Why Stoicism Still Matters
In a world obsessed with material success and emotional expression, an ancient philosophy offers a calming, grounded alternative. Stoicism, born around the 3rd century BC, teaches that our happiness doesn’t rely on what happens to us but on how we respond. It’s a way of thinking that resonated deeply with the podcast host Jill from the Northwoods, who found Stoicism as a young person and credits it with helping her navigate life’s chaos with strength and perspective.
The Roots of Stoic Thought
The founder of Stoicism, Zeno of Citium, was a Phoenician Greek merchant whose life took a drastic turn after a shipwreck. Wandering the streets of Athens, he discovered the writings of Socrates and never looked back. His misfortune led him to a philosophy focused not on wealth or fame but on virtue, reason, and resilience.
Zeno’s teachings, although mostly lost, laid the groundwork for a practical system of ethics. Unlike other philosophical schools of the time, Stoicism wasn’t about building utopias or indulging pleasure. It was about living ethically and in harmony with nature.
Virtue Over Circumstance
One of the key Stoic teachings is that virtue alone is sufficient for happiness. While many people today measure success by wealth, power, or status, Stoicism insists that true contentment comes from living with wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. These four virtues form the core of the philosophy.
Jill reflects on how this perspective helped her as a young girl growing up in a difficult household. Stoicism taught her that her environment didn’t define her. Instead, it was her response to life’s hardships that mattered. She practiced this through self-control, mental endurance, and by challenging irrational judgments.
Lessons from Epictetus
Epictetus, a former slave in the Roman Empire, became one of the most influential Stoic thinkers. Despite enduring a cruel master and a physically painful life, he preached emotional mastery and the importance of distinguishing between what we can and cannot control.
His teachings—recorded by his student in “Discourses” and “The Handbook”—echo today in the Serenity Prayer: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” This mindset freed people from external circumstances and empowered them to own their internal reactions.
Real-Life Application of Stoicism
Jill didn’t just learn Stoicism—she lived it. She practiced “negative visualization,” imagining worst-case scenarios to prepare emotionally. This helped her stay calm even in confrontations with her father or her critical grandmother. She also embraced “voluntary discomfort,” pushing herself physically and mentally to strengthen her endurance.
For her, Stoicism wasn’t about being emotionless; it was about being resilient. It meant not letting anger or envy control her actions. In today’s climate of emotional outbursts and online outrage, that message feels more relevant than ever.
Bringing Stoicism into Modern Life
Practicing Stoicism today doesn’t mean giving up comfort. It means living intentionally—spending money mindfully, eating with awareness, and aligning actions with values. Jill connects Stoic ideas to her current journey with weight loss and mindful eating, showing how ancient wisdom can support modern challenges.
She also highlights the importance of journaling and self-reflection as daily practices. By tracking your emotional triggers and values, you become more self-aware—and better equipped to respond with reason and grace.
Stoicism and Spiritual Growth
Though she discovered Stoicism before becoming a Christian, Jill sees no conflict between the two. In fact, she plans to explore the connection between Stoic resilience and Christian faith in future episodes of her podcast “Small Steps with God.” The emphasis on integrity, inner peace, and living by virtue fits seamlessly into both worldviews.
Final Thoughts: Practicing, Not Just Preaching
Jill emphasizes a critical point: reading about philosophy isn’t enough. You have to live it. She draws inspiration from Benjamin Franklin, who created a system to practice virtues weekly. That’s the real essence of Stoicism—not theory, but action.
Whether you’re dealing with toxic relationships, financial stress, or just the noise of everyday life, Stoicism offers timeless tools. Its call to master your emotions, embrace hardship, and pursue virtue over vanity is a guide for anyone looking to live a more meaningful, grounded life.
Transcript
What’s the deal with Stoicism?
That’s what we’re going to talk about today. Hi everyone, this is Jill from the Northwoods. Thank you so much for listening.
Back when Clash of the Titans came out, my mind was blown. Suddenly, I was all into Greek philosophy. The next step in that journey led me to Stoicism. Last time, I talked about the idea of “everything in moderation,” but then I got deeper into Greek philosophy, and Stoicism really stood out to me. It changed my life—and still impacts me today.
So, what is Stoicism?
It began around the 3rd century BC and was known for being highly practical. There were many different philosophical schools in ancient Greece—Cynics, Platonists, Epicureans, and more. By the end of Greek and Roman societies, many were abandoning the gods and turning toward philosophical ideas. That’s where Stoicism entered the scene—and today, we’re actually seeing a huge resurgence in interest.
The Origins: Zeno of Citium
Zeno, from Athens, is credited as the founder of Stoicism, around 330 BC. At the time, Alexander the Great had just conquered much of the known world. Zeno himself was from the island of Cyprus and was considered a Phoenician Greek. Interestingly, we now know that the Phoenicians were actually Canaanites—yes, the same people from the biblical era.
