The Stoic Salon Podcast

Love Stoic Love - What can the Stoics teach us about love?

On the occasion of Valentine's Day and Brittany Polat's new online course on Stoic Love, we invite you to join us as we explore what the Stoics can teach us about love. We'll talk about self-love, love of others and the world, and love of wisdom. (See chapters/timestamps below)
 
Email hello@kathrynkoromilas and let me know if this episode resonated. I love mail and I respond to everyone.
A special Stoic Salon Podcast episode on love. We'll talk about the foundations of Stoic love, how to start loving yourself, how to show compassion and cultivate goodwill, and how to love wisdom. 
Recorded on Tuesday 14th February 2023. 
Speakers: 
Brittany Polat is the author of Journal Like a Stoic and founder of Stoicare
Kathryn Koromilas is the host of The Stoic Salon Podcast and writes the Stoic State of Mind newsletter. 
Chapters/timestamps
00:00 Welcome to the Stoic Salon Podcast & musical intro00:13 Valentine's day edition & introducing Brittany Polat02:00 Kathryn asks Brittany, What is Love?03:00 Falling in love / reason / what to look for when falling in love / Jane Austen & moral exemplars vs modern romantic comedy movies/novels11:09 Create a space to reason before jumping in / how do we communicate about reasoned love in a world that values spontaneous, stormy falling in love13:00 If we were falling in love again, Brittany suggests an approach16:05 Wedding vows and the promises we make when we and our partners will change20:20 Falling in love as fulfilling a need?24:40 Alain de Botton's definition of love; generosity to partner26:20 Brittany suggests a Stoic daily practice to deal with a partner's seemingly negative behaviour, Brittany's apple29:20 When is the right time for a relationship to end, breaking promises / Alain de Botton's 'love is admiration for strength and also tolerance for weakness,' / Brittany adds shared values31:45 Shakespeare's sonnet 116 "Love is not love when it alters when it alteration finds"33:33 Do we 'bear love to the end of doom?' Do we stay or go?39:00 Another tip for enduring love and the ups and downs - humour40:00 We can't control if others love us but we can love41:55 Self-examination in a loving relationship42:00 Virtue, not a moral duty to love but it's a potential we can cultivate 46:30 Sam Harris Waking Up app - meta meditation, thinking about a person as a child47:30 Brittany's Stoic Love course51:50 Pragma, love of duty and reason54:10 Falling in love with yourself? Self-love always, not contingent on external things, scope for being proud of self for flourishing56:45 Plato's Symposium and Diotima's love ladder with beauty and truth at the top of the ladder/ what's the ultimate Stoic love?59:46 Brittany's Stoic Valentine's Day card message

How can I be beautiful? We talk about Stoicism and moral beauty on International Women’s Day 2023

On the occasion of International Women's Day 2023, we talk about Stoicism and beauty.
(See below for timestamps to skip forward to)
 
Speakers: 
Sharon Lebell is the author of the bestselling book The Art of Living which has inspired philosophy lovers and the modern Stoicism movement.
Jennifer Baker is Professor of philosophy at the College of Charleston. She also writes for PsychologyToday.com
Brittany Polat is the author of Journal Like a Stoic, the founder of Stoicare, a board member of Modern Stoicism and writes the Stoicism for Humans newsletter. 
Sukhraj Gill is a London-based solicitor and the Aurelius Foundation manager. She enjoys reading around Stoic ideas and practice.
Kathryn Koromilas is a writer, educator and coach. She is a board member of Modern Stoicism, hosts The Stoic Salon Podcast and writes the Stoic State of Mind newsletter.
In the age of the Instagram Selfie, isn't it true that many of us focus, often as a priority, on our physical beauty so that we might attract a lover, a life partner, or even a reputation, a career, or a social media following? 
But what if our real beauty is (and always was) found in the beauty of our mind and our reason, our character, our behaviour, our care for others? 
How might we as women help each other (but also help our partners, friends, and children of all genders) become aware that we (and they) are valued for moral beauty above all else? 
We'll explore what the Stoics might teach us about valuing our own internal, moral beauty, and also what they say about physical beauty. How might we do this? What are the challenges today? 
 
