In this episode, William lays out seven behaviours the ancient Stoics warned against and explains why each one poisons your peace of mind. He breaks down how complaining and blaming others robs you of power, how emotional overreactions cloud judgment, and how chasing validation turns you into a puppet for public opinion. Each behavior is examined through Stoic teachings from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca, with practical advice for modern life.
William also explores the Stoic view of hardship, showing why struggle and discomfort are essential for growth. He talks about the danger of wasting time on meaningless distractions, how giving in to desires weakens your discipline, and why taking responsibility for your actions is the cornerstone of inner strength. Through real examples and grounded philosophy, he reminds us that virtue, not comfort, leads to freedom.
In this episode, William digs into how Stoicism and the Law of Attraction are surprisingly similar yet completely different. Both claim that our thoughts shape our reality, but they take wildly different routes to get there. William shares how he once practiced manifestation, believing he could think success into existence, and how years later he came to see the Stoic view as a more grounded path.
He breaks down how Stoicism teaches focus on what is within our control, while the Law of Attraction focuses on belief and visualization. Both have truth, both can guide you, and both can lead to real change if you understand them properly. Through his own experiences, stories of hardship, and lessons from Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, William explores what it really means to shape your life through thought and action.
This episode will challenge anyone who thinks Stoicism is too cold or that manifestation is just magic. It is philosophy meeting practicality, no fluff, no nonsense, and no mystical shortcuts.
In today's episode, William walks through a four-step Stoic protocol to protect your peace in a chaotic, outrage-driven world. Drawing on Marcus Aurelius and Viktor Frankl, William explains how to build an unshakable foundation by writing and testing your rules, model virtue by listing the people and characters you admire, use the pause to choose your response, redirect outrage into purposeful action, and finally face pain directly so it stops running the show. This episode is for anyone battling anxiety, stress, trauma, or everyday distraction and looking for practical emotional regulation, resilience training, and clarity.
Listen to learn how to stop giving your attention to algorithms, trolls, and habitual outrage and instead channel that energy into creative work, courage, and service. William shares personal stories about family, phones as escapism, and the momentary pause that rewired his behavior, plus step-by-step exercises you can use immediately to protect your mental space and lead by example.
In this episode, William explores why so many people are drawn to figures like Andrew Tate and what that desire reveals about our search for control, confidence, and meaning. William doesn’t argue for or against these influencers. Instead, he examines the psychological pull they have, the way their certainty and mastery seem to promise relief from our own uncertainty and pain. He reflects on his own experiences with anxiety, showing how the attraction to strong, decisive voices can arise from a longing for stability when life feels chaotic.
Through personal stories, reflections, and simple, actionable advice, William invites listeners to step away from the noise of self-proclaimed gurus and return to something quieter but more powerful: self-trust, curiosity, and the courage to face discomfort. This episode is a reminder that growth rarely feels glamorous, and the real path forward is the one you walk yourself.
What does it mean to “find your place amongst the gods”? In this episode, William explores the extraordinary life of Zeno of Citium, the founder of Stoicism. Once a wealthy merchant who lost everything in a shipwreck, Zeno could have given in to despair. Instead, he discovered a philosophy that continues to guide people thousands of years later. Where heroes like Hercules ascended to Olympus through strength and labor, Zeno’s ascent was achieved through something quieter, temperance, the art of self-restraint.
William reflects on why the Stoics saw temperance as the highest expression of virtue, and how, in the noise of modern life, it remains the key to peace, balance, and goodness. From resisting the pull of your phone to confronting the discomforts that arise in daily life, this episode explores how to pause, reflect, and make choices that align with your better nature. Temperance, as William explains, is not about denial or extreme discipline, but about moderation. Finding the calm strength to do what is right, moment by moment.
Zeno’s story reminds us that greatness is not found in wealth or status, but in character. His victory was not a single grand act, but a series of small, quiet triumphs over impulse and vice. In a world that celebrates extremes, temperance offers a return to stillness and integrity, and a way to reclaim control over our desires and rediscover what it means to live a truly good life.
