Best Cosmopolis Podcasts (2025)

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#384 - Travel, Stoicism, and the Cosmopolis 13:55

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5d ago13:55

13:55

In this episode of The Strong Stoic Podcast, I share reflections from my recent two-week trip to Vietnam—my first time in Asia. Travel today is often portrayed as a flex on social media, but beneath the highlight reels lies a deeper opportunity: stepping outside your cultural bubble and immersing yourself in another way of life. I talk about how tr…

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#383 - Epictetus on Wealth and Detachment 14:33

13d ago14:33

14:33

In this episode, I explore Epictetus’ challenge: Can you gain wealth and possessions without losing your dignity, self-respect, and character? Drawing from Enchiridion 24, I unpack the Stoic idea of detachment—why possessions so easily ensnare us, how loss reveals our attachments, and what it really means to see everything in life as borrowed, not …

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#382 - Tim Ash: Primal Dating & Evolutionary Psychology 1:08:59

20d ago1:08:59

1:08:59

Dating has never been more complicated. Between the rise of online apps, shifting cultural expectations, and the pull of red pill and feminist extremes, many people are left frustrated—or giving up altogether. In this episode, I sit down with Tim Ash, co-author of Primal Dating, to uncover the evolutionary psychology beneath our modern mating strug…

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#381 - The World's Not Out to Get You 18:46

28d ago18:46

18:46

In this episode, I dive deep into one of Epictetus’s striking passages: “As a target is not set up for the archer to miss it, so there is no intrinsic evil that exists in the world.” At first glance, it’s an odd way to phrase things—but hidden within is a Stoic lesson on victimhood, agency, and what it truly means to be free. We live in a culture t…

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#380 - The Power to Change with Chuck Chakrapani 32:02

1M ago32:02

32:02

In this episode of The Strong Stoic Podcast, I sit down once again with Chuck Chakrapani, author of The Power to Change: Stoic Strategies to Transform Your Life. Chuck shares practical wisdom on how Stoicism can be applied to modern problems—overthinking, fear, indecision, and the messy complexity of life. We discuss: Why most people struggle to ch…

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#379 - Justice Without a Gavel: Living Fairness the Stoic Way 16:43

2M ago16:43

16:43

From the outside, my decision at work didn’t make much sense — it cost more time, more money, and even confused a few people. But it was the right call for the people involved. That’s justice in the Stoic sense — not just what’s legal, not just what looks efficient on paper, but what’s fair. In this episode, we explore justice as one of the four St…

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#378 - Recovery Is Not a Weakness — It’s the Foundation of Strength 14:27

2M ago14:27

14:27

In this episode, I dive into something I’ve recently experienced firsthand—what some might call overtraining, but what I’ve come to see as something deeper. Yes, I was pushing hard in the gym, but I wasn’t just tired—I had adapted so well to the constant pressure that I didn’t even notice the damage building up underneath. That got me thinking abou…

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#377 - Joshua W. Bertolotti | Cultivating Calm: Stoicism, Self-Awareness, and Emotional Presence 26:15

2M ago26:15

26:15

In this episode, I’m joined by longtime friend and fellow philosopher Joshua Bertolotti—writer, father, and host of Dying Every Day. We dive into what it really means to know yourself, why emotional presence matters more than emotional distance, and how even rest can unearth hidden tension. Joshua opens up about decompressing after years in the mil…

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#376 - What Squid Game Gets Right About Human Nature 20:33

2M ago20:33

20:33

Each game strips away the veneer of civilization, exposing what lies beneath—fear, desire, ambition, and the will to survive. But true strength is not found in surviving by any means necessary. It is found in choosing virtue, even when the price is death. Recently, I’ve been watching Squid Game, catching up on the later seasons. While it’s been out…

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#375 - Tanner Campbell | How Stoicism Shapes Our Health, Fitness, and Daily Responsibilities 1:06:12

3M ago1:06:12

1:06:12

By Brandon Tumblin

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#374 - The Hidden Cause Behind Your Pain 14:12

3M ago14:12

14:12

You may find yourself struggling with certain emotions or having poor reactions to things – anger, for example. You can treat the symptom. Meditation, anger management techniques, deep breathing. Marcus Aurelius had a long list of anger management tools, and using them isn’t a bad thing. But as a Stoic, you must dig deeper. You must ask: what is th…

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Ep 383: The Life of Chuck 51:20

3M ago51:20

51:20

Diana DiMuro is joined by super special guest, the incredibly smart and sweet Damian Masterson, to discuss Mike Flanagan's latest adaptation of a Stephen King work, "The Life of Chuck." Topics cover thoughts on the universe, life, Flanagan and King's previous works, as well as one heck of a supporting cast.Listen on....…

