The Sunday Stoics

Classic Episode: Leadership with Nick Peters

Nicholas Peters, a District Fire Management Officer for the U.S. Forest Service joins the show to discuss Stoicism and the qualities of a good leader. We also talk about

Musonius Rufus, Lecture 11 - What Means of Livelihood is Appropriate for a Philosopher ?

Steve and Dan discuss the eleventh Lecture of Musonius Rufus - What Means of Livelihood is Appropriate for a Philosopher? The ideal answer, according to Musonius Rufus, i

Musonius Rufus, Lecture 10 - Will the Philosopher Prosecute Anyone for Personal Injury?

Steve and Dan discuss Lecture 10 of Musonius Rufus - Will the Philosopher Prosecute Anyone for Personal Injury? Musonius Rufus takes a firm stance that anyone worthy of t

Musonius Rufus, Lecture 09 - That Exile Is Not an Evil

Steve and Dan discuss the 9th lecture of Musonius Rufus, That Exile Is Not an Evil. Exile and banishment imposed by civil authorities is far less common in the 21st centu

Musonius Rufus, Lecture 08 - That Kings Also Should Study Philosophy

Steve and Dan discuss the eighth lecture of Musonius Rufus - That Kings Also Should Study Philosophy. Musonius Rufus argued that Kings should study philosophy if they are

Musonius Rufus, Lecture 07 - That One Should Disdain Hardships

Steve and Dan discuss the seventh lecture of Musonius Rufus - That One Should Disdain Hardships. They discuss how Musonius Rufus argues that when we see people willing to

Musonius Rufus, Lecture 06 - On Training

Steve and Dan discuss the sixth lecture of Musonius Rufus - On Training. In the previous lecture, Musonius Rufus argued that practice was more beneficial than studying th

Musonius Rufus, Lecture 05 - What is More Effective, Theory or Practice?

Steve and Dan present an abbreviated version of Lecture 5, and discuss whether cultivating Virtue is best brought about through the study of theory, or putting basic phil

The Trial of Socrates Part 1 and 2

In this rebroadcast, we revisit the trial of Socrates—a pivotal moment in the history of Western civilization and a powerful influence on the Stoic tradition. Facing accu

Musonius Rufus, Lecture 04 - Should Daughters Receive the Same Education as Sons

Steve and Dan continue their journey through the lectures of Musonius Rufus. In this episode, they discuss Lecture 04, "Should Daughters Receive the Same Education as Son

Musonius Rufus, Lecture 03 - That Women Too Should Study Philosophy

Steve and Dan continue the journey through the lectures of Musonius Rufus. This is the third lecture, "That Women Too Should Study Philosophy." In it, Musonius argues tha

Musonius Rufus, Lecture 02 - Humanity is Born with an Inclination Toward Virtue

Steve and Dan discuss the second lecture of Musonius Rufus, That Humanity is Born with an Inclination Toward Virtue. Musonius Rufus argues that humanity is born with the

Musonius Rufus, Lecture 01 - No Need for Many Proofs for One Problem

Steve and Dan discuss the first lecture of Musonius Rufus, "That There is No Need of Giving Many Proofs for One Problem." Musonius Rufus argues that rather than endless p

Can a true Stoic have friends?

What makes a true friend? This week, Marcus Aurelius reminds us that we exist for one another, while Seneca argues that genuine friendship is an act of virtue—not a trans

Usefulness of Basic Principles - Seneca, Letter 95

Steve and Dan discuss Seneca's Letter 95, "On the Usefulness of Basic Principles." Are precepts, rules and lists of do's and don'ts sufficient to live a good life? Or do

Cosmic Flux and Beavers

Dan discusses how the contemplation of Cosmic Flux can reduce anxiety, put the importance of events into perspective, and help us break free from ruminations on the past

Stoicism and Spiritual Naturalism with Daniel Strain

This week on The Sunday Stoic, we're joined by Daniel Strain, founder of the Spiritual Naturalist Society and former Executive Director of the Society, for a thought-prov

Facing the World With Confidence - Seneca, Letter 105

Steve and Dan discuss Seneca's Letter 105, wherein Seneca has advice for how to lead a more tranquil life. Seneca describes how to minimize other people's envy, hatred, f

Don't Forget to Live

Stoicism often gets a reputation for being stern and unyielding, but the ancient Stoics never intended us to become detached spectators of our own lives. Their goal was t

The Havamal: Nordic Philosophy with Ben Waggoner

This week I’m revisiting a conversation with my former colleague Dr. Ben Waggoner, who joined me to explore his translation of the Hávamál. This Old Norse poem—preserved