Modern Meditations - Stoicism For The Real World

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Modern Meditations, we explore Chapter 7 of Epictetus’ Enchiridion, one of the most vivid and debated analogies in Stoicism.Using the image of a ship, a captain, and a shoreline full of distractions, Epictetus gives a framework for how to live while knowing everything can be taken from you at any moment. But what exactly is the “ship”? Is it death? Fate? Something else entirely?Justin and I break down competing interpretations, push the analogy to its limits, and wrestle with what it actually means to “be ready” when you’re called back. Along the way, we get into truffles, attachments, whether this idea is anti-stoic at its extreme, and what it looks like to live fully without wandering too far from what matters.This episode is about attention, detachment, and learning when to hold on and when to walk away without looking back.

Send us Fan MailIn this New Year’s special, we revisit On the Shortness of Life and come to a deeply encouraging conclusion:You’re not out of time, you’re just wasting it.We break down Seneca’s idea of the Preoccupied vs. the Thrifty Guardian, aka:the person who’s always waiting for something bettervs. the person who actually lives their lifeJustin shares the moment that left him crying in his car before work (don’t worry, he pulled it together and did great things), triggered by a song and the realization that:every relationship slowly fades… and sometimes you’re the one who left.We also introduce a powerful new life framework:The Home Depot Philosophy™Less thinking. More doing.That’s the power of the Home Depot.Along the way, we cover:why you lose the day waiting for the night, and the night fearing the morningwhy reading books is apparently controversial nowwhy Target might be a scam (and why we’re rooting for Walmart)and why your Instagram posts might just be… too poetic for the massesWe decode this (because Bruce's Instagram followers couldn't): fewer causes, more facesforget labels, remember namesWe wrap with the 2025 Aurelius Awards, where we highlight the highest ROI moments of the year.

Send us Fan MailA horse can be proud of its own beauty. But if you’re proud of owning a beautiful horse, you’ve already confused what’s yours with what isn’t.In this episode, we break down Enchiridion 6 and the Stoic warning against borrowed pride, deriving self-worth from status, outcomes, or association. What is actually yours is far narrower. Your judgment, your choices, your discipline, your restraint.We bring in Gladiator as a case study. Maximus embodies owned excellence, character that survives the loss of everything external. Commodus represents borrowed identity, collapsing when applause fades.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we take on one of Epictetus’ most uncomfortable claims: you’re not disturbed by events, only by the opinions you bring to them. We unpack his three-tiered model of the mind (the untrained blames others, the novice blames himself, the wise blame no one) and follow the story of the Roman visitor who wants Epictetus to predict his future, only to be told that his fate depends entirely on the quality of his opinions. From the “seller of vegetables” roast to the danger of untested beliefs, we explore why every action—from where you work to why you play tennis—flows from the narratives you’ve never examined. Along the way, we perform an “opinion audit,” question the stories we tell about ourselves, and connect Stoic diagnosis to modern cognitive biases. By the end, you’ll see why Marcus says nothing fuels spiritual growth more than analyzing your impressions—and why the hardest thing to test in life is the certainty you already feel.And we also dive into the darkly charming world of Insane Clown Posse...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Modern Meditations, Bruce and Justin turn a weekend of budget hotels, dollar rental cars, $12 orange juice, and marathon gels into a masterclass on Stoic expectations. Drawing on Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and M. Scott Peck, they explore how life’s annoyances, whether waiting in line, traffic tailgaters, or bitter cucumbers, become easier to bear when you anticipate difficulty instead of assuming bliss is normal. From the rugby coach’s snake parable to the Roman baths, the conversation blends humor and philosophy to show that while life is full of paper cuts, virtue lies in choosing tranquility over irritation.

Send us Fan MailWhat’s the difference between loving deeply and clinging desperately? Epictetus thought the line was thinner than we like to admit. In Enchiridion Chapter 3, he reminds us that every embrace is an embrace of a mortal, every favorite cup is already broken, and every attachment comes with an expiration date stamped by nature. Sounds grim? Not really. It’s actually a roadmap for how not to be crushed when life does what life always does: end, change, and surprise.In this episode, we talk Bigger vs. Badder—how Stoicism flips the script on what “strong” really means. We look at Anaxagoras’ deadpan reaction to his son’s death, Seneca’s hauntingly calm reminders, and even a 1958 love letter from John Steinbeck that could pass for Stoic counsel. Along the way, we wrestle with what it means to love in a way that frees us rather than chains us, and why negative visualization might be the most underrated gratitude practice out there.Of course, it’s not all heavy philosophy. Bruce tries out some Gen Alpha slang on Justin, and we test our own fragile-cup theory on the kinds of attachments we carry every day. If you’ve ever wondered how to hold on without holding too tightor how to lose without falling apart this one’s for you.