In today’s episode, William Mulligan sits down with neuroscientist and psychedelic researcher Manesh Girn to explore the intersection of Stoic philosophy and modern science. Manesh shares his perspective on core Stoic ideas such as virtue, the dichotomy of control, and amor fati, while drawing connections to the transformative potential of psychedelics.
The conversation dives into themes of neuroplasticity, the role of health in living virtuously, and how both Stoicism and psychedelics can help us overcome trauma, reframe our perceptions, and live more fully in the present.
From discussing Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus to the neuroscience of predictive coding and emotional breakthroughs, this episode offers a rich look at how ancient wisdom and contemporary research can complement each other in the pursuit of a good life.
In this episode, William reflects on the nature of struggle and why hardship is not something to be avoided, but embraced as a sign of growth. He explains that pain and inner conflict are evidence of courage, proof that one is still in the fight rather than surrendering to nihilism, cynicism, or escapism. Drawing from Stoic philosophy, Buddhist teachings, and the myth of Hercules, he shows how challenges act as life’s sparring partners, shaping character and revealing harmful patterns that must be overcome.
William emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, urging listeners to treat themselves with the same kindness they would offer a loved one in distress. He reminds us that though the path ahead may be unclear and unfamiliar, it is precisely this uncertainty that makes it ours to walk. Each small step, however insignificant it may seem, is a victory that strengthens resilience and reveals the way forward.
In this episode of The Everyday Stoic, William Mulligan is joined by Oxford-educated neuroscientist Dr. Sarah McKay to explore Stoic philosophy through a scientific lens.
Dr. McKay provides her expert opinion on the core principles of Stoicism, examining the four cardinal virtues of wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance from a developmental and neurological perspective. The conversation covers practical Stoic exercises, such as the Dichotomy of Control and the concept of Premeditatio Malorum
In the conversation, they explore the understanding of how these philosophical concepts align with our understanding of the human brain, how virtues may change and develop across our lifespan, and how to apply these ideas to cultivate resilience and live a more examined life.
What if every hardship you face was not a setback, but an invitation to grow? In this episode, William explores how the Stoics saw difficulties not as punishments but as opportunities to build virtue, discipline, and inner strength.
Drawing on the wisdom of Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, as well as modern examples like Kobe Bryant, Muhammad Ali, and Maya Angelou, William explains how small daily decisions forge greatness. From resisting distractions to keeping your inner flame alive, this episode shows why true courage is found in the little victories you win each day.
William shows how to see challenges as sparring partners sent to prepare you for a greater life, and how the Stoic mindset can transform pain into purpose, chaos into justice, and obstacles into stepping stones.
If you feel overwhelmed, stuck in procrastination, or tempted to give up, this episode will remind you that the fight itself is proof you are still in the game, and that every small win brings you closer to becoming who you are meant to be.
In this episode, William Mulligan speaks with Zen Buddhist teacher Haemin Sunim to explore how Stoicism and Zen, two ancient traditions from opposite sides of the world, arrive at remarkably similar insights about living well.
Their conversation dives into the challenge of resisting the present moment and how acceptance can transform suffering into peace. Haemin shares practical ways to quiet the mind, through mindful breathing, gratitude, and compassion, while William reflects on Stoic practices such as memento mori and the dichotomy of control. Together they reveal how both philosophies guide us toward embracing fate, living with virtue, and finding meaning in the here and now.
They also discuss the rise of modern anxiety, the power of small acts of kindness, and what it truly means to live a fulfilling life beyond wealth or status. This episode is a thoughtful meeting of East and West, offering wisdom for anyone seeking calm, courage, and connection in today’s world.
How should we deal with rude people? It’s a question that comes up again and again, and in this episode, we turn to Marcus Aurelius for the answer. In Book 9 of his Meditations, the great Roman emperor laid out a simple but profound exercise that can be done in seconds, an exercise that shifts our perspective, grounds us in virtue, and helps us respond wisely instead of reacting with anger.