Zeno was originally a merchant. After a shipwreck, he lost everything and found himself wandering the streets of Athens. He stumbled into a shop that had writings of Socrates. Curious, he asked the shopkeeper, “Where can I find this man?” That encounter changed his life. He once said, “I made a prosperous voyage and then I suffered a shipwreck.” That disaster led him to a new philosophy.
What’s powerful about Zeno’s story is that it reflects what we see in life: shipwrecks happen. Life brings disaster. But some people rebuild and grow from it, like the people of Joplin after their devastating tornado. Zeno did the same—he transformed tragedy into a meaningful life path.
The term “Stoic” actually comes from the “painted porch” (Stoa Poikile) in Athens, where Zeno taught. Unlike the flashy, indulgent philosophies of his time, Stoicism focused on ethics, resilience, community, and virtue. Sadly, Zeno’s original writings are lost. What we know comes from his students.
Key Stoic Beliefs
Stoicism teaches that we’re a part of nature and that we should live in agreement with it—embracing reason, community, and virtue. It emphasizes that virtue is enough for happiness.
So many people today feel unhappy because their expectations don’t match reality. They graduate, get a lousy first job, and wonder why life doesn’t look like their parents’ success. But Stoicism flips that script. Happiness doesn’t depend on material things. Jim Carrey once said, “I wish everyone could become rich and famous so they could see it’s not the answer.” And that’s the heart of Stoicism.
Stoicism also warns against destructive passions—not in the sense of enthusiasm, but in the sense of anger, envy, and irrationality. These emotions can destroy your inner life if left unchecked. We see it all around us: people lashing out, unable to control their rage. Stoicism teaches that we must master those emotions or be mastered by them.
Enter Epictetus
Epictetus was born a slave around 50 AD, the same time Paul was in Asia Minor. He had a cruel master and even endured having his leg broken. He told his master beforehand, “You’re going to break my leg”—and when it happened, he simply said, “Didn’t I tell you?”
Despite this brutal start, Epictetus eventually gained his freedom and started a school of philosophy. He never wrote anything himself, but his student Arrian recorded his teachings in Discourses and The Handbook.
His message? Some things are up to us—our opinions, judgments, and desires—and some things aren’t. And freedom comes from focusing on what’s in our control. This aligns closely with the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can…”
We can’t control other people, governments, or even whether we’re free or enslaved. But we can control how we respond. That’s where our freedom lies.
Stoicism in My Life
Reading about Stoicism as a kid, I learned how to apply it. I remember standing up to a bully and saying, “I know you’re hurting. You don’t have to take it out on us.” That courage came from Stoic teachings.
As a kid, I also practiced negative visualization—mentally preparing for tough conversations, like confronting my dad about his alcoholism. I even imagined how he might respond. When he threw the phone at me, I wasn’t rattled. I stayed calm and kept talking. That kind of composure comes from Stoic training.
I also practiced voluntary discomfort—not by choice, but by circumstance. Living in a house with two hoarders, I didn’t have many luxuries. But today, I still use voluntary discomfort as a tool. For example, exposing myself to heat and cold to build internal strength.
Stoicism and Modern Habits
I apply Stoic ideas to dieting, particularly now that I’m on Mounjaro. Mindful eating is tough—people eat for emotional and mental reasons. Stoicism helps me develop awareness and control. I’ve also changed how I spend money. It’s no longer impulsive. I think before I act. I align my behavior with my values.
The Virtues of Stoicism
The four cardinal virtues of Stoicism are:
- Wisdom: Making sound decisions.
- Courage: Doing what’s right, even when it’s hard.
- Justice: Treating people fairly.
- Temperance: Practicing self-control and moderation.
I learned that it’s not enough to admire these virtues—you must practice them. That’s why I loved Benjamin Franklin’s idea of tracking virtues weekly. Stoicism isn’t just a theory. It’s a lifestyle.
Final Reflections
Stoicism taught me to focus on what matters, to develop internal strength, and to live with intention. From ancient philosophers like Zeno and Epictetus to modern voices like Ryan Holiday, these teachings are as relevant now as ever. You even find Stoicism in military training manuals because it builds grit, discipline, and emotional endurance.
One of my favorite quotes comes from Marcus Aurelius:
“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do, say, and think.”
We need more of that clarity and purpose. In a world full of rage, chaos, and online outrage, we need people who live with resilience, kindness, and calm.
Next week, I’ll talk about how Stoicism connects with my Christian faith, and how those beliefs coexist. That episode will be posted both here and on my other channel, Small Steps with God, so I hope you’ll check it out.
Thanks for listening—and remember, you can always leave a comment. I welcome feedback, as long as it’s in the spirit of Stoic calm and thoughtful conversation. Have a great day!