Two quotes to think about: 
If we could examine the mind of a good woman, O what a beautiful, what a sacred sight we would see! What grandeur, what calm would shine forth in it, and what constellations of the virtues: justice on one side, courage on the other, moderation and prudence over there. Besides these, frugality, self-control, endurance, generosity, and cheerfulness would shed their light upon it … what grace, and, by god, what dignity would these bestow! How great its authority would be, and how much appreciated: beloved it would be, yet at the same time revered.
Seneca, Letters on Ethics, 115.3
 
As soon as they reach the age of fourteen, women are called ladies or mistresses of the house; they've grown up and gained some power. And now they see that there's nothing more to gain except to become sexually attractive. So, they set to work to beautify themselves and place all their hopes in that. It is worth our while, then, to make them aware that they're valued for nothing other than attaining self-control and self-respect.
Epictetus, Encheiridion, 40
 
 
Timestamps
Chapters 00:00 A quote about the beautiful mind
01:15 Welcome to the podcast by Kathryn Koromilas
01:30 Introducing the speakers and the theme
04:10 We begin with an opening round, inviting speakers for general introduction and comment on beauty
05:45 Sharon Lebell begins
07:36 Jennifer Baker opening comments
10:25 Brittany Polat opening comments
12:59 Sukhraj Gill opening comments
16:45 Kathryn Koromilas opening comments
20:05 Kathryn reads Epictetus quote (Enchiridion 40)
21:50 Brittany on advice to her daughter and defining moral beauty and moral elevation
24:56 Kathryn reads Seneca quote on the beautiful mind
26:00 Sharon responds to Seneca and explores the power of moral beauty and also addresses the specific challenges that women face, the vulnerability that goes with beauty for females, beauty is complicated
30:07 Jennifer talks about children and how to manage comments/compliments about beauty
32:55 Sukhraj discusses physical beauty versus internal beauty as currency in the broader culture and also talks about praise referring to Marcus Aurelius - an emerald is an emerald even if not praised
41:45 Jennifer on how to be ugly to not attract people who are not good to have close to us
43:00 Sukhraj on beauty on dating apps
46:30 Jennifer on wanting to be beautiful once you have a partner but also admiring beautiful rhetorical, and also brings in Simon Blackburn who talks about selfies
48:05 Sharon Lebell asks a question about the good, the beautiful and the truth
51:45 Brittany asks a question about social media
55:00 Closing round. Final remarks from each speaker.

How does Stoicism define courage? w/ Chris Gill and Sukhraj Gill

"Courage is knowledge of which things are to be chosen and avoided and neither." Diogenes Laertius, 7.92
 
 
In this episode of The Stoic Salon Podcast, we discuss how Stoicism defines courage and how courage is connected with the other virtues of wisdom, justice, and balance. If you are interested in learning more, join us in October 2022 for our Courageous Paths to Flourishing, Stoicon Women. Our theme this year is courage and we invite women and everyone to join us to learn what the Stoics might have to say about courage and to find and grow our own natural capacity for courage.
Information: https://pathstoflourishing.org
 
