The Via Stoica Podcast — A Stoic Way of Life

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, where we explore how Stoic philosophy helps us face life’s challenges with steadiness and wisdom. In this episode, we look at Seneca’s reflection from his consolation to Marcia, who was grieving the loss of her son:“What is the need to weep over parts of life? The whole of it calls for tears. Fresh troubles will press upon you before you have done with the old ones.”Seneca, Consolation to Marcia, 11Seneca’s message is direct: suffering is part of the human condition, and no life is free from hardship. Grief and sadness are natural, but if we focus only on loss, we risk missing the larger truth that challenges are woven into life itself. Instead of being crushed by each new difficulty, Stoicism invites us to accept change, find support in others, and transform hardship into growth and resilience.This teaching connects with the Stoic disciplines of Desire, Assent, and Action: we learn to accept that difficulties are inevitable, question the judgments that make suffering unbearable, and choose responses that move us forward rather than trap us in despair. Practically, this means allowing ourselves to grieve while avoiding rash decisions, supporting others through their pain, and remembering that past hardships have already helped shape the strength we carry today.For more, check out this related article with quotes on Stoicism and grief:https://viastoica.com/on-dealing-with-loss/And if you’re looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:https://viastoica.com/stoic-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/epictetus-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/seneca-quotesMake sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.Support the showhttps://viastoica.comhttps://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coachinghttps://viastoica.com/benny-vonckenhttps://x.com/ViaStoicainfo@viastoica.comProduced by: badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Joelle Samaha, founder of PhiloLife, for an open and deeply personal conversation about healing, philosophy of life, and what it means to live in alignment.Joelle shares her journey into philosophy, wellbeing, and integrative health, shaped by teaching, research, anxiety, loss, and lived experience. We talk about how our philosophy of life, often formed early and unconsciously, influences the way we suffer, cope, and heal. Being kind, doing the “right” thing, or following the expected path does not protect us from pain, and Joelle explains why this realization is often the true starting point of healing.Throughout the conversation, we explore coherence and alignment, the connection between emotions and the body, and why healing is not about fixing symptoms but about understanding deeper causes. Joelle speaks about generational patterns, emotional suppression, and how modern life keeps us constantly busy while quietly disconnected from ourselves. We also discuss why self-care is often misunderstood and why healing rarely happens in isolation, but through reflection, honesty, and meaningful connection with others.Joelle introduces the idea of the “spark of life,” moments of presence, meaning, and awareness that can arise not only in joy but also in grief, crisis, and uncertainty. Healing, as she describes it, is not a destination but an ongoing process of learning, self-inquiry, and returning to what matters.This episode is an invitation to pause, question your own philosophy of life, and consider what it really means to live well.Listen to the full episode now and explore how philosophy, awareness, and alignment can support a deeper healing journey.Connect with Joelle:🌐 https://philolife.com📸 Instagram: @letsgetreal2heal📸 Instagram: @philolifewellbeingSupport the show🌐 viastoica.com🎯 viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching👤 viastoica.com/benny-voncken▶️ YouTube: @viastoica📧 info@viastoica.com🎙️ Produced by: badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, where we explore how Stoic wisdom helps us navigate modern life. In this episode, we reflect on Epictetus’ reminder:“In a similar way, you too should remind yourself that what you love is mortal, that what you love is not your own. It is granted to you for the present while and not irrevocably, not forever, but like a fig or a bunch of grapes in the appointed season. And if you long for it in the winter, you are a fool.” Epictetus, Discourses, Book 3, Chapter 24.86The message is simple and powerful: everything we enjoy, relationships, possessions, circumstances, is temporary. Suffering arises when we cling to what is gone or long for what is not present. Stoicism teaches us to align our desires with reality, appreciate what is here now, and avoid missing the present moment while chasing something absent.This connects directly with the Stoic disciplines of Desire, Assent, and Action: want only what is within your power, question the judgments that create attachment, and act with gratitude toward what you have today. Practically, this means giving attention to the people around you, appreciating what is in your life now, and remembering that everything we love is given to us only for a time.For more, check out this related article with quotes on Stoic desire and attachment:https://viastoica.com/how-to-practice-the-stoic-discipline-desire/And if you’re looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:https://viastoica.com/stoic-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/epictetus-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/seneca-quotesMake sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.Support the showhttps://viastoica.comhttps://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coachinghttps://viastoica.com/benny-vonckenhttps://x.com/ViaStoicainfo@viastoica.comProduced by: badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism. In this episode, I’m joined by Jason Nelson, author of A Balm for Your Soul: Six Seeds for Happiness, for a calm and honest conversation about happiness, burnout, and what it really takes to live well.Jason shares his journey from corporate life in London to a slower, more intentional way of living, shaped by reflection, practice, and self-trust. Together, we explore his six seeds of happiness, self-care, self-mastery, boundaries, kindness, relationships, and connection, and how closely they align with Stoic philosophy. We talk about people pleasing, impostor