Shows
The Strong Stoic Podcast#393 - Strong at the Broken Places: How Stoics Rebuild After BreakingIn this episode, Brandon explores Hemingway’s famous line: “The world breaks everyone.”But instead of treating breaking as failure, we look at it through the Stoic lens—as a natural part of being human, and the raw material for growth.From tendon micro-tears in heavy lifting, to emotional micro-fractures in leadership and relationships, we break far more often than we admit. And yet every fracture offers us a choice: shatter through denial… or rebuild into something stronger.Brandon talks about:• Why strong people break harder• The illusion of invulnerabilit...
2025-12-0221 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#390 - Kai Whiting on Illness, Identity, and Practicing Stoicism When Life CollapsesAfter nearly two years away from the Stoic world, author and researcher Kai Whiting returns to share—candidly—what happened: sudden metabolic illness, becoming a father, career upheaval, a public rift, and rebuilding meaning from first principles. We talk attachment, grief, diet experiments, masculinity, work identity, and how to live the virtues when theory isn’t enough.In this episode:Breaking the silence: why Kai disappeared (02:00)Severe health spiral, hospitalizations, and discovering diabetes (03:30)Losing the bodybuilding identity—and the grief that follows (12:35)Food, mood, and mitochondria: one person’s n=1 (18:30) (not medical advice)Sto...
2025-11-041h 11
The Strong Stoic Podcast#353 - Death: Fear & TranscendenceIn 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 this exploration, let’s revisit the battlefield cry from The Lord of the Rings—“Death! Death! Death!”—and how it mirrors real-life heroism, like the sacrifices on D-Day. These expressions of defiance, courage, and ultimate purpose invite us to view death not as a curse, but as a gift.The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologeticall...
2025-02-0419 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#352 - Courage in the Face of Certain DeathFew 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 resonate beyond Middle-earth, connecting deeply to real-world acts of valor.This isn’t just about a fictional battle. It’s a study in human courage—a theme that echoes through history and our own lives.The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin...
2025-01-2823 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#351 - I Do What I Think is Right, and That's EnoughLife 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. The works of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca offer timeless wisdom condensed into quotes that help us navigate life’s complexities. But these aren’t just abstract ideas; they’re practical tools for gaining perspective when we need it most.One of the ideas that’s been forming in my mind over time—through reflection on Stoic teachin...
2025-01-2117 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#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 everyone can become an overwhelming force that shapes our thoughts, actions, and identity. But The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga argues that true freedom and happiness come not from being liked but from living authentically — even if it means facing rejection. The book, based on the psychological theories of Alfred Adler, teaches readers how...
2025-01-1417 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#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. Whether attributed to divine will or simply the natural course of life, hardships are opportunities for growth, self-awareness, and transformation.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 aimed at provoking thought and open...
2025-01-0719 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#348 - The Gift of Resetting: A Christmas ReflectionMerry 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 of a unique stretch of time—those magical days between Christmas and New Year’s.It’s a period where routines blur, responsibilities pause, and indulgence is almost a requirement. While it’s easy to get lost in the rhythm of holiday movies, naps, and too many treats, there’s a deeper value to be found in this pa...
2024-12-2410 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#347 - Becoming UsefulThe 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 work as a human being. Do it without fuss or hypocrisy and let your actions be guided by reason and a concern for the well-being of others.”At its heart, Stoicism advocates for service—to society, to our communities, and to the people around us. Yet, this process of being useful doesn’t happen overnight. Before one can be useful, one must...
2024-12-1715 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#346 - The Stoic Art of Self-ReflectionIn 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, the moment you are in right now is the only thing that truly exists.The past? It’s unchangeable; the ink is already dry. The future? Unwritten and unknowable, no matter how much energy we spend dreaming or worrying about it. The Stoics encourage us to live fully in the present.Yet, here’s the twist: Stoi...
2024-12-1017 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#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 someone who loves philosophy and learning, it felt like heresy to question the value of reading. But over time, I’ve realized something: reading can sometimes be an escape. A distraction disguised as productivity.We fall into a trap where consuming ideas feels like progress. But the real work—the transformation—happens when we tak...
2024-12-0313 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#344 - The Pursuit for LessIn 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 endless chase for wealth, possessions, and status.The Stoics, philosophers of simplicity and clarity, would find much to agree with in this modern movement. They understood that the relentless pursuit of external achievements can leave us feeling overwhelmed, trapped, and, ironically, empty. By embracing minimalism, we align ourselves with a philosophy that values inner peace over external abundance.Find this episode on:ht...
2024-11-2616 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#343 - Practical StoicismIn 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 life’s ups and downs, the renewed focus on "practical" Stoicism reflects a shift. It bridges ancient Stoic thought with modern life, which is steeped in complexity, ambiguity, and moral gray areas. Practical Stoicism is not about adhering rigidly to ideals but learning to navigate life’s intricate terrain with a flexible, thoughtful approach to virtue.Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Stro...
2024-11-1922 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#342 - Modern Politics & StoicismAs 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 Stoicism, invites us to consider our responsibilities not only as citizens of our nations but also as members of a broader human community.Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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...
