Welcome to What Is Stoicism!

🌷 7,000+ subscribers
🌷 Daily Micro Morning Meditations and weekly Sunday Snippets
🌷 LEARN from the past, PLAN for the future, LIVE in the present

Hi there, I’m Allan. Through years of studying and practicing this philosophy, I’ve found that it offers a powerful framework for living. My goal is to help you bring its timeless wisdom into your everyday life.

I believe we can learn from the past without being stuck in it, plan for the future without worrying about it, and most importantly—truly live in the present.

Stoicism is more than just a philosophy. It’s a way to:

  • Build resilience, courage, presence, and kindness

  • Let go of anger, anxiety, fear, and reactivity

  • Live with more joy in the present instead of dwelling on the past or dreading the future

I believe Stoicism has something valuable for everyone. Let’s explore it together.

A Little Progress Each Day

It’s important to remember that changing the way we think or handling tough emotions—like anxiety or anger—doesn’t happen overnight. It takes practice, consistency, and patience.

Whenever I share a Stoic idea or quote, someone inevitably says, “That’s easier said than done.” And they’re right! But honestly, everything is easier said than done. That’s not a reason to give up before even trying.

Real change takes effort, but that doesn’t mean you have to overhaul your life all at once. Small steps add up, and a little progress each day makes a big difference over time. That’s what I’m here to help with.

Here’s a short video I made with some simple Stoic morning affirmations, for example:

Why Subscribe?

Here’s what some fellow creators have kindly said about What Is Stoicism?:

Why subscribe? In short, to get daily doses of what the ancient philosophers called "medicine for the soul." 🙂

By subscribing to What Is Stoicism?, you’ll get practical, bite-sized wisdom to help you navigate life with more clarity, resilience, and purpose.

🌷 Free Subscription

Join 7,000+ readers who receive my Sunday Snippets—a weekly email packed with the best Stoic insights, resources, and ideas I’ve discovered.

☀️ Paid Subscription

Take it a step further with Micro Morning Meditations—short, powerful Stoic routines delivered Monday through Friday. Designed to fit into even the busiest mornings, each email includes:

  • Morning Contemplation – A quick lesson, an illustration, and an optional audio reflection to start your day with intention.

  • Morning Meditation – A brief guided meditation to internalize the day’s theme.

  • Morning Journaling – Simple prompts inspired by Marcus Aurelius to help you set your focus for the day ahead.

Plus, paid subscribers get full access to an ever-growing library of hundreds of past Sunday Snippets and Micro Morning Meditations.

I created What Is Stoicism? to share the lessons, exercises, and resources that have helped me—so they can help you, too. If that sounds good to you, I’d love for you to join us.

What Others Are Saying About What Is Stoicism?

Micro Morning Meditations subscribers:

Allan, I can’t imagine not seeing your emails in my inbox! I’ve resubscribed for the year, and look forward to all your communications, including your recommendations and podcasts.

I support and appreciate your work as you have made a routine that is succinct and simple, which is key to ensuring one can build a sustainable routine.

I supported because your work helps me focus my day and supports my intentions to live Stoically.

Hi Allan, I'm just a beginner on my Stoic journey and thank you for getting me started over the last 10 or so days with your morning meditations/reflections. I have found these meditations a great way of a structured yet inspiring approach to immerse myself in and explore the knowledge of Stoicism and to get to know "myself" better.

Allan... Again thank you. Today's offering is personal, clear, and helpful. Moreover, as a mental health professional I value the alignment with neuroscience and learning using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic opportunities for daily progression with one's well-being. I plan on sharing with my patients. Much appreciated!

The Micro Morning Meditations give structure to my thought processes and help set the tone for the day. It’s like someone having dinner made for you when you get home!

Allan’s pace, voice, style, and topics are always a pleasure to hear. I listen while on walks. Morning Meditations is rich. To the point, deep but clearly defined.

The Micro Morning Meditations are perfect for when I'm short on time. I use them as my Stoic reflection time to ensure I'm applying the philosophy in a practical way.

What Is Stoicism? Podcast listeners:

This is simply one of the best podcasts if you’re seriously interested in practicing Stoicism. Thank you Allan.

I could listen to his voice all day. This podcast has really been great at teaching more about Stoicism and motivating me to practice it each day.

Found by chance, this podcast is superb, helping me crystallise what Stoicism is and how it could inform my thoughts and decisions.

What is Stoicism is my daily comfort. Every word, spoken in Allan’s own voice, is a soothing pat on the shoulder. Thank you, Allan, for the invaluable Stoic wisdom you impart to your grateful listeners.

I highly recommend What is Stoicism for the following reasons:

1. Pithy and to the point. A typical episode is 5-7 minutes, always well organized, purposeful, pragmatic, and oriented toward applied practice.

2. Allan’s calm and quiet delivery promotes full reflection and absorption of the simple yet profound lessons of Stoicism. It also builds confidence in both Stoicism as a quality “playbook for life” and in one’s ability to apply it to one’s own life.

3. Allan shares the sources of his own learning along the way, leading one to develop an informed list of next books to try.

The intelligence, knowledge, & humanity of the host, Allan, sparkles throughout each episode.

Allan illuminates Stoicism in a speaking voice that is precise, articulate, lyrical, & cadanced -- as in a poem.

Each episode is a jewel: exquisitely crafted in its thematic design.

Each episode is dense with meaning & gives reason for rumination.

This podcast series enriches the mind, soul, heart, body, & spirit.

Listening to each episode is like hearing a prose poem read aloud -- because it sounds literary & musical in its vocalized use of language.

This podcast is worthy of your time & attention -- as it imparts guidance-for-thought to build our better selves.

Respectfully,
From an Appreciative Listener

What Is Stoicism? 🌷 is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Thank you for reading.

I hope I can help you on your philosophical journey!

All the best,
Allan

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Philosophy to help you (and me): learn from the past, plan for the future, and live in the present.

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Practical philosophy to help you (and me): 💀LEARN from the past ⏳PLAN for the future 🌷LIVE in the present