Stoic Moment Podcast

You had a tough time, but you got through it.  Somehow, you came out stronger than before.

You doubted yourself and even now you can't believe what you were capable of when times got tough.

The Stoics believed that within each and every one of us there is a well of inner resources.  

Ready and waiting to be developed, honed and ready when called upon.

Listen to today's episode learn more

Thanks for tuning in! - Gavin

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Hey everyone - today's episode is exactly as the title suggests.

A reminder for both the good days and the bad days that you have one life and you're living it right now.

Enjoy!  ❤️

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On today's episode we look at how the Stoics valued social responsibility, and what that means to you and I in the current global pandemic.

“To direct my every action toward what benefits us all and to avoid what doesn’t. If I do all that, then my life should go smoothly. As you might expect a citizen’s life to go—one whose actions serve his fellow citizens, and who embraces the community’s decree.” 

- Marcus Aurelius

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Happy New Year to everyone - 2022 is here!

It seems the perfect time to discuss self-improvement alongside self-worth as this time of year brings on a period of reflection.  

As we close the door on the year that's passed we begin to turn our attention forwards and decide what changes we want to make to better ourselves.

To take steps towards our goals and to becoming the person we wish to be - The best version of ourselves.

We discuss some Stoic thoughts on self-improvement and give prompts and motivation to help you identify your goals and stay motivated.

“First say to yourself what you would be;
and then do what you have to do.” - Epictetus 

Welcome to this bonus episode of the Stoic Moment Podcast.

This episode was recorded shortly after I had been informed that my interview for a promotion at work had been unsuccessful.  

I wanted to capture the application of Stoicism in the moment.  

The themes I discuss are some of the central Stoic ideas and are hugely transferrable to any challenges or difficulties that you may be going through right now.

It's a demonstration of Stoicism in action - as Epictetus said, turning words in to works.

Rather than simply speaking words of wisdom we have to actually use them to feel their benefits.

I've left in all of the 'errs' and 'umms' to show the organic nature of this bonus episode.  I hope you find value in listening.  

Thank you for checking out the podcast - please give us a shout out on social media and you can leave a message via www.anchor.fm/stoicmoment or DM us on Instagram or Twitter - WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Also, please leave us a review and tell us what you want to hear more about in future episodes

- Gavin

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Welcome back!!!

This is the third and final instalment of our 'Journey of Zeno' series.  

The life of the founder of Stoicism is full of examples that are absolutely relevant to our modern times.  

• Dealing with the unexpected
• Turning adversity in to opportunity
• Finding your true calling

I'm sure you can relate...

(Side note - apologies for the wait between episodes.  This one has been written for quite a while but I've been on my own journey of turning adversity in to opportunity so it's taken me longer than I'd have liked to get it finished for you all)

Thank you for checking out the podcast - please give us a shout out on social media and you can leave a message via www.anchor.fm/stoicmoment or DM us on Instagram or Twitter - WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Also, please leave us a review and tell us what you want to hear more about in future episodes

- Gavin

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Gavin here, welcome to another episode of the Stoic Moment Podcast!

Episode 2 on the journey of Stoicism's founder, Zeno.  

We look at the events which happened after Zeno's arrival in Athens and how a chance encounter would lead him to finding his philosophical mentor.

As always, the historic events still provide us with so much contemporary guidance.  

The adversity Zeno faced and more importantly, the choices he made in the aftermath were the moments that shaped history.  

Thank you for checking out the podcast - please give us a shout out on social media and you can leave a message via www.anchor.fm/stoicmoment or DM us on Instagram or Twitter - WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Also, please leave us a review and tell us what you want to hear more about in future episodes

- Gavin

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Hi everyone, Gavin here, on today’s episode we discuss Zeno and the events which occurred which would lead him to becoming the founder of Stoic philosophy. There’s a takeaway message for all of us about those moments in life when the unexpected happens and how we can make the best of bad situations.

Thank you for checking out the podcast - please give us a shout out on social media and you can leave a message via www.anchor.fm/stoicmoment or DM us on Instagram or Twitter - WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

- Gavin

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Welcome back!

In our new episode we consider the following questions:

• What's the difference between stagnation and 'non-change'?
• If we aren't moving forwards does that mean we are moving backwards?
• What did the Stoics think about moments and periods without change?
• How can you make progress?
• How can you stay the course?