syndrome, emotional awareness, and why being kind is not the same as being nice. This episode is a reminder that happiness is not a destination, but a daily practice rooted in honesty, courage, and care for yourself and others.A few reflections you can take from this episode:Pause before reacting and examine what you are feeling.Notice where boundaries are missing, especially in familiar relationships.Pay attention to which connections nourish you and which drain you.Reflect at the end of the day with reason and kindness, not judgment.Listen to the full episode and explore how Stoic wisdom and lived experience come together to support a happier, steadier life.You can read the related article on Via Stoica: https://viastoica.com/a-stoic-conversation-with-jason-nelson/You can follow Jason here: IG: @iamjasonnelsonAnd you can find the book here: Amazon: https://amzn.to/44Fh1XhSupport the showhttps://viastoica.comhttps://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coachinghttps://viastoica.com/benny-vonckenYouTube: @viastoicainfo@viastoica.comProduced by: badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.In this episode, we look at a passage by Marcus Aurelius from Meditations, Book 5.3, where he reminds himself how to act in the face of criticism and doubt:“If an action or utterance is appropriate, then it’s appropriate for you. Don’t be put off by other people’s comments and criticism. If it’s right to say or do it, then it’s the right thing for you to do or say.”— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 5.3The core idea is simple: first judge carefully what is appropriate, then have the courage to act. Marcus points out that other people follow their own impulses and views. Their reactions are not your responsibility. What matters is whether your action aligns with reason, ethics, and your role in the world.This theme runs through Stoicism as a whole. Epictetus emphasizes responsibility for choice, Seneca warns against living for approval, and all three Stoic disciplines come together here. Desire is trained away from praise, Assent is used to judge what is right, and Action is where courage is required to follow through.In practice, this helps when you hesitate to speak honestly, make a difficult decision, or feel shaken by criticism. Ask whether the action is fair and necessary. If it is, do it. Learn from feedback if it is useful, but do not let it define your worth or stop your progress.For more, check out this related article with quotes on Stoic courage:https://viastoica.com/10-epictetus-quotes-on-stoic-courage/And if you’re looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:https://viastoica.com/stoic-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/epictetus-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/seneca-quotesMake sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.Support the showhttps://viastoica.comhttps://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coachinghttps://viastoica.com/benny-vonckenhttps://x.com/ViaStoicainfo@viastoica.comProduced by: badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.In this episode, we explore why self compassion matters if we want to make real progress. Stoicism is demanding, and it can easily turn into a quiet kind of perfectionism, where every mistake feels like failure. But the Stoics were never asking us to be finished, they were asking us to keep training.Marcus Aurelius begins his reflections on Antoninus Pius with a simple lesson: “compassion.”Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 1.17For the Stoics, this wasn’t about being soft or excusing yourself, but about staying fair, steady, and willing to learn. When Marcus points to compassion, he isn’t encouraging comfort for its own sake, but reminding us that harsh self judgment clouds reason, and makes it harder to correct course.You will hear practical reflections on the difference between being nice and being kind, how to use the Pause to step back instead of spiraling, and how the four virtues can guide honest self review without self punishment. The goal is not to lower the standard, but to keep moving toward it, as a student, one decision at a time.Listen to the full episode now and discover how self compassion can transform the way you think, act, and see your life.Read the related article: https://viastoica.com/why-stoic-progress-requires-self-compassion/Support the show🌐 viastoica.com🎯 viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching👤 viastoica.com/benny-voncken▶️ YouTube: @viastoica📧 info@viastoica.com🎙️ Produced by: https://badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the Podcast on Stoicism.Where we take a moment to slow down and reflect on what the Stoics can teach us about living with reason and restraint. In this episode, we turn to Seneca and a striking passage from On Anger, Book 3, section 3: “So tell me, will someone call a man sane who, as if caught up in a tempest, does not walk, but is driven along and takes as his master a furious demon?”Seneca uses vivid language to show what anger does to the mind. When anger takes over, we are no longer choosing our actions; we are being carried by them. The Stoic principle at work here is self-command. Anger is not strength, but a loss of inner direction, a momentary madness that blocks reason and leads us away from acting well.This idea connects closely with Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, who both warn against being ruled by impressions instead of examining them. Through the disciplines of Desire, Assent, and Action, Stoicism teaches us to loosen our attachment to emotional impulses, question the judgments that ignite anger, and respond deliberately rather than react blindly. In everyday life, this means learning to pause when irritation arises, recognizing when emotion is taking the lead, and choosing restraint over release, especially in moments of pressure or conflict.For more, check out this related article with quotes on Stoicism and anger:https://viastoica.com/10-seneca-quotes-on-anger/And if you’re looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:https://viastoica.com/stoic-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/epictetus-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/seneca-quotesMake sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.Support the showhttps://viastoica.comhttps://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coachinghttps://viastoica.com/benny-vonckenhttps://x.com/ViaStoicainfo@viastoica.comProduced by: badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.In this episode, we explore why the idea of the Stoic lone wolf is a myth. While modern culture often praises isolation and radical self reliance as strength, the Stoics understood human beings as deeply social by nature. Solitude can restore us, but cutting ourselves off from others slowly erodes purpose and direction.Marcus Aurelius captures this clearly when he writes:“Have you ever seen a severed hand or foot, or a decapitated head, lying somewhere apart from the rest of the body? That is what a person makes of himself when he refuses to accept what happens and cuts himself off from others.”Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.34He is not condemning solitude, but reminding us that we flourish only when we see ourselves as part of a larger whole.This episode reflects on the difference between chosen solitude and harmful isolation, the Stoic importance of roles and duties, and why real strength lies in connection, responsibility, and contribution. Stoicism invites us not to withdraw from life, but to take our place in it with reason, kindness, and steadiness.Listen to the full episode now and discover how connection and responsibility can transform the way you think, act, and see your life.Read the related article: https://viastoica.com/why-the-stoic-lone-wolf-doesnt-exist/Support the show🌐 viastoica.com🎯 viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching👤 viastoica.com/benny-voncken▶️ YouTube: @viastoica📧 info@viastoica.com🎙️ Produced by: https://badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism. In this week's Stoic Quotes episode, we look at Epictetus, Discourses, Book 4, Chapter 4, recorded by Arrian. He writes: “But it is a much finer thing to be happy, to have a peaceful and undisturbed mind, to have what concerns you depend on nobody but yourself.”At first glance, this can sound like withdrawal from the world, but Epictetus is pointing to something more demanding. He is reminding us that the moment we tie our happiness to externals, whether comfort, leisure, approval, or even quiet, we become dependent and easily disturbed. Stoic happiness is not about arranging perfect conditions, but about cultivating inner steadiness through right judgment. In modern terms, peace comes not from controlling life, but from aligning our desires with what is truly up to us.This teaching echoes through Stoicism, from Marcus Aurelius’ emphasis on inner rule to Seneca’s insistence that freedom begins with self-command. It touches all three Stoic disciplines: Desire, by letting go of attachments to externals; Assent, by examining the judgments that create disturbance; and Action, by choosing what accords with reason and virtue, even when it feels uncomfortable. Practically, this means learning to remain composed when plans fail, choosing values over convenience, and finding contentment in acting well rather than feeling comfortable.For more, check out this related article with quotes on Stoic inner peace and solitude:https://viastoica.com/10-marcus-aurelius-quotes-on-being-alone/And if you’re looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:https://viastoica.com/stoic-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/epictetus-quoteshttps://viastoica.com/seneca-quotesMake sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.Support the showhttps://viastoica.comhttps://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coachinghttps://viastoica.com/benny-vonckenhttps://x.com/ViaStoicainfo@viastoica.comProduced by: badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism. In this episode, we explore what it really means to build a strong relationship, not from modern ideals of romance or constant happiness, but from a Stoic understanding of character, responsibility, and shared life. Relationships matter deeply in everyday life, yet they often become a source of anxiety, pressure, and confusion. The Stoics approached them differently, seeing relationships not as a solution to personal emptiness, but as a field in which virtue is practiced.At the core of this episode is a simple but demanding insight: strong relationships begin with a strong relationship to oneself. Before seeking completion in another, Stoicism asks us to cultivate self-knowledge, balance, and inner stability. From that foundation, relationships become places of cooperation rather than dependency, growth rather than possession.Marcus Aurelius captures this clearly when he writes:“People exist for one another; you can instruct them, or endure them.”Meditations, Book 8.59For the Stoics, this wasn’t about ideal harmony or avoiding conflict, but about understanding our role toward others. When Marcus Aurelius writes this, he isn’t being cynical, but reminding us that relationships are part of our nature as social beings. They call us to act with patience, fairness, and care, even when it is difficult.The episode also draws on Stoic reflections on friendship, marriage, and attachment, including insights from Seneca and Epictetus, showing that lasting relationships are grounded in virtue rather than pleasure, status, or fear of loss.Here are a few Stoic practices from this episode you can explore in your own life:Strengthen your inner foundation – Work on self-knowledge and balance before seeking fulfillment through another person.Practice relationships as cooperation – Replace winning arguments with understanding and shared responsibility.Examine judgments in conflict – Pause before reacting and question the story you are telling yourself about the other person.Hold relationships with gratitude, not fear – Remember that others are mortal and changeable, and let this deepen appreciation rather than anxiety.In a time when relationships are often idealized or feared, Stoicism offers a grounded alternative. It helps us approach love, friendship, and partnership with clarity, realism, and care. By the end of this episode, you’ll see that Stoicism isn’t a cold philosophy of detachment, but a way of building relationships that are honest, resilient, and rooted in virtue.Listen to the full episode now and discover how Stoic wisdom can transform the way you relate to others and to yourself.Read the companion article: [insert link if available]Support the show🌐 viastoica.com🎯 viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching👤 viastoica.com/benny-voncken▶️ YouTube: @viastoica📧 info@viastoica.com🎙️ Produced by: badmic.com