Episodes
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In today's episode of Stoic School, William Mulligan addresses one of life's most persistent challenges: how to remain calm and composed when people provoke or annoy us. Drawing from over a decade of practicing Stoicism, William offers practical advice on handling rude encounters with grace and self-control. He introduces the "Three A's" framework—Awareness, Assessment, and Action—to help you assess situations before responding. Learn how to avoid common emotional pitfalls, base your reactions on Stoic virtues like wisdom and temperance, and turn everyday annoyances into opportunities for personal growth.
William also shares a personal announcement, reflecting on the Stoic principle of adaptability, as he evolves his content for greater authenticity and depth.
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In this episode, we explore the increasingly popular concept of "going ghost" or disappearing for a period of time to focus on personal growth. Why are so many people recommending this approach, and why does it seem to work so effectively?
William delves into the idea that stepping away from the constant noise of social media, societal expectations, and even your social circle can lead to profound personal insights and a clearer understanding of your true goals. By disconnecting for 30 days, you strip away external influences, allowing you to rediscover what you genuinely value and desire in life.
Far from the notion of being emotionally detached, William explains that true Stoicism is about understanding and managing your emotions, not ignoring them. This period of solitude isn't just about hustle or grind; it's about resetting, finding clarity, and returning to your life with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.
Whether you're looking to break free from societal pressures or simply want to rediscover yourself, this episode offers valuable insights on how and why "going ghost" can be a transformative experience.
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Episodes manquant?
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In today's episode, William dives into the essence of self-improvement and why it should be a personal journey, not driven by the need to prove something to others. Self-improvement is for you—to better your own life, to overcome your own challenges, and to become a more fulfilled person. Yet, as you improve yourself, you naturally become a better presence for those around you, enhancing your relationships and contributions to society.
This episode outlines 15 things you should quietly eliminate from your life to aid in this journey. From letting go of the impossible task of making everyone happy, to cutting ties with negative influences and breaking free from the comparison trap, these steps will help you focus on what's truly important: your personal growth.
Join us as we reflect on the quiet power of self-improvement and the simple, yet profound, changes you can make today to become the best version of yourself.
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In this episode, William dives into the timeless wisdom of Epictetus, offering 20 essential Stoic principles to help you master yourself and navigate life with confidence and clarity. From understanding the dichotomy of control to embracing challenges like Hercules, each tip is designed to ground you in Stoic practice and elevate your daily life.
Learn how to balance confidence and caution, endure hardships with courage, and renounce harmful desires. Discover the power of self-knowledge, the importance of questioning your impressions, and why your response to external events is always within your control. Whether you’re facing personal challenges or seeking to grow in virtue, these insights from Epictetus will serve as a powerful guide on your Stoic journey.
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In today's episode, William dives deep into the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius, exploring 20 essential Stoic tips for mastering yourself. Learn why it’s more important to be a good person than to talk about being one, and how vanity can cloud your judgment. Discover the power of journaling, embracing calmness, and preparing like a wrestler for life's challenges. William also discusses the importance of honesty, accepting help, and not being distracted by material pursuits. If you're ready to take actionable steps toward self-improvement, this episode is for you.
Tune in and explore how these timeless principles can help you navigate modern life with greater resilience and purpose.
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In today's episode, William dives deep into a vital lesson from Stoicism: "Discomfort is a wise teacher." Discover why embracing discomfort can lead to unparalleled personal growth and why avoiding it could hold you back from achieving your true potential.
William shares personal insights on how discomfort has shaped his journey, from overcoming anxiety to finding success in unexpected places. He also explores the modern dilemma of choosing comfort over meaningful experiences and how this choice can prevent us from living fully.
Tune in to learn how shifting your mindset from comfort-seeking to embracing discomfort can unlock a life of progress, fulfillment, and endless possibilities.
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In this episode, William reflects on a powerful quote from Marcus Aurelius that first drew him to Stoicism: "To be like the rock that the waves keep crashing over. It stands unmoved, and the raging of the sea falls still around it." William shares his personal journey of transformation from being overwhelmed by life's storms to becoming a steadfast "rock" unmoved by external chaos.
