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The Strong Stoic Podcast

Brandon Tumblin

The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin, as he breaks down a wide variety of complex and difficult topics while bringing together different philosophies, sciences, and perspectives.

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#429
Tuesday · 16 min
The Soul Is Dyed by Its Thoughts | Marcus Aurelius | Episode 429
If someone could hear your thoughts for a week, who would they expect you to become? Marcus Aurelius wrote that “the soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.” But not every thought stains us. An unwanted impulse is not character. The danger lies in the thoughts we repeatedly entertain, rehearse, defend, and eventually act upon. In Episode 429, Brandon explores how thoughts become words, words become actions, actions become habits, and habits become character. He examines why our speech reveals what the mind has been soaking in, how our closest relationships influence our inner lives, and where we can intervene before a passing impression becomes a permanent way of seeing the world. You cannot always control the first thought that enters your mind. You can decide whether to give it a room, a voice, and a place in your future. In this episode: Why Marcus Aurelius emphasized habitual thoughts The difference between an impulse and a rehearsed judgment How thoughts become character one small decision at a time Why your speech reveals the “color of the dye” How gossip, resentment, and excuses train the mind The influence of your environment and closest friends How to interrupt a destructive thought before it becomes destiny
#428
August 25 · 23 min
David Goggins: Strength or Self-Punishment? | Episode 428
David Goggins believes in scheduled suffering, rejecting motivation and refusing to stop before the work is done. His philosophy has helped millions confront comfort, excuses and unrealized potential. But is Goggins actually a Stoic—and when does relentless discipline become self-punishment? In this episode, Brandon examines eight of Goggins’ central ideas through a Stoic lens, including the 40% Rule, voluntary discomfort, accepting help, recovery, permanent change and the difficult decision to quit something meaningful. Goggins gets several things profoundly right: motivation is unreliable, confidence must be earned, and a comfortable life can quietly become a smaller life. The danger appears when pain becomes an identity, recovery feels like weakness, or self-contempt begins masquerading as discipline. The Stoic correction is neither softness nor relentless punishment. It is deliberate hardship governed by wisdom. Chosen hardship becomes strength when it serves a worthy purpose. It becomes self-punishment when suffering itself becomes the purpose. The Strong Stoic Notebook is available here: Strongstoic.substack.com
#427
August 18 · 47 min
Choose Your Regrets: How to Live Intentionally | Joshua Bertolotti | Episode 427
Living intentionally does not mean avoiding regret. It means deciding which regrets you are willing to carry. In this episode, Brandon is joined by Joshua Bertolotti for an honest conversation about busyness, rest, vulnerability and the difficult work of examining your own life. They discuss why we often plan ordinary tasks more carefully than our futures, how constant activity can conceal exhaustion, and why slowing down is sometimes the most responsible thing we can do. The conversation also explores emotional honesty, the relationship between vulnerability and toughness, and the courage required to acknowledge when we are struggling. Every meaningful path demands a sacrifice. The question is whether you are choosing yours—or simply accepting the one life gives you. This episode includes sensitive emotional and mental-health-related themes.
#426
August 11 · 21 min
Why Certain People Get Under Your Skin | Episode 426
Why do certain insults stay with us while others have no effect at all? In this episode of The Strong Stoic Podcast, I examine what our emotional reactions reveal about us—and how to respond to difficult people without becoming passive, cruel, or emotionally numb. Sometimes anger exposes an insecurity. Sometimes contempt points toward a version of ourselves we fear becoming. Sometimes we suffer because we decided another person owed us respect, recognition, affection, or fairness. The Stoic response is not to pretend that pain is unreal. It is to examine the judgment, take responsibility for what remains within our control, and refuse to let another person’s lack of character determine our own. In this episode: Why the same words affect people differently The danger of using self-hatred as motivation How ego turns harmless comments into personal attacks Why acceptance does not mean approval When walking away is an act of discipline How compassion and boundaries can coexist Why physical health affects emotional control What Stoicism actually teaches about emotions The goal is not to feel nothing. The goal is to handle what you feel without surrendering your character. If this episode helped you, share it with someone who might need it. Subscribe for grounded conversations about Stoicism, strength, leadership, physical training, and personal responsibility. Support the show: https://strongstoic.substack.com #Stoicism #EmotionalControl #SelfDiscipline
#425
August 4 · 19 min
Boundaries Are an Act of Connection | Episode 425
Resentment often begins where an important boundary remains unspoken. In Episode 425, we examine why boundaries exist in every healthy relationship—and why setting one is not necessarily an act of rejection. A clear boundary tells another person what matters, what you are willing to participate in, and what you will do if the line is crossed. We also explore the difference between boundaries and preferences, the discomfort of receiving someone else’s boundary, and the danger of becoming so rigid that healthy limits turn into walls. The goal isn’t to create relationships where boundaries are never crossed. The goal is to communicate clearly, follow through without cruelty, and leave a path back when repair is possible. Boundaries cannot control another person. They can only govern how you choose to respond.