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#373 - Creating Beauty as a Stoic 11:19

3M ago11:19

11:19

This summer has been, for me, the summer of beauty. What I mean by that is, this summer in my household, we have focused on making our home beautiful. Painting. Lawn care. Home decorations. Feng shui, if you will. It’s not that we were negligent of these things in the past—though you can listen to my earlier reflections on lawn care and decide for …

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#372 - Strength Starts Where You Are 11:51

3M ago11:51

11:51

By Brandon Tumblin

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#371 - False Progress & Stoic Luck 10:34

3M ago10:34

10:34

“Show me that you have your principles in order, not that fortune is currently favoring you.” — Epictetus As we get older, life tends to get better in some ways—at least materially. One of the most obvious examples is wealth. Most of us, over time, tend to accumulate more of it. That’s no surprise: if you’re working, saving, investing, and generall…

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#370 - The Necessity of an Inner Circle 20:12

4M ago20:12

20:12

“Associate with people who are likely to improve you.” - Seneca In this simple yet powerful statement, Seneca offers a foundational truth of Stoic living. The idea isn’t just about socializing with the right crowd — it’s about deliberately surrounding yourself with people who bring out your best. In today’s language, we might call this the inner ci…

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#369 - Would You Live Forever If You Could? 19:54

4M ago19:54

19:54

The Stoic tradition teaches that death is not to be feared but rather meditated on, accepted, and used as a tool for living virtuously. But what happens when death, once seen as inevitable and natural, becomes optional—perhaps even solvable? As science and technology evolve, the question is no longer purely hypothetical. More voices, like that of e…

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#368 - Pleasure vs. Purpose: Finding Balance in Modern Life 21:49

4M ago21:49

21:49

Viktor Frankl once wrote, “Those who cannot find a deep sense of meaning distract themselves with pleasure.” It’s a quote that resonates deeply within the Stoic tradition. The Stoics, much like Frankl, warned against the unmoderated pursuit of indulgence. Pleasure, entertainment, materialism—these things are not inherently wrong, but when used to f…

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#367 - Excuses vs. Truth: Owning Failure in a Stoic Life 21:30

4M ago21:30

21:30

As Stoics, we are called to play many roles in life, each with its own set of duties and responsibilities. These roles—whether as professionals, parents, partners, community members, or homeowners—shape our lives and define how we engage with the world. Yet, balancing these roles is a constant challenge. Sometimes, despite our best intentions, we f…

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#366 - Embracing Life's Trials - A Stoic Perspective 17:56

5M ago17:56

17:56

“You know what, from my experience, what I found out? That God tests you to see how much of this you can take before you say, ‘Let’s just be finished with this.’ He wants to show you something. He wants to see how much you can take, how much you can handle of life. You say you love life? You want to live life? I’m gonna show you life. Life is beaut…

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#365 - How Stoicism Helped Me Handle a Car Accident 18:22

5M ago18:22

18:22

By Brandon Tumblin

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#364 - Surviving Orwell’s 1984 as a Stoic 22:15

5M ago22:15

22:15

In this episode, we dive deep into the totalitarian world of George Orwell’s 1984 and ask: Could a Stoic survive—and even thrive—there? What does inner freedom look like when the outer world is a prison? And how might Stoic philosophy be the ultimate rebellion in a world where truth is erased, thought is policed, and fear is everywhere? This podcas…

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Ep 382: Thunderball, Die Another Day and Queer 2:22:45

5M ago2:22:45

2:22:45

Mike Burdge and Reeya Banerjee return to the mics with fresh and spicy opinions on all of the wild Bond news and rumors, as well as covering two Bond installments to close out both the Connery and Brosnan eras: Thunderball and Die Another Day. They also discuss Daniel Craig's remarkable performance from Queer, arguably his first big swing project s…

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#363 - Character is What Remains 16:36

5M ago16:36

16:36

Last week, I attended the funeral of a man who had worked for our company for 25 years. He was deeply woven into the fabric of our organization—one of those steady presences who quietly held things together. He died too young, and the ceremony was filled with friends, family, coworkers, and members of the community who came to say goodbye. As his m…

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#362 - Joshua W. Bertolotti: Finding Peace in Imperfection 54:39

6M ago54:39

54:39

Joshua W. Bertolotti is the host of the In Search of Wisdom Podcast and the Perennial Podcast where he talks about all kinds of ancient wisdom and engages in meaningful conversations with modern thinkers. He also manages the Perennial Leader Project, which includes these podcasts along with a weekly newsletter and blog posts. Josh is a regular gues…

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#361 - Should a Stoic Be Vegan? 19:20

