Site • RSS • Apple PodcastsDescription (podcaster-provided):
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.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Practical Stoicism applied today • reading Seneca and Marcus Aurelius • moral progress, virtue as only good • dealing with difficult people compassionately • avoiding crowds, groupthink, unhealthy influences • habits, self-control, relapse prevention • pro-social ethics, responsibility, character developmentThis podcast approaches Stoicism as a practical ethical philosophy focused on developing character and improving moral judgment in contemporary life. Rather than treating Stoicism mainly as historical material, it uses close, serious reading of classical Stoic texts—especially the Roman writers, and where possible early Greek Stoics—to explore what Stoic ideas mean for how to live now. A recurring frame is the prokoptôn: a person making moral progress who is not expected to be perfect, but is committed to steady self-examination and better choices over time.
Across the episodes, the emphasis is on virtue (aretê) as the central Stoic aim and on the idea that moral wisdom is the only true good. The discussions commonly investigate how Stoicism understands good and evil, responsibility, justice, and choice, and how these concepts reshape everyday reactions such as anger, resentment, and blame. Listeners are encouraged to treat Stoicism as a demanding, pro-social ethic rather than a posture of emotional suppression, toughness, or withdrawal from others.
A notable theme is how to navigate social environments and relationships while protecting one’s moral development. The show examines how groups can influence behavior through normalization and permission, how unhealthy social contexts can undermine self-control, and why changing entrenched habits can require distancing from enabling settings. At the same time, it distinguishes between corrosive crowds driven by vice or groupthink and communities oriented toward mutual improvement.
Another through-line is learning to deal with difficult people without dehumanizing them. The podcast explores the Stoic view that wrongdoing stems from ignorance about what is truly good and bad, and it considers what that implies for compassion, patience, and maintaining moral resolve. Overall, the content centers on disciplined reflection, applying Stoic principles to modern challenges, and treating ethical growth as a lifelong practice.
| Episodes: |
Toxic Soil2026-Jan-19 10 minutes |
|
Seneca: Avoiding Crowds and Group Think 2026-Jan-11 22 minutes |
✅ 2026 Audience Survey2026-Jan-07 2 minutes |
Difficult People and Moral Progress2026-Jan-05 21 minutes |
Trailer [Updated January 2026]2026-Jan-03 5 minutes |
Where have all the episodes gone? [Welcome to Practical Stoicism 2026]2026-Jan-03 10 minutes |