Classical Wisdom Speaks

Why Is Marcus Aurelius Still So Powerful Today? | Aaron Poochigian on Stoicism & Meditations

Nearly 2,000 years after his death, Marcus Aurelius still speaks directly to millions of readers. But why?

In this episode of Classical Wisdom Speaks, Anya Leonard sits down with poet, classics scholar and translator Aaron Poochigian to explore his new translation of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations—and discover the complicated, vulnerable and surprisingly relatable man behind one of history's most influential works of philosophy.

Poochigian wanted to restore the Meditations to “living color,” moving away from translations that can make Marcus sound distant or overly formal. After all, Marcus wasn't writing a philosophical textbook. He was writing to himself, working through the mental discipline of Stoicism in private.

And when we listen closely, Poochigian argues, we can hear different versions of Marcus speaking: the demanding instructor laying down the Stoic ideal, the vulnerable aspirant struggling to achieve it, and the objector pushing back. The result is not a portrait of a perfect philosopher, but of a human being continually trying to become better.

The conversation goes deep into what Marcus actually believed: our obligations toward other people, the divine logos, fate and providence, accepting what life sends us, and the radical Stoic claim that our happiness ultimately depends upon our own judgments.

It also explores why these ancient practices feel so modern. From cognitive behavioral therapy to self-help and our constant search for ways to live better, many of the problems Marcus wrestled with remain remarkably familiar. Poochigian even suggests that we might understand the Meditations less as a philosophical treatise and more like a daily practice—almost a form of philosophical yoga.

🔑 KEY TOPICS COVERED
Why Marcus Aurelius still resonates today
Bringing the Meditations back to “living color”
The three voices inside Marcus Aurelius
The instructor, aspirant and objector
Marcus Aurelius' anger, flaws and contradictions
Was Meditations ever intended for publication?
Death and the importance of the present moment
What Stoicism says about our duty to others
Why Marcus believed humanity forms one community
What the Stoic logos actually means
Marcus Aurelius' religious worldview
Fate, providence and determinism
Accepting—and even being grateful for—what happens
Can we really control our own happiness?
Stoicism and cognitive behavioral therapy
Why philosophy should be practised, not merely studied
How to make Meditations part of everyday life

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Meet Aaron Poochigian
00:59 Bringing Meditations to life
03:07 The three voices of Marcus
06:14 A dialogue with himself?
08:06 Was it meant to be published?
12:11 Marcus' private thoughts
13:39 Death & the present moment
17:37 Our duty to humanity
22:12 What is the Stoic logos?
25:40 The religious Marcus Aurelius
28:22 Fate & determinism
30:05 Accepting what life gives us
31:01 Can we control happiness?
32:34 Philosophy as practice
34:58 Stoicism & CBT
36:30 How to read Meditations
38:47 A philosophical practice
40:28 Final thoughts

Marcus Aurelius is often presented today as the ultimate Stoic: calm, disciplined and almost unshakeable.

But does seeing the struggling, contradictory and imperfect Marcus make his philosophy more valuable?

Tell us what you think in the comments.

And if you believe ancient philosophy still has something to teach us about living well today, subscribe to Classical Wisdom for more conversations with leading classicists, philosophers, historians and authors.

LINKS

👉 Aaron Poochigian's translation of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations: https://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Marcus-Aurelius/dp/132409639X
👉 Subscribe to Classical Wisdom: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1

GUEST

Aaron Poochigian is a poet, classics scholar and translator based in New York City. His work includes Four Walks in Central Park: A Poetic Guide to the Park, Stung with Love, and his new translation of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations.

His approach reveals Meditations not simply as a collection of inspirational Stoic quotations, but as the record of someone repeatedly practising philosophy: correcting himself, challenging his reactions and trying to live according to the demanding ideals he believed in.

#MarcusAurelius #Stoicism #Meditations #StoicPhilosophy #AncientPhil

Can Ancient Philosophy Teach Us How to Succeed? | Tom Morris on Aristotle, Stoicism & Living Well

What does it actually mean to succeed in life? And could Aristotle, the Stoics and other ancient thinkers have better answers than our modern obsession with money, status and achievement?