2024-11-1219 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#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 expects the worst, and a realist tries to focus on practical matters without letting emotions or opinions cloud their perspective.While Stoicism has its own unique framework, many wonder where Stoic philosophy fits into this spectrum. Is it fundamentally realistic, as the Stoics strive to see life as it is? Or does it lean slightly toward optimism because of its emphasis on...
2024-11-0519 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#340 - The Stoic Approach to WealthMoney 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 indifferent,” a category of things that neither inherently enhance nor damage our character. As we navigate money’s role in our lives, we can look to Stoicism for a balanced approach to wealth.Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about phil...
2024-10-2917 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#339 - Finding Peace in PainPain is an unavoidable part of life. Whether it’s physical, emotional, or mental, no one is immune to it. The Stoics, especially philosophers like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, offer a unique approach to pain. Instead of viewing it as something inherently bad, they argue that it is a natural occurrence—something that, while unpleasant, can be transcended by the power of the human spirit.In a reflection drawn from Epictetus' teachings, we encounter the idea that while certain outcomes are inevitable—death, imprisonment, exile—we have a choice in how we experience these events. Epictetus reminds us that eve...
2024-10-2216 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#338 - The Nature of Evil and How to Respond to ItIn Game of Thrones, Tyrion Lannister recounts a story to his brother Jaime about their cousin Orson, who spent his days crushing beetles with a rock. The tale is simple, yet it speaks volumes about the complexity of human behaviour, the nature of evil, and how we, as individuals, respond to it.Tyrion's contemplation about Orson's actions leads to profound philosophical questions: why do people commit seemingly meaningless acts of destruction? Why do they harm others? The metaphor of crushing beetles becomes a lens through which we examine larger truths about power, suffering, and virtue.Find...
2024-10-1515 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#337 - A Stoic's Guide to LeadershipIn the words of the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius, “It is the responsibility of leadership to work intelligently with what is given and not waste time fantasizing about a world of flawless people and perfect choices.” This wisdom extends beyond leadership, applying to how we manage our lives, relationships, and daily challenges.The essence of Stoicism, which Marcus Aurelius practiced and wrote about, emphasizes the importance of accepting reality as it is and working with what we have, rather than lamenting what could be. In this article, we'll explore how Stoic philosophy and leadership align and...
2024-10-0815 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#336 - Recovery: The Secret to StrengthDid you know that we become physically stronger not in the gym, but afterwards, during recovery? It's when we’re resting—on the couch, drinking water, and watching TV—that our muscles rebuild and strengthen. This principle doesn’t just apply to the body; it holds true for the mind and soul as well.Mental fortitude is developed during periods of recovery, when we return to our baseline and heal.However, it’s essential to note that recovery alone isn't enough. Just as muscles don't grow stronger without being broken down through resistance training, we can't expect mental or emotion...
2024-10-0112 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#335 - Meeting Your Weaker SelfIn this episode, I delve into the profound insights that arise from confronting life's challenges. Drawing parallels with mixed martial arts (MMA)—particularly the fighting philosophy of Khabib Nurmagomedov—I emphasize the duality of human nature and the importance of facing our weaker selves. By embracing discomfort and adversity, we can foster personal growth, resilience, and humility.Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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 diff...
2024-09-2417 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#334 - Doing Your BestThe episode explores the idea of being convinced in your heart that you're doing the best you can with what you've been given. It emphasizes that true contentment and happiness come from developing your character and putting forth your best effort, rather than seeking worldly success. It also highlights the importance of detachment from outcomes and focusing on virtue. The episode also touches on the idea that even in the face of failure or difficult circumstances, if you are convinced in your heart that you're doing your best, that is enough. The key takeaway is that true contentment c...
2024-09-1717 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#333 - Being Happy About AdversityIn today’s episode, I’m diving into the idea of embracing adversity and finding joy in doing hard things. We’ll explore the importance of strength—both in Stoicism and Christianity—and how bearing heavy burdens can shape us. I’ll talk about the concept of worthiness, reminding us that while everything worth doing is hard, not all hard things are worth our time.We’ll examine the connection between a task’s difficulty and its payoff and why it’s essential to cultivate our strengths and competence to make a positive impact. Finally, we’ll dis...
2024-09-1017 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#332 - The Procrastination of HappinessWe often procrastinate happiness, believing that achieving certain goals will make us happy. However, looking back, we realize that achieving those goals did not bring lasting happiness. We constantly put off being happy, thinking that once we reach a certain point in life, everything will be fine. But life proves us wrong, and we continue to deceive ourselves.One of the reasons for this is our inability to truly understand and accept our mortality. It is only when we fully grasp the fact that we will die someday that we can appreciate the present moment and find happiness...
2024-09-0318 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#331 - Where's the Music?Life has its ups and downs, with moments of chaos and moments of peace. It's important to remember that these phases are temporary and that everything in life is impermanent. In the midst of chaos, it can be difficult to believe that things will get better, but reminding ourselves that 'this too shall pass' can provide comfort and perspective.Similarly, in times of peace and happiness, it's important to appreciate and not take for granted the good times, as they too will eventually pass. Slowing down and listening to the 'music' in life can help bring us back...
2024-08-2716 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#330 - On the Heaviness of LifeToday, I dive deep into a powerful episode about the baggage we accumulate as we move through life. It’s all too easy to feel weighed down by our burdens, making it difficult to express our true selves and embrace vulnerability. But here’s the transformative truth: the antidote to this heaviness lies in strength—both physical and emotional.I explore how developing our strength allows us to navigate life’s challenges with grace and confidence. We are reminded that each of us is a divine being, capable of making a meaningful impact in the world around us. The key...
