Several years ago, I heard Tim Ferriss talk about A Guide To The Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B. Irvine. I was intrigued by the contradiction of Stoicism and joy. I’m a sucker for paradoxes, and, like most people, I’d only heard the term Stoic used to describe someone emotionless and cold—not anywhere near joyful.
The more I learned about what Stoicism really was, I began to see a framework that wasn’t devoid of emotion, but a way to test your opinions and give events their proper weight. As someone with a short fuse, Stoicism offered a way to use my logical nature to temper my passionate nature. I could still choose anger when useful, or sadness when needed—but I’d be in charge of my emotions, not the other way around.
In 2018, I started a podcast as a New Year’s resolution. It began as just “practice”—recording what I was journaling about each day. Ten episodes became twenty, then thirty. Someone from Brazil reached out to thank me. (An international fan!) Now, over 360 episodes and millions of downloads later, it’s been rewarding to share these ideas with so many people.
But I’m not just teaching from theory. After 25 years in software development, I hit a breaking point in Amsterdam that forced me to rebuild everything. I used the Stoic principles I’d been teaching to climb out of that hole, and I discovered that mental toughness isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build.
That experience changed my work. I wrote “Stoicism 101,” created the “Build an Unbreakable Mind” program, and now work with leaders who are facing their own breaking points—people who are more reactive than they want to be and know they’re capable of more.
The principles I share have become core to how I think and see the world. I’m calmer, more self-assured, and focused on what I can control rather than what I can’t.
It feels good to contribute something to the world—not for praise, but because I want to do my best to help others think better and live better.
If you’re here reading this, you’ve probably found some value in it too.
Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others.
Thanks for being here.
– Erick