In this episode I explore the Stoic perspective on the environment — how we should think about our roles and responsibilities toward nature, and whether caring for the natural world is a Stoic duty or an indulgence in trying to control what we cannot. Along the way, I share examples of real-world environmental issues, discuss the balance between regulation and freedom, and outline some practical ways we can each live “according to Nature” in our daily lives.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
— Asking “What would the Sage do?” helps us check our impulses and aim for wiser decisions about environmental responsibility.
— For Stoics, the environment is not just scenery — it is literally part of Nature (capital N), the divine order of the cosmos, and therefore worthy of our care.
— Global warming and climate breakdown are indifferents, but how we choose to respond to them can be virtuous or vicious.
— Individual action matters, even if small, but systemic issues like over-commercialization and corporate pollution require collective attention and regulation.
— Living according to Nature means balancing gratitude for what we already have with responsible choices that support sustainability and justice.
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For links to other valuable Stoic things, please visit https://links.stoicismpod.com
If you'd like to provide feedback on this episode, or have question, you may do so as a member. Email sent by non-members will not be answered (though they may be read). This isn't punitive, I just cannot keep up. Limiting access to members reduces my workload. You're always invited to leave a comment on Spotify, member or not.
Thanks for listening and have a great day!
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22:31
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22:31
What If It Actually Is My Job?
In this episode I reflect on the idea of responsibility through the lens of Spider-Man’s famous question, “What if it is my job?” I talk about how we can discern whether something really falls to us or not, how our roles and duties guide those decisions, and why happiness isn’t the point of life for a Stoic — virtue is. Along the way, I share thoughts on gut reactions, role-based reasoning, and how we can both accept where we are and still strive for better.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
— Stoics should be cautious of following gut or heart impulses, since these are often driven by immediate emotions rather than reason.
— Our roles in life (parent, spouse, citizen, friend, etc.) help determine whether something “is our job” or not, and when no role obligates us, we can weigh whether new responsibilities can be taken on justly.
— Happiness is not about external circumstances but about who we are; contentment and striving can coexist when both are approached with justice and gratitude.
For an ad-free version of this podcast please visit https://stoicismpod.com/members
For links to other valuable Stoic things, please visit https://links.stoicismpod.com
If you'd like to provide feedback on this episode, or have question, you may do so as a member. Email sent by non-members will not be answered (though they may be read). This isn't punitive, I just cannot keep up. Limiting access to members reduces my workload. You're always invited to leave a comment on Spotify, member or not.
Thanks for listening and have a great day!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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18:02
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18:02
A Stoic's Perspective on Immigration (Broadly)
In this episode I explore how Stoic principles apply to the controversial and often emotionally charged topic of immigration. Using the Circles of Concern as a framework, I examine why Stoics must care for all members of the Cosmopolis, even when cultural differences challenge us. I also break down why preserving culture “at all costs” is un-Stoic, and how moral reasoning—not fear, nationalism, or rigid legality—should guide immigration policy and enforcement. Real-world examples, from COVID-era mask debates to refugee scenarios, help illustrate how Stoic justice differs from legal justice and why discernment is essential.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
Stoicism calls us to care for everyone in the Cosmopolis, even when differences exist, but requires reasoned discernment about how to act in distant circles of concern
Preserving culture “at all costs” is not Stoic; the only pursuit worth that cost is perfect moral knowledge
Stoic justice is based on moral reasoning and context, not on strict adherence to law or partisan ideology
For an ad-free version of this podcast please visit https://stoicismpod.com/members
For links to other valuable Stoic things, please visit https://links.stoicismpod.com
If you'd like to provide feedback on this episode, or have question, you may do so as a member. Email sent by non-members will not be answered (though they may be read). This isn't punitive, I just cannot keep up. Limiting access to members reduces my workload. You're always invited to leave a comment on Spotify, member or not.
Thanks for listening and have a great day!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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28:20
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28:20
Rhetoric as a Method of Self-Betterment [Interview with Jay Heinrichs]
My interview with Jay Heinrichs, author of "Aristotle's Guide to Self-Persuasion." Buy the book here: https://stoicismpod.com/jay
All my links here: https://links.stoicismpod.com
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1:00:21
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1:00:21
Introducing Season 3: Applied Stoicism
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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, every Monday and Friday, for new episodes.
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