Send us Fan MailWhen Chris Martin paused a Coldplay concert to comment on a kiss-cam couple—“Either they’re having an affair, or they’re just very shy”—he unintentionally exposed more than just awkward chemistry. Days later, both people were out of their jobs and their private lives had become public scandal. But the real story isn’t just the moment it’s what it reveals about desire, aversion, and what happens when we’re forced into the spotlight unprepared.This week, we unpack:The viral kiss-cam moment that spiraled into corporate resignations and meme fodderThomas Edison watching his lab burn to the ground and saying, “Go get your mother—they’ll never see a fire like this again”What Epictetus meant by aversion—and why most of our misery comes from trying to avoid things we can’t controlHow one email triggered Justin’s entire discomfort cycle… and how he reprogrammed it with Stoic habit designAnd a birthday shoutout to Modern MedicineWhether it’s a camera at a concert or a fire at your feet, Chapter 2 of The Enchiridion offers one clear rule: You suffer less when you stop running from what you fear.

Send us Fan MailWe're onto a brand new book the Enchiridion (or 'the Handbook') this book was written by a former slave to help other reach inner freedom. For this series we're reading the whole chapter every day and looking to understand the principles from real world experience. This week we explored Epictitus's first rule for inner freedom. And... had some fun along the way... Listen to Justin ace a stoic spelling quiz! The dichotomy of control is maybe the most central tenet of Stoicism. But this week we're taking it much deeper than we have before. It's easy to forget how to say a word once in a while... Have you ever seen somebody struggle for more than 2 minutes to pronounce a word that they claim they "know"? Get ready!Desert Island Discs Part 2 we bring on Bruce Peck as this weeks guest. Which tracks will he choose? Which book? And which luxury item? Why does he try to cheat this game and rob it of its original purpose? All valid questions and all except the last one will be answered!

Send us Fan MailBook 1- 0:0:09Book 2- 0:17:04Book 3- 0:31:01Book 4- 0:47:58Book 5- 1:14:33Book 6- 1:40:41Book 7- 2:08:00Book 8- 2:34:17Book 9- 3:00:59Book 10- 3:27:20Book 11- 3:54:27Book 12- 4:18:37

Send us Fan MailBecoming worthy of the world that created you is a tall order, but luckily Marcus has some tips! Learn about letting go of the past through Justin's experience in High School romance, and Bruce's rare brush with law enforcement (it gets ugly!). The Poet David Whyte graces us again with some profound quotes on honesty and living in the present that help complement Marcus' words. We conclude once and for all which side the grass REALLY is greener on!And finally, we get Modern Meditations take on "Desert Island Discs" an old British show about people getting sent to an island with only a few songs, a book, and a luxury item. What will Justin take with him!?

Send us Fan MailThe 12th and final book of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations is full of gems. Marcus starts off telling himself how to become worthy of the universe that made him. "if you shall not be afraid because you must some time cease to live, but if you shall fear never to have begun to live according to nature then you will be a man worthy of the universe which has produced you..."Other nuggets and aphorisms to himself are just as riveting. "If it is not right, do not do it. If it is not true, do not say it."Listen to his advice to himself and see how you can make your life reflect the virtues that are so prized within Stoicism and hopefully your own life.

Send us Fan MailBruce has found another hero to obsess about, no surprise it's the world's fastest marathoner: Eluid Kipchoge (a stoic adjacent runner.) In today's episode we break down some of the many lessons that can be learned from him through the lens of Marcus's beautiful quote in chapter 11: "The pythagoreans bid us in the mornings to look to the heavens that we may be reminded of those bodies that continually do the same things and in the same manner perform their work, and also be reminded of their purity and nudity. For there is no veil over a star." We explore the lessons of humility, discipline and the power of doing real work that Kipchoge shows us. And we give you an unforgettable quiz at the end of the show...

Send us Fan MailBook 11 of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations.