2024-08-2015 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#329 - The Importance of Managing EmotionsIn this episode, I explore the importance of managing emotions and their impact on our lives. Emotions are a key part of human development and influence us throughout our journey. I discuss Stoic teachings that highlight the need to process and control our emotional responses.I also delve into how community and society shape our emotional reactions and set standards for behavior. I'll emphasize the importance of aligning our emotions with our values and using reason to guide our actions. Join me for an insightful look at navigating our emotional landscape.Find this episode on:https...
2024-08-1318 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#328 - The Appeal of Bitterness and Resentment in PainIn this episode, I reflect on the concept of finding enjoyment in pain and suffering. Drawing from Dostoevsky's Notes from Underground, I explore the idea that complaining and moaning about pain can provide a strange sense of satisfaction. We'll delve into how people often spread their pain to others, appealing to bitterness and resentment.I'll discuss the different ways we can respond to pain: suffering in silence, expressing pain honestly without complaining, and seeking support from others. Emphasizing the importance of understanding our intentions when sharing pain, I'll highlight the crucial difference between complaining and genuinely seeking help...
2024-07-2415 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#327 - Being Harsh on YourselfThe episode explores the idea of being harsh with oneself as a means of self-improvement. It discusses the concept of sin and salvation from a Stoic perspective, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one's own faults and shortcomings.The episode highlights the contrast between the Stoic philosophy and the modern idea of self-acceptance and avoiding self-criticism. It emphasizes the need to hold oneself to a high standard and be willing to feel bad when one falls short. The episode also touches on the balance between being harsh on oneself and giving oneself grace.Find this episode on...
2024-07-1619 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#326 - The Importance of Challenges in LifeJoin me in this episode as we explore the vital role challenges play in our personal growth journey. Discover how embracing challenges as opportunities can lead to profound self-discovery, resilience, and character development. I'll share insights on voluntary challenges and how they can bring meaning and fulfillment to our lives. Get ready to unlock your full potential and embark on a transformative journey towards a more purposeful existence.Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your h...
2024-07-0919 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#325 - Patriotism as a StoicPride is often seen as a negative trait, associated with excessive ego and hubris. However, there are different meanings and contexts for pride. Excessive pride stems from the belief that one is the center of the universe, while pride in one's work or country means upholding certain standards and values. Being a patriot means taking pride in one's country while recognizing our shared humanity. It is important to differentiate between pride and being prideful, as the former involves living up to the expectations and values of one's country. National holidays can be an opportunity to reflect on and r...
2024-07-0213 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#324 - Now is Always the ExceptionIn this episode, I dive deep into the concept of procrastination and how it impacts our ability to live a fulfilling life. I emphasize the importance of embracing the present moment and acting with virtue. We all have a sense of what it means to live a good life, yet often struggle to consistently align our actions with those values. Drawing inspiration from Seneca, I explore how procrastination robs us of the present and the chance to be our best selves.Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw...
2024-06-2515 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#323 - You're Gonna Be FineThis episode explores the idea of living in the present moment and not worrying about the future. It emphasizes the Stoic philosophy of accepting and bearing whatever comes our way. I discuss how we often suffer more in imagination than in reality and how we can endure and manage difficult situations in the present moment. I also touch on the fear of death and the importance of being present and grateful for the current moment.Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast...
2024-06-1818 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#322 - The Only Way to Avoid CriticismThis episode explores the fear of criticism and the impact it has on people's lives. It emphasizes the idea that criticism is inevitable and that trying to avoid it by doing nothing is not a fulfilling way to live. This episode encourages listeners to be courageous and true to themselves, even if it means facing criticism. It also highlights the importance of being genuine and authentic in order to form meaningful connections with others.This episode is also available on YouTube.Transcripts can be found on Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/Find this episode on...
2024-06-1117 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#321 - Extreme Ownership as a StoicIn this episode, I discuss Jocko Willink's idea of Extreme Ownership, and whether or not it is a Stoic principle.This episode is also available on YouTube.Transcripts can be found on Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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 aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.This podcast is listener-supported; if...
2024-06-0417 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#320 - Being More Than A Hero (The Dark Knight)From the time we first open our eyes and are able to perceive colours, we are fascinated with heroes. Children may not understand the philosophy or psychology of a hero, yet they can easily become encapsulated by the virtuous acts of other people. Batman happens to be one that many get drawn into.But Batman is no ordinary hero. In fact, one may be challenged to call him a hero at all. He is a dark individual, suffering from the loss of his parents. He also blurs the lines quite often, killing being the only line that he...
2024-05-2819 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#319 - How to Feel Stoic JoyThis episode explores the concept of joy in Stoicism and its relationship with Epicureanism. The host discusses how joy is often misunderstood in Stoic philosophy and clarifies that it is not about constant cheerfulness but rather about fully accepting and finding gratitude in every aspect of life. The episode also touches on the importance of practicing gratitude, focusing on the present moment, and finding joy in the little things.This episode is also available on YouTube.Transcripts can be found on Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic
2024-05-2113 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#318 - Confronting Self-Deception for Personal GrowthIn this episode, Brandon explores the idea that we often lie to ourselves about why we act in certain toxic ways. He discusses how we attribute our emotions and reactions to external circumstances, when in reality, they are a result of our own choices.Brandon emphasizes the importance of accepting the tough realities of life and not using external factors as excuses for our behaviour. He encourages taking responsibility for our emotions and responses and striving for eudaimonia, or optimal flourishing.This episode is also available on YouTube.Transcripts can be found on Substack: https...
