The Daily Stoic – This Is What We Use This For | Build Up, Don’t Tear Down

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily Stoic,” the hosts discuss the misconceptions surrounding Stoic philosophy and its practical application in everyday life. They emphasize the accessibility of Stoic writings and their relevance to self-mastery, perseverance, and wisdom.

Main Takeaways

Stoicism as a Practical Philosophy

• Stoic philosophy is often misunderstood as emotionless and academic, but the Stoics were people who loved, grieved, cried, and cared about their neighbors.
• The philosophical writings of the Stoics are accessible to readers at every level and are not abstract and theoretical like many academic philosophers today prefer.
• The Daily Stoic aims to restore Stoicism as a tool for self-mastery, perseverance, and wisdom in the pursuit of living well and doing good.

Stoicism 101 Course

• The Stoicism 101 course is an introduction and survey course delivered in 14 days that distills the best lessons of Stoicism down to their essence and teaches what the philosophy is really about.
• The course covers topics such as Stoic secrets to success, resilience, productivity, and living your best life.
• The Daily Stoic course covers everything you need to know about stoicism.
• The course includes live video sessions with the instructor for Q&A.

Building Up vs. Tearing Down

• Building up others is more productive than tearing them down.
• Stoics value community-mindedness, modesty, preparation, and tolerance.
• Leaders should focus on making people better, not breaking them down or molding them into someone else’s image.
• Not everyone can be like Kato, but leaders should strive to get people closer to the ideal.
• Yelling and bullying are not effective leadership tactics.
• Leaders should be calm, collected, and kind, and persuade rather than demand or force.

Podcast Recommendation

• Check out the new podcast from Wondery called Six Trophies, where hosts Jason Gutscheon and Shay Serrano hand out pop culture-themed trophies for NBA storylines.

Summary

Stoicism as a Practical Philosophy

Contrary to popular belief, Stoicism is not about suppressing emotions or being detached. The Stoics were individuals who experienced a range of emotions and cared deeply about others. Their writings are accessible and applicable to readers of all levels, focusing on self-mastery, perseverance, and wisdom.

Stoicism 101 Course

The Stoicism 101 course offered by The Daily Stoic provides a comprehensive introduction to Stoic philosophy. It condenses the key lessons of Stoicism into a 14-day program, covering topics such as success, resilience, productivity, and living a fulfilling life. The course includes live video sessions for interactive learning.

Building Up vs. Tearing Down

Stoics emphasize the importance of community-mindedness, modesty, preparation, and tolerance. Leaders should focus on uplifting and improving others rather than breaking them down or trying to mold them into someone else’s image. Effective leadership involves calmness, kindness, and persuasion, rather than resorting to yelling or bullying.

Podcast Recommendation

Listeners are encouraged to check out the podcast “Six Trophies” by Wondery. Hosted by Jason Gutscheon and Shay Serrano, the podcast awards pop culture-themed trophies for NBA storylines, offering a unique and entertaining perspective on basketball.

Conclusion

By debunking misconceptions and highlighting the practicality of Stoic philosophy, “The Daily Stoic” encourages listeners to embrace Stoicism as a means of self-improvement and living a fulfilling life. The importance of building up others and effective leadership is emphasized, along with a podcast recommendation for further entertainment.