Send us Fan MailHave you ever had a friend insist that a quote is relevant, additive, and deep, but you just don't get it? Listen to Bruce try to justify bringing in this quote from "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" and see if it resonates with you? Have you ever wondered what the nature of life is? Marcus says, "A healthy pair of eyes should see everything that can be seen and not say, 'No! Too bright!'.. So too a healthy mind should be prepared for anything." This frames our discussion as we try to learn and explore how we can take in everything life throws at us. What is a healthy relationship with what life gives us? We explore that through a lens of "maturity" through a very ethereal quote from David Whyte and explore where we are immature with our relationship with nature. Are you dying to share Stoicism with young folks in your life, but scared that you'll come across as an old codger? Well, we have a solution for YOU! This Stoic Reimagining we make a natural tale about Stoic growth that will really connect with young people! Cybertruck cars, iphone 16 pro's, explosions, bopping music, trust me these kids will be foaming at the mouth to read Discourses by Epictetus by the end of listening to this! Lyrics from "Hurt" by Sleeping at Last used for intro/outro story.

Send us Fan MailIn Book 10 of Meditations, Marcus Aurelius reflects on the impermanence of life, the futility of seeking fame, and the importance of living in harmony with nature. He emphasizes resilience in the face of adversity, urging us to accept what we cannot change and focus on our duty. He reminds himself—and us—that external recognition is fleeting, while true fulfillment comes from acting with wisdom, justice, and integrity.

Send us Fan MailThis episode took us a year to make... Well, at least it is the byproduct of a year focused on focus and rest for Bruce. If you read between the lines of Meditations Book 9 you'll find an emperor who also shares an obsession with finding ways to increase his focus and find rest. For instance Marcus says things like: "You can remove out of the way many useless things among those which disturb thee, for they lie entirely in thy opinion"Or "Let there be freedom from perturbation with things which come from the external cause and let there be justice done by virtue of the internal cause that is, let there be movement and action terminating in this, in social acts."In this episode we explore practical ways we can sharpen our focus  and deepen our rest.

Send us Fan MailAs is now Modern Meditations tradition we ended 2024 with reading Seneca’s “On The Shortness of Life” and sat down for a chat about how we did with this year that is not coming back. We both saw meaningful ways that Stoicism had major impacts in our lives for the better, whether that be through breakups, travel, making major career moves, graduating college or deaths in the family. And at the end we have the internationally acclaimed awards ceremony for the best episodes of the year called, “The Aurelis.“

Send us Fan MailOn the 50th episode of Modern Meditations we break our format to give you two audio essays that changed our views on what it means to be a citizen of the world. In Meditations we read, “My city and country, so far as I am Antoninus, is Rome; but so far as I am a human being, it is the world."The first, by Bruce, from his trip on Thailand and the lessons he learned from the East that would solve many problems in the West. And another from Justin that shows where philanthropy without true understanding of needs and the culture can go wrong. We intentionally left the commentary out this week and just raise interesting questions. We would love to hear your thoughts on the format and the content at [email protected].

Send us Fan MailExperience Stoic literature first-hand by listening directly to the audiobook of Mediations by Marcus Aurelius. Book 9 of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius contains absolute banger quotes such as:9:20 "It is your duty to leave another man's wrongful act there where it is." 9:27 "When another blames you or hates you, or when men say about you anything injurious, approach their poor sould, look within, and see what kind of men they are. You will discover that there is no reason to take any trouble that these men may have this or that opinion about you. However, you must be well disposed towards them, for by nature they are friends."But don't let us decide which quotes are worthy of your thought and attention; listen and directly find the quotes that most resonate with you on your Stoic journey to building wisdom and character!

Send us Fan MailDiscussing Book 8 of Marcus Aurelius' meditations is not for those unready to face the existential dread of facing themselves and what they were born to do... Are you? We start with a fun teaser of "What is required of someone to be a Stoic?" Then we dive into the heavy-hitting themes of this book of Meditations with figuring out what you were born for. Join to answer the most important question of all! Who will project their biases more onto the world, Justin or Bruce? Find out this episode!