2024-05-1416 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#317 - Sharon Lebell: Finding Agency in Life's ChaosSharon Lebell is a bestselling author, speaker, composer, and performing musician. She wrote The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness, which is a book I highly recommend.In this episode, Sharon and I discuss the adventures of our lives, how to deal with the pleasant times and unpleasant times, the difference between action, thought, and intention, how to be empathetic, and more. We centre the conversation around Sam’s speech from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – if you are unfamiliar with that scene, I highly recommend giving it a quick YouTu...
2024-05-071h 05
The Strong Stoic Podcast#316 - Chaos and Order in Daily LifeThe concept of Chaos and Order is associated with Taoism. It’s rather simple: life is divided between Chaos and Order. Too much Chaos is bad, and too much Order is bad. This is a Stoic podcast, sure, but there is much that we can gain by understanding this concept. And there may actually be more overlap than you think.How can the concept of Chaos and Order be understood through a Stoic lens? And how can we implement this idea in our daily life?This episode is also available on YouTube.Transcripts can be fo...
2024-04-3016 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#315 - Award-Winning Musician Mike Ryan | Music, Stoicism, & the Creative ProcessMike Ryan is an award-winning professional musician, songwriter, studio owner, and author from my home province of Nova Scotia (that’s up in Canada, eh). He also hosts a podcast, the Mike and Kristen Podcast, with his wife, Kristen Herrington, who appeared on the Strong Stoic last year on Episode #249.In this episode, Mike and I discuss music, and the role it plays in our lives. We also talk enjoying the process on the road to success, collaborations, cold plunging, Tom Petty, our experiences being broke af, and much, much more. This conversation was a lot of fun, an...
2024-04-231h 35
The Strong Stoic Podcast#314 - Managing Jealousy as a StoicJealousy: we all feel it, have felt it, have grappled with it, and know that it’s toxic. There are arguments about whether anger is a useful emotion. The Stoics say “no” while many other philosophers say “sometimes”.Jealousy, however, is very rarely considered in a positive light at all. Hence, when we feel jealousy, it’s not usually because we want to feel it. It feels outside of our control, so we just sit in it. But is it outside of our control, or can we alleviate this toxic feeling?Keywordsjealousy, toxic feelin...
2024-04-1617 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#313 - Olympic Skater Mark Tuitert: The Stoic MindsetMark is a gold-medal Olympic speed skater. He won gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He is also the author of The Stoic Mindset: Living the 10 Principles of Stoicism, which will be released in Canada and the USA on April 9th (yes, that’s today!).In this episode, we talk about balancing hard work with enjoying life, courage in performance, luck and providence, and much more. Mark was a pleasure to speak with and I hope this episode proves useful.You can find Mark here:https://marktuitert.nl/en/Chapters...
2024-04-091h 02
The Strong Stoic Podcast#312 - On Wasted TimeSeneca’s very first chapter in Letters From a Stoic is titled “On the Use of Time”. Time is something that is very paradoxical in the sense that we never feel like we have enough, yet our lives are longer than anything else we will do. Put another way, our days are often long while our days are short.Another curious thing about time is that we all have the same amount everyday - 24 hours - yet we all use it in different ways. Some of us use it for productivity, others for pleasure, and yet others are oblivi...
2024-04-0221 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#311 - Trauma From A Stoic PerspectiveA ship accumulates marine growth on its hull as it traverses through water. Some would suggest that our souls do a similar thing, accumulating trauma from the challenging and difficult circumstances that life puts us through.This is understandable on one end; we can all point to situations in our past that seem to still bother us in conscious and sometimes subconscious ways. On the other hand, one could perhaps make the case that a Stoic does not let the past bother them. Is trauma a real thing, or is it simply an unStoic way of looking at...
2024-03-2614 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#310 - Changing Ourselves: What, Why, and HowWe can’t improve if we don’t change. Self-development is change. Remember that we need to know three things to improve: where we are, where we want to go, and how to get there. Change is the very process by which we get from where we are to where we want to be.But change is hard. If it were easy, all of us would be Stoic sages, living in virtue and harmony. So what is the nature of change? And why do so many of us know, on some level, that there are things about us that...
2024-03-1916 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#309 - Stoic Luck and ProvidenceIn this episode, I discuss the concept of luck in Stoicism and its portrayal in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. I explore the idea of biased fortune and providence, highlighting the difference between mere chance and acting appropriately.I also shares the story of the game of riddles between Bilbo and Gollum, emphasizing how Bilbo's actions and virtues influenced the outcomes. Finally, I draw parallels between Stoicism and Christianity, emphasizing the importance of acting virtuously and the potential rewards and consequences that follow.TakeawaysLuck in Stoicism is not mere chance but...
