Claim OwnershipThe Stoic Handbook with Jon Brooks
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© 2026 The Stoic Handbook with Jon Brooks
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Modern practical breakdowns of the best ideas in ancient Stoicism. New episodes are released every Monday.
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Send us a text Martijn Schirp and I have known each other for nearly a decade. He first reached out after reading a meditation article I posted on Reddit—a message that changed my life and eventually led to us co-founding HighExistence and running transformational retreats together in Costa Rica. Since then, Martijn has lived several lifetimes: professional poker player who finished 102nd at the World Series of Poker, a crisis of meaning in Vegas that led him to a Buddhist monastery in Nepal,...
Send us a text Do you experience overwhelming stress because you must handle numerous tasks while feeling like your time supply is insufficient? The episode presents ancient Stoic teachings that help listeners eliminate distractions to concentrate on essential things. We'll explore: Your limited existence brings you freedom instead of creating sadness.Marcus Aurelius presents a basic inquiry which helps people stay focused on what matters.The Dichotomy of Control: how to stop worrying about t...
Send us a text What if the secret to gratitude isn't positive thinking—but imagining loss? In this 12-minute guided meditation, I'll walk you through an ancient Stoic practice called praemeditatio malorum—the premeditation of adversity. Used by Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus, this technique trains you to appreciate what you have before it's gone. We'll imagine a vivid scenario: a sudden accident that changes everything. Not to be morbid, but to wake you up to the fragility and preciou...
Send us a text Tired of stumbling over Greek terms when exploring Stoic philosophy? This episode is your essential guide to understanding Stoicism's core concepts—without the academic confusion. Join Jon Brooks as he breaks down the key Stoic vocabulary that every practitioner needs to know, translating ancient Greek wisdom into practical, modern language. From arete (moral excellence) to apatheia (tranquility, not apathy), discover what these terms actually mean and how they apply to your da...
Send us a text Ever feel like you're drifting through life without a clear moral compass? The ancient Stoics had an answer: four timeless virtues that can transform how you handle stress, make decisions, and find meaning. In this episode of Stoic Handbook, Jon Brooks breaks down wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance – the four cardinal virtues that philosophers like Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus used to navigate everything from personal anxiety to leading empires. You'll discover: Wisdom: ...
Send us a text Reclaim your calm in a world of group chat drama and endless notifications. This 12-minute guided practice breaks down Epictetus' 20 social rules from the Enchiridion Chapter 33—ancient Stoic wisdom for modern chaos. Learn to pause before reacting, redirect gossip into growth, disarm critics without ego, and curate connections that elevate your energy. Perfect for high-stakes meetings, family dinners, or digital detox. Ideal for: Anyone tired of reactive conversations, people-p...
Send us a text Let me guess: you've read Marcus Aurelius. You know some things are up to you and some aren't. And yet... you still lie awake replaying conversations, spiraling over outcomes, or feeling like a failure when things don't go your way. Yeah. Me too. Here's the problem: the dichotomy of control is brilliant philosophy—but it's terrible instructions for real life. People hear "focus on what you control" and either become passive ("guess I'll just accept everything") or confused ("wa...
Send us a text What if the secret to genuine confidence isn't positive affirmations or fake-it-till-you-make-it energy—but five ancient skills the Stoics spent centuries perfecting? In this episode, we explore how clarity of purpose, non-attachment to outcomes, radical authenticity, unshakeable self-worth, and enjoyment of your own company create the kind of confidence that doesn't need external validation. You'll discover: Why clear intentions make you magnetic (and how to develop them)The S...
Send us a text You know that moment when the craving is right here, right now—and it feels like the only choice is to give in? That pull toward the drink, the scroll, the binge, the text you'll regret, the purchase you don't need. The sensation is real. The urgency feels absolute. But here's the Stoic truth the ancient philosophers knew: The craving is an impression, not a command. This 5-minute guided drill teaches you to insert one radical act between impulse and action: the pause. Using th...