Through practical Stoic exercises and principles, William explores how to break down situations to their simplest form, understanding the true nature of criticism, and cultivating a mindset that embraces challenges rather than being defeated by them. Drawing on insights from Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning and the Stoic concept of amor fati (love of fate), he teaches how to prepare for life's inevitable difficulties, approach them with resilience, and maintain a foundation built on virtue.
Listen in to learn how to remain calm and unshaken amidst life's turbulence, and discover why the pursuit of goodness is more fulfilling than the pursuit of greatness. This episode will help you build the mental and emotional strength needed to face life's challenges with confidence and clarity.
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In this episode, William dives into a thought-provoking discussion inspired by the reflections of the Dry Creek Wrangler on Stoicism and Christianity. William Mulligan offers his insights on the Wrangler’s unique take on Stoicism, examining how these perspectives align with or diverge from traditional Stoic principles.
Join us as William explores the intersection of practical wisdom and rugged individualism, discussing how Stoic philosophy can be applied to everyday challenges. Whether you're new to Stoicism or a seasoned practitioner, this episode will deepen your understanding of how ancient teachings resonate in today’s world.
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In today's episode, William distils the core teachings of Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca into 50 practical rules. These guidelines are designed to help you navigate life's challenges and become the best version of yourself.
In this episode, you will learn how to treat your mind like an athlete, meditate on mortality, and embrace the hard work necessary for personal growth. William emphasizes the importance of not comparing yourself to others and practicing the art of being content to be thought foolish. He explores the concept of "The Obstacle is the Way" and how accepting challenges can lead to transformation.
William also delves into the significance of owning your mornings, making small daily progress, and surrounding yourself with people who uplift you. By integrating these Stoic principles into your daily life, you can cultivate resilience, achieve tranquillity, and gain a deeper appreciation for the present moment.
Tune in to discover how these timeless teachings can transform your life and guide your journey toward Stoic wisdom.
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In today's episode, William delves into the deceptive world of social media and its impact on our happiness and self-worth. He begins by emphasizing that those seemingly perfect lives we see online are often just well-marketed facades, not reflections of true contentment or success. Understanding that these images are curated to present an idealized version of reality can help us focus on our own character and find the life we truly want to live.
William shares a personal story about a friend who lost his joy by trying to emulate the glamorous lives he saw on social media. This comparison led him to feel empty and disconnected from his true self. By deleting social media and stopping the comparison, his friend eventually rediscovered his passion and zest for life. The episode highlights how our obsession with online personas can undermine our real-life happiness, pushing us to strive for an unattainable image rather than focusing on our own authentic lives.
Drawing on Stoic principles, William reminds us that comparison is the thief of joy. Instead of measuring ourselves against others, we should concentrate on our own character and virtues. By understanding what we can control—our actions, reactions, and mindset—we can cultivate true happiness and inner peace. He advocates for reducing social media consumption or using it more mindfully, focusing on its educational and communicative benefits rather than letting it dictate our self-worth.
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In this episode, William explores PewDiePie's reflections on a break-in at his home and the deeper philosophical insights it inspired. PewDiePie shares how the incident led him to declutter his life, embracing a minimalist approach reminiscent of the ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes.
William delves into the life and teachings of Diogenes, a Cynic who famously lived with minimal possessions and rejected societal norms. Through stories of Diogenes' interactions with Alexander the Great and Plato, listeners are invited to consider the value of living according to nature and focusing on what truly matters.
Join William as he draws parallels between modern experiences and ancient wisdom, showing how unexpected events can lead to profound personal growth. Embrace the lessons of Diogenes and discover the freedom that comes with simplicity and detachment from material possessions. Tune in and find inspiration to live a more meaningful, Stoic life.
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In this episode, William explores how to respond to haters by drawing on the wisdom of the ancient Stoics - Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius. Discover how these philosophical masters maintained their inner peace and resilience in the face of criticism and negativity. By seeing negative remarks as natural parts of life and opportunities for growth, the Stoics teach us to transform haters' words into stepping stones for personal development.
William explains the importance of focusing on what you can control: your actions and reactions. The Stoics believed that you control your inner fortress, so don't let negative comments invade your peace. Understand that haters' actions are beyond your control and often stem from their own insecurities and jealousies. By differentiating between constructive criticism and baseless negativity, you can use the former to improve and dismiss the latter as irrelevant.
