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Practical Stoicism: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Tanner Campbell
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 for new episodes.
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- 1 weeks ago10 min
How to become more confident
Join the free community: https://skool.com/tannerocampbellApply for private coaching: https://stoicismpod.com/applySupport this podcast financially: https://stoicismpod.com/membersDesktop Wallpaper: https://canva.link/bl4qrgp1mb1w65uPhone Wallpaper: https://canva.link/eqpekigl4ga1ctrIn this episode, I explore one of the most valuable—and most misunderstood—benefits of practicing Stoicism: genuine confidence. Not the kind that's built on ego, status, or pretending to know everything, but the quiet confidence that comes from knowing you're living according to a standard you can defend.I argue that a lack of confidence is almost always rooted in uncertainty. We seek the approval of friends, family, colleagues, or society because we haven't yet established ourselves as the primary authority over our own choices. Stoicism asks us to reverse that order. While other perspectives can be valuable, no one else has direct access to the reasoning behind our decisions. They can judge only our actions and their outcomes, never the full context in which those choices were made.To explain why our own rational faculty deserves the highest regard, I present a simple syllogism showing that the only authority capable of judging our choices completely is the one with access to our complete reasoning. Confidence begins when we genuinely internalize that idea and stop outsourcing our self-worth to people who can never possess all the relevant evidence.From there, I discuss the importance of building a personal standard—a set of principles that defines the boundaries of what you're willing and unwilling to do. Rather than offering an exhaustive ethical framework, I provide three practical questions you can use to begin constructing that standard for yourself. These questions are designed to help you identify your non-negotiables, decide what you'll do when every available option seems compromised, and determine how you'll remain steadfast when doing the right thing comes at a personal cost.Ultimately, confidence isn't something you discover. It's something you build. The more consistently your choices align with a carefully reasoned standard that you've freely adopted, the less dependent you become on the approval, praise, or condemnation of others. That's the kind of confidence Stoicism offers, and it's available to anyone willing to do the work.
- 1 weeks ago16 min
How to relax like a Stoic
Fill out the survey, get free stuff: https://stoicismpod.com/surveyApply for private coaching: https://stoicismpod.com/applySupport this podcast financially: https://stoicismpod.com/membersIn this episode, I explore what it actually means to relax from a Stoic perspective, and why so much of the advice we're given about relaxation misses the mark.I begin by questioning the common idea that relaxation is something we can simply decide to do. We often tell ourselves to "just relax," but anyone who has ever sat on a beach while worrying about work, money, or family knows it doesn't work that way. I also push back on the Stoic idea—at least as it is often presented—that we should be able to relax anywhere, regardless of our surroundings. While that's true in theory, none of us are Stoic Sages, and our environment does influence how easily we settle our minds.From there, I argue that the real obstacle to relaxation isn't tension in the body but rumination in the mind. We don't fail to relax because we're busy. We fail to relax because we carry unresolved judgments with us wherever we go. The constant internal dialogue about uncertain futures, unfinished work, and imagined disasters prevents us from ever being fully present.I explain that the Stoic solution isn't to eliminate the things worth worrying about. Rather, it's to distinguish between the appropriate actions we should take and the outcomes we cannot control. Once we've reasoned through a problem and made the best choices available to us, continuing to rehearse those same worries serves no purpose. At that point, rumination becomes a choice rather than preparation.Using the example of potential job loss, I show how Stoicism encourages us to prepare well, fulfill our roles responsibly, and then allow ourselves to return our attention to the present moment. Relaxation isn't pretending problems don't exist. It's knowing you've responded to them appropriately and refusing to let imagined futures rob you of the life that's unfolding right now.Ultimately, I argue that relaxation is another expression of Stoic practice. It isn't found by escaping life's difficulties, but by learning to trust your own reasoning, accept what lies beyond your control, and remain fully present with the roles that require your attention today.Mentioned in this episode:Fill out the surveyhttps://stoicismpod.com/survey
- 2 weeks ago14 min
How to overcome our internal struggles
Apply for private coaching: https://stoicismpod.com/applySupport this podcast financially: https://stoicismpod.com/membersEpisode Summary:In this episode, I explore why so many of us stay stuck for years—even when we genuinely want to change—and why Stoicism, while powerful, is often only one part of the solution.I begin by sharing an update on my coaching practice and explain why one-on-one philosophical coaching has become the most rewarding work I've ever done. Working directly with people has reinforced something I've long believed: lasting change rarely comes from information alone. It comes from changing the way we habitually choose.From there, I examine how our early experiences shape our patterns of judgment and behavior. Children learn quickly, but they also absorb unhealthy habits before their rational faculties are mature enough to question them. Those habits can become deeply ingrained ways of navigating the world, remaining with us well into adulthood.I argue that overcoming these patterns usually requires more than willpower. Therapy can help us understand where our habits came from. Stoicism provides a framework for deciding what to do with that understanding. In some cases, appropriate medical treatment may also be an important part of recovery. Rather than competing with one another, these approaches can work together.The central message is simple: if you've been struggling with the same problem for years without making meaningful progress, it may not be because you're incapable of change. It may simply be that your current strategy is incomplete.Listening on Spotify? Leave a comment! I'd love to hear which ideas resonated with you most.
