Big Ideas The Stoic and the introvert — life hacks from Brigid Delaney and Jenny Valentish
Feb 25, 2026
Tracey Hutchison, radio broadcaster and festival chair, steers a lively conversation. Jenny Valentish, journalist and author of The Introvert's Guide to Leaving the House, shares practical tactics for social anxiety. Brigid Delaney, journalist and Stoicism advocate, offers pragmatic Stoic perspectives on control, wellness and civic action. They swap life hacks on small talk, public events, acceptance versus activism and friendship.
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Fictional Newsroom Trauma To Explore Stoicism
- Brigid Delaney framed Stoic lessons inside a fictional assignment after a newsroom shooting to test philosophy under extreme events.
- Her journalist protagonist interviews the mayor of Silver Springs who embodies a Stoic community and teaches control tests.
Control Test Focuses Only On Your Responses
- Stoicism narrows control to actions, character and treatment of others as the only reliable domain.
- Brigid Delaney's mayor character explains that interpretations and reactions are controllable and shape life experience.
Visualize And Prepare To Reduce Public Anxiety
- Use visualization and tactical prep to manage public anxiety before events.
- Jenny Valentish visualises a friendly audience, limits socialising pre-event and sometimes uses beta blockers to block adrenaline for public speaking.