Send us Fan MailExperience Stoic literature first-hand by listening directly to the audiobook of Mediations by Marcus Aurelius. Book 8 of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius contains absolute banger quotes such as:8:16 "Remember that to change your opinion and to follow him who corrects your error is as consistent with freedom as it is to persist in your error." 8:22 "Attend to the matter which is before you, whether it is an opinion or an act or a word."8:33 "Receive [wealth or prosperity] without arrogance, and be ready to let it go."8:36 "Do not disturb yourself by thinking of the whole of your life. Do not let your thoughts at once embrace all the various troubles which you may expect to befall you.."But don't let us decide which quotes are worthy of your thought and attention; listen and directly find the quotes that most resonate with you on your Stoic journey to building wisdom and character!

Send us Fan MailHappy Halloween! What a perfect time to discuss death! On this spooky holiday we open with Data asking Picard to grant him a gift... mortality. We discuss how we deal with mortality and why it is such a gift to be alive and that we all die.  We go into how we can prepare for our own inevitable death. Part of that is destigmatizing death to not let it be a looming fear, but instead of provider of beauty and meaning. Can it be destigmatized too much? Possibly, but we think the pendulum is swung towards a fear of "tempting fate" by talking about it. How does Marcus respond to people thinking speaking about death is tempting fate? Find out in this episode!Special for Halloween, we combined the outro and Stoic reimagining with a longer story of "Death's Messengers" by Brothers Grimm, with a symphony playing Danse Macabre to set the tone. Death’s Messengers Fairy tale (original) - Story by Brothers Grimm(61) Danse macabre, Op. 40 - YouTube

Send us Fan MailCan we just say, "What a chapter?!" Book 7 has many riveting themes, including... Simplicity! Marcus says, "Always bear this in mind; and another thing too, that very little indeed is necessary for living a happy life." To explore that we compare how much it would cost to live the life of an Instagram Influencer compared to a simple life. The happiest *recorded* capacity for happiness was found in a man who lived in absolute simplicity, the lifestyle of a Buddhist monk. We use the Catchy Quaker Classic, Simple Gifts, as inspiration on what simplicity should bring, freedom. Aside from its catchiness, the song gives some great insights on living a simple life and how that will make life more cohesive. Elon Musk gives a practical formula for simplifying things in business which we extrapolate to simplifying life. Then Winston Churchill gives a great example of an "Autotelic" activity.  For the Stoic Reimagining we thought we would challenge ourselves to simplify this episode. It may have worked too well...

Send us Fan MailBook 7 of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius focuses on Stoic themes like living in harmony with nature, accepting the impermanence of life, and the importance of rationality. Marcus considers valuable things such as how little is necessary to living a happy life, what the perfection of moral character looks like, and how the more you dig for good within yourself the more it will bubble up. The chapter is a reminder to align actions with reason and find peace within oneself through disciplined living.

Send us Fan MailYour favorite Stoic podcast is back, as we work our way through Meditations Book 6 which is all about the unself. Marcus makes quite the claim in this chapter that “The only rewards of our existence here are an unstained character and unselfish acts..."But what does it mean to be unselfish? And why is it a reward? To answer these questions we explore some Buddhist tenants and a surgical procedure that will make you question whether you exist at all. Then we move through what Marcus suggest on how to live a happier more selfish existence. Stick around for the Stoic Reimagining, it’s um, life changing…Email us: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailBook 6 of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius focuses on Stoic themes like living in harmony with nature, accepting the impermanence of life, and the importance of rationality. Marcus emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things, urging a life of virtue and inner tranquility despite external circumstances. He advocates for focusing on the present moment, maintaining humility, and valuing personal wisdom over fame or wealth. The chapter is a reminder to align actions with reason and find peace within oneself through disciplined living.

Send us Fan MailIn Book 5 Marcus deals wrestles with the ideas of failure, imperfection and the love of a craft. To helps us deepen our understanding of how to view mistakes not as problems but as information and what it means to harmonize with nature we brought on Composer and friend of the podcast Matt Lees. In this episode we bring back the Lightening round, deeply go through the troubled yet amazing history of Ulysses S. Grant. We explore the tenacity that made Thomas Edison tick. Then go through what it means to slow practice, how to attack the 25% of our lives we don't want to change, and what it might sound like to be out of harmony with nature. And much more!

Send us Fan MailIn Book 5 of Meditations, Marcus Aurelius reflects on themes of duty, self-discipline, and the transience of life. He emphasizes the importance of rising each day with purpose, fulfilling one's responsibilities with a sense of duty, and aligning actions with nature and reason. The book encourages focusing on the present moment, controlling impulses, and finding contentment in simple, virtuous living. Marcus also discusses the inevitability of death and the need to accept it as a natural part of life, urging readers to live with integrity and humility.