2024-03-1218 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#308 - Following Your PassionEveryone is encouraged today to “follow your passion”. What they mean by this is that you should pursue whatever fills you up. You should pursue whatever you are passionate about. Obviously, we are all passionate about different things - some love knitting, others football, and others again book reviews! Is this advice, though, to follow one’s passion, actually good advice? And if it is, is it even achievable?This episode is also available on YouTube.Transcripts can be found on Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic Th...
2024-03-0513 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#307 - Ryan A. Bush: Engineering Ourselves Towards a Better LifeRyan is the Author of several books including Designing The Mind and Become Who You Are. He takes a design approach to structuring your thinking to help you approach your life in a more logical and rational way.In this conversation, Ryan and Brandon discuss the concept of psychitecture and the systematic approach to engineering ourselves. They explore the idea of algorithms in self-improvement and the importance of aligning desires and values for deep happiness. They delve into the balance between animalistic impulses and ideals, and the process of becoming the ideal person. They also discuss...
2024-02-2759 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#306 - What is a Stoic Sage?In moments of reflection on what we are doing with our lives, the thought can creep up: Am I doing enough? Could I be doing more good in my life? The Stoics have their fair share of radical ideas, but one that may be tremendously useful in the contemplation of this question is that there is no such thing as the idea of doing “more good” in Stoicism. Wherever you are right now is where you are supposed to be, and you can only act appropriately - no more, no less. Of course, unless you are a Sage. But what is a...
2024-02-2012 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#305 - Katie Feltmate: Love in the Age of QuarantineKatie Feltmate is a poet based in my home province of Nova Scotia. She believes in the writing process as a tool for healing and self-growth. In 2021, she released her first self-published poetry book, Love in the Age of Quarantine, which is about, in my words, transitioning from an abusive and toxic relationship to a more whole self. I found her book in a local bookstore and immediately noticed the Stoicism in her writing, especially near the end when she has the trauma past her. In this episode, we talk about abusive relationships, loneliness and self-discovery, the paradoxes...
2024-02-131h 30
The Strong Stoic Podcast#304 - Living in Tension With NatureStoicism teaches that living in harmony with nature leads to happiness and flourishing. This harmony is achieved through tension, similar to how a guitar string must be under tension to produce the right note. Taking responsibility for ourselves and our relationships is essential in living in harmony. Stoics must balance their personal nature, communal nature, and mother nature. Strength is crucial in maintaining this balance and resonating with the demands of nature. The practice of stoicism involves cultivating virtues and acting appropriately in our daily lives.TakeawaysLiving in harmony with nature is key...
2024-02-0614 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#303 - How to Manage Fatigue (Physical, Mental, and Spiritual)Merriam-Webster defines fatigue as “weariness or exhaustion from labour, exertion, or stress”. I’m sure this rings a bell with you, and most of us become fatigued from time to time. In fact, fatigue can be of various types – exhaustion from work, exercise, stress, and even spiritual. That’s right – we can become spiritually or philosophically fatigued, even from Stoicism.This episode is also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TtKSLdblCPQTranscripts can be found on Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, ho...
2024-01-3014 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#302 - Kyle Smith: Goals, Consciousness, Healing, Daily MiraclesKyle is a clarity consultant who coaches people to live spiritual yet practical lives, and the host of the Limitless Life Podcast. We met sometime in 2023, where I first appeared as a guest on his podcast. What I love about speaking with Kyle is his positive energy. He’s a great conversationalist with an ability to really be present – something we all could strive to aim at.In this episode, we talk about what’s holding people back from achieving their goals, the importance of competence, and route to healing, miracles in life, and much more. I hope you en...
2024-01-231h 07
The Strong Stoic Podcast#301 - Four Lessons from 300 EpisodesThis is episode 301, which makes it the first episode after I hit the 300-episode mark. 300 episodes is about 150 hours of podcast content, which is about 6 days of steady listening (for those interested in binge-listening all of the episodes).I saw that Chris Williamson, the host of Modern Wisdom, does this thing every hundred episodes or so where he recaps the biggest takeaways in the last one hundred episodes. I certainly cannot go back and do that after reaching 100 or 200 episodes, but thought that this may be a useful thing to do, so here we go. Here are 4 lessons...
2024-01-1619 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#300 - Simon Drew: Modern Challenges, Prayer, & Finding PeaceSimon Drew is an alignment coach, poet, author, musician, photographer, and the founder of The Walled Garden Philosophical Society. He has a Bachelor of Music Performance and is most well known for his work with the Practical Stoic Podcast, which has since evolved into The Walled Garden. I’ve known Simon for a couple of years at this point. It is his third appearance on the SS. He has appeared in Episodes 134 and 222. This conversation with Simon was as engaged and meaningful as the previous ones. He has a real talent for conversation, which is one of the th...
2024-01-091h 09
The Strong Stoic Podcast#299 - Designing Your Environment for SuccessIn Stoicism, externals are outside of your control, and hence, cannot ultimately give you eudaimonia. That is true; your environment, the people around you, etc. are ultimately not up to you, and are unable to grant your eudaimonia. However, that isn’t to say that externals don’t have any effect on us. Externals can and do make things easier or harder on us. Luckily for us, we do have some control over our environment. How can we best manage and change our environment to make our success in our endeavours more likely?Find this episode on:https://link...
