The Cheerful Stoic
By Juan C. Torres
The podcast where we read, meditate, and reflect on the ancient Stoic philosophers.
The Cheerful StoicAug 05, 2020
00:00
03:38
42: On Providence By Seneca [Part 2]
In this episode, we continue to look at what Seneca has to say to his friend Lucillius about Providence. He says here that excellence cannot be arrived at without struggle and adversity.
Oct 17, 202107:29
41: On Providence By Seneca [Part 1]
In this episode, we introduce and present the central question behind Seneca’s On Providence, the theodicy question. “Why do bad things happen to good people?”
Oct 10, 202109:30
40: Podcast Update for Future Episodes
In this episode, I respond to Steve, a faithful listener from India, and then talk about upcoming episodes.
Oct 08, 202105:20
39: Meditations 11.7
In this episode, we take a look at one of Marcus Aurelius master Stoic principles: embracing your lot in life as the ground and path for growth in virtue.
Aug 24, 202104:37
38: Interview with Michael McGill
In this episode, I chat with Michael McGill. He’s a fellow Stoic I’ve met on Twitter. He shares with me how he came to learn about and practice Stoicism. He gives excellent advice to both new and mature practitioners. He has an excellent newsletter where you can keep up with his latest thoughts, resources, and insights. Sign up here: www.michaeldmcgill.com/newsletter/
Jun 23, 202147:51
37: Embrace your Fate
In this episode, I read and talk about Meditations 7.57, where Marcus Aurelius reminds us to embrace all our experiences as uniquely suited to us. This is a Stoic master principle for all who seek to live the virtuous life.
Jun 19, 202104:11
36: Interview with Ben Wood, Quaker Theologian and Philosopher
In this episode, Ben and I talk (amongst other things) about daily Stoic practice, Quakers and ancient philosophy, the freedom of the will (and grace), Stoics and the irrational and much more besides!
Jun 15, 202101:00:05
35: It is in your power always and everywhere…
Marcus Aurelius reminds us to accept our lot in life, to deal justly with the people in our lives, and to closely monitor our thoughts so that we can live according to nature.
Jun 07, 202105:15
34: On Seneca’s Letters to Lucilius #41
Seneca reminds us that we are rational animals. Virtue is the only good pursuing.
Feb 11, 202104:33
33: Stoicism is like Yoga for the mind
In this episode I read Meditations 2.2 and make some brief comments.
Feb 03, 202105:09
32: Book Review of :: A Field Guide to a Happy Life ::
In this episode, I give a brief review of Massimo Piggliucci’s latest book. www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Happy-Life-Lessons/dp/1541646932
Oct 03, 202009:45
31: Strange, Noble, and Sad
In this episode I go over my favorite description of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, as found in the preface of the Penguin Classics edition.
Sep 14, 202013:07
30: On the Charge of Hypocrisy
Seneca defends himself (and the rest of philosophers) from the charge of being hypocrites and from failing to practice what they preach.
Sep 06, 202009:35
29: How Stoics should deal with impressions
Epictetus reminds his students that good and evil are determined not by external events but by our interpretation and reaction to them. Discourses 3.8 + Enchiridion 1
Sep 01, 202010:13
28: Stoics ought be kind!
Kindness is a virtue related to that of justice. As Stoics, we must aim higher than simply speaking truth. We must speak truth kindly. We must not mistake kindness with weakness.
Aug 24, 202003:33
27: Are you able to be your own enjoyable company?
Socrates and Seneca reminds us that if we are philosophically healthy we should be able to enjoy our own company.
Aug 15, 202005:10
26: On Preferred and Dispreferred Indifferents
There is virtue, there is vice, and then there is everything else, which is labeled either Preferred Indifferents or Dispreferred Indifferents. In today’s episode we explore a passage on these by Seneca.
Aug 09, 202009:09
25: You are never too busy to be a Stoic!
Meditations 8.8 :: Marcus Aurelius reminds himself here that even in the days where he lacks the time for reading, he does not lack the opportunities to work on his character!
Aug 05, 202003:38
24: Interview with Don (@rockyrooktweets) from Stoic Twitter!
In this episode I interview Don, one of the best kept secrets of Stoic Twitter. There are a couple of minor audio issues here, but it's still a wonderful interview. Enjoy!