Send us Fan MailWoah. This is quite the episode exploring themes from the Meditations Book 4. We deep dive into both Marcus's advice to be like a blazing fire, and Bruce Lee's advice to be water my friend. And a big part of both is working with the experiences that we're given to become, new vocab alert "Anti Fragile." We also have a brief therapy session with Justin about a person that stole his winter coat who he had revenge fantasy's about until he decided to take a more Stoic path. We of course wrote a new song about one of the verses from this chapter about being harmonious with the universe. And as if that wasn't enough we also invited our friends Joe Biden and Donald Trump onto the podcast for a Stoic coaching section. (Because we all know the biggest part of any election is getting the Stoic Vote.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we delve into Book 4 of Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations," a cornerstone of Stoic philosophy. Join us as we explore themes of self-discipline, the transient nature of life, and the importance of inner peace. Marcus reflects on the impermanence of the material world, urging us to focus on our inner virtues and live in harmony with nature. Through his introspective writings, he guides us to embrace the present, act justly, and maintain equanimity in the face of life's challenges. Tune in for a thought-provoking journey into the mind of one of history's greatest philosophers.

Send us Fan MailDiogenes the Cynic a predecessor to Stoicism and Alexander the Great were cut from very different cloths, but when Alexander the Great came to Diogenes their supposed meeting gave us one of the most legendary favors ever asked for of a king.Bruce recaps his time in his hammock and in nature. We discuss the shocking revelations that Bruce unearthed during Bruce-Con, his annual conference of just himself.We go in depth about opinions, the Stoic views on opinions as expressed by Marcus Aurelius and their inability to affect the world around us. Just as Bruce's opinions about the sun's presence (annoyance or affection) didn't change the sun's positioning in the sky, so our opinions don't affect the things in the world, nor do other's opinions of us need to affect us.

Send us Fan MailJoin us in this episode as we present a reading of Book 3 from Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations." This chapter offers profound insights into the fleeting nature of life, the importance of living according to reason and nature, and the virtues of self-discipline and simplicity. Marcus reflects on the inevitability of death and encourages embracing the present moment. He emphasizes the need for inner tranquility through rational thinking and the alignment of one's actions with the natural order. Listen in as we explore these timeless stoic teachings and how they can inspire a virtuous and fulfilling life.

Send us Fan MailThis week we dive into Book 2 of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, we begin with Justin’s current sparing partner for equanimity, namely his Kia catching on fire. Then we move into the acronym: M.O.M.A which breaks down the four main ways that Marcus discusses that the soul can do violence to itself. But, because we don’t dwell on the negative, we then move into B.E.T.R. Which is the remedy to soul violence. All of that work helps prepare us to live in cooperation with others and we discuss the beauty of  Interdependence. For the Stoic Reimagining we introduce you to the quirky yet powerful “Benjamin Franklin Effect.”

Send us Fan MailAs part of our Meditations Series we are reading George Long's translation of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius in an Audiobook format. In Book 2 of "Meditations," Marcus Aurelius delves into Stoic philosophy, emphasizing acceptance of death, the impermanence of life, and the pursuit of inner peace through rationality and virtue. He discusses the importance of mindfulness, fulfilling one's duties, and understanding our interconnectedness with others. This book serves as a guide to living a meaningful life by focusing on personal growth, self-awareness, and gratitude. It's timeless wisdom on navigating life's challenges with grace and resilience.Next week we'll be back with our regular format to discuss themes from this chapter.

Send us Fan MailHow do you go from getting a knee surgery to qualify to going to the Olympics in less than 12 months? In honor of Book 1 of Meditations this week we are talking about some of the heroes in our lives and what we've learned from them. Bruce chronicles the story of watching his friend become an Olympian and Justin recounts an authority figure he actually respects (who would've guessed?) Then for our Stoic reimagining we take you into the show of "Dear Marcus" where a clueless radio show host David Monroe helps (or tries to help) everyday people with their Stoic challenges. Stick around for the whole show! It's a good one.

Send us Fan MailThis week we explore the Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Book 1, and in the words that Justin says at the book club that Bruce wasn't invited to, "What a Chapter!" We pull apart 11 different phrases from the first chapter of what we would like to be. We discuss the forgotten art of learning from the best in other people, and how to find joy in learning from other people's virtues. Then as a treat at the end of the episode for our Stoic Reimagining we share with you some exotic outtakes of some of the more experimental versions we tried of reading Meditations...