Send us a text Most “men’s advice” teaches tactics. In this conversation, Adam Rice shares a deeper path: becoming untriggerable, relating consciously, and integrating the masculine and feminine so you can lead, love, and live without the drama spiral. We cover how to spot ego flares in your body, the language of conscious communication, why intimacy beats performance, how to use rituals and rest without sliding into apathy, and when (and how) plant medicines are used in a safe, ethical conta...
Send us a text If “be nicer” hasn’t fixed your toughest conversations, try Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in the wild. Coach Hans Nav Neev shows how to turn trigger moments into clarity, how to stop taking things personally, and why conflict—done well—becomes a portal to connection. What you’ll learn The OFNR model (Observations, Feelings, Needs, Requests) that actually de-fogs conflictJackal vs. Giraffe ears: hearing judgments vs. hearing needsThe guilt process (“the art of being torn”) to e...
Send us a text When your child’s “No!” sparks your own surge, this guided reset helps you find your soft voice again. We begin with 4–6 breathing to settle the nervous system, set a one‑line intention, and repeat the cue phrase “Good kid, tricky moment.” Then we practice holding two truths—kind and firm—so you can keep connection first and offer clear guidance once the charge is gone. You’ll choose one calm sentence or boundary, visualize setting the shaken “snow globe” down, and close with a...
Send us a text End your day with this calming Stoic meditation designed to help you unwind, reflect, and sleep deeply. Drawing on ancient Stoic wisdom, you'll be guided through mindful presence, a gentle nightly review, acceptance of the day, and a cosmic perspective to let go of stress and reconnect with peace. Blending reflection, gratitude, and timeless philosophy, this practice is perfect for ending the day with clarity, calm, and inner stillness.
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Send us a text Join Erick Cloward, Stoic author and host of The Stoic Coffee Break Podcast, as he shares how Stoicism transformed his approach to emotions and reactivity. In this 3-minute clip, learn practical Stoic wisdom to stay calm and focused in any situation! 💡 Key Takeaways Feel emotions in proportion to events with Stoic principles. Your perspective, not the event, drives your reactions. Consistency (like daily Stoic practice) builds lasting change. 🗣️ Quotes Erick Clo...
Send us a text In just five minutes, this guided meditation uses a precise 4-2-6 breath and Stoic detachment to separate your calm center from external chaos. By grounding in the body, naming the “turbulence,” and repeating “I am the pilot, not the turbulence,” you’ll instantly regain perspective and control. Designed for use anywhere—desk, car, or hallway—it delivers a compact, research-backed reset to steer your mind through any storm.
Send us a text Imagine embracing every twist and turn of life—both pleasant and painful—with open arms. This is the profound Stoic philosophy of amor fati, or "love of fate." Far from passive acceptance, amor fati encourages active enthusiasm toward every event in life. In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover the meaning of amor fati, its Stoic origins, powerful quotes, real-world examples, and actionable strategies to apply this transformative concept in your daily life.
Send us a text Begin each morning with a ten‑minute immersion in Stoic clarity, guided by the words of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus. This meditation trains you to anchor attention, soften reactivity, and greet every challenge as a chance to practice virtue. You’ll scan body and mind, reframe yesterday’s worries, and pre‑rehearse today’s tests so they arrive already diminished. By the final breath you’ll stand poised—calm, focused, and ready to play your part on life’s stage wi...
Send us a text In this clip, renowned Stoicism writer @DonaldRobertson explains why he believes Plato’s Apology is the only book he universally recommends. Donald dives into the profound impact of this short yet powerful text, Socrates’ legendary courtroom defense, and its relevance to Stoic philosophy and modern life. What You’ll Learn in This Clip: - Why Plato’s Apology stands apart as a must-read. - The philosophical seeds Socrates planted in this courtroom drama. - How The ...
Send us a text This 7.5-minute Stoic morning meditation guides you in the practice of objective representation—seeing events clearly without emotional distortion. You'll be invited to observe a recent experience, separate facts from feelings, and reframe your response with calm and clarity. Inspired by the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus, this meditation helps you begin your day grounded in reason, not reaction. By the end, you’ll feel mentally clear, emotionally steady, and ready to ...
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