The Sunday Stoics

Dan and Steve

Applying ancient philosophy to modern life.

The Sunday Stoics Podcast is a weekly show for those seeking to live a life guided by reason, virtue, and resilience. Each episode explores the timeless wisdom of ancient Stoicism through modern reflections on ancient writings, practical applications, and interviews. Whether you're new to Stoicism or deeply steeped in its teachings, the show blends clarity, curiosity, and community in a down-to-earth format designed to inspire thoughtful action.

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Sunday · 27 min
Sex and Stoicism: Musonius Rufus Lecture 12
Today Dan and Steve discuss Musonius Rufus's lecture 12: "On Sexual Indulgence". We discuss his views of sex, and marriage and how not all things the ancients thought are applicable to today. Today's Reading: https://dn721903.ca.archive.org/0/items/MUSONIUSRUFUSSTOICFRAGMENTS/MUSONIUSRUFUSSTOICFRAGMENTS.pdf
November 1 · 37 min
Classic Episode: Leadership with Nick Peters
Nicholas Peters, a District Fire Management Officer for the U.S. Forest Service joins the show to discuss Stoicism and the qualities of a good leader. We also talk about firefighting as well as parenting.
October 25 · 18 min
Musonius Rufus, Lecture 11 - What Means of Livelihood is Appropriate for a Philosopher ?
Steve and Dan discuss the eleventh Lecture of Musonius Rufus - What Means of Livelihood is Appropriate for a Philosopher? The ideal answer, according to Musonius Rufus, is that of a farmer. While farming is a rare occupation in the modern era, it has and had much to recommend it. Musonius argues that farming is ideal for people studying and leading a philosophical life, because working the land with your philosophical mentor / teacher would put you in close contact, and you would each be able to observe the other and how they conduct themselves in the real world, instead of in a artificial and brief academic setting. https://archive.org/details/MUSONIUSRUFUSSTOICFRAGMENTS/mode/2up
October 18 · 22 min
Musonius Rufus, Lecture 10 - Will the Philosopher Prosecute Anyone for Personal Injury?
Steve and Dan discuss Lecture 10 of Musonius Rufus - Will the Philosopher Prosecute Anyone for Personal Injury? Musonius Rufus takes a firm stance that anyone worthy of the term philosopher would not sue someone for personal injury. Interestingly, personal injury seems to have been a very broad category in the time of Musonius Rufus, everything from physical assault, to insults, to hard glances. Musonius Rufus says that a philosopher would not sue for personal injury for any of these abuses. Steve and Dan disagree with Musonius and say that although they understand Musonius's argument that a Stoic philosopher would not view himself to have been truly harmed by someone else's actions, because the assailant cannot reach the moral character of the person they are assaulting. However, Steve and Dan argue that it falls within the role of a citizen (and sometimes other roles) to prevent the abuser from continuing their abusive behavior toward other citizens. It would be a failure in terms of the cultivation of Justice to idly sit by and let those actions continue. https://archive.org/details/MUSONIUSRUFUSSTOICFRAGMENTS/mode/2up
October 11 · 32 min
Musonius Rufus, Lecture 09 - That Exile Is Not an Evil
Steve and Dan discuss the 9th lecture of Musonius Rufus, That Exile Is Not an Evil. Exile and banishment imposed by civil authorities is far less common in the 21st century than it was during the Roman Empire and Classical Greece. However, there are common situations where modern folks find themselves having to move away from the towns and cities where they grew up and have the strongest connections. Sometimes we move for work, or to pursue higher education. Some folks change locations when they retire. Others change countries because they find circumstances in the country of their birth to be intolerable. So, when we move from our familiar and comfortable environments to someplace new and strange, are we suffering an evil? Musonius Rufus would argue that we are not. In fact, changing environments might be an opportunity for growth and for the cultivation of Virtue. https://archive.org/details/MUSONIUSRUFUSSTOICFRAGMENTS/mode/2up