6M ago19:20

19:20

It’s a compelling question—one I’ve spent years thinking through, not only as someone who once followed a strict vegan diet, but as someone who continually aims to live according to Stoic principles. The deeper I explore Stoicism, the more I realize this philosophy doesn’t often provide simple yes-or-no answers. Rather, it offers a rational, values…

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#360 - Top 10 Daily Habits 25:39

6M ago25:39

25:39

Over the years, I have experimented with countless daily habits, each aimed at optimizing my productivity, happiness, and health. Some worked, some didn’t, and some I struggled to implement effectively. However, through trial and error, I have identified ten key habits that have remained consistent in my routine. These habits have stood the test of…

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#359 - On Helping the Homeless 20:26

6M ago20:26

20:26

Like many people living in cities, I’ve noticed that the homeless population has grown significantly. In my home province of Nova Scotia, this was hardly an issue in the past, but now it's become much more apparent. The city has taken some steps, such as setting up small shelters—tiny homes that provide a temporary place to stay. While these effort…

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#358 - Actions Speak Louder Than Words 14:23

7M ago14:23

14:23

In The Handbook of Epictetus, paragraph 46, the Stoic philosopher provides a powerful lesson on humility, wisdom, and the importance of embodying philosophy rather than simply discussing it. His words offer a practical guide on how to conduct oneself in social environments and how true wisdom is demonstrated through actions, not rhetoric. This podc…

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#357 - Gandalf, Stoicism, and the Wisdom of the Grandfather 15:57

7M ago15:57

15:57

If we think of wisdom and stoicism as embodied in an elder figure, it’s often someone like a grandfather—calm, patient, slow to anger. Grandparents tend to be forgiving, knowing that life is long and that small mistakes aren’t the end of the world. They let things slide. They slip their grandchildren candy when the parents aren’t looking. They offe…

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Ep 381: 97th Academy Awards Predictions 2:17:27

7M ago2:17:27

2:17:27

We're back (kinda!), babyyyyyy! Bernadette Gorman-White, Diana DiMuro and Mike Burdge shake off the cobwebs for a fun episode of catching up, making fun of Emilia Perez and chatting about a very weird year of movies that has somehow produced one of the most unexpected Oscar races in recent years. Who did we love? Who did we hate? AND WHAT WILL BE L…

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#356 - The Wisdom of Judgment 23:08

7M ago23:08

23:08

In his Handbook, Epictetus offers a profound insight into human suffering “What upsets people is not things themselves but their judgments about the things. For example, death is nothing dreadful or else it would have appeared dreadful to Socrates. But instead, the judgment about death—that it is dreadful—that is what is dreadful. So when we are th…

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#355 - Nobody is Cut Out For This 16:09

7M ago16:09

16:09

Hard work and perseverance are not innate qualities—they are carved into a person through experience, struggle, and discipline. The philosophy of Stoicism teaches many things, but at its core, it urges people to become useful. To be useful is to contribute, to be of value to others. This means being courageous, pro-social, disciplined, and willing …

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#354 - Tariffs Through a Stoic Lens 20:08

8M ago20:08

20:08

Tariffs, tariffs, tariffs. A term that has been the subject of heated debate in North America, particularly in the context of economic policy shifts. While tariffs may not seem like a typical topic for Stoic reflection, the truth is that everything can be examined through a philosophical lens—including trade policies. As a Canadian who has lived in…

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#353 - Death: Fear & Transcendence 19:25

8M ago19:25

19:25

In the face of life’s greatest certainty—death—there exists a paradox of fear and transcendence. It’s a subject both daunting and enlightening, woven deeply into human philosophy, mythology, and even our collective acts of courage. In this exploration, let’s revisit the battlefield cry from The Lord of the Rings—“Death! Death! Death!”—and how it mi…

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#352 - Courage in the Face of Certain Death 23:13

8M ago23:13

23:13

Few scenes in cinematic history manage to capture the raw essence of courage as powerfully as King Théoden’s speech in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. As he rallies his riders before charging into near-certain death, the emotions resonate beyond Middle-earth, connecting deeply to real-world acts of valor. This isn’t just about a fictional ba…

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#351 - I Do What I Think is Right, and That's Enough 17:13

8M ago17:13

17:13

Life is full of moments when we’re faced with difficult decisions or challenges, and in those moments, we search for something to give us clarity—a guiding principle or phrase that resonates deeply. It’s why many people turn to Stoic philosophy. The works of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca offer timeless wisdom condensed into quotes that hel…

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#350 - The Courage to Be Disliked 17:47

