Practical Stoicism

By: Evergreen Podcasts
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  • Summary

  • Stoicism is the pursuit of Virtue (Aretê), which was defined by the Ancient Greeks as "the knowledge of how to live excellently," Stoicism is a holistic life philosophy meant to guide us towards the attainment of this knowledge through the development of our character. While many other Stoicism podcasts focus on explaining Ancient Stoicism in an academic or historical context, Practical Stoicism strives to port the ancient wisdom of this 2300-plus-year-old Greek Philosophy into contemporary times to provide practical advice for living today, not two millennia ago. Join American philosopher of Stoicism Tanner Campbell, every Monday and Friday, for new episodes.
    Evergreen Podcasts 2025
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Philosophy Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • A Stoic’s Guide to Action (Meditations 3.5)

    A Stoic’s Guide to Action (Meditations 3.5)
    Jan 28 2025
    In this episode, Tanner explores Meditations 3.5 by Marcus Aurelius, diving into its core teachings about Stoic ethics and virtuous living. The meditation emphasizes acting with integrity, examining one’s motives, and focusing on moral reasoning rather than outcomes. Tanner reflects on Marcus’s invocation of the “God within” as a call to internalize virtue and gratitude, encouraging listeners to appreciate life, even during adversity. The discussion underscores the Stoic principle of striving for progress rather than perfection, illustrating how even imperfect circumstances can foster growth. MEDITATION TEXT “Do not act unwillingly nor selfishly nor without self-examination, nor with divergent motives. Let no affectation veneer your thinking. Be neither a busy talker, nor a busybody. Moreover let the God within be the guardian of a real man, a man of ripe years, a statesman, a Roman, a magistrate, who has taken his post like one waiting for the Retreat to sound, ready to depart, needing no oath nor any man as witness. And see that you have gladness of face, no need of service from without nor the peace that other men bestow. You should stand upright, not be held upright.” (Meditations 3.5) TAKEAWAYS — Stoics should act justly and logically, focusing on their motives rather than outcomes. — Virtue is accessible to anyone who earnestly pursues it, regardless of background. — Life’s challenges are fleeting opportunities to grow in gratitude and work toward Virtue. LINKS — Go ad-free: https://stoicismpod.com/members — Join the Discord Community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord — Follow the print publication: https://stoicismpod.com/print — Take my free courses: https://stoicismpod.com/courses — Order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book — Source Text: https://stoicismpod.com/far — Follow me on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tannerocampbell.bsky.social — Follow me on YouTube: https://stoicismpod.com/youtube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    11 mins
  • Are Humans Naturally Selfish? A Stoic Exploration

    Are Humans Naturally Selfish? A Stoic Exploration
    Jan 21 2025
    In this episode, Tanner answers a listener question from Wyatt Bennett: “What does Stoicism say about human nature? Are humans naturally selfish?” Exploring this through the Stoic concept of Oikeiôsis and the Circles of Concern, Tanner explains how our understanding of responsibilities expands as we mature. Starting from self-concern in infancy, we grow to care for family, friends, community, humanity, and even the planet. Tanner challenges Thomas Hobbes’ pessimistic view of human nature, offering a Stoic perspective that emphasizes the dynamic and evolving nature of human rationality and moral growth. TAKEAWAYS Stoicism sees human nature as dynamic, with our rational and moral concerns expanding over time. Self-concern in early life is natural but not permanent; growth involves widening our circles of responsibility. Nature’s alignment isn’t always pleasurable for individuals but serves a greater universal purpose. LINKS Go ad-free: https://stoicismpod.com/members Join the Discord Community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord Follow the print publication: https://stoicismpod.com/print Take my free courses: https://stoicismpod.com/courses Order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text: https://stoicismpod.com/far Follow me on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tannerocampbell.bsky.social Follow me on YouTube: https://stoicismpod.com/youtube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    14 mins
  • Choosing Your Counsel and Thoughts Wisely (Meditations 3.4)

    Choosing Your Counsel and Thoughts Wisely (Meditations 3.4)
    Jan 14 2025
    In this episode, Tanner explores the rich insights of Meditations 3.4 by Marcus Aurelius, focusing on four main Stoic principles. Marcus warns against wasting time on unnecessary concerns about others, emphasizing opportunity cost and the importance of focusing on appropriate external and internal matters. Tanner also discusses the practice of habituating virtuous thoughts—those we would not be ashamed to express openly—as a step toward moral excellence. The meditation highlights the innate rationality within us, gifted by the Logos, and reminds us that our purpose is to act in alignment with justice and reason. Finally, Marcus advises caution in choosing whose counsel to value, urging Stoics to avoid being swayed by those who do not pursue Virtue themselves. MEDITATION TEXT “Do not waste the balance of life left to you in thoughts about other persons, when you are not referring to some advantage of your fellows—for why do you rob yourself of something else which you might do—I mean if you imagine to yourself what so and so is doing, and why; what he is saying or thinking or planning, and every thought of the kind which leads you astray from close watch over your governing self? [full meditation can be found at https://stoicismpod.com/far] — (Meditations 3.4) TAKEAWAYS — Every choice carries an opportunity cost; time spent on unproductive thoughts cannot be reclaimed. — Virtue begins with habituating honest and just thoughts that align with Stoic values. — Moral reasoning is not just an ability but the purpose of a rational being. — Stoics must be selective about whose counsel they value, focusing on those who align with Nature. LINKS — Go ad-free: https://stoicismpod.com/members — Join the Discord Community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord — Follow the print publication: https://stoicismpod.com/print — Take my free courses: https://stoicismpod.com/courses — Order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book — Source Text: https://stoicismpod.com/far — Follow me on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tannerocampbell.bsky.social — Follow me on YouTube: https://stoicismpod.com/youtube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    19 mins

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Great and thought provoking!

This is a great podcast! I have learnt a lot and I may dare say grown so much just listening to this podcast and trying to think like a Stoic.

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