Matthew reads Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations and traces how Stoic reflections on fathers, grandfathers, and mothers echo through his own story—childhood abuse, addiction, PTSD, and the hard choice to heal. He connects Marcus’s gratitude for simple living and moral discipline to modern life, challenging the narratives that keep us stuck and championing personal agency, boundaries, and compassion. This is a raw, honest solo about grief, family, and rewriting your story—one decision at a time. If you’re navigating trauma recovery, parenting, sobriety, or just trying to live with more courage, this one’s for you.
Content note: mentions of abuse, addiction, suicide.
Episode Highlights (for show notes)
Marcus Aurelius on learning from parents and grandparents
How Stoicism reframes overwhelm, grief, and modern chaos
Childhood abuse, PTSD, and the choice to stop drinking
Rewriting family patterns while parenting with compassion
Individual responsibility vs. limiting group narratives
Practical Stoic takeaways: reflection, boundaries, simpler living
Website: www.authormheneghan.com