2024-01-0219 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#298 - 2023 Christmas SpecialMerry Christmas, everyone! This episode is just a few words on the magic of Christmas, the importance of family, gratitude, love, generosity, and the child-like wonder we should all seek to maintain. Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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 aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.This podcast is listener-supported; if you would like to support the Strong Stoic...
2023-12-2610 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#297 - How to Become and Stay ResilientIf you’ve been around the Instagram / Joe Rogan / motivational block, you may have heard of David Goggins. Goggins is one of the most bad-ass people on the planet today. His signature line is “stay hard”. Most people think he’s crazy, running miles and miles while his kneecaps explode, but is he onto something that perhaps a lot of us are missing? Should we focus becoming and staying resilient in our lives, and how?Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosop...
2023-12-1920 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#296 - Finding Light in the DarknessWe can be sure of one thing: tragedy of some sort is always just around the corner. From job loss to injury to mortality, life is full of downs. However, people can be resilient. The human spirit can get through such trying times, but how? How do we find light in the darkness? And, perhaps even more importantly, how do we become a light for others?Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin, as...
2023-12-1217 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#295 - Transcending Suffering (Stoicism, Buddhism, & Peterson)The Buddhists say "life is suffering", but does this mean that we are destined to suffer? Perhaps what the Buddhists mean by "suffering" isn't exactly what we think of. Indeed, Stoicism claims that we need not suffer (spiritually) but that we can transcend the weight of this world through perspective and virtue. Dr. Jordan B. Peterson also has some interesting thoughts on what suffering is and how to transcend it. Is there confluence to these ideas, or are they all singing a different tale?Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic The Strong Stoic Podcast...
2023-12-0519 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#294 - Who We're Supposed to BeAs we progress in life, we aim to find our true selves and nature. The Stoics tell us to live according to this nature. But how do we go about self-discovery? Who are we supposed to be?It isn't as simple as what we are perfect at, for we are perfect at nothing (even though it doesn't seem that way from the outside looking in). It also doesn't seem to be just fate, since people seem to go against the odds and change their paths by simple decisions. In this episode, I discuss how one finds out who...
2023-11-2816 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#293 - Dealing With CriticismFeedback from the external world is how we learn about ourselves and grow. It is crucial to receive regular criticism; too little can remove our humility. Too much, on the other hand, can leave us crippled with low self-esteem. In the modern world, criticism can be found by simply engaging online... but is this the best way to get criticism? How do we deal with a seemingly endless supply of criticality? And how do we discern which criticisms we should let in and which we should let fall off of us?Find this episode on:https...
2023-11-2119 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#292 - When Life Gives You LemonsEveryone knows the cliche "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade". But cliches are cliches for a reason. Making the best of our situation is a core Stoic practice, but what does it mean in practice? Lemonade is surely better than just lemons, but how do we get from lemons to lemonade in our daily lives?Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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...
2023-11-1419 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#291 - A Dog's HappinessEvery time you see a dog, they are thrilled. You could have left the room for 10 minutes only to return to a companion who's overwhelmed with joy to see you again! Dogs have a lot to teach us, but perhaps the biggest lesson we can learn is how quickly joy comes to them. They say a dog lives 7 years for every 1 year of a human life. Does that mean that they are making each day count? And why shouldn't we?Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest...
2023-11-0716 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#290 - Getting Stuck in Life, and What to DoWhen a dog is on a leash, they will wander around, driven by instinctual desires, until they slowly run out of leash. At this stage, most will lie down and be content with where they are. This just so happens to be a great analogy for life... with a caveat. We must be content with where we end up, but at the same time, we have something very powerful that the dog does not: rational faculties. Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast...
2023-10-3117 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#289 - Staying True Amidst Political GamesPeople play games their entire lives. Life is, in fact, a bit of a game! They range in genre - there are games we play as a kid, like soccer and Monopoly. There are also professional games, philosophical games and, perhaps unfortunately, political games. In this episode, I discuss how to deal with situations where others aren't playing by the rules.Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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...
2023-10-2423 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#288 - Staying Humble, Even if You're "Better"A good input for how we are showing up in the world is how we make others feel. Of course, how we ultimately make others feel is not up to us. However, we can improve our chances of receiving positive responses back towards us if we choose to show up in the most humble way possible, regardless of whether or not we are further ahead in life than another.Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host...
2023-10-1714 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#287 - Tempering the Desire to be "Rich"Many have a future desire to be "financially free". By this, they mean that they wish to not have to worry about paying bills on time, losing their house, and so on. But is this really something worth striving for? Would it truly alleviate all of our stress and anxiety, or is it rather just a matter of perspective?In this episode, we delve further into Meditations: Book One, and discuss the art of living simply, despite any amount of riches.Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic The Strong Stoic Podcast is...
2023-10-1020 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#286 - Marcus Aurelius & WokeismEven in the ancient days of Marcus Aurelius, people have said "barbarous" things. Today, we would call these "offensive statements". Luckily for us, Marcus Aurelius has a meditation dedicated to how we go about improving other people's speech while staying true to the Stoic virtue of being pro-social.Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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 aimed at provoking thought and opening your...
2023-10-0322 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#285 - Harmony: Part 2Harmony is a word often used when discussing music, but its application doesn't exist just there. In fact, one could make the argument that achieving a state of harmony is really what Stoicism aims to do! In Episode 160, I first introduced the topic of Harmony. In this episode, I briefly go over the ideas expressed in that episode and expand upon it further.Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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...