Send us Fan MailAs part of our Meditations Series we are reading George Long's translation of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius in an Audiobook format. Next week we'll be back with our regular format to discuss themes from this chapter.

Send us Fan Mail30 episodes in and we are finally ready to officially introduce you to Marcus Aurelius himself. In this episode we give you a bio of Marcus's life from beginning to end so that you can have a better understanding of who he was and why he wrote the Meditations. This episode kicks off "Meditations" series, where we will start by reading you a chapter from The Meditations and then on the next episode we will explore themes and takeaways. We also explain why The Meditations is a book that has maintained relevance for close to two thousand years, and how to get the most out of reading it. At the end we debunk some of the funny (and bizarre fake history) that we found while researching Marcus. As well as debunking a Steve Jobs letter that he supposedly wrote at the end of his life.

Send us Fan MailThe Equanimity Series comes to a close as Justin and Bruce discuss the "Final Remedy" that Seneca teaches his friend about-- Confidence.  Marcus Aurelius' ascension to the throne and the tools he used to  build confidence within himself in preparation for ruling Rome.After all the tools we have talked about for building equanimity, we talk about how to build confidence in our abilities to cultivate equanimity. We go over some examples of what confidence is not through a song by JP Saxe and Elizabeth Holmes changing her voice.Bruce explains some principles of  confidence from his book recommendation of  2024 "The Confident Mind" and how those can be applied to having more confidence in our own equanimity.  We end with a quote from Seneca about What the product of virtue  is...For the Stoic Reimagining we interview random people to  see what people know about Marcus Aurelius and of course if people like tennis or running better...

Send us Fan MailWe take a brief departure from our study of Equanimity to recap the celebration of the Stoic holiday (we invented) called "Aurelmas" and then introduce you to the world's (probably) first Stoic Rap. Special audio clips from Aurelmas are heard throughout to help feel what it would be like to throw a stone at a ship or to smash a mug into a bucket. The tantalizing sounds of the mugs breaking and people cheering cap off this celebratory day and episode!  Aurelmas Playlist: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/aurelmas/pl.u-Ldbqer5t2Na95Al

Send us Fan MailOne of the most powerful tools in the Stoic arsenal for creating equanimity in our lives is understanding the difference between preferring something and being attached to it. In this episode we explore one of the great examples of this in history, namely Napoleon Bonaparte's temperament on his final exile to Saint Helena. (It will make you hear the song, "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay in a whole new light. Then we go through the way that our attachments can be put into their proper place, by talking about some of the people that have the strangest attachments (most of whom happen to have a TV show on TLC.) We go on  to talk about emotional minimalism, reserving our energy for attachments and preferences for things that are truly valuable and within our control. At the end we discuss the symbolism behind the Stoic holiday of Arelimus that has been celebrated by Stoics around the world since March 16th 2024.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we get personal... We read through the beautiful poem called "True Love" by David Whyte and talk about the struggle that humans have with overcoming both our desires (what we are drawn to) and aversions (what we are repelled from.) We talk about how literal meditation can help us to see our aversions and desires more clearly and detach from them. We also go through the history of Aurelmas, which is the ancient stoic holiday that predates Christmas... that we invented and will be celebrating on March 16th 2024, details in the episode. Links Mentioned in the Show: -   True Love by David Whyte

Send us Fan MailHercules (not the Disney version) is faced with the choice between 2 Goddesses, but one is misleading him on the nature of pleasure. This story sets up the important things to be wary of when dealing with pleasure.Bruce recounts his experience at hippy camp and a tempting offer to join "The Festival of Yes." Though extremely tempted, he turns down this experience that targets the basest pleasures and we discuss the remedy to the desire for pleasures as an end to themselves. We are treated to the "Bruce Talks About Economics Corner" and enlightened by the word-a-day segment. The Stoic Reimagining for today is a Stoic Hymn produced by Bruce and sung by friend of the show Joseph.