9M ago17:47

17:47

“The courage to be happy also includes the courage to be disliked. When you choose to live authentically, you inevitably invite criticism.” — The Courage to Be Disliked In today’s social media-driven world, the desire to be liked by everyone can become an overwhelming force that shapes our thoughts, actions, and identity. But The Courage to Be Disl…

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#349 - What Punishments Are Not Gifts? 19:08

9M ago19:08

19:08

Life is filled with challenges that often feel like punishments: setbacks, pain, and suffering that can seem unfair or overwhelming. Yet, the quote “What punishments from God are not also gifts?” invites us to reframe how we see these difficulties. Whether attributed to divine will or simply the natural course of life, hardships are opportunities f…

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#348 - The Gift of Resetting: A Christmas Reflection 10:33

9M ago10:33

10:33

Merry Christmas, everyone! This time of year is special, not just for the joy of holiday cheer, family gatherings, and festive feasts, but also for the opportunity it presents: a chance to reset. For many of us, Christmas marks the beginning of a unique stretch of time—those magical days between Christmas and New Year’s. It’s a period where routine…

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#347 - Becoming Useful 15:05

10M ago15:05

15:05

The Stoic philosophy, while often revered for its emphasis on self-discipline and resilience, also places great importance on being useful to others. As Marcus Aurelius reminds us in Meditations: “If you have talents, do your work as a human being. Do it without fuss or hypocrisy and let your actions be guided by reason and a concern for the well-b…

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#346 - The Stoic Art of Self-Reflection 17:58

10M ago17:58

17:58

In both Stoicism and Buddhism, there's a strong emphasis on being fully present. The idea of living in the moment is often associated with Buddhist teachings, but the Stoics share this perspective, though framed through their unique lens. For them, the moment you are in right now is the only thing that truly exists. The past? It’s unchangeable; the…

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#345 - Are You Reading Stoicism or Living It? 13:30

10M ago13:30

13:30

I recently found myself exploring a bookstore. I made my way to the philosophy section, as I usually inevitably do. However, when I picked up a newly released Stoic book, I asked myself: What good is reading this really going to do for me? For someone who loves philosophy and learning, it felt like heresy to question the value of reading. But over …

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#344 - The Pursuit for Less 16:32

10M ago16:32

16:32

In a world that constantly screams "more," minimalism whispers, "enough." Minimalism challenges the pervasive narrative of consumerism—one that equates happiness with accumulation. It asks us to pause, reflect, and consider the cost of this endless chase for wealth, possessions, and status. The Stoics, philosophers of simplicity and clarity, would …

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#343 - Practical Stoicism 22:59

10M ago22:59

22:59

In recent years, the term "Practical Stoicism" has gained traction. It suggests a philosophy rooted in real-world application rather than abstract ideals. While Stoicism itself is inherently practical, emphasizing values that anyone can apply to life’s ups and downs, the renewed focus on "practical" Stoicism reflects a shift. It bridges ancient Sto…

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#342 - Modern Politics & Stoicism 19:07

11M ago19:07

19:07

As we approach the aftermath of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, this discussion offers insights into how Stoic philosophy can guide us through the intense partisanship often seen in today’s political landscape. This reflection, rooted in Stoicism, invites us to consider our responsibilities not only as citizens of our nations but also as membe…

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#341 - Are Stoics Optimists, Pessimists, or Realists? 19:16

11M ago19:16

19:16

In everyday conversation, we often hear terms like "optimist," "pessimist," and "realist" thrown around to describe how people approach life. These labels have clear associations: an optimist tends to see the positive in things, a pessimist expects the worst, and a realist tries to focus on practical matters without letting emotions or opinions clo…

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#340 - The Stoic Approach to Wealth 17:12

11M ago17:12

17:12

Money preoccupies most of us, whether it’s deciding which bills to pay or aiming for financial goals. Personal finances, while essential, can consume a lot of mental space. For Stoics, though, money is not inherently good or bad; it’s a “moral indifferent,” a category of things that neither inherently enhance nor damage our character. As we navigat…

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Ep 380: The Blair Witch Franchise - Story Screen Presents 1:38:20

11M ago1:38:20

1:38:20

Mike Burdge is joined by Scotty Arnold to discuss what we've all been up to for the past few months, as well as diving into the decades spanning franchise of The Blair Witch, including The Curse of the Blair Witch, The Blair Witch Project, Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 and Blair Witch. Topics include liking movies that some just straight up detest…

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#339 - Finding Peace in Pain 16:41

11M ago16:41

16:41

Pain is an unavoidable part of life. Whether it’s physical, emotional, or mental, no one is immune to it. The Stoics, especially philosophers like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, offer a unique approach to pain. Instead of viewing it as something inherently bad, they argue that it is a natural occurrence—something that, while unpleasant, can be tran…