William unpacks this teaching in practical, everyday terms, showing how we can apply it when we’re cut off in traffic, confronted with harsh words, or faced with everyday frustrations. Drawing on Aurelius as well as Viktor Frankl’s reminder of the “space between stimulus and response,” he explains how the Stoics urged us to first return to our own directing mind, then remember our place within the greater whole, and finally see the other person with compassion rather than hostility.
Rudeness, from the Stoic perspective, is not an obstacle but an opportunity, a sparring partner that gives us the chance to practice patience, empathy, and resilience. By pausing, recalling our shared humanity, and choosing to act with wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice, we not only protect our own peace of mind but also contribute to harmony in the wider world. This is timeless Stoic advice, and it remains just as relevant today.
In this episode, William is joined by Aaron Parker to explore how Stoicism, Muay Thai, and mindfulness helped Aaron transform a life of hedonism into one of purpose, gratitude, and authenticity.
Aaron opens up about his rough upbringing, struggles with escapism, and the turning points that led him to philosophy, meditation, and self-discipline. Together, William and Aaron dive into the practical side of Stoicism, how to move beyond just reading the texts to truly living by them, and how principles like gratitude, presence, and temperance can reshape everyday life.
They also tackle misconceptions around Stoicism, including the modern wave of “broicism,” and discuss how being truly Stoic means embracing emotions, practicing self-awareness, and striving to serve others. From sparring partners in Muay Thai to sparring partners in life, Aaron shares how challenges become the very training grounds for virtue.
If you’ve ever struggled with finding direction, questioned the culture of excess, or wondered how to live more authentically, this conversation will resonate deeply.
Most people have completely misunderstood Stoicism. The most common myth, repeated endlessly online, is that Stoics were cold, emotionless, and detached from life. This false idea is not only wrong, it’s harmful. It fuels toxic masculinity, pushes people away from philosophy, and has convinced many that Stoicism is about suppressing emotions instead of living well with them.
In this episode, William breaks down why this myth has spread so far, how it nearly ruined his own understanding of Stoicism, and what the Stoics actually taught about emotions, friendship, and community. Far from being a philosophy of indifference, Stoicism shows us how to recognize and work with our emotions, using them wisely instead of being ruled by them.
Stoicism has never been about isolation or coldness. It is about virtue, justice, courage, and compassion. It is about building friendships, loving humanity, and striving for harmony in society. Whether you are new to Stoicism or have been practicing it for years, this episode will challenge what you thought you knew and reveal why Stoicism remains one of the most human and life-affirming philosophies ever created.
What if criticism could be seen as a gift rather than an attack? What if most of our worries existed only in our imagination? And what if the greatest challenges we face in life are actually the very things that shape us into who we are meant to become? In this episode, William dives into the timeless wisdom of Epictetus and the Stoic tradition, exploring how these ancient teachings can be applied to modern life.
William unpacks Stoic insights on criticism, self-mastery, and the famous “dichotomy of control,” showing how they continue to influence modern therapies like Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy. He reflects on the futility of worry, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who uplift you, and the Stoic view of wealth and freedom—not as possessions to chase, but as a mindset to cultivate. Through personal stories and practical examples, William demonstrates how Stoicism is not just a set of quotes to admire but a philosophy to embody in daily life.
This episode is a reminder that true happiness and freedom are found not in what happens to us, but in how we choose to respond. With Epictetus as our guide, we learn to embrace difficulties as opportunities for growth, to swap expectations for gratitude, and to live with the courage, wisdom, and discipline that the Stoics believed define a good life.
In this episode, William dives into the timeless Stoic idea of having a “North Star”, a guiding principle that helps us stay grounded, even when life pulls us in a hundred directions. Seneca once warned that to value a person for their clothing or social status is foolish, and William reflects on how this wisdom feels even more urgent today, in a world obsessed with likes, followers, and luxury brands. Instead of chasing flames that burn us, the Stoics call us to live with virtue, courage, and character.