- 3 weeks ago12 min
How to stop procrastinating
In this episode, I explore procrastination from a Stoic perspective and argue that it isn't a problem of laziness—it's a problem of judgment.Drawing on Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, and my own experience with ADHD, I explain why we often mistake temporary discomfort for a good reason to delay action. We tell ourselves we'll start when we feel ready, but readiness is rarely something we possess before beginning. More often, it's something we discover after we've already started.I discuss Seneca's reminder that time is the only thing we truly possess, and Marcus Aurelius' advice to stop waiting for motivation and instead remember what we are made to do as human beings. The Stoics didn't believe motivation came first. They believed right judgment came first.I also talk about procrastination and ADHD. While ADHD can make starting tasks significantly more difficult, it doesn't remove our capacity to choose well. It simply means some of us have a denser forest to cut through before we can begin moving. That reality calls for better strategies, not despair.Finally, I share the surprisingly simple tool that has helped me overcome procrastination in my own life: externalising the consequences of inaction. By making the impact of procrastination visible, I stop seeing the task as something that's merely uncomfortable for me and start seeing how my delay affects the people I'm trying to serve.To make that process easier, I've built a free interactive procrastination tool that walks you through the same decision-making process I use myself. You can find it at https://procrastination.tannerocampbell.comListening on Spotify? Leave a comment! I'd love to know what causes you to procrastinate and what strategies have helped you overcome it.I am a public philosopher; it is my only job. I am enabled to do this job, in large part, thanks to support from my listeners and readers. You can support my work, keep it independent and online, at https://stoicismpod.com/membersLooking for more Stoic content? Consider my weekly newsletter Stoic Brekkie: https://stoicbrekkie.comOvercome decision-making anxiety in 14-days: https://anxiety.tannerocampbell.comMentioned in this episode:Overcome decision-making anxiety in 14-dayshttps://anxiety.tannerocampbell.com
- 3 weeks ago11 min
How to Stop Caring What People Think
In this episode, I explore why criticism from other people affects us so deeply—and why, from a Stoic perspective, it often shouldn't.The episode begins with a chance encounter in a Starbucks that led me to reflect on something many of us experience: the discomfort of feeling judged. Whether it's criticism from a stranger, a colleague, or someone we care about, our first reaction is usually emotional. The Stoics understood this well. They knew that our initial emotional response isn't something we choose—but what we do next absolutely is.Drawing on Epictetus, I explain the difference between our immediate, instinctive reaction and the rational faculty that follows it. The goal isn't to become emotionally numb. It's to become better at examining criticism before accepting it.I offer a simple question that has helped me navigate criticism more effectively:Is this pointing to something I genuinely did badly, or is it simply someone else's verdict on something I believe I handled well?If the criticism is true, it becomes an opportunity for improvement. If it isn't, then there's no reason to surrender your peace of mind to another person's opinion.The Stoic isn't indifferent to what others think. Rather, the Stoic refuses to allow unexamined opinions to outweigh honest self-knowledge.The challenge isn't to stop caring about people. It's to stop auditioning for them.Listening on Spotify? Leave a comment! I'd love to hear how you handle criticism and whether you've found it difficult to separate useful feedback from mere opinion.I am a public philosopher; it is my only job. I am enabled to do this job, in large part, thanks to support from my listeners and readers. You can support my work, keep it independent and online, at https://stoicismpod.com/membersLooking for more Stoic content? Consider my 3x/week newsletter Stoic Brekkie: https://stoicbrekkie.comMentioned in this episode:Work with meThis podcast is provided for free as a public service. If you’re interested in working with me in a professional capacity (such as engaging me for private coaching, having me teach one of my workshops at your place of business, have me deliver a keynote at your next event, or provide Stoic mentorship sessions to your teen-aged kids) you can learn more about doing so at https://tannerocampbell.com. Enjoy the episode.
