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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 while bringing together different philosophies, sciences, and perspectives.
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In this episode of The Strong Stoic, I sit down with an active-duty Navy submarine officer to explore Stoicism through the lens of military leadership, conflict, and responsibility. We discuss: Why Stoicism isn’t emotional suppression The role of anger in leadership and combatHow virtue makes you more effective — not softerWhy roles matter more than feelingsThe connection between strength training and moral disciplineWhat Marcus Aurelius can teach modern leaders about conflictThis is not a ro...
Most people don’t fail at Stoicism because they don’t know enough. They fail because they don’t practice enough. In this episode, I talk about why I stopped buying Stoic books, why fiction pulled me back into reading, and how the real work of philosophy happens far away from the page. We explore the gap between knowing and becoming, why mastery takes decades—not weeks—and why repetition, not insight, is the true currency of growth. If you feel stuck despite “doing everything right,” this epis...
Our culture glorifies multitasking—but the Stoics would call it a mistake. In this episode of The Strong Stoic Podcast, we explore why doing more at once often means experiencing less. Drawing on Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, we examine presence, intention, and why even “productive” multitasking quietly erodes meaning. We’ll talk about: Why multitasking feels productive but isn’t The difference between intentional rest and avoidanceHow presence transforms ordinary actionsWhy life feels short wh...
Not everyone regulates themselves the same way. Some people measure their actions by character. Others measure by consequences. In this episode, we explore the difference between internal and external regulation, why Stoics tend to be internal regulators, and why that can quietly lead to rumination and burnout if left unchecked. We cover: Why not everyone thinks the way you doHow internal regulation drives growth—and sufferingWhen reflection stops being usefulA simple Stoic method to close th...
Most leadership failures don’t come from incompetence. They come from imbalance. Too much edge and people comply—but stop trusting you. Too much kindness and standards quietly collapse. Real leadership lives in the tension between humanity and consequence. In this episode, I break down: Why edge without warmth creates feaWhy kindness without teeth creates entitlementWhat “teeth” actually mean (and what they don’t)The real cost of balanced leadershipWhy every Stoic is a leader—whether you want...
In this episode, Brandon sits down with an educator and school principal, Kyle Sarka, to explore Stoic resilience—not as brute toughness, but as endurance guided by wisdom. The conversation moves fluidly between Stoic philosophy, leadership, fitness, history, and modern life, examining what it really means to persevere when outcomes are uncertain and comfort is abundant. Rather than glorifying suffering for its own sake, this episode argues that resilience is about knowing when to endure, whe...
In this episode of The Strong Stoic, I explore a Stoic paradox: the one making the most progress often feels it the least. Drawing from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and real-world examples from leadership, fitness, and personal responsibility, this episode breaks down why conscientious people feel behind, why growth creates insecurity, and why feeling unstable doesn’t mean you’re weak. I talk about: Why rising standards distort self-perceptionThe difference between awareness and anxietyWhy imp...
Life isn’t fair — and Stoicism never said it would be. In this episode, we explore what it actually means to live with integrity in a world that doesn’t reward effort, honesty, or discipline in predictable ways. We talk about the difference between character and reputation, when telling the truth is courageous — and when silence is wiser — and how Stoicism helps us respond to unfairness without becoming bitter or defensive. This is an episode about composure under pressure, clarity in chaos, ...
We all try to live with intention—but life keeps interrupting us. In this episode, I explore the tension between daily reactivity and long-term vision through a Stoic lens. Why do we keep returning to Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca? Why do we need constant reminders of principles we already know? Because life pulls us away—daily, hourly, relentlessly. This episode is about carving out small moments of intention inside a reactive world, and why you don’t need more time—just space...
Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re weak. It often means you’re growing. In this episode of The Strong Stoic Podcast, I explore imposter syndrome through a Stoic lens—why it shows up during periods of growth, why it often steals our sleep, and why it may actually be evidence that your character is strengthening. When we take on new roles—at work, in relationships, as parents, or in life—we carry weight we haven’t carried before. Our knees shake. Our confidence wavers. And at night, when the...