October 4 · 34 min
Musonius Rufus, Lecture 08 - That Kings Also Should Study Philosophy
Steve and Dan discuss the eighth lecture of Musonius Rufus - That Kings Also Should Study Philosophy. Musonius Rufus argued that Kings should study philosophy if they are interested in becoming a good king. Because how could someone be a good king, if they are not a good person? Ergo, since philosophy is the most sure way of cultivating Virtue, a good king is by necessity a philosopher. Although Musonius was addressing his lecture to a king, bringing his thoughts forward in time, they can apply to anyone who is in a leadership role, whether it be a president, legislator, titan of industry, or a shift manager in a restaurant. https://archive.org/details/MUSONIUSRUFUSSTOICFRAGMENTS/mode/2up
September 27 · 16 min
Musonius Rufus, Lecture 07 - That One Should Disdain Hardships
Steve and Dan discuss the seventh lecture of Musonius Rufus - That One Should Disdain Hardships. They discuss how Musonius Rufus argues that when we see people willing to go to extraordinary lengths to acquire Externals, it should inspire us to go to similar lengths and take similar risks to develop what matters most - Virtue.
September 20 · 21 min
Musonius Rufus, Lecture 06 - On Training
Steve and Dan discuss the sixth lecture of Musonius Rufus - On Training. In the previous lecture, Musonius Rufus argued that practice was more beneficial than studying theory for the cultivation of Virtue. In this lecture, Musonius Rufus describes what sort of training should be done by a Stoic practitioner. For example, Musonius Rufus divides training into two categories. The first category is for the soul (mind) alone, and the second category is for both the body and soul (mind) together. https://archive.org/stream/MUSONIUSRUFUSSTOICFRAGMENTS/MUSONIUSRUFUSSTOICFRAGMENTS_djvu.txt
September 13 · 12 min
Musonius Rufus, Lecture 05 - What is More Effective, Theory or Practice?
Steve and Dan present an abbreviated version of Lecture 5, and discuss whether cultivating Virtue is best brought about through the study of theory, or putting basic philosophical principles into practice every day. Many people who study philosophy favor reading a great deal of philosophical theory and give little thought to practical application in life, for example, what is done in modern academic philosophy departments. Folks who think Wisdom is attainable solely through exposure to wise thoughts through written or lecture format have been with us for a long time, going back at least as far as the Sophists of the ancient world. https://archive.org/stream/MUSONIUSRUFUSSTOICFRAGMENTS/MUSONIUSRUFUSSTOICFRAGMENTS_djvu.txt
September 6 · 25 min
The Trial of Socrates Part 1 and 2
In this rebroadcast, we revisit the trial of Socrates—a pivotal moment in the history of Western civilization and a powerful influence on the Stoic tradition. Facing accusations, judgment, and ultimately death, Socrates offers an enduring example of courage, integrity, and commitment to principle.
August 30 · 20 min
Musonius Rufus, Lecture 04 - Should Daughters Receive the Same Education as Sons
Steve and Dan continue their journey through the lectures of Musonius Rufus. In this episode, they discuss Lecture 04, "Should Daughters Receive the Same Education as Sons." In Lecture 03, Musonius Rufus argued that women were equally capable as men in Reason and capacity to pursue Virtue. In Lecture 04, Musonius argued that women should receive the same philosophical education as men, and why.
August 23 · 18 min
Musonius Rufus, Lecture 03 - That Women Too Should Study Philosophy
Steve and Dan continue the journey through the lectures of Musonius Rufus. This is the third lecture, "That Women Too Should Study Philosophy." In it, Musonius argues that women should study philosophy because, just like men, they have been gifted by Nature / God with Reason.
August 16 · 16 min
Musonius Rufus, Lecture 02 - Humanity is Born with an Inclination Toward Virtue
Steve and Dan discuss the second lecture of Musonius Rufus, That Humanity is Born with an Inclination Toward Virtue. Musonius Rufus argues that humanity is born with the seeds of Virtue present in the fiber of our being.
August 9 · 16 min
