Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism

AI is changing fast, and so are our reactions to it. Some people resist it, others embrace it, and many feel afraid. In this episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, Benny looks at AI through a Stoic lens and asks a simple question: how do we meet rapid change with reason rather than fear?

Benny clarifies what today’s “AI” mostly is: tools that predict and generate language, and why labeling it good or bad is our addition, not a fact. From there, he applies core Stoic ideas: AI as an external and therefore an indifferent, the three disciplines as a daily guide, and the need to keep agency over judgment and action. You will hear practical examples of using AI to support your work without outsourcing your voice, along with common risks to watch for, like misinformation, over-reliance, and letting tools set your identity.

The episode offers concrete practices: negative visualization to rehearse possible losses or overuse, the view from above to place AI among past waves of change like the internet and mobile phones, and journaling to keep your reason active rather than passive. The goal is not to glorify or demonize AI, but to cultivate wisdom, courage, and self-command while the world shifts around us.

If you want a grounded way to use AI as a tool, without letting it use you, this conversation will help you stay steady, thoughtful, and free.Support the show🌐 ⁠https://viastoica.com⁠🎯 ⁠https://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching⁠👤 ⁠https://viastoica.com/benny-voncken⁠▶️ YouTube: /viastoica📧 Reach us: ⁠info@viastoica.com⁠🎙️ Produced by: ⁠http://badmic.com⁠

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.

In this Stoic Quotes episode, Benny reflects on the words of Seneca from On Providence, section 4:

“You are unfortunate in my judgment, for you have never been unfortunate. You have passed through life with no antagonist to face you. No one will know what you were capable of, not even yourself.”

Seneca reminds us that trials and obstacles are not punishments but opportunities. Without resistance, we never learn our limits or discover our inner strength. For the Stoics, hardship is the training ground for virtue, a test that sharpens self-knowledge and resilience.

Benny explores how this insight connects to the Socratic principle of “know yourself,” the Stoic embrace of adversity as a teacher, and the mindset shift that transforms obstacles from burdens into opportunities for growth. From athletes seeking worthy opponents to Marcus Aurelius’ reminder that “the obstacle is the way,” Stoicism teaches us that challenges reveal what we are truly capable of.

Practical Reflections

• When facing obstacles, pause and ask: What is this teaching me about myself?

• Reframe difficulties as tests of character rather than punishments of fate.

• Remember past struggles you overcame; you are stronger than you imagine.

For more, check out this related article on overcoming adversity:
https://viastoica.com/stoic-freedom

And if you’re looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:

• https://viastoica.com/stoic-quotes

• https://viastoica.com/seneca-quotes

• https://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quotes

• https://viastoica.com/epictetus-quotes

Make sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.

Support the show
https://viastoica.com
https://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching
https://viastoica.com/benny-voncken
https://x.com/ViaStoica
info@viastoica.com

Produced by: badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.

Immigration is one of the most polarizing topics of our time, stirring emotions, fears, and debates across nations. But how might the Stoics approach it?

In this episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, Benny explores immigration through the lens of Stoic philosophy. Drawing from Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and the Stoic idea of cosmopolitanism, he unpacks how we might see beyond national borders and labels to recognize each other as fellow citizens of the world.

Benny examines the natural movement of people, the fears that immigration often provokes, such as economic competition, cultural change, and security, and contrasts these with Stoic principles of justice, compassion, and role ethics. He reflects on Hierocles’ circles of concern, the Stoic “view from above,” and what it means to treat strangers as kin.

Rather than succumbing to fear and division, Stoicism invites us to build understanding through education, dialogue, and shared humanity. Immigration, seen from this perspective, becomes not just a challenge but an opportunity to practice virtue, unity, and wisdom in our global community.

If you’ve ever wondered how Stoic philosophy can help us reframe modern debates about borders, culture, and identity, this episode offers a thought-provoking starting point.

Support the show

🌐 ⁠https://viastoica.com⁠
🎯 ⁠https://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching⁠
👤 ⁠https://viastoica.com/benny-voncken⁠
▶️ YouTube: /viastoica
📧 Reach us: ⁠info@viastoica.com⁠
🎙️ Produced by: ⁠http://badmic.com⁠

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.

In this Stoic Quotes episode, Benny reflects on the words of Marcus Aurelius from Meditations, Book 6.16:

“And if you can’t stop prizing a lot of other things, then you’ll never be free.”

Marcus reminds himself that true freedom is not found in wealth, possessions, or status—but in learning to stop attaching value to what lies outside our control. For the Stoics, freedom means self-sufficiency, tranquility, and being free from the passions that disturb the soul.

Benny explores how this insight connects to the Discipline of Desire and the Stoic pursuit of eudaimonia—a flourishing life rooted in reason and virtue. Marcus, despite being emperor of Rome, knew the danger of craving more: it enslaves us to fortune and leaves us restless.

Drawing connections to Epictetus’ reminder that only our judgments and actions are truly ours, and Seneca’s warnings about wasted time and attachments, this episode shows how the Stoic path to freedom is inward, not outward.

Practical Reflections

• Examine what you prize most in life: are these things truly within your control?

• Practice gratitude for what you already have, instead of longing for what you lack.

• Remind yourself that all externals are on loan from fortune—when they leave, your character and choices remain.

For more, check out this related article with quotes on freedom:
https://viastoica.com/stoic-freedom/

And if you’re looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:

https://viastoica.com/stoic-quotes
https://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quotes
https://viastoica.com/epictetus-quotes
https://viastoica.com/seneca-quotes

Make sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.
Support the show

https://viastoica.com
https://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching
https://viastoica.com/benny-voncken
https://x.com/ViaStoica
info@viastoica.com

Produced by: badmic.com

What do the Swedish concept of lagom—living with balance and “just enough”—and the philosophy of Stoicism have in common? In this episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, Benny speaks with Kortney Yasenka, licensed clinical mental health counselor, writer, and Stoic practitioner, about how these two traditions can guide us toward a more meaningful and joyful life.