2023-09-2621 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#284 - Rekindling Our YouthMaturity is undoubtedly good, but it doesn't come without its costs. Many mature adults find themselves reminiscing about "the good old days" of youth. Youth, like adulthood, isn't without its costs either. The trick is to mature and become an adult so that you can take care of yourself and others while still maintaining some of that youthful spirit.Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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...
2023-09-1915 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#283 - Meditation: It's Simpler Than You ThinkMeditation: what it is, why it's important, and the foundations of the practice.Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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 aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.This podcast is listener-supported; if you would like to support the Strong Stoic (as well as gain access to exclusive content), you can do so on Patreon or Substack:Patreon: www...
2023-09-1216 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#282 - Moving Forward Amongst ImperfectionProgress is no simple thing. It requires knowing where you are, where you want to go, and developing a plan for how to get from where you are to where you want to go. It is in the planning phase where many of us get caught overanalysing. It is a tempting distraction to spend all of one's time planning to get better only to fail in taking action. This isn't to say that planning is not important, but it is inherently imperfect, as life is inherently imperfect. In this episode, I discuss how to move forward in life...
2023-09-0518 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#281 - The Story We Tell OurselvesThe human mind is designed around stories. We tell each other stories to convey lessons, for entertainment, and many other reasons. And we think about our whole life as a story! We try and find confluence. We dream. We tell ourselves that "my life is going to be like 'X'". Yet often, our lives don't turn out the way we planned. So how do we think about and change the story that we tell ourselves, and write a better one?Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest...
2023-08-2920 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#280 - Lessons From 1 Year of Ice BathsAn ice bath is when you submerge yourself into near-freezing waters for a certain amount of time. There has been much hype on ice baths, popularized by the ice wizard Wim Hoff. They are reported to have many physiological and psychological health benefits. But are these claims accurate? In this episode, I discuss ice baths and the philosophical lessons I've learned and honed over the last year.Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/StrongstoicThe Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon...
2023-08-2225 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#279 - Practicing Detachment (and Why It's Important)Detachment is a confusing and often poorly-understood aspect of Stoicism. It's generally used to discuss detachment from material possessions and relationships, and as such, it's often misunderstood to be a practice of removing oneself from some of the most enjoyable aspects of life. The truth is that Stoics should engage fully in the beautiful parts of life but with a crucial awareness of attachment. What isn't often discussed around the idea of detachment is detachment from work. In this episode, I discuss detachment from several different angles and explain why it is crucial for the practicing Stoic.Find...
2023-08-1518 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#278 - How to Be Strong But Not BrittleStrength I define as the ability to resist. The resistance takes many forms – it can take the form of a weight, for example. It can also take the form of adversity in life. Temptations. The pull to vice.If someone can deadlift 500 pounds, we may deem them physically strong. Their body is able to resist the 500 pound load. And it’s important to consider it as resistance as opposed to, perhaps, a push or a pull.Resistance training (weight training) does have pushes and pulls, but, contrary to what many may think, it shouldn’t be considered aggressive.That’s...
2023-08-0816 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#277 - Can We Handle the Truth?Dostoevsky explored many interesting, sometimes even contradictory, ideas in his novels. An existentialist Christian, he certainly philosophized much on the topic of truth.I’ve been fascinated with the idea of truth for quite some time. What does it mean for something to be true? Does it simply mean objective truth? Are there other truths worth considering, such as metaphorical truths or, what I call, philosophical truths?These are broad questions, and it would take a book to even attempt to answer them.However, the idea that Dostoevsky presents above - that people are unable to palate the truth without a...
2023-08-0111 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#276 - "Don't seek to have events happen as you wish"In this episode, I breakdown the Epictetus quote: 'Don't seek to have events happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and all will be well with you.'Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/StrongstoicThe 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 aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.This podcast is listener-supported; if you would like to support the Strong Stoic (as well as...
2023-07-2519 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#275 - Navigating Nihilistic TendenciesNihilism states that there is no meaning to life, and that nothing you do really matters. The existentialists have an answer for how to deal with that: wade through it. However, this is easier said than done. We are all somewhere on that spectrum of "nihilistic" to "living a meaningful existence". But how do we effectively navigate these treacherous waters? Find this episode on: https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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...
2023-07-1119 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#274 - Having Possessions Without AttachmentThe Western culture is ripe with materialism. We crave new trendy clothes, the latest iPhone, the newest car, the biggest house - the list is never-ending. The Stoics call all of these things “externals”, meaning they do not define who you are as a person. This can be understood with the example of the rich person who has everything anyone could ever hope for and who is very arrogant and rude. Even though they have overflowing piles of material possessions (of externals), their character is far from optimal (that isn’t to say that all rich people are terrible people). So how...
2023-07-0410 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#272 - What is Life Really About?What is life really about? This is perhaps one of the most fundamental questions of philosophy. The Stoics have a simple enough answer: virtue. People on their deathbeds would also have a simple enough answer: the people you care about. Are these separate answers, or is there some confluence here? What is life REALLY about? Find this episode on: https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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 aimed at provoking thought...