Tune in to embrace the Stoic way of handling negativity and become invincible to haters.
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In today’s episode, William explores five surefire ways to ensure lifelong misery. By examining common behaviours that lead to unhappiness, he offers a fresh perspective on how to live a more fulfilling life. The first step to misery, he explains, is constantly comparing yourself to others. This habit, exacerbated by social media, fosters envy and dissatisfaction as we chase after lives that are often just carefully curated illusions.
William then discusses the importance of gratitude. Removing gratitude from your life will quickly lead to a negative mindset and a sense of lack. Instead of appreciating what you have, you focus on what you don’t, making true happiness elusive. Another step to guaranteed misery is thinking you know better than everyone else. William uses the example of Marcus Aurelius, who, despite his greatness, always remained humble and open to learning from others.
The episode also covers the dangers of staying closed-minded. This mindset keeps you stuck, preventing personal growth and keeping you miserable. Lastly, William talks about the comfort zone. While it might seem safe, remaining comfortable prevents you from truly expressing yourself and finding fulfilment. By facing discomfort, you can release your true self and achieve real freedom.
Join William as he flips conventional wisdom on its head, showing how recognizing and avoiding these negative behaviours can lead to a more joyful and meaningful life. Tune in and start your journey toward happiness by understanding what not to do.
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Click here to check out HUEL: https://my.huel.com/mulliganbros #adIn today's episode, William explores the question: What is more important, your mind or your muscles? He argues that while many people dedicate hours each week to physical fitness, they often neglect mental workouts. The Stoics believed that the mind is our most vital tool and should be exercised with even greater diligence than the body. William emphasizes that just as physical strength diminishes without regular exercise, so too does mental strength.William introduces the idea of creating mental workout plans, similar to physical ones, focusing on four key areas: growth, good nature, resilience, and greatness. He shares his personal journey of overcoming the fear of public speaking through a structured plan of small, consistent actions. By setting clear goals and breaking them down into manageable steps, anyone can build mental strength and character.He also discusses the importance of virtues such as wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice in daily life. By consciously practicing these virtues, and reflecting on our actions, we can develop a good nature. To build resilience, he suggests incorporating voluntary discomfort into our routines, such as cold showers or fasting, to strengthen our mental toughness.Finally, William encourages listeners to seek out their personal challenges and confront them directly. This practice of facing fears head-on leads to true greatness and self-improvement. He reminds us that growth comes from action, not just from consuming information.
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In today's episode, William delves into the timeless wisdom of Stoicism, focusing on how to stay calm during life's most challenging moments. Reflecting on the lives of ancient Stoics like Emperor Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus, we uncover their secrets to maintaining serenity amidst chaos and adversity.
Marcus Aurelius faced the Antonine Plague, the Marcomannic Wars, and numerous assassination attempts, yet he governed with remarkable calm. Similarly, Epictetus, born a slave, endured a life filled with hardships, yet he too remained unshaken. Their ability to stay composed stemmed from deeply ingrained Stoic teachings—principles that transcend mere reading and require absorption into one's very soul.
At the heart of Stoicism lies a fundamental mantra given to its founder, Zeno of Cetium, by the Delphic Oracle: "Dye your mind with the colours of dead men." This meant immersing oneself in the teachings of past philosophers like Socrates, not just learning their words but embodying their wisdom.
William emphasises the importance of practicing Stoic principles through the "Three A's": Awareness, Assessment, and Action. This approach allows us to pause, reflect, and choose the most reasoned response in any situation, fostering calmness and confidence.
William also shares personal anecdotes, illustrating how these teachings helped him manage severe pain and find calm during trying times. He encourages listeners to soak in these philosophies and reflect on their transformative potential.
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Imagine being faced with a choice at the end of your life: go to paradise or get back on the ride of life one more time. Would you choose to relive all the highs and lows, knowing you selected every experience, both joyous and painful?
In today's episode, William Mulligan explores this thought experiment to help you understand that every moment, every challenge, and every joy was chosen by you. By embracing this perspective, you can develop a profound sense of confidence and resilience. William shares insights into controlling what you can—your inner world and character—and letting go of what you can't.