Mentioned links: www.collegeofstoicphilosophers.org/index.php/subjects
Don's twitter account: twitter.com/rockyrooktweets
Mentioned links: www.collegeofstoicphilosophers.org/index.php/subjects
Don's twitter account: twitter.com/rockyrooktweets
Jul 26, 202044:29
23: Enchiridion 23
Epictetus reminds us once again to care nothing for what others think, but to be the best philosophers we can be and rest with our own opinion of ourselves.
Jul 23, 202003:15
22: Putting the threefold Stoic Curriculum to work!
Marcus Aurelius admonishes himself to *practice* the Stoic curriculum 😋
Jul 21, 202005:16
21: Watch out with your initial impressions!
Marcus Aurelius reminds us we can more consistently enjoy peace if we see to it that our first impressions don’t lead us astray!
Jul 21, 202005:06
20: Good Stoics seek friends, but are prepared to stay on the path even without them.
In Letter 9 of Letters from a Stoic, Seneca talks at length about how Stoics should view friendship.
Jul 18, 202007:14
19: Prolong Your Stay with the Proven Authors!
Excerpts from Seneca’s Letter #2 to Lucilius. || Music: Nightchaser by Shane Ivers - www.silvermansound.com
Jul 16, 202003:10
18: Nothing better than justice, truth, wisdom, and courage!
Meditations 3:6 from Marcus Aurelius!
Jul 15, 202002:19
17: Don’t Abandon Philosophy!
A meditation on Meditations 9.41 from Marcus Aurelius
Jul 09, 202005:36
16: Don’t Put Off until Tomorrow what You Can Do Today
We continue looking at Seneca’s advice in his 1st letter to Lucilius. Amongs other things, here Seneca advises to not procrastinate and to do today what he is tempted to put off until tomorrow.
Jun 18, 202001:22
15: Embrace Every Hour
In this episode, we take a look at Seneca’s advice to his friend Lucilius on the subject of time management.
Jun 17, 202002:45
14: Black Lives Matter
Here is the link for community bail funds. secure.actblue.com/donate/bail_funds_george_floyd
Jun 02, 202003:52
13: Meditations 5.31
Marcus Aurelius exhorts us to wrong no one and to deal kindly with all we come into contact with.
May 30, 202002:12
12: Interview with Magalie Linda Chetrit
In this episode, I converse with fellow Stoic Magalie Linda about Stoicism, how she learned about it, and how she currently practices it!!
May 23, 202038:16
11: The Three Exercise-Themes of Stoicism!
In this episode we take a brief look at the work of French Philosopher Pierre Harot, who wrote The Inner Citadel, an acclaimed study on The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. Special attention is paid to the three exercise-themes of Stoicism as taught by Epictetus, and further refined by Marcus Aurelius. Enjoy!
May 16, 202010:24
10: Interview with John Mark Ormechea!
It was John Mark Ormechea who led me to become a Stoicism practitioner. Listen to our chat!
May 10, 202042:32
9: Do not despair!
Progress in the Stoic path takes time. We will fail frequently before we start experiencing success. Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca admonish us to keep going!!!
May 02, 202012:34
8: Enchiridion 46
Epictetus reminds his students once again that their main job is to model the way of philosophy, rather than teaching/correcting the behavior of those who were never taught/trained in philosophy.
Apr 24, 202005:24
7: How to Begin your Morning like a Stoic Philosopher!
In this episode, we take a close look at the meditations of Marcus Aurelius, Book 2, Chapter 1
Apr 17, 202006:24
6: A Brief Look at Meditations Book 1
In Meditations 6:48, Marcus Aurelius reminds himself that one way he can cheer himself is by looking at the virtues and talents of those around him.
Apr 10, 202009:58
5: Enchiridion 29
Epictetus exhorts us to carefully count the cost before we embark on an ambitious project.
Mar 31, 202007:31
4: Philosophical Training 2
A continuation of Epictetus’ teaching on philosophical training.
Mar 26, 202005:19
3: Philosophical Training
In this episode, Epictetus tells us the type of mental training would be [Stoic] philosophers are to be in engaged in daily.
Mar 22, 202008:37
2: The Supremacy of Reason
Epictetus tells us why reason is supreme according to Stoic philosophy.
Mar 21, 202008:35
1: Meet Epictetus!
Short introduction to Epictetus’ life and philosophy.
Mar 15, 202005:16
0: Introduction
Who is the host? What is this podcast about? How will I benefit from it???
Mar 08, 202006:14