#424
July 28 · 15 min
When You Stop Loving What You Once Loved | Episode 424
Have you ever stopped enjoying something that once gave your life meaning? Maybe it's the guitar that now gathers dust. The running shoes that haven't left the closet. The books you used to devour but can't seem to pick up anymore. In this episode, I explore why our interests naturally change throughout life, why there's nothing wrong with losing a passion, and what Stoicism has to teach us about work, play, gratitude, and non-attachment. Sometimes the healthiest thing we can do isn't force ourselves back into an old hobby—it's to let it go, trust the season we're in, and welcome it back if life ever calls us there again. We discuss: • Why we don't choose what fascinates us • The difference between work and play • Why joy is deeply Stoic • Letting go without losing yourself • Following curiosity instead of obligation • Why gratitude is wiser than possession
#423
July 21 · 14 min
Becoming Someone You Respect | Episode 423
Have you ever looked in the mirror and realized you’ve become someone you don’t respect? I have. In this deeply personal episode, I share a chapter of my life I’ve rarely talked about—the years after university when I slowly drifted into complacency. What began as well-earned rest became laziness, comfort, and eventually shame. One day I looked at the man I was becoming… and I didn’t like him. This episode is about the long, humbling process of rebuilding your character. We explore: Why good people can slowly become complacent How your environment quietly shapes your character The danger of becoming comfortable with mediocrity Why you must start much smaller than you think The Stoic idea that character is built through daily choices, not grand moments If you’ve been feeling stuck, unmotivated, or disappointed in who you’ve become, this episode is a reminder that your story isn’t over. You don’t have to become a different person overnight. You just have to take the first small step.
#422
July 14 · 11 min
You’ve Never Seen What You’re Truly Capable Of | Episode 422
Most people believe they know their limits. The truth is, they only know where they’ve chosen to stop. In this episode, I explore one of the biggest lies we tell ourselves—that discomfort equals incapability. Whether it’s grief, parenthood, illness, failure, or unexpected responsibility, history shows that ordinary people repeatedly rise to challenges they once believed impossible. Like the reserve tank in your vehicle, human beings often have far more left than they realize. Drawing from Stoic philosophy, personal stories, and everyday examples, this episode explores why suffering often reveals strengths that comfort never could. In this episode: Why discomfort isn’t the same as your limit The “reserve tank” metaphor that changed how I think about resilience What grief, parenthood, and hardship reveal about human capability Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus on preparing for difficulty Why you’ve probably underestimated yourself Perhaps the strongest version of you isn’t someone you have to build. Perhaps it’s someone difficult circumstances reveal.
#421
July 7 · 1 hr 16 min
Corey Robinson | Who Are You When the Crowd Is Gone? | Episode 421
Most of us don’t wake up wanting to be selfish, impatient, or unkind. So why is being good so difficult? In this conversation, I sit down once again with Corey to explore one of the oldest questions in philosophy, faith, and everyday life. Beginning with Rudyard Kipling’s timeless poem If—, we unpack what it really means to choose goodness when life becomes uncomfortable. We discuss why ego fights humility, why justice feels so personal, why suffering can either harden us or deepen us, and why character is built in the ordinary moments no one else sees. Along the way we explore marriage, wrestling, strength training, silence, comparison, purpose, shared suffering, and even Eminem’s Walk on Water as a reflection on identity after success. Goodness isn’t a feeling. It’s a practice. And perhaps the greatest victory isn’t over other people—but over ourselves.