1In this episode, Brandon explores Hemingway’s famous line: “The world breaks everyone.” But instead of treating breaking as failure, we look at it through the Stoic lens—as a natural part of being human, and the raw material for growth. From tendon micro-tears in heavy lifting, to emotional micro-fractures in leadership and relationships, we break far more often than we admit. And yet every fracture offers us a choice: shatter through denial… or rebuild into something stronger. Brandon talks ...
In this episode of The Strong Stoic, I’m joined by classicist and author Inger Kuin to dive deep into the wild, hilarious, and surprisingly practical life of Diogenes—the original Cynic and, in many ways, the “stress test” for Stoic ideas. We explore: Who Diogenes was and why his life still matters Why he chose to live in a jar, throw away his cup, and embrace radical simplicityHow his ideas flowed through Crates to Zeno, making him Stoicism’s “intellectual grandfather”The difference betwee...
In this episode, Brandon discusses the journey of personal growth and self-improvement, emphasizing the importance of learning from past experiences and embracing change. He highlights how incremental improvements can lead to greater wisdom and the challenges of overcoming feelings of shame associated with past actions. Takeaways As you develop and learn, you become wiser.Incremental improvements lead to better decision-making.It's common to feel ashamed of past actions.Growth involves reco...
After nearly two years away from the Stoic world, author and researcher Kai Whiting returns to share—candidly—what happened: sudden metabolic illness, becoming a father, career upheaval, a public rift, and rebuilding meaning from first principles. We talk attachment, grief, diet experiments, masculinity, work identity, and how to live the virtues when theory isn’t enough. In this episode: Breaking the silence: why Kai disappeared (02:00)Severe health spiral, hospitalizations, and discovering ...
The Jedi sought to control their emotions. Luke Skywalker mastered them through compassion. In this episode, I explore how Star Wars reflects the core tension in Stoicism — the balance between discipline and humanity. We’ll examine Yoda’s flawed advice, the Jedi’s dogmatism, and why Luke’s compassion made him the most Stoic of them all.
We often think of monsters as creatures hiding under our beds. But real monsters walk among us — and sometimes, they are born of sickness, isolation, and the collapse of reason. In this episode, Brandon explores the story of Ed Gein, the real-life inspiration behind Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs. Through a Stoic lens, we look at what happens when a human being is cut off from the cosmos, when rationality breaks down, and when evil emerges from confusion rat...
An 18-year-old boy lies dying. When asked if he’s afraid, he simply says, “Yeah.” In this episode, I explore what that single word reveals about mortality, honesty, and the limits of Stoicism. From family stories of loss to Christopher Hitchens’ final writings, we look at the stark truth that no philosophy can soften: we will all die, and that’s okay to admit. Listen for a reflection on death, courage, and the quiet strength of facing fear without pretending it’s not there.
In this episode, I explore the idea that life is not about escaping problems but learning how to face them. We often think the grass is greener on the other side—that a new job, relationship, or lifestyle will free us from the struggles we face today. But in reality, every path comes with its own weeds. Drawing from Stoic philosophy, I break down why problems aren’t curses but gifts—opportunities to grow stronger, more competent, and more resilient. Instead of trading one set of problems for ...
In this episode, I revisit my recent conversation with Tim Ash on evolutionary psychology and take a deeper dive into its most cited facts. From sex differences in mate preferences to jealousy, pair bonding, and courtship rituals, these scientific findings describe human nature as shaped by our evolutionary past. But facts alone don’t tell us how to live. That’s where the Red Pill movement often goes wrong — by adding value judgments and weaponizing these facts to justify cynicism, control, a...
In this episode of The Strong Stoic Podcast, I share reflections from my recent two-week trip to Vietnam—my first time in Asia. Travel today is often portrayed as a flex on social media, but beneath the highlight reels lies a deeper opportunity: stepping outside your cultural bubble and immersing yourself in another way of life. I talk about how travel challenges assumptions we take for granted—whether it’s family expressions of affection, adapting to year-round warm weather, or simply lettin...
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Hi Brandon, that's a very good podcast and an excellent episode! Thank you! Please let me know if you get those comments. Cheers!