2023-06-2020 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#269 - Altering the Structure of Reality: Subjective Truth vs. Objective TruthPeterson is known to say some crazy stuff from time to time. When looking at a quote like the above, it’s easy to get a little hesitant - how can we alter the structure of reality? I think there’s a lot to unpack in this quote. Firstly, it does seem to be the case that our thoughts form our reality, at least in some part. There is an objective reality out there, though we mere humans don’t always know what it is. That is what science aims to define. However, there are also our subjective views on the wo...
2023-05-3010 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#268 - Balancing Gratitude with Betterment; Marcus Aurelius & Maslow's Hierarchy of NeedsWe have a tendency to take everything that we already have for granted. Perhaps you spend months craving the latest iPhone. You save your money and when the day comes, you trade it in for that shiny, shiny model. However, come next year, you have the same feelings. Now, the iPhone that, at one point in time you felt would make you happy ‘till the end of your days simply blends in with the rest of your “bland” life. But where is the balance between seeking a better life and gratitude? Find this episode on: https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic The Strong S...
2023-05-2316 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#267 - On the Shortness (And Extensiveness) of LifeIt isn’t uncommon for the thought to cross one’s mind “damn, time goes fast!”. Though perhaps Seneca wouldn’t have cursed (but who knows?), he had contemplated much on the shortness of life. Perhaps paradoxically, Seneca also writes on how life can actually be quite long if it is lived properly. What are we to make of these seemingly contradictory ideas from Seneca? 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 aimed at provoking th...
2023-05-1610 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#262 - Becoming Wise, Accepting Ignorance, & Staying HumbleWisdom is one of the four cardinal virtues, so it makes sense why the Stoics spent so much time thinking and writing about it. It is often seen as abstract, and hence, it can cause confusion as to what it really is. But what is wisdom? How can we become more wise? Is there a difference between "wisdom" and "knowledge"? And why is humility important in wisdom? Find this episode on: https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic 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...
2023-04-1110 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#256 - A Moral DilemmaThere’s a common moral dilemma brought up as a way to illustrate the complexity of situations. These dilemmas are often a version of sacrificing one for the many. If there was an army coming your way, and the leader of the army asked you to either sacrifice one of your friends or to be prepared to be destroyed. What’s the right response here? It’s perhaps easy to justify sacrificing the one to save the many… but is that the right response? The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join you...
2023-02-2816 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#255 - Dr. Megan McElheran: Hard Truths, Suffering, & TraumaDr. Megan McElheran is a Clinical Psychologist and the Chief Executive Officer of Wayfound Mental Health Group, practicing in Calgary, AB. Her work over the last 16 years has been exclusively in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of Operational Stress Injuries (OSI) in active-duty military, Veterans, and public safety personnel (e.g., police, firefighters, paramedics, corrections, etc.). Megan does extremely important work in the world, and I was very happy for her to sit down and chat with me. In this episode, we discuss life’s hardest truths, dealing with trauma, losing faith, and much more. There are two parts to th...
2023-02-2156 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#143 - Go Easy On MeEvery now and then, an artist releases something that takes the world by storm. Fame has something to do with it, but not all. After all, not every single song a famous musician releases rises to the top. So then, what else is it?Art generally has different layers of meaning - a high level meaning, and a much deeper one. What makes a particular work of art great is that it represents a fundamentally deep and archaic idea in a modern way. Most recently, Adele has done this with her song "Go Easy On Me.The Strong Stoic Podcast...
2022-01-1817 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#142 - A Heavy HeartLife is tough. It's full of pain and suffering, but more particularly, grief, loss, our own inadequacies and evil, embarrassing moments from our past (just to name a few). These things weigh your heart down over time. It's a burden, each and every one. Unfortunately, your heart will only get heavier over time; that is something you cannot change. But that doesn't mean you are powerless.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 aimed...
2022-01-1321 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#13 - Anger is (Mostly) the EnemyIs anger and aggression purely evil? Can no good ever come from being upset and angry? While it certainly must be under control in day to day life, perhaps there is a purpose for this.Join Brandon as he discusses anger, the consequences of letting your anger get the best of you, Carl Jung's psychology, and his little green friend, Yoda. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2020-10-2027 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#12 - The Shrek EffectShrek is a hilarious movie - but is there more to this than meets the eye? What you perceive is what you believe, and what you believe is, in a very real way, your reality. So then, could it be that your perception is actually the reason why you are miserable?Join Brandon as he discusses the deep theme behind the movie Shrek, and ties this in with modern psychiatry and psychology. We'll talk how to make sure your perception of reality is true and why it may not be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2020-10-1515 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#11 - Do You Make Your Own Sandwiches?On this episode of the Strong Stoic Podcast, the topic of controlling your own destiny is discussed. Do you find yourself and/or others complaining about how things are? In these situations, it's crucial that you ask yourself if you have done anything, big or small, that could have possibly manifest this result. The Stoics say to divide things into those which you CAN control, and those that you CANNOT control. Then, you must simply take responsibility for those you can, and do your best to ignore those you cannot.Join Brandon as he discusses this topic and learn how t...
2020-10-1321 min
The Strong Stoic Podcast#9 - Don't Put People in a Box!What boxes are you in? What categories do you associate with? Perhaps the better question is which boxes are you forcing others into?Listen in on today's episode as Brandon discusses the aspects of making assumptions on people based on a single aspect of their life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2020-10-0621 min