Discussion points: 0:00 Welcome to The Stoic Salon Podcast and introducing guests Professor Chris Gill and Sukhraj Gill (see bio links below).
4:25 Please subscribe, follow, support. Email hello@kathrynkoromilas.com with any questions.
5:10 Welcome to the guests and first question about personal notions of courage.
7:25 Chris mentions awesome example of his dad saving a man.
9:50 Sukhraj offers her own examples of courage
11:40 Question about external validation or reward of courage, what does it look like? What about less visible types of courage?
18:22 Courage as restraint or choosing silence
21:24 Courage beyond the military style. Courage is more universal. Chris talks about Plato's dialogue Laches.
23:10 Chris mentions Euripides' Medea (rather stand in battle than have a baby) and Sukhraj talks about courage for women
28:53 Chris talks about courage and unity of the virtues, can't separate courage from the other virtues
31:10 Chris talks about the importance of facing death and its link with courage and Musonius Rufus quote
32:30 Courage as knowledge and Chris brings in personal examples
36:10 Sukhraj talks about the unity of the virtues
42:20 A quote from Seneca
42:50 Fear. Stoic vs Aristotelian view. Chris's definition of courage - knowing how to act correctly in facing fear.
50:15 A comment about women, fear, courage and a personal example
55:00 How to know how to be courageous in a world where there are so many causes to stand up for.
About the guests: Christopher Gill: https://platosacademy.org/christopher... Christopher Gill is a scholar of ancient Greek and Roman philosophy (Emeritus Professor of Ancient Thought at the University of Exeter, UK). Much of his recent work has been centred on Stoic philosophy, including Marcus Aurelius, Meditations Books 1-6, translated with an introduction and commentary (2013), and the introduction and notes to the Oxford World’s Classics translations (by Robin Hard) of Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. Also, since 2012, He has been closely involved with Modern Stoicism, a collaborative project and organization designed to make Stoic principles accessible as life-guidance to a broad public audience. In that connection, He has given many talks at Stoicon conferences, including one in Athens in 2019, written many blog-posts for Stoicism Today, and worked with others on the handbook for the annual on-line Stoic Week course.
 
Sukhraj Gill Sukhraj lives in London and practises as a solicitor at a law firm. She was introduced to Stoicism through the Aurelius Foundation and enjoys reading around Stoic ideas and practice. In her free-time she enjoys yoga, voluntary work for a children’s charity and reading. https://aureliusfoundation.com/founders/
About the host:
Kathryn Koromilas (https://kathrynkoromilas.com/) is an author, educator, writing instructor, and a mindset and creativity coach. She uses ancient wisdom and writing practices to help her reignite creativity, reimagine purpose, and foster a thriving writing practice. Her interest in living an examined life has led her to be a lifelong student of philosophy and recently explore the philosophies of Stoicism and Buddhism. In 2017, she founded The Stoic Salon where she meets with like-minded and life-hearted souls to read and write with the Stoics. In 2021, she co-founded Paths to Flourishing with philosopher Brittany Polat to give a stronger voice to women in Stoicism. #Stoicism #KathrynKoromilas #courage

Q&A: How to Be Stoic w/ Massimo Pigliucci & Gregory Lopez

Q&A in The Stoic Salon with Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez, authors of "Live Like a Stoic" (UK edition) and "A Handbook for New Stoics" (USA edition).
 
 
Join us here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thestoicsalon/639919
 
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome to The Stoic Salon Podcast
00:11 Musical intro
00:25 Kathryn's rather rambly introduction (which you should probably skip!)
07:03 Welcoming Massimo and Greg to The Stoic Salon
07:55 Question No. 1 on Week 22, Speak little but well.
12:55 Question No. 2 from Scott Bennett on Week 14 Evaluate Your Goals and it is about aligning personal philosophy and professional goals.
20:07 Question No. 3 from Victor De Los Santos on Week 18, “Keep your peace of mind in mind” and it’s about how to evaluate the things that are worth the effort to change.
32:15 Question No. 4 from Wayne Basinger on Week 21 - Choose Your Company Well and it’s about strategies for finding good company.
41:20 Question No. 5 from Michelle Thomas on Week 25 Dealing virtously with frustrating people and it’s about how to avoid assenting to the wrong impressions.
51:40 Question No. 6 from Jim Heath on Marcus Aurelius and the True Self.
58:20 Question No. 7 from Kathryn on Week 35 - Question every action and it’s about regret and taking a Stoic approach when it seems so countercultural
#Stoicism #StoicSalon #KathrynKoromilas

What is courage? | Stoicism | The Stoic Salon Podcast w/ Brittany Polat & Kathryn Koromilas

"Courage is knowledge of which things are to be chosen and avoided and neither." Diogenes Laertius, 7.92
 
