation moves fluidly between Stoic philosophy, leadership, fitness, history, and modern life, examining what it really means to persevere when outcomes are uncertain and comfort is abundant.

Rather than glorifying suffering for its own sake, this episode argues that resilience is about knowing when to endure, when to adapt, and when to step back—and having the courage to act either way.

In this episode of The Strong Stoic, I explore a Stoic paradox: the one making the most progress often feels it the least.

Drawing from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and real-world examples from leadership, fitness, and personal responsibility, this episode breaks down why conscientious people feel behind, why growth creates insecurity, and why feeling unstable doesn’t mean you’re weak.

I talk about:

• Why rising standards distort self-perception
• The difference between awareness and anxiety
• Why imposter syndrome often signals expansion
• How to separate your role from unrealistic expectations
• And why shaking knees don’t invalidate strength

If you’ve felt stretched, inadequate, or unsure lately—this episode may help you see that discomfort differently.

Life isn’t fair — and Stoicism never said it would be.

In this episode, we explore what it actually means to live with integrity in a world that doesn’t reward effort, honesty, or discipline in predictable ways. We talk about the difference between character and reputation, when telling the truth is courageous — and when silence is wiser — and how Stoicism helps us respond to unfairness without becoming bitter or defensive.

This is an episode about composure under pressure, clarity in chaos, and learning to carry yourself well even when the outcome isn’t what you hoped for.

If you’ve ever felt unseen, misunderstood, or unfairly judged — this one’s for you.

We all try to live with intention—but life keeps interrupting us.

In this episode, I explore the tension between daily reactivity and long-term vision through a Stoic lens. Why do we keep returning to Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca? Why do we need constant reminders of principles we already know?

Because life pulls us away—daily, hourly, relentlessly.

This episode is about carving out small moments of intention inside a reactive world, and why you don’t need more time—just space—to live with clarity and character.