Join us as we delve into how challenges build strength, how confusion fosters wisdom, and how to take responsibility for your own growth. Embrace the mindset of a hero on a journey and learn how to face life's difficulties with courage and confidence. Transform your approach to life with the wisdom of stoicism in this empowering episode.
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Click here to check out HUEL: https://my.huel.com/mulliganbros #adIn this episode, William delves into the wisdom of Epictetus on conquering nerves and building true confidence. William shares a powerful passage from Epictetus' Discourses that has profoundly impacted his life, particularly in overcoming nervousness and fear.William explores the concept of discipline as a source of strength and confidence, drawing an analogy with a musician who masters the guitar through practice but still struggles with stage fright. This discussion highlights how continuous practice and application of Stoic principles, such as the dichotomy of control, can transform our approach to life's challenges.Reflecting on personal experiences, William talks about the impact of audience judgment on his confidence, whether during interviews, public speaking, or social media engagements. He emphasises the importance of focusing on what we can control—our actions and responses—while letting go of external opinions.William also shares his journey of overcoming the fear of death through Stoic teachings, illustrating how repetitive contemplation of Stoic truths can lead to profound internal change. He encourages listeners to apply these principles to their own fears and nerves, assuring them that true confidence comes from disciplined practice and a deep understanding of what truly matters.Join William as he guides you through the Stoic path to confidence and freedom from nerves, helping you to live more authentically and courageously.
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Click here to check out HUEL: https://my.huel.com/mulliganbros #adIn this episode, William explores seven powerful Stoic principles designed to fortify your mind and ensure that nothing can affect you. The Stoics liken mental resilience to the training of a wrestler—constantly prepared for any challenge. Invest time and effort into mental exercises to build strength of character and adaptability, much like a wrestler trains their body.Embrace Epictetus' teaching of confidence in things outside your control, trusting the natural order and focusing on what you can influence—your impressions, opinions, and desires. Train your mind like a boxer, who relies solely on their internal strength rather than external tools, by actively practicing Stoic principles. Confront your fear of death, recognizing it as a natural part of life, and free yourself from the many other fears that stem from this primal anxiety.By facing your fears and understanding that they are often exaggerated perceptions, you can diminish their power over you. Practice premeditatio malorum—anticipate challenges and difficulties—to reduce their impact when they arrive and maintain your equanimity. Join William as he shares personal anecdotes and practical advice on integrating these Stoic exercises into your daily routine, empowering you to live a tranquil, resilient, and fulfilling life.
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In this episode, William delves into the nature of regret and its roots in dwelling on past mistakes. He explores how constantly rehashing past errors and missed opportunities is like a cow regurgitating its food, chewing over the same thoughts and extracting only the negative aspects. William emphasizes that this endless rumination leads to a cycle of regret and negative self-talk, magnifying our feelings of embarrassment and self-doubt.
William provides practical strategies to break free from this cycle. He highlights the importance of cultivating the habit of living in the present moment, comparing it to a wagon carving a new path through the mud. By repeatedly focusing on the present, we can create a new, healthier mental pathway. He also introduces the concept of "perfect chaos," where life's disorder eventually leads to beauty and order, urging listeners to trust the process and embrace the unpredictable nature of life.
To prevent future regrets, William suggests keeping a notebook to track recurring thoughts about what is important and taking action on those priorities. He shares the story of a Chinese farmer to illustrate the unpredictability of events and the futility of labeling them as good or bad. Throughout the episode, he emphasizes the paradox of regret, where time spent regretting becomes a regret itself, and urges listeners to focus on being present. By practicing relaxation and mindfulness, we can alleviate the burden of past regrets and future anxieties, enhancing our ability to face the present moment effectively.
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In today's episode, we focus on five things to quit right now for a more serene life.
First, stop living in the past. The Stoics taught that the present moment is all we truly have, so dwelling on past mistakes only detracts from our happiness. Next, stop trying to make everyone happy. It’s impossible, and doing so often means sacrificing your own well-being. Instead, prioritize self-care and personal growth.
Overthinking is another habit to quit. While we can’t stop thoughts from entering our minds, we can choose not to dwell on them. Also, stop focusing on what you can’t control. Accept that external events are beyond your influence and concentrate on your internal responses. Lastly, stop expecting returns for your good deeds. True character is built by selflessly helping others without anticipating rewards or recognition.
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