Stoicism: The Unconquerable Mind

Episode 21: Courage: Grace Under Pressure

We introduce the third cardinal virtue, Courage (Andreia). Stoic courage is not the absence of fear, nor is it reserved for the battlefield. It is the mental and moral fortitude to face fear, pain, anxiety, and public opinion with a calm, rational, and principled mind. It is the virtue that allows us to do the right thing, especially when it's hard.

Episode 22: Courage: Finding Fortitude in Sickness and Pain

We will all face physical hardship in our lives. This episode explores how the Stoics practiced enduring illness and pain by remembering the fundamental distinction between the body and the mind. You will learn techniques for accepting physical suffering without letting it conquer your inner character and tranquility.

Episode 23: Courage: How to Practice Misfortune

To rob misfortune of its power, Seneca recommended periodically "rehearsing" poverty and hardship. This could mean sleeping on the floor for a night, eating only simple food for a day, or wearing old clothes. We discuss how these voluntary discomforts build psychological resilience and make you less fearful of what fate may bring.

Episode 24: Courage: The Fear of Public Speaking and Social Anxiety

We apply the Stoic principles of courage to one of the most common modern fears. By focusing on what you can control—your preparation, your message, your intentions—and accepting what you cannot—the audience's reaction—you can learn to manage social anxiety and speak with confidence and authenticity.

Episode 25: Courage: On Doing the Right Thing When It's Hard

This episode looks at the life of Cato the Younger, the Stoic paragon of moral courage who stood up to the tyrant Julius Caesar, ultimately sacrificing his life for his principles. We ask the difficult question: When is it our duty to be unpopular, to stand alone, and to fight for what is right, no matter the personal cost?

Episode 26: Temperance: The Art of Self-Control

We introduce the fourth and final cardinal virtue, Temperance (Sophrosyne). This is the virtue of moderation, discipline, and self-mastery. It is about conquering our destructive desires and appetites to live a life of balance, order, and true freedom from our own worst impulses.

Episode 27: Temperance: Conquering Desire and Addiction

We explore the Stoic view of irrational desire as a form of slavery. Whether it's an addiction to substances, technology, or approval, the mechanism is the same: we become chained to things outside our control. This episode provides practical Stoic strategies for understanding your triggers and breaking free from destructive habits.

Episode 28: Temperance: The Problem with Pleasure

Unlike their rivals the Epicureans, the Stoics were very wary of the pursuit of pleasure. They saw it as an unreliable and often disruptive force that could easily lead to vice and dependency. We discuss the Stoic approach: how to enjoy life's natural pleasures without becoming attached to them or making them the goal of your life.

Episode 29: Temperance: Digital Minimalism and The Attention Economy

This is a modern application of Stoic temperance to our fraught relationship with technology. The modern world is in a constant battle for our attention. We explore how to use Stoic principles to reclaim your focus, reduce your screen time, and live a more deliberate and present life in an age of constant digital distraction.

Episode 30: The Unity of Virtue

The Stoics believed that you couldn't truly have one virtue without having them all. A wise person is also brave, just, and temperate. This capstone episode explores the fascinating concept of the unity of the virtues and how these four powers work together in harmony to create a single, unshakable state of moral excellence.