Musonius Rufus, Lecture 01 - No Need for Many Proofs for One Problem
Steve and Dan discuss the first lecture of Musonius Rufus, "That There is No Need of Giving Many Proofs for One Problem." Musonius Rufus argues that rather than endless proofs of philosophical concepts, it is better to provide a few lucid and powerful proofs, enough to convince the student of the truth of the claims being presented. Musonius further argued that it is of the utmost importance that the teacher of philosophy not only be able to utter truthful and impactful aphorisms, but he must also put what he says into practice so as to be a good example to his students and avoid being a hypocrite. https://archive.org/stream/MUSONIUSRUFUSSTOICFRAGMENTS/MUSONIUSRUFUSSTOICFRAGMENTS_djvu.txt
August 2 · 12 min
Can a true Stoic have friends?
What makes a true friend? This week, Marcus Aurelius reminds us that we exist for one another, while Seneca argues that genuine friendship is an act of virtue—not a transaction based on convenience or personal gain. Join us as we explore what it means to become the kind of friend who remains loyal in hardship, gives without expecting a return, and helps strengthen the human hive. After all, the truest test of friendship isn't what we receive, but what we're willing to give.
July 26 · 16 min
Usefulness of Basic Principles - Seneca, Letter 95
Steve and Dan discuss Seneca's Letter 95, "On the Usefulness of Basic Principles." Are precepts, rules and lists of do's and don'ts sufficient to live a good life? Or do we need doctrine, a philosophical framework through which you can evaluate every sense impression and develop an impulse to appropriate action? https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Moral_letters_to_Lucilius/Letter_95
July 19 · 13 min
Cosmic Flux and Beavers
Dan discusses how the contemplation of Cosmic Flux can reduce anxiety, put the importance of events into perspective, and help us break free from ruminations on the past and feelings of anxiety about the future. Also ... beavers!
July 12 · 52 min
Stoicism and Spiritual Naturalism with Daniel Strain
This week on The Sunday Stoic, we're joined by Daniel Strain, founder of the Spiritual Naturalist Society and former Executive Director of the Society, for a thought-provoking conversation exploring the intersection of Stoicism, Spiritual Naturalism, Humanism, and Buddhism. Together we examine how these philosophical traditions can help us cultivate wisdom, compassion, resilience, and a deeper connection to the natural world without relying on supernatural beliefs. Whether you're a practicing Stoic, a Humanist, or simply curious about finding meaning through reason and nature, this episode offers an engaging discussion on living a thoughtful and flourishing life. 🎥 Prefer to watch? This episode is also available in video format. Resources mentioned in this episode: • The Spiritual Naturalist Society: https://www.snsociety.org/ • Stoicism and Compassion: https://www.snsociety.org/compassion/ • British court ruling recognizing Stoicism as a protected philosophical belief: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8962815/Stoicism-recognised-religion-landmark-legal-ruling.html • Daniel Strain's Stoic Emblem and the story behind its design: http://humanistcontemplativeblog.blogspot.com/ If you enjoy conversations that bridge ancient wisdom with modern life, be sure to subscribe and share the episode with a friend.
July 5 · 22 min
Facing the World With Confidence - Seneca, Letter 105
Steve and Dan discuss Seneca's Letter 105, wherein Seneca has advice for how to lead a more tranquil life. Seneca describes how to minimize other people's envy, hatred, fear and contempt, so as to have a smooth flow of life.
June 21 · 5 min
Don't Forget to Live
Stoicism often gets a reputation for being stern and unyielding, but the ancient Stoics never intended us to become detached spectators of our own lives. Their goal was to help us engage more deeply with the world around us. In this episode, we talk about the importance of balancing philosophy with joy—getting out there, making memories, appreciating the people we love, and living a full and meaningful life.

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