Together they explore:

• Why asking yourself “What is enough?” is central to both Stoicism and Lagom

• How daily reflection on Stoic quotes can inspire real practice rather than just theory

• The balance between simplicity and fulfillment in modern life

• Practical ways to bring more contentment, gratitude, and joy into your everyday routine

Kortney shares her personal journey, blending modern counseling with ancient wisdom, and offers insights on how both Stoicism and Lagom can help us navigate a world often dominated by excess and distraction.

Follow Kortney’s work here:

• https://yasenkacounseling.com/

• https://kortneyyasenka.com/

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kortney-yasenka-lcmhc-0b412a35

• https://www.instagram.com/swedish_lagom/

• https://www.instagram.com/kortneyyasenka/

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.
In this Stoic Quotes episode, Benny reflects on the words of Seneca from his essay On the Shortness of Life. Seneca challenges the common complaint that life is too brief, reminding us instead that:

“Life is long, if only you know how to use it.”

Rather than blaming nature for giving us too little time, Seneca argues that the problem lies in how we waste it—chasing externals, worrying about the future, or clinging to the past. Benny unpacks how this insight shifts our perspective: life is not about how many years we get, but how we live each present moment with awareness and virtue.

Drawing connections with Marcus Aurelius’ reflections on time and Epictetus’ call to focus only on what is in our control, this episode explores how attention and presence transform the quality of our days. By treating each moment as if it could be our last, we discover that we already have enough time, if we live it well.

You’ll hear how slowing down gives life a deeper richness, why attention is a form of love, and how letting go of legacy and haste brings us closer to peace. Seneca’s reminder still speaks to us today: a fulfilled life is not measured by its length, but by the way we choose to use it.

Perfect for anyone reflecting on time, meaning, and how to live more intentionally with Stoic wisdom.

For more, check out this related article with quotes on how to use our time best:
🔗 https://viastoica.com/10-seneca-quotes-on-time/

And if you’re looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:
🔗 viastoica.com/stoic-quotes🔗 viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quotes🔗 viastoica.com/epictetus-quotes🔗 viastoica.com/seneca-quotes

Make sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.

Support the show
🌐 viastoica.com🌐 viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching🌐 viastoica.com/benny-voncken🐦 /viastoica📩 Reach us: info@viastoica.com
Produced by: badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the Podcast on Stoicism.

In this episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, Benny explores the Stoic Discipline of Assent, the practice of choosing how we respond to impressions, rather than being led by impulse or unexamined opinions.

In an age of fast judgments, social media scrolls, and reactive emotions, this discipline gives us a way back to clarity. Stoicism teaches that when something happens, we don’t have to accept what our emotions or impressions tell us immediately. With assent, rejection, or withholding judgment, we can learn to meet life with presence, wisdom, and truth.

Drawing on Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Zeno, Benny walks through the stages of assent: noticing first impressions, pausing, investigating what’s really going on, then either approving, rejecting, or suspending judgment. You’ll discover how this discipline helps with emotional regulation, clearer decision-making, healthier relationships, and a more grounded view of what’s true.

If you’ve ever felt dragged along by rush judgments or upset by your immediate reactions, this episode will show you tools and practices to slow down, check your impressions, and act from virtue.

For more on this topic, see the full guide:
👉 https://viastoica.com/how-to-practice-the-stoic-discipline-of-assent/

Support the show
🌐 https://viastoica.com
🎯 https://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching
👤 https://viastoica.com/benny-voncken
▶️ YouTube: /viastoica
📧 Reach us: info@viastoica.com
🎙️ Produced by: http://badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.

In this Stoic Quotes episode, Benny reflects on the words of Michel de Montaigne, the 16th-century French philosopher who pioneered the personal essay. In his famous essay To Philosophize Is to Learn How to Die, Montaigne reminds us that the purpose of philosophy is not abstract speculation, but preparation for the ultimate change: death.

Drawing from Cicero and Plato, Montaigne writes that true philosophers are always practicing how to die, because in facing death, we learn how to live. Benny explores how this idea connects with Stoic thought: Marcus Aurelius’ meditations on constant change, Epictetus’ reminder that death can find us at any moment, and the Stoic practice of using mortality as a guide to live with clarity and purpose.

In this episode, you’ll hear how contemplating death reduces fear, why practicing small farewells prepares us for life’s biggest transition, and how journaling about mortality can help us live more gratefully in the present. Montaigne and the Stoics alike show us that learning to die well is inseparable from learning to live well.

Perfect for anyone reflecting on death in philosophy, exploring Montaigne’s essays, or seeking Stoic practices to cultivate peace and presence in daily life.

You can also check out this post to learn more about how Marcus Aurelius reflected on death:
🔗 https://viastoica.com/20-marcus-aurelius-quotes-on-death/

In the Stoic Quotes series, we uncover timeless wisdom from Seneca, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and even later thinkers like Montaigne, exploring what they meant then and how we can live it today.

If you are looking for more quotes like this one, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of Stoic sayings with full references to the original texts.

🔗 viastoica.com/stoic-quotes
🔗 viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quotes
🔗 viastoica.com/epictetus-quotes
🔗 viastoica.com/seneca-quotes

Make sure to subscribe for more quote episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer Stoic discussions. Leave a comment if you have thoughts or questions; we might feature them in a future episode.

Support the show

🌐 viastoica.com
🌐 viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching
🌐 viastoica.com/benny-voncken
🐦 /viastoica
📩 Reach us: info@viastoica.com

Produced by: badmic.com