#420
June 30 · 17 min
The Courage to Chase the Life That's Calling You | Episode 420
Most people hear Walk on the Moon and think about astronauts. I think about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. The father holding his newborn. The recovering alcoholic walking into their first meeting. The woman rebuilding her life after divorce. The man finally leaving the job that’s been draining him for years. We all have a “walk on the moon.” In this episode, I use one of my favorite songs as a lens to explore courage, regret, fear, Stoicism, and what it really means to chase the life that’s calling you. We’ll discuss: • Why “someday” often becomes “never” • The games we regret never playing • Why courage almost always looks like trembling • The thousands of small steps behind every giant leap • How to identify your own walk on the moon You’ve got one life. The question isn’t whether you’ll ever walk on the moon. The question is whether you’ll have the courage to walk toward yours.
#419
June 23 · 14 min
Give Your Past Self Some Grace | Episode 419
We all know we should learn from our mistakes. But somewhere along the way, many of us confuse self-reflection with self-punishment. In this episode, I explore the difference between shadow work and self-loathing. Drawing from Stoicism, Carl Jung, Seneca, Dostoevsky, and Tolkien, I examine why looking honestly at our flaws is necessary—and why beating ourselves up for them isn’t. The goal isn’t to ignore your mistakes. The goal is to face them honestly, learn from them, and move forward without carrying unnecessary suffering. Because grace is a paradox: “I accept you exactly as you are, and I believe you can become more.” That applies not only to your friends and family. It applies to you.
#418
June 16 · 17 min
Everything You Have Is Borrowed (Including Your Strength) | Episode 418
As we grow stronger, wiser, healthier, and more disciplined, a subtle danger emerges: contempt. It's easy to celebrate strength. It's much harder to remain compassionate toward weakness—especially the weaknesses we once saw in ourselves. In this episode, I explore a paradox at the heart of Stoicism: how to pursue excellence without developing disdain for those who are still struggling. From the gym floor to leadership, from courage to cowardice, the Stoics remind us that virtue should produce humility, not superiority. After all, everything we possess—including our strength—is borrowed. A reminder for anyone trying to improve themselves without losing their humanity.
#417
June 9 · 1 hr 1 min
Kyle Sarka | The Strange Comfort of Mortality | Episode 417
What happens when someone you love dies? In this conversation, I sit down with a returning guest shortly after the loss of his father. We explore grief, mortality, legacy, and the strange reality that every person we meet was once a child, a son, a daughter, and a dream in someone else’s mind. We discuss Stoic perspectives on death, why history remembers some people and forgets others, the danger of judging people without understanding their circumstances, and what it means to leave something meaningful behind. This isn’t a conversation about having all the answers. It’s a conversation about being human. Topics include: Losing a parent Stoicism and death The illusion of permanence Legacy and remembrance Why every person carries an unseen story Journaling and preserving wisdom The humanity of historical figures What ordinary lives teach us about meaning
#416
June 2 · 18 min
How to Move Forward When Everything Feels Heavy | Episode 416
Sometimes the hardest part isn’t the workout, the meeting, the difficult conversation, or the grieving process. It’s the first step. In this episode, Brandon reflects on a lesson shared by Jeff Nippard following the tragic loss of his partner and explores how a simple idea—just take the first step—can help us navigate grief, fear, depression, and resistance. Drawing on personal experiences from the isolation of the COVID lockdowns and the Stoic understanding of courage, Brandon explains why momentum matters, why action often comes before motivation, and why being gentle with yourself doesn’t mean giving up. Whether you’re struggling with grief, avoiding a difficult task, or simply finding it hard to move forward, this episode offers a practical way through: Don’t worry about the hundred steps ahead. Take the first one.
