Bryan Caplan, economist and bestselling author, discusses practical wisdom from modern economics and ancient philosophy.

He argues against medicalization of human behavior, champions personal agency, and reveals why appeasement often beats confrontation. Caplan shows how lessons from economics can serve as self-help and why creating a "social bubble" – the modern version of an Epicurean garden – might be the smartest way to navigate modern life.

The conversation spans Epicurean and Stoic perspectives on death, social obligations, and the thinker Thomas Szasz.

Self-Help Is Like a Vaccine

The Myth of the Rational Voter

Caplan on Szasz

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Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/

Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Michael and Caleb explore how understanding ourselves as our faculty of choice—not our bodies, possessions, or reputation—transforms our approach to life's challenges.

Learn how clarifying what we are (and aren't) guides self-improvement and decision-making, unlocks insights in Stoic theory, and ultimately leads to a more tranquil existence.

(06:10) Why It Matters Who We Are

(09:30) What Are We?

(16:28) You Are Not Your Thoughts

(24:25) Personal Identity And Indifferents

(30:29) Solving What Is Up To You

(34:34) So How Do We Live?

(43:22) We Really Really Cannot Be Harmed By Others

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Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod

If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.

Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/

Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Why Epictetus tells us to compare our suffering to others. This simple exercise can help you in times of crisis.

Join Michael as he breaks down Epictetus’s Handbook 26.

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Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): https://stoameditation.com/pod

If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.

Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/

Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/