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