The Strong Stoic Podcast

Brandon Tumblin
  • 4.7 (38)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 6d ago

    #415 - You Will Be Forgotten - And That's Beautiful

    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 historyThe courage that comes from accepting your impermanenceWhy relationships matter more than recognitionThe quiet nobility of doing good without applauseWhat Marcus Aurelius can teach us about presence and legacyWhy civilization survives because of ordinary peopleBecause 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.

    17 min

  2. May 19

    #414 - The Difference Between Solitude and Loneliness

    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 solitudeWhy human beings crave connectionThe Stoic idea of a “well-ordered mind”Why some people cannot tolerate being aloneThe danger of seeking relationships from desperationFinding peace both with others and within yourselfYou 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.

    14 min

  3. May 12

    #413 - The Root Cause of a Bad Life

    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.

    15 min

  4. May 5

    #412 - Not Everyone Is Meant to Be Your Friend

    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 friendshipWhy your inner circle should be smallHow leadership changes relationshipsAnd how to stop taking conflict personallyYou don’t need more people. You need the right ones.

    12 min

  5. Apr 21

    #411 - You Forgot You’re Going to Die (And It’s Costing You)

    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 timeThe connection between mortality and urgencyWhy procrastination thrives when you feel like you have “more time”How to use Memento Mori without becoming negative or anxiousThis isn’t about being morbid. It’s about being precise with your life.

    13 min

  6. Apr 15

    #410 - You’re Not Overwhelmed—You’re Unprioritized

    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 responsibilityThe concept of being functionally clean, fit, and presentWhen it’s appropriate to lower standards—and when it’s notThe idea of Minimum Viable Product applied to real lifeHow to decide what actually deserves excellence right nowThis is about precision, not productivity. Because the goal isn’t to do everything. It’s to do the right things—at the right standard.

    13 min

  7. Apr 7

    #409 - Your Old Life is Running You

    You start something new—and it feels wrong. Not clearly wrong. Just… off. In this episode, I break down why that happens and why it’s not a signal to quit—but a signal to stay. Your nervous system is still calibrated to your old environment. And if you’re not careful, you’ll try to reshape your new life to match the one you left. We talk about: Why your instincts are unreliable during changeThe Stoic idea of controlling your response, not your first reactionWhen to stay vs. when to leaveThe 30-day rule for letting a new environment reveal itselfIf you’re in a new role, a new relationship, or a new phase of life—and something feels off—this one’s for you.

    14 min
  8. #408 - Advice for Your 20s That Actually Survives Pressure

    Mar 24

    #408 - Advice for Your 20s That Actually Survives Pressure

    Most advice for your 20s is designed to comfort you—not prepare you. In this episode, I break down 12 lessons that don’t sound good… but hold up when life gets difficult. We talk about: Why integrity costs more than people admitThe tension between ambition and relationshipsThe loneliness that comes with leadershipWhy decisiveness matters more than certaintyHow comfort quietly weakens youAnd why strength—physical and mental—is your real advantageThis isn’t motivation. It’s preparation.

    19 min
See All (416)

4.7
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Brandon Tumblin
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    416
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Strong Stoic Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Strong Stoic Podcast

You Might Also Like