Thank you for checking out the podcast - please give us a shout out on social media and You can leave a message via www.anchor.fm/stoicmoment or DM us on Instagram or Twitter - WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

- Gavin

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Happy International Yoga Day

Today's special episode features the show's first guest; a great friend of mine, fellow thinker and physiotherapist, and certified Yoga instructor, Keith Finn

In celebration of today Keith and I met to discuss the relationship between what's frequently referred to as the three pillars of wellbeing: physical, mental and spiritual

The Stoics understood the importance of valuing yourself mentally and physically.  They regularly spoke of how important it is for you to look after yourself through physical exercise, exposure to adversity and safeguarding your mental health

“In order to protect ourselves, we must live like doctors and be continually treating ourselves with reason.”― Musonius Rufus

I'll be exploring this from a variety of different perspectives and approaches in future episodes

We talk about yoga from Eastern and Western perspectives, and use our knowledge as physiotherapists to relate yogic teachings to scientific and anatomical principles

This is part one of the brilliant conversations Keith and I had - if you've enjoyed it please share it and stay tuned for more in the near future

Thank you for checking out the podcast - please give us a shout out on social media and you can leave a message via www.anchor.fm/stoicmoment or DM us on Instagram or Twitter - WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

- Gavin

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“The universe made rational creatures for the sake of each other, with an eye toward mutual benefit based on true value and never for harm.” - Marcus Aurelius.

In this episode we discuss the Stoic concept of 'Sympatheia': the interconnectedness of humans, everywhere.  

We relate its relevance to Men's Mental Health week (14 - 21st June) and also bring Buddhist meditation in to the idea of fostering goodwill and kindness to everyone.

Thank you for checking out the podcast - please give us a shout out on social media and You can leave a message via www.anchor.fm/stoicmoment or DM us on Instagram or Twitter - WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! 

- Gavin

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On today's show we begin to look at the Stoic idea of exploring and questioning our perceptions.

This is a hugely significant concept in Stoic philosophy and would be impossible to cover in a single episode.  

Today's show provides us with a starting point on this fundamental concept of Stoicism and features many of the quotes from Epictetus' teachings on the subject.

"Don’t let the force of an impression when it first hit you knock you off your feet; just say to it: Hold on a moment; let me see who you are and what you represent. Let me put you to the test.” — Epictetus  

Thank you for checking out the podcast - please give us a shout out on social media and get in touch if there's more you want to know about in future episodes - Gavin

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Hi everyone, Gavin here.

Today's episode came about following a conversation I had with someone recently.  They were talking about how hurt they were that a gesture they had made for someone in the past that went unappreciated and instead of receiving praise they were left feeling criticized and disappointed.  It turned out this event happened about 25 (TWENTY FIVE!) years ago and it struck me that this person had been carrying this feeling within them for such a long time they hadn't thought to question it.  Secretly causing them a lot of grief along the way.

What struck me next was that it was my instant reaction to phrase a response something long the lines of this podcast, which from an outsider's perspective seemed useful and intended to be caring.  What I wanted to add though was that it also made me reflect inwards - that as easy as it was for me to offer a response such as this one I had to examine myself too, and I realised that in offering the advice to another I could see that I have on many occasions felt and carried the resentment of a response or reaction that I didn't want or didn't feel like I deserved.

In doing so, I could see how the words contained in this podcast were also of absolute benefit to me - something which I had conveniently overlooked to begin with.

The title is the question I put to my friend and then afterwards, to myself.

"If they won't change, can you?"

Thank you for checking out the podcast - please give us a shout out on social media and get in touch if there's more you want to know about in future episodes - Gavin

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What are your absolutes? The things that make up your day, your week, your month, your year that you absolutely must do.

In today’s show we seek to look inwards, to try and honestly identify what our absolutes are, and what they say about us.

Thank you for checking out the podcast - please give us a shout out on social media and get in touch if there's more you want to know about in future episodes - Gavin

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In today's show we discuss how we can learn to accept the fact that we can't control much of what happens to us BUT in doing so we gain a Stoic superpower!  AMOR FATI!  LOVE YOUR FATE! 

Instead of wasting our time feeling hurt by what hasn't gone the way we wanted we can accept it and invest our energy in to embracing what has happened, by turning it into an opportunity for growth.

An ancient idea that remains more relevant than ever for us in our modern lives.

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