 
In this episode of The Stoic Salon Podcast, we explore our own popular understandings of courage and discuss some Stoic definitions of courage. If you are interested in learning more, join us in October 2022 for our Courageous Paths to Flourishing, Stoicon Women. Our theme this year is courage and we invite women and everyone to join us to learn what the Stoics might have to say about courage and to find and grow our own natural capacity for courage.
Information: https://pathstoflourishing.org
About the speakers: Brittany Polat (https://www.livinginagreement.com/) is a writer and presenter on Stoicism as a way of life. She is a board member for Modern Stoicism and The Stoic Fellowship, and author of the book Tranquility Parenting: A Guide to Staying Calm, Mindful, and Engaged. Brittany also hosts conferences, such as Stoicon Women: Paths to Flourishing and Stoics Care. She holds a Ph.D. in applied linguistics but currently writes about Stoic psychology and philosophy at her website Living in Agreement. About the host: Kathryn Koromilas (https://kathrynkoromilas.com/) is an author, educator, writing instructor, and a mindset and creativity coach. She uses ancient wisdom and writing practices to help her reignite creativity, reimagine purpose, and foster a thriving writing practice. Her interest in living an examined life has led her to be a lifelong student of philosophy and recently explore the philosophies of Stoicism and Buddhism. In 2017, she founded The Stoic Salon where she meets with like-minded and life-hearted souls to read and write with the Stoics. In 2021, she co-founded Paths to Flourishing with philosopher Brittany Polat to give a stronger voice to women in Stoicism.

How to Live Like a Stoic for a Year with Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez

I get to talk with Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez, authors of "Live Like a Stoic" (UK edition) and "A Handbook for New Stoics" (USA edition). 
 
 
Stoic Salon member, Sofia Koutlaki, has invited us all to join her to "Live Like A Stoic" for a year with this book as our guide and on our first group check-in of the year, the authors have joined us to answer our questions. Their answers are incredibly insightful and practical. We share them with you here. 
Join us here if you'd like to work through the book with a group. Join us anytime throughout the year no matter where you are in the book. Sign up here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thestoicsalon/639919 
⏰   Chapters ⏰  00:00 Welcome to The Stoic Salon Podcast00:15 Musical intro00:29 Introducing The Stoic Salon's commitment to Living Like A Stoic for a Year with Massimo and Greg's book, a journey led by Sofia Koutlaki. 03:00 Welcoming Stoic Salon members and Massimo and Greg to the first check-in of the year.04:55 First question to Sofia Koutlaki: Brief rationale, why you, why this book, why do this together in the Stoic Salon community.06:57 First question to Massimo and Greg: How should we work with the book. What transformation can we expect after a year?07:38 Massimo answers the above question10:03 Greg answers12:30 Since writing the book, what (if anything) has persisted as a daily practice for you? (Scott Bennett)12:46 Greg tells us about his practice15:32 Massimo tells us about 5 exercises he does19:26 What would Massimo and Greg do - real-life scenario No. 1: how to respond to a bully in the workplace22:07 Greg tells us what he would do in response to the above scenario29:29 What would Massimo and Greg do - real-life scenario No. 2: how to respond to someone being abused on public transport30:43 Massimo tells us what he would do in response to the above scenario37:41 Jerry Everard asks about taking another person’s perspective39:43 Greg answers Jerry's question40:57 Massimo answers Jerry's question44:00 Michelle asks a question about the emotions45:24 Massimo answers Michelle's question49:08 Greg answers Michelle's question51:04 Scott Bennett's question: What are your thoughts on using Stoicism to focus more on benefiting others in the cosmopolis (family, friends, people in our society, the world at large), and as less of a solipsistic self help philosophy? 52:09 Massimo answers Scott's question54:20 Greg answers Scott's question56:10 Hanneke asks about the war in Ukraine: What do you think would be the proper Stoic way to look at the war Putin started so aggressively?58:03 Massimo answers Hanneke's question1:02:13 Greg answers Hanneke's question1:06:16 Thank you to Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez

Jamie Lombardi: Grief, Stoicism, Sisyphys, Camus

I get to talk with Jamie Lombardi. We spoke before the very first women's conference on Stoicism, Paths to Flourishing which took place in June 2021: https://pathstoflourishing.org/
We got to talk about grief, Stoicism, Camus, Sisyphus and more! 
 
