The Strong Stoic Podcast
The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin, as he breaks down a wide variety of complex and difficult topics while bringing together different philosophies, sciences, and perspectives.
Episodes
365 episodes
#364 - Surviving Orwell’s 1984 as a Stoic
In this episode, we dive deep into the totalitarian world of George Orwell’s 1984 and ask: Could a Stoic survive—and even thrive—there? What does inner freedom look like when the outer world is a prison? And how might Stoic philosophy be the ultim...
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Episode 364
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22:15
#363 - Character is What Remains
Last week, I attended the funeral of a man who had worked for our company for 25 years. He was deeply woven into the fabric of our organization—one of those steady presences who quietly held things together. He died too young, and the ceremony was...
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Episode 363
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16:36
#362 - Joshua W. Bertolotti: Finding Peace in Imperfection
Joshua W. Bertolotti is the host of the In Search of Wisdom Podcast and the Perennial Podcast where he talks about all kinds of ancient wisdom and engages in meaningful conversations with modern thinkers. He also manages the Perennial Leader Proje...
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Episode 362
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54:39
#361 - Should a Stoic Be Vegan?
It’s a compelling question—one I’ve spent years thinking through, not only as someone who once followed a strict vegan diet, but as someone who continually aims to live according to Stoic principles. The deeper I explore Stoicism, the more I reali...
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Episode 361
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19:20
#360 - Top 10 Daily Habits
Over the years, I have experimented with countless daily habits, each aimed at optimizing my productivity, happiness, and health. Some worked, some didn’t, and some I struggled to implement effectively. However, through trial and error, I have ide...
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Episode 360
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25:39
#359 - On Helping the Homeless
Like many people living in cities, I’ve noticed that the homeless population has grown significantly. In my home province of Nova Scotia, this was hardly an issue in the past, but now it's become much more apparent. The city has taken some steps, ...
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Episode 359
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20:26
#358 - Actions Speak Louder Than Words
In The Handbook of Epictetus, paragraph 46, the Stoic philosopher provides a powerful lesson on humility, wisdom, and the importance of embodying philosophy rather than simply discussing it. His words offer a practical guide on how to conduct ones...
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Episode 358
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14:23
#357 - Gandalf, Stoicism, and the Wisdom of the Grandfather
If we think of wisdom and stoicism as embodied in an elder figure, it’s often someone like a grandfather—calm, patient, slow to anger. Grandparents tend to be forgiving, knowing that life is long and that small mistakes aren’t the end of the world...
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Episode 357
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15:57
#356 - The Wisdom of Judgment
In his Handbook, Epictetus offers a profound insight into human suffering“What upsets people is not things themselves but their judgments about the things. For example, death is nothing dreadful or else it would have appeared dreadf...
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Episode 356
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23:08
#355 - Nobody is Cut Out For This
Hard work and perseverance are not innate qualities—they are carved into a person through experience, struggle, and discipline. The philosophy of Stoicism teaches many things, but at its core, it urges people to become useful.To be use...
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Episode 355
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16:09
#354 - Tariffs Through a Stoic Lens
Tariffs, tariffs, tariffs. A term that has been the subject of heated debate in North America, particularly in the context of economic policy shifts. While tariffs may not seem like a typical topic for Stoic reflection, the truth is that everythin...
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Episode 354
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20:08
#353 - Death: Fear & Transcendence
In the face of life’s greatest certainty—death—there exists a paradox of fear and transcendence. It’s a subject both daunting and enlightening, woven deeply into human philosophy, mythology, and even our collective acts of courage. In ...
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Episode 336
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19:25
#352 - Courage in the Face of Certain Death
Few scenes in cinematic history manage to capture the raw essence of courage as powerfully as King Théoden’s speech in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. As he rallies his riders before charging into near-certain death, the emotions res...
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Episode 351
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23:13
#351 - I Do What I Think is Right, and That's Enough
Life is full of moments when we’re faced with difficult decisions or challenges, and in those moments, we search for something to give us clarity—a guiding principle or phrase that resonates deeply. It’s why many people turn to Stoic philosophy. T...
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Episode 350
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17:13
#350 - The Courage to Be Disliked
“The courage to be happy also includes the courage to be disliked. When you choose to live authentically, you inevitably invite criticism.” — The Courage to Be DislikedIn today’s social media-driven world, the desire to be liked by eve...
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Episode 350
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17:47
#349 - What Punishments Are Not Gifts?
Life is filled with challenges that often feel like punishments: setbacks, pain, and suffering that can seem unfair or overwhelming. Yet, the quote “What punishments from God are not also gifts?” invites us to reframe how we see these difficulties...
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Episode 349
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19:08
#348 - The Gift of Resetting: A Christmas Reflection
Merry Christmas, everyone! This time of year is special, not just for the joy of holiday cheer, family gatherings, and festive feasts, but also for the opportunity it presents: a chance to reset.For many of us, Christmas marks the beginning ...
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Episode 348
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10:33
#347 - Becoming Useful
The Stoic philosophy, while often revered for its emphasis on self-discipline and resilience, also places great importance on being useful to others. As Marcus Aurelius reminds us in Meditations:“If you have talents, do your...
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Episode 347
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15:05
#346 - The Stoic Art of Self-Reflection
In both Stoicism and Buddhism, there's a strong emphasis on being fully present. The idea of living in the moment is often associated with Buddhist teachings, but the Stoics share this perspective, though framed through their unique lens. For them...
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Episode 346
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17:58
#345 - Are You Reading Stoicism or Living It?
I recently found myself exploring a bookstore. I made my way to the philosophy section, as I usually inevitably do. However, when I picked up a newly released Stoic book, I asked myself: What good is reading this really going to do for me? For som...
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Episode 345
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13:30
#344 - The Pursuit for Less
In a world that constantly screams "more," minimalism whispers, "enough." Minimalism challenges the pervasive narrative of consumerism—one that equates happiness with accumulation. It asks us to pause, reflect, and consider the cost of this endles...
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Episode 344
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16:32
#343 - Practical Stoicism
In recent years, the term "Practical Stoicism" has gained traction. It suggests a philosophy rooted in real-world application rather than abstract ideals. While Stoicism itself is inherently practical, emphasizing values that anyone can apply to l...
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Episode 343
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22:59
#342 - Modern Politics & Stoicism
As we approach the aftermath of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, this discussion offers insights into how Stoic philosophy can guide us through the intense partisanship often seen in today’s political landscape. This reflection, rooted in Stoi...
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Episode 342
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19:07
#341 - Are Stoics Optimists, Pessimists, or Realists?
In everyday conversation, we often hear terms like "optimist," "pessimist," and "realist" thrown around to describe how people approach life. These labels have clear associations: an optimist tends to see the positive in things, a pessimist expect...
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Episode 342
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19:16
#340 - The Stoic Approach to Wealth
Money preoccupies most of us, whether it’s deciding which bills to pay or aiming for financial goals. Personal finances, while essential, can consume a lot of mental space. For Stoics, though, money is not inherently good or bad; it’s a “moral ind...
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Episode 340
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17:12
