23 APR 2024 · Mike 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, and I found Mike to be a very insightful, and Stoic individual. Without further ado, please welcome Mike Ryan. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and the Role of Music in Our Lives 08:25 Collaboration and Creating Something Greater 30:35 The Power of Music: Touching Lives and Creating Connections 47:05 The Power of Music 56:34 Music as a Shared Experience 01:26:17 The Energy of Music You can find Mike here: https://michaelsryan.com/home 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 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: http://www.patreon.com/brandontumblin Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/

16 APR 2024 · Jealousy: 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? Keywords jealousy, toxic feeling, control, character, stoicism, dichotomy of control, stoic Providence, psychological health Chapters Introduction: Jealousy as a Toxic Feeling What is Jealousy? The Role of Character in Overcoming Jealousy Stoic Providence: Accepting the Circumstances of Life Accepting the Piece of the Pie that Life Gives Us 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 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: http://www.patreon.com/brandontumblin Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/

9 APR 2024 · Mark 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 00:00 Introduction 00:52 Striving for Excellence 02:10 Striving for Worldly Excellence and Understanding What's Truly Important 05:03 The Importance of Character and Attitude in Winning 08:32 Having a Well-Rounded Life and Avoiding Losing Oneself in a Single Pursuit 09:40 The Danger of Losing Direction After Achieving Goals 13:30 Embracing Struggle and Tension in Life 22:12 Embracing Darkness and Facing Internal Thoughts 29:33 Reconnecting with Family and Addressing Internal Struggles 32:10 Accepting and Loving Where You Come From 36:15 The Role of Luck and Providence 40:04Taking Responsibility for Your Character 44:11 Finding Inspiration in Others' Struggles 49:51 Letting Go and Surrendering to Life 55:35 Balancing Seriousness and Humor in Life 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 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: http://www.patreon.com/brandontumblin Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/ Keywords: excellence, character, attitude, identity, Stoicism, competition, humility, grace, learning, setbacks, tension, struggle, courage, fear, obstacles, darkness, judgments, emotions, family relationships, stoicism, philosophy, negative energy, joy, positive emotions, relaxation, balance, athletic performance, luck, providence, surrender, outcomes, discipline, courage, love, support, agency, journey, humor, absurdity.

2 APR 2024 · Seneca’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 oblivious because they are in a state of suffering. But what constitutes time well spent? What is wasted time? And how can we go about not wasting much of it? Summary The conversation explores the concept of time and how to avoid wasting it. It emphasizes the finite nature of time and the importance of making the most of it. Wasted time is defined as time spent not living according to nature, not fulfilling one's duty, and engaging in vice. The conversation also provides practical tips on how to spend time wisely, including getting enough sleep, exercising, and finding a job that aligns with one's nature. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of being intentional with how time is spent. Takeaways - Time is finite, and it will eventually run out. It is important to make the most of the time we have. - Wasted time is spent not living according to nature, not fulfilling one's duty, and engaging in vice. - Practical tips for spending time wisely include getting enough sleep, exercising, and finding a job that aligns with one's nature. - Being intentional with how time is spent is crucial for living a full life. Chapters On the Use of Time Defining Wasted Time Setting the Foundation for a Day Not Wasted How Should We Spend Our Time? Remaining Hours and Personal Choices Intentionality and Unintentionality Living a Full Life 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 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: http://www.patreon.com/brandontumblin Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/

26 MAR 2024 · A 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 your past? Summary The conversation explores the concept of trauma and its impact on our lives. It discusses how trauma is accumulated from past experiences and how it can shape our present behaviors. The history of trauma studies is briefly mentioned, highlighting the idea that something in our past can emotionally scar or break us. The conversation also delves into the Stoic perspective on trauma, emphasizing the importance of extracting lessons from the past to guide our future actions. It suggests that while we cannot change the past, we have control over our thoughts, judgments, and actions in the present. Takeaways - Trauma is the accumulation of emotional scars or brokenness from past experiences that affect our present selves. - The study of trauma dates back to the 1800s, with various researchers exploring its causes and effects. - Stoicism teaches that while we cannot change the past or other people's actions, we have control over our thoughts, judgments, and actions. - Extracting lessons from past experiences allows us to grow and guide our future actions. - Bullying, although morally wrong, can be viewed as an opportunity to practice Stoicism and develop resilience. - Processing trauma involves journaling, extracting lessons, and taking responsibility for our own actions. - We have the strength and agency to overcome trauma and write our own narrative in life. 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 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: http://www.patreon.com/brandontumblin Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/