#415
May 26 · 16 min
You Will Be Forgotten - And That's Beautiful | Episode 415
Most extraordinary people are never famous. History remembers a few names — Marcus Aurelius, Churchill, Dostoevsky — but civilization itself is carried forward by ordinary people doing small things faithfully. Good fathers. Loyal friends. Honest workers. Men and women who plant trees whose shade they will never sit under. In this episode, I reflect on anonymous greatness, mortality, forgotten ancestors, war, courage, and why being forgotten may actually be one of the most beautiful truths about being human. We talk about: Why most virtuous lives are invisible to history The courage that comes from accepting your impermanence Why relationships matter more than recognition The quiet nobility of doing good without applause What Marcus Aurelius can teach us about presence and legacy Why civilization survives because of ordinary people Because in the end, very few people will remember our names. But a handful of people may truly know who we were. And maybe that’s enough.
#414
May 19 · 14 min
The Difference Between Solitude and Loneliness | Episode 414
Most people think the worst thing in the world is being alone. But the Stoics made an important distinction between loneliness and solitude. Loneliness is the painful feeling of disconnection — the sense that you do not belong, that no one truly sees you, understands you, or stands beside you. Solitude, however, is something entirely different. Solitude is peace within yourself. It is the ability to sit quietly in your own company without needing distraction, validation, or noise. In this episode, I explore why human beings fear loneliness so deeply, how our evolutionary history shaped our need for connection, and why community matters far more than modern individualism often admits. I also reflect on Robin Williams’ famous quote: “The worst thing in the world is not to be alone, but to be around people who make you feel alone.” From a Stoic perspective, this quote reveals something profound about belonging, perception, emotional dependence, and the search for inner stability. This episode is about: The difference between loneliness and solitude Why human beings crave connection The Stoic idea of a “well-ordered mind” Why some people cannot tolerate being alone The danger of seeking relationships from desperation Finding peace both with others and within yourself You do not need to become emotionally isolated to become strong. You need to become stable enough that your peace does not disappear when silence arrives.
#413
May 12 · 14 min
The Root Cause of a Bad Life | Episode 413
Most people are trying to fix symptoms instead of causes. You miss the gym and think you lack discipline. You eat poorly and think you have weak willpower. You feel exhausted and think you’ve become lazy. But what if those aren’t the real problem? In this episode, I talk about root causes — the foundational issues underneath the visible struggles in our lives. I use my recent work travel and disrupted sleep routine as an example of how one weak pillar can quietly affect everything else: mood, discipline, diet, training, recovery, and emotional resilience. The Stoics understood something modern people often forget: if you misdiagnose the problem, you can spend years fighting shadows. You don’t need to fix 100 problems individually. You need to find the few upstream problems generating the rest. And you don’t need to be perfect. You just need to become directionally right.
#412
May 5 · 12 min
Not Everyone Is Meant to Be Your Friend | Episode 412
Most people think Stoicism means being friends with everyone. It doesn’t. In this episode, we break down a hard truth: not everyone is meant to be your friend. Some people, by their nature, won’t align with you. Others, by their roles, can’t. And trying to force those relationships doesn’t make you more virtuous—it makes you more confused. We talk about: The difference between kindness and friendship Why your inner circle should be small How leadership changes relationships And how to stop taking conflict personally You don’t need more people. You need the right ones.
#411
April 21 · 12 min
You Forgot You’re Going to Die (And It’s Costing You) | Episode 411
You’re busy. Life is good. Things are flowing. And that’s exactly when you’re most likely to forget something critical: You’re going to die. In this episode, I break down why thinking about death—especially when life feels good—is one of the most practical Stoic tools you have. We talk about: Why feeling good doesn’t mean you’re living well How comfort quietly leads to wasted time The connection between mortality and urgency Why procrastination thrives when you feel like you have “more time” How to use Memento Mori without becoming negative or anxious This isn’t about being morbid. It’s about being precise with your life.
#410
April 15 · 12 min
You’re Not Overwhelmed—You’re Unprioritized | Episode 410
You’re not overwhelmed—you’re unprioritized. In this episode, I break down why the feeling of overwhelm isn’t always about having too much to do, but about trying to hold everything to the same standard. We talk about: Why life always feels “too full” as you take on more responsibility The concept of being functionally clean, fit, and present When it’s appropriate to lower standards—and when it’s not The idea of Minimum Viable Product applied to real life How to decide what actually deserves excellence right now This is about precision, not productivity. Because the goal isn’t to do everything. It’s to do the right things—at the right standard.

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