Stoicism: The Unconquerable Mind

Episode 11: The North Star: Why Virtue is the Only Good

Before we can explore the four cardinal virtues, we must first understand the most radical and foundational claim of Stoic ethics: that virtue is the only true good. Everything else that people typically chase—health, wealth, status, and pleasure—is ultimately indifferent. We explore why this single, challenging idea is the key to unlocking a truly tranquil and meaningful life, freeing us from the rollercoaster of external circumstances.

Episode 12: Wisdom: The Art of Seeing Clearly

This episode serves as an introduction to the first cardinal virtue, Practical Wisdom (Phronesis). We learn how the Stoics defined wisdom not as the accumulation of facts or intellectual trivia, but as the profound and practical skill of navigating complex human situations with clarity, logic, and sound judgment. It is the master virtue that guides all others, the captain of the ship of character.

Episode 13: Wisdom: The Enemy is Impression

Our suffering comes not from external events, but from the judgments and stories we tell ourselves about them. This episode breaks down the crucial Stoic process of interrogating your initial impressions. You will learn how to pause, analyze your thoughts, and separate objective reality from the destructive and often irrational self-talk that causes so much of our anxiety and distress.

Episode 14: Wisdom: The Power of Premeditation (Premeditatio Malorum)

We take a deep dive into the practice of negative visualization, a cornerstone of Stoic wisdom. Learn how imagining what can go wrong in your day, your projects, or your life—not to be pessimistic, but to be prepared—helps you build resilience, reduce anxiety about the future, and cultivate a profound appreciation for everything that goes right.

Episode 15: Wisdom: The Stoic Sage - A Perfect Ideal?

The Stoics held up the ideal of the "Sage," a perfectly wise and virtuous human being who is immune to misfortune and flawless in judgment. But is this a realistic or even helpful goal? We explore whether the Sage should be seen as an aspirational model to guide our progress or an impossible standard that sets us up for failure.

Episode 16: Justice: The Ties That Bind Us

This episode introduces the second cardinal virtue, Justice (Dikaiosyne). For the Stoics, justice was not merely a legal concept but a deeply personal one, rooted in the recognition of our shared humanity and our unwavering duty to the common good. It is the virtue that governs our interactions with every other person we meet.

Episode 17: Justice: Hierocles' Circles of Concern

We explore the brilliant Stoic model for understanding empathy and social duty. Imagine your concerns as a series of expanding circles, starting with your own mind, then moving outward to your family, your neighbors, your countrymen, and finally, all of humanity. The goal of a Stoic is to constantly work on pulling these outer circles inward, extending care to all.

Episode 18: Justice: On Dealing with Difficult People

Marcus Aurelius began his day by preparing to meet the arrogant, the selfish, and the angry. He reminded himself that they are fundamentally like him, just mistaken about what is good and evil. We learn his powerful techniques for treating everyone with fairness, forgiveness, and kindness, no matter how they act towards us.

Episode 19: Justice: The Meaning of Duty (Kathekon)

The Stoics believed we all have appropriate actions and duties based on our various roles in life—as a parent, a child, a citizen, a friend, a professional. This episode explores how to identify and fulfill your duties with excellence and integrity, finding meaning not in grand gestures but in the faithful execution of your daily responsibilities.

Episode 20: Justice: The Crime of Ingratitude

Seneca believed ingratitude was one of the greatest social vices, a poison that corrodes relationships and personal character. We discuss the importance of active, practiced gratitude as a cornerstone of the virtue of justice, and why remembering and acknowledging the kindness of others is essential for a good and happy life.