19 MAR 2024 · We 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 we need to modify, yet we fail to do so? Topics: - The Need for Change - The Nature of Change - Positive Change Requires Intention - The Difficulty of Personal Change - The Influence of Social Media - Fear of the Unknown - The Comfort of Familiarity - The Process of Change 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 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: http://www.patreon.com/brandontumblin Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/

12 MAR 2024 · In 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. Takeaways - Luck in Stoicism is not mere chance but biased fortune or providence. - Acting appropriately and virtuously increases the likelihood of positive outcomes. - Evil and vice ultimately lead to negative consequences. - The Stoic perspective on luck aligns with the Christian concept of grace and rewards for virtuous actions. 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 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: http://www.patreon.com/brandontumblin Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/

5 MAR 2024 · Everyone 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 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: http://www.patreon.com/brandontumblin Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/

27 FEB 2024 · Ryan is the Author of several books including https://amzn.to/3ufincl and https://amzn.to/3vNEszc. 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 the significance of cultivating strengths and contributing to the world, as well as the importance of self-awareness and introspection. The conversation concludes with a reflection on self-deception and the Stoic perspective on the soul as character and virtue. The conversation explores the concept of becoming who you are and the pursuit of self-creation. It delves into the idea of living according to nature and the divergence from Stoicism. The host and guest discuss the guest's books and where to find more information. You can find Ryan here: https://designingthemind.org Chapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 01:52 Exploring Psychotexture and Engineering Ourselves 04:00 Understanding Algorithms in Self-Improvement 06:54 Balancing Animalistic Impulses and Ideals 09:00 Breaking Down Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Self-Mastery 10:39 Aligning Desires and Values for Deep Happiness 11:54 Becoming the Ideal Person: Nietzsche and Stoicism 14:06 Differentiating Desires and Values for Long-Term Progress 19:05 Acting in Alignment with Admired Traits 20:26 Pushing Through Reluctance to Embrace Admirable Actions 23:06 Cultivating Strengths and Contributing to the World 28:02 Balancing Goals and Virtues in Life 31:51 Developing Self-Awareness and Introspection 37:52 The Stoic Soul and Developing Character 42:22 Self-Deception and the Importance of Self-Observation 45:05 Understanding the Soul as Character and Virtue 48:09 Becoming Who You Are 51:47 The Pursuit of Self-Creation 54:28 Living According to Nature 57:02 Divergence from Stoicism 58:22 Promoting the Books 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 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: http://www.patreon.com/brandontumblin Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/

20 FEB 2024 · 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 Sage? And is this idea in Stoicism a useful one, or does it simply hold back our ambitions? Summary In this conversation, the host explores the concept of the Stoic Sage and the idea of acting virtuously. The Stoic Sage is a person who can do no wrong and always acts in accordance with nature. However, the host acknowledges that the idea of a perfect sage is not realistic. Instead, he suggests that we can look to individuals in our lives who embody qualities of wisdom, kindness, and strength as examples of the Stoic Sage. Takeaways - The Stoic Sage is a person who can do no wrong and always acts in accordance with nature. - The idea of a perfect sage is not realistic, but we can look to individuals in our lives who embody qualities of wisdom, kindness, and strength as examples of the Stoic Sage. - Instead of striving for perfection, we should focus on acting appropriately in each present moment. Chapters00:00Introduction and Setting the Context 03:20The Concept of the Stoic Sage 04:17The Imperfection of the Sage 05:07Defining the Qualities of a Sage 06:03Different Personalities of Sages 07:00Living According to Nature 08:00The Actions of a Sage 09:54No Such Thing as Doing More Good 10:23The Indifference of Yelling 11:20Different Sages, Different Contexts 12:16The Outcome is Irrelevant 13:14Acting Appropriately in the Present Moment 18:28Gradual Improvement and Self-Forgiveness 30:52Connecting the Questions to the Stoic Sage 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 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: http://www.patreon.com/brandontumblin Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/