Practical Stoicism

By: Evergreen Podcasts
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  • Summary

  • 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.
    Evergreen Podcasts 2025
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Philosophy Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Are You Ready to Act Justly? (Meditations 3.13)

    Are You Ready to Act Justly? (Meditations 3.13)
    Apr 1 2025
    In this episode, I explore Meditations 3.13, where Marcus Aurelius reminds us to keep the principles of Stoicism as close at hand as a doctor keeps their instruments. Our “scalpel” is our rational faculty—our ability to discern what is right and act justly, even when it's hard. When we stay ready in this way, we fulfill our role as rational agents within the whole of Nature. We also dig into what it means to be part of a rational and interconnected universe. Marcus urges us to treat others justly not because they always deserve it, but because we’re bound to one another by a shared nature. Their ignorance could have been ours. Their path could have been ours. Recognizing this calls us to act with understanding and compassion, grounded always in reason. MEDITATIONS 3.13 "As doctors have their instruments and scalpels always at hand to meet sudden demands for treatment, so do you have your doctrines ready in order to recognize the divine and human... you will not do any act well which concerns man without referring it to the divine; and the same is true of your conduct to God." THREE TAKEAWAYS — Keep your principles close: Stoic doctrines should be ready to apply, not left to theory. — We are all connected: Wrongdoing stems from ignorance, and that demands compassion. — Acting rationally is our duty: It’s how we honor our place within the whole of Nature. Join The Society of Stoics at https://community.stoicismpod.com. Members enjoy ad-free episodes, weekly journaling prompts, a membership medallion, and access to regular live calls and discussions. Go ad-free: https://stoicismpod.com/members Order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Read Meditations source text: https://stoicismpod.com/far Follow me on Bluesky: https://stoicismpod.com/bluesky Follow me on YouTube: https://stoicismpod.com/youtube Stoicism QOTD App: https://qotd.tannercampbell.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    14 mins
  • Is Inner Peace the Goal of Stoicism? (Meditation 3.12)

    Is Inner Peace the Goal of Stoicism? (Meditation 3.12)
    Mar 25 2025
    In this episode, I walk through Meditations 3.12, where Marcus Aurelius claims that if we pursue Virtue with sincerity and without distraction, we will live “the blessed life.” But what does that really mean in Stoic terms? We examine what “blessed” refers to (spoiler: it’s Eudaimonia, or inner peace) and ask whether the Stoics pursued Virtue for its own sake or for the sake of that peace. I argue that Virtue leads to inner peace by removing destructive emotions like anger, fear, shame, and grief—what the Stoics called the pathē. When we understand Nature and act in accordance with it, those emotions lose their hold on us. But that inner peace isn’t the goal of Stoicism—it’s a byproduct of doing the work of moral development for its own sake. That work is the point. MEDITATIONS 3.12 “If you complete the present work, following the rule of right, earnestly, with all your might, with kindness, and admit no side issue, but preserve your own divinity pure and erect, as if you have this moment to restore it; if you make this secure, expecting nothing and avoiding nothing, but content with present action in accord with Nature and with heroic truth in what you mean and say, you will live the blessed life. Now there is no one who is able to prevent this.” THREE TAKEAWAYS — Virtue leads to inner peace: By eliminating destructive emotions through rational understanding, we create a calm mind and a steady heart. — The pursuit of Goodness should be its own reward: Stoicism teaches us to seek Virtue not as a means to peace, but as the end in itself. — Eudaimonia is a byproduct, not the goal: Inner peace naturally follows from living rightly, but it’s not what we should be aiming at directly. Join The Society of Stoics at https://community.stoicismpod.com. Members enjoy ad-free episodes, weekly journaling prompts, a membership medallion, and access to regular live calls and discussions. Get on the list: https://stoicismpod.com/list Go ad-free: https://stoicismpod.com/members Order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Read Meditations source text: https://stoicismpod.com/far Follow me on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tannerocampbell.bsky.social Follow me on YouTube: https://stoicismpod.com/youtube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    18 mins
  • Understanding Impressions in Stoicism (Meditations 3.11)

    Understanding Impressions in Stoicism (Meditations 3.11)
    Mar 18 2025
    In this episode, we explore Meditations 3.11 and its profound insights into how we process and assent to impressions. The Stoics believed that our initial reactions to external events—our impressions—are often flawed, and it’s our responsibility to critically examine them before accepting them as truth. This practice is essential for making rational, virtuous decisions instead of reacting emotionally or impulsively. Marcus Aurelius reminds us that true greatness comes from methodically and truthfully testing everything we encounter. This means breaking things down into their essential components, considering their role in the larger universe, and determining what virtue is best suited to respond to them. In a world that often prioritizes personal feelings over objective reality, Stoicism challenges us to cultivate reason and clarity. MEDITATIONS 3.11 “For nothing is so able to create greatness of mind as the power methodically and truthfully to test each thing that meets one in life, and always to look upon it so as to attend at the same time to the use which this particular thing contributes to a Universe of a certain definite kind, what value it has in reference to the Whole, and what to man, who is a citizen of the highest City, whereof all other cities are like households.” THREE TAKEAWAYS — Assenting to impressions requires caution: We should resist the urge to immediately accept our first reactions as truth. Instead, we must analyze the data, break it down, and ensure our conclusions align with reality. — Reason must lead our decisions: Emotions are valuable, but they should be informed by rational understanding. A truly great person is one who sees things as they are and allows reason to guide their responses. — Withholding assent is not neutrality: Refusing to form an opinion does not mean avoiding bias; it is itself an assent to inaction. Stoicism calls us to engage with reality and make rational, virtuous choices based on the best information available. Join The Society of Stoics at https://community.stoicismpod.com. Members enjoy ad-free episodes, weekly journaling prompts, a membership medallion, and access to regular live calls and discussions Get on the list: https://stoicismpod.com/list Go ad-free: https://stoicismpod.com/members Order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Read Meditations source text: https://stoicismpod.com/far Follow me on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tannerocampbell.bsky.social Follow me on YouTube: https://stoicismpod.com/youtube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins

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Great content

It’s exactly what the title says. Tanner is obviously very intelligent and ever curious about how to be better human being. Very practical, interesting, and well-delivered content.

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Solid Addition to My Stoic Journey

Very enjoyable and authentic. I appreciate all the time and preparation that goes into these episodes. Definitely a big help on my Stoic journey.

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Truly a life-changing podcast

Thanks to this podcast I've realized the value of Stoicism as a lifestyle and it's invaluable lessons help keep me centered and focused on my goals. A big thank you to Tanner Campbell for his hard work on this podcast!

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