- Jun 26, 202614 min
How to stop overthinking
Get the archives: https://www.stoicismpod.com/the-archive/In this episode, I explore what overthinking actually is from a Stoic perspective—and why most advice about it misses the point.We often think we're "thinking things through" when we're lying awake replaying conversations, imagining worst-case scenarios, or rehearsing events that haven't happened. But I argue that this isn't really thinking at all. It's rumination: a failure of assent disguised as diligence.Drawing on Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca, I explain how the Stoics distinguished between a bare impression (phantasia) and the stories we immediately build on top of it. The problem isn't the initial impression. The problem is our habit of treating our imagined conclusions as though they were facts.I also distinguish careful Stoic deliberation from rumination. Deliberation moves toward a reasoned decision and an available action. Rumination simply replays the same impression, generating anxiety without producing clarity.To make this practical, I introduce a simple two-question framework you can use whenever you catch yourself overthinking:What does the bare impression actually say?Is there an action available to me right now?If there is, take it. If there isn't, you're probably rehearsing rather than reasoning.The goal isn't to stop your mind from producing impressions. It's to become better at recognising when your imagination has taken over and returning your attention to reality.Listening on Spotify? Leave a comment! Share your thoughts.I am a public philosopher; it is my only job. I am enabled to do this work, in large part, thanks to support from my listeners and readers. You can support my work, keep it independent, and help keep it online at https://stoicismpod.com/members.Looking for more Stoic content? Consider subscribing to my 3x/week newsletter, Stoic Brekkie: https://stoicbrekkie.com.Mentioned in this episode:Work with meThis podcast is provided for free as a public service. If you’re interested in working with me in a professional capacity (such as engaging me for private coaching, having me teach one of my workshops at your place of business, have me deliver a keynote at your next event, or provide Stoic mentorship sessions to your teen-aged kids) you can learn more about doing so at https://tannerocampbell.com. Enjoy the episode.
- Jun 12, 202616 min
How to engage in politics like a Stoic
Apply for private mentoring: https://tannerocampbell.com/applySupport my work: https://stoicismpod.com/membersSubscribe to my newsletter: https://stoicbrekkie.comIn this episode I'm tackling the thing nobody wants me to tackle: politics. Before you run away, I promise I'm not endorsing anyone or anything. What I'm interested in is how a Stoic engages politically, not who a Stoic votes for. I get into whether Stoics should vote at all (in most cases, yes, because Stoics are pro-social and voting is one way we attempt to benefit the human community), and I share why I've abstained from local US elections since leaving the country in 2023, and why I won't be voting in Scotland right away once we move there.I also spend a good chunk of this episode on how we talk about our neighbours who vote differently than we do. People assent to the choices they believe are appropriate for them, and flattening someone's reasons into "they must be stupid or evil" is both practically counterproductive and, drawing on Epictetus, deeply un-Stoic, because we cannot truly know the judgements and contexts of minds that aren't our own. From there I look at protest. The Stoic Opposition proved Stoics can stand against tyranny with real force, so protest isn't off the table, but the why matters more than the what. And finally I ask whether we've let politics become a pathos rather than a civic duty, an identity that crowds out our actual identity as Prokoptôn.Also in this episode: an update on Stoic Brekkie by Post (the 50-person beta filled up fast, thank you), and news that I'm building a little Stoicism educational video game, because apparently your Stoicism guy needed another creative outlet.Engage. It's your duty. But engage well.Thanks for listening.
- Jun 6, 202622 min
Are Laws Un-Stoic?
Learn more about Stoic Brekkie by post here: https://stoicbrekkie.com/p/stoic-brekkie-is-returning-with-an-analogue-twistRegister your interest in Stoic Brekkie by post here: https://bypost.stoicbrekkie.com ------
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About Practical Stoicism
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 for new episodes.
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