Send us Fan MailFresh off of placing 6th at nationals in collegiate mountain biking athlete, coach and friend AJ Conover sat down with us to talk about his and Bruce's favorite subject and the object of their sport's lives: Pain. This episode is fun, informative and introduces our first lightening round where Justin and Bruce battle to get AJ to give them the answers they want, sincerely. We also talk about how to develop a better relationship with pain, how to increase your tolerance of pain and how to remove unnecessary pains from your life. AJ brings his unique perspective from hundreds of hours of training, biking and coaching as a sponsored athlete. Learn More about AJ: - Podcast: https://uphillgoat.com/uphill-goat-podcast/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.j.conover/

Send us Fan MailHave you ever seen Camelot? One of the most famous monologues from that play serves as a perfect backdrop for kicking off our series on Equanimity. In it King Arthur must wrestle with two parts of himself, the one that feels pain and outrage, and the other that demands justice. Which is a human struggle that we all go through as we travel through the ups and downs of life. In this episode we explore what is equanimity? How can we cultivate it? What generally prevents us from having inner peace and calm in conflict? We explore Marcus's concept of the "Inner Citadel" and how that is a powerful metaphor for the type of inner character we can develop by working to build it in ourselves. Links: -  Camelot Speech - "A Little Oil Spilt" Quote - 3 Stages of Mastery- Begin Each Day Quote

Send us Fan MailWe're reading you the whole book! Last week we talked in depth about Seneca's "On The Shortness of Life" and we thought the book was so good and people were not likely to go read it themselves... So we decided to read it to you. This book is a great annual reminder of a few important themes: The time in life we have is precious Time is passing every day The future is uncertain so we need to learn to live our lives fully and richly today Many of the things we worry about are not as important as we think in the moment Here is the link to the full version: https://ia804709.us.archive.org/9/items/SenecaOnTheShortnessOfLife/Seneca%20on%20the%20Shortness%20of%20Life.pdf

Send us Fan MailOn this special edition of Modern Meditations we explore the book “On The Shortness of Life” which was practically made for New Year's day reflections.  We go through how the book can change your outlook on what a long or a short life is, and then we take an audit of our own year and give questions to think about when evaluating how we spend our time. Then Seneca comes from the dead to read Bruce’s Journal and then give some sagely advice.

Send us Fan MailEpisode #20! In this episode we discuss the Stoic idea of loving your fate or as Nietzsche (however you pronounce his name) would put it Amor Fati. We dissect his quote: "My formula for greatness in a human being is amor fati: that one wants nothing to be different, not forward, not backward, not in all eternity.” And ask the obvious question, is Pollyanna his idea of greatness? We break down the definition of Amor Fati. What is fate exactly? And how should you love it? Like your mom? Your Girlfriend? And if you are loving your fate does that mean you are complacent about how life is as it happens? Then we get into forrest bathing and it's benefits (don't worry, it's not what you think haha.) And we take you on your very own audio forrest bath experience. You won't want to miss it!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode,  we explore life, death, and the beauty of existence. We start by introducing to audience to AI Justin, and then go into Justin's near-drowning experience. We tackle the concept of 'memento mori', reflecting on the temporariness of self and others, and how this awareness can inspire a life of purpose, dignity, and mindfulness. This episode promises to be a deep, introspective look at how ancient wisdom can guide us in understanding the full spectrum of human experience.We've got some powerful quotes from the likes of  Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, we delve into the significance of embracing life's fragility and the importance of cherishing every moment and relationship. And in today's Stoic Reimagining we explore, what would happen if the Stoics had their own 10 commandments? Music by: Surrounded by Hayden Folker | https://soundcloud.com/hayden-folker

Send us Fan MailHave you ever mourned about the death of a white blood cell in your body? No? Well in this episode we discuss why the universe feels much the same way about you, and how that is not actually sad. A few thousand years ago Marcus said: Take a view from above — look at the thousands of flocks and herds, the thousands of human ceremonies, every sort of voyage in storm or calm, the range of creation, combination, and extinction. Consider too the lives once lived by others long before you, the lives that will be lived after you, the lives lived now among foreign tribes; and how many have never even heard your name, how many will soon forget it, how many may praise you now but quickly turn to blame. Reflect that neither memory nor fame, nor anything else at all, has any importance worth thinking of. — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 9.28We explore what it means to struggle well, what human suffering looks like and how to get relief from our struggles from doing a Stoic exercise of taking the view from above. In our Stoic reimagining we talk through how Toby Keith's song "I Wanna Talk About Me" might be different if he were a stoic. And discuss our thoughts on Taylor Swifts "The Era's Tour."