 
Jamie Lombardi teaches philosophy at Bergen Community College in New Jersey, where she is implementing the state’s first Corrupt The Youth Program geared toward teaching philosophy to high school students. Jamie also co-hosts the Philosophy (Zoom) Book Club with Massimo Pigliucci. Her writing has appeared in The Philosopher’s Magazine, Aeon, and The Institute of Arts and Ideas. You can find her on Twitter.
 
 

Elizabeth Azide: Goals, Values, Marketing Stoicism

I got to talk with Elizabeth Azide. We spoke before the very first women's conference on Stoicism, Paths to Flourishing, which we co-organised, and which took place in June 2021: https://pathstoflourishing.org/
 
 
Elizabeth Azide is a marketing professional, writer, and creator of ThePhilosophyOfEverything.com.
Elizabeth Azide is a marketer and writer based in Austin, TX. A Dallas native and graduate of Texas Christian University, Elizabeth has spent her working career in the business sector, building a reputation in marketing, communications, and partnerships. By day, Elizabeth currently spearheads international marketing efforts for a growing software company.
In 2016, she started a public writing project called The Philosophy of Everything (TPOE), a long-form blog dedicated to capturing how perspectives grounded in practical philosophy can optimize a particular area of daily life. Deeply invested in galvanizing others toward professional and personal goals, Elizabeth has anchored her life around ideas and pursuits that enable individuals to operate at their best.
You can find her writing at https://www.thephilosophyofeverything.com/ and can follow her on Twitter.

Dr Alkistis Agio: Greeks, Socrates, Stoicism, Childhood, and Wellness

I got to talk with Dr Alkistis Agio. We spoke before the very first women's conference on Stoicism, Paths to Flourishing, which we co-organised, and which took place in June 2021: https://pathstoflourishing.org/
 
 
About Alkistis Agio:
Dr Alkistis Agio is the author of From Fear to Freedom. She founded the #HellenicWellness Movement to empower and transform by sharing timeless Greek “Wisdom, Wellness & Wonder.” She writes books, leads seminars, offers mentoring and leadership training & hosts a webTV show.” Her signature system ‘The ALKISTIS Method®’ is based on Greek Philosophy & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Of Greek origin, she grew up in Montreal and has worked in Italy, France, Germany, Greece, the United States and the United Arab Emirates. In 2021, she organised a historic event in Athens, ‘STOICON’, the international conference of Modern Stoics.
Listen to Alkistis' meditations: https://alkistis.podbean.com/ Read her book, From Fear to Freedom: https://www.alkistis.net/buybook.html
#Stoicism​ #StoicSalon​ #KathrynKoromilas

Sophia Shapira: Emotions, Autism, Stoicism

I got to talk with Sophia Shapira. We spoke before the very first women's conference on Stoicism, Paths to Flourishing, which we co-organised, and which took place in June 2021: https://pathstoflourishing.org/
 
 
About Sophia Shapira:
Sophia Elizabeth Shapira is a blogger/vlogger, former software developer, and Stoic prokopton.
She has dealt with Autism, Gender Dysphoria, and to some extent Attention Deficit Disorder for her entire life.
In early adulthood, she discovered Stoicism to be a powerful tool in navigating and dealing with these challenges. During her nearly two decades working as a software developer, she began making YouTube videos and blog posts on a wide variety of topics – some of which included her use of and experiences in Stoicism.
Her three-part YouTube presentation titled “Stoicism: My Coping Mechanism” attracted significant attention. Some years later, her blog post “Why Stoicism is Great For Activism” also received attention as did her YouTube video titled “Onion Layers and Stoicism” in which she discusses a key improvement that Modern Stoicism usually makes on Classical Stoicism – an improvement that is essential for the ancient philosophy to be relevant to someone (such as herself, she says) who deals with a diagnosable condition whose symptoms can include haywire emotions.
Learn more about Sophia: http://blog.sshapira.com/
#Stoicism​ #StoicSalon​ #KathrynKoromilas