William shares how great figures like Steve Irwin, Fred Rogers, and even fictional heroes such as Aragorn can become models for us to emulate. By asking, “What would they do?” in moments of doubt, we slowly reshape our character, carve out new paths in the mind, and build the foundation of a stronger and better self. This practice of “virtue modeling” becomes part of our North Star, keeping us aligned with what truly matters.
Along the way, William discusses how to align our careers with our deeper values, drawing on astronaut Chris Hadfield’s advice about following natural interests. He also reminds us of Marcus Aurelius’ conviction that the noblest pursuit is not greatness, wealth, or fame, but simply the pursuit of being a good person. When we act with virtue, we create lives that are not only meaningful but also unshakable in the face of hardship and temptation.
In this episode, William shares the four Stoic principles that helped him lift the invisible “mist” that once made life feel empty, even when things looked good on the outside. Drawing from his own struggles with anxiety, depression, and a persistent sense that life hadn’t truly begun, he explains how Stoic wisdom from Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Musonius Rufus provided a simple but powerful framework for living fully.
From replacing expectations with appreciation, to living in the present moment, to accepting life as it unfolds, and stripping away false value from material things, these timeless teachings are broken down with real-life stories, and practical exercises.
If you have ever felt lost, anxious, or like something was missing from your life, this episode offers the clarity and tools to step out of the fog and truly start living.
In this episode, William shares the one Stoic habit that radically improved his mental health. Rooted in the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and even Pythagoras, this practice centres on describing events in your life with calm objectivity, stripping away the emotional weight that often makes everyday struggles feel overwhelming.
William explores the idea of “catastrophizing”—the habit of using dramatic, exaggerated language to describe minor setbacks—and how Stoicism teaches us to respond instead with measured, precise reflection. By journaling your day exactly as it happened, without judgment or flair, you gain a clearer perspective and reduce the grip anxiety holds on your mind.
Drawing on his personal journey and Stoic texts like Meditations, William explains how this habit doesn’t just help you process negative experiences—it also helps reframe your desires, stripping away the illusion of status and material success. This episode is both a practical guide and a heartfelt reflection on the real power of Stoicism when it's not just read, but lived.
In today’s episode, William reveals the exact morning routine he uses, rooted in ancient Stoic philosophy, to set the tone for a resilient, purposeful, and fulfilling day. Drawing directly from the works of Marcus Aurelius and other Stoic masters, this is no modern self-help gimmick. It’s a daily ritual refined by the wisdom of centuries.
Discover how starting your day with the right mindset can make you emotionally bulletproof, more present, and deeply aligned with your true nature. Whether you're new to Stoicism or deep in the practice, this simple but powerful morning habit can shift the trajectory of your day—and your life.
Listen now and learn how to live intentionally, think like a Stoic, and face life’s challenges with strength and clarity.
In this episode, William shares a powerful yet simple Stoic question from Marcus Aurelius that can cut through modern distractions like TikTok, YouTube, and endless scrolling. Learn how this practical tool, drawn from the Meditations, can help you overcome procrastination, sharpen your focus, and reclaim your time.
William explains how Marcus used this very question to confront his own fears and vices, and how we too can use it to live more intentionally. Discover why the Stoics didn’t label things like social media or entertainment as good or bad, but instead taught us to judge by how we use them.
If you want to align your life with Stoic wisdom and make better use of your time, this episode is your guide.
Why do so many people tell you to skip Book One of Meditations? In this episode, William challenges that advice and dives deep into why the first chapter of Marcus Aurelius’ writings might be the most profound. Far from being a simple list of thank-yous, Book One is a blueprint for modeling virtue - an ancient Stoic exercise that teaches us how to learn from everyone around us.
William unpacks how Marcus used real people—from his grandfather to mentors and beyond—to shape his moral compass and how we can do the same. From the passion of Steve Irwin to the compassion of Fred Rogers, we explore how modern examples can become our own "purple threads," guiding us toward a better self.
This episode is a guide to practical stoicism, reflective journaling, and character modeling - showing how Meditations is more than a diary; it’s a manual for becoming who you wish to be.