In this episode, Anya Leonard speaks with Tom Morris, public philosopher, former Notre Dame professor and bestselling author of If Aristotle Ran General Motors. Together they explore what happens when ancient philosophy leaves the classroom and enters everyday life: from business and leadership to personal success, politics and the search for meaning.

Drawing on Aristotle, Seneca, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius and others, Tom challenges conventional ideas of success and offers a deeper vision rooted in developing our talents, helping others and pursuing genuine human flourishing.

The conversation also explores the extraordinary modern revival of Stoicism, whether we can separate great ideas from the flaws of the people who held them, and how ancient concepts of virtue, community and responsibility might help us navigate the divisions of modern society.

Key Topics:
Why ancient philosophy still speaks to modern problems
What happened when Tom brought Aristotle into corporate America
Why success isn't simply about money, power or status
Aristotle, eudaimonia and the meaning of human flourishing
How to find the useful “gold nuggets” in ancient philosophy
Should we reject thinkers whose values don't match our own?
Philosophy, patriotism and the search for shared values
Can ancient wisdom help us move beyond political extremes?
Why Stoicism has become a worldwide phenomenon
The forgotten philosophical traditions we should rediscover

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
01:00 – From philosopher to corporate America
05:03 – Why ancient wisdom connects with people
10:53 – Our hunger for meaningful ideas
14:08 – What is true success?
16:13 – The Seven C's of Success
17:52 – Eudaimonia & human flourishing
18:46 – If Aristotle Ran General Motors
20:13 – “Cherry-picking” ancient wisdom
24:04 – Can we learn from flawed thinkers?
28:07 – Philosophy, patriotism & shared values
32:17 – Can philosophy overcome division?
42:11 – Why Stoicism is booming
46:38 – Stoicism & political division
49:25 – Can individuals change society?
53:29 – Finding the middle ground
58:54 – What lies beyond Stoicism?
1:00:30 – Final thoughts

What does success mean to you? And which ancient philosopher has given you the most useful guidance for modern life? Let us know in the comments.

If you enjoy conversations that bring ancient wisdom to modern problems, subscribe to Classical Wisdom for more interviews on philosophy, history, Stoicism and the ideas of the ancient world.

👉 Subscribe to Classical Wisdom's Newsletter: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1

👉 Discover Books by Tom Morris: https://www.tomvmorris.com/

About Tom Morris

Tom Morris is a public philosopher, speaker and bestselling author who has spent decades bringing philosophical ideas into business, leadership and everyday life. A Yale-trained philosopher and former professor at the University of Notre Dame, he has written more than 30 books, including True Success, The Stoic Art of Living, The Everyday Patriot and If Aristotle Ran General Motors.

How Did Beliefs Really Work in the Ancient World?| Michael Satlow on Ancient Religion & Ritual

For people in Late Antiquity, gods, spirits and invisible forces weren't simply matters of faith: they were part of everyday reality. 

What would life feel like if gods, spirits, demons and other invisible beings were as real to you as the people around you? Professor Michael Satlow explores the enchanted world of Late Antiquity, and what it can teach us about our increasingly secular lives…

In this episode of Classical Wisdom Speaks, Anya speaks with Michael Satlow, Professor of Judaic Studies and Religious Studies at Brown University and author of An Enchanted World: The Shared Religious Landscape of Late Antiquity. Together they explore how Jews, Christians, Greeks and Romans navigated a world infused with spiritual beings, and why familiar labels like "magic", "superstition" and even "religion" can prevent us from understanding how ancient people actually experienced their lives. 

From protective amulets and ancient spells to disease, fear, ritual and the need for human connection, Satlow challenges our assumptions about ancient belief. Could ancient approaches to awe, ritual and community reveal something we've lost along the way?

Watch the FULL, EXTENDED EPISODE by becoming a Classical Wisdom Member today:

👉 Become A Member: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1
👉 Full podcast: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/p/can-we-return-to-an-enchanted-world
👉 Buy Michael Satlow's book, An Enchanted World: The Shared Religious Landscape of Late Antiquity: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691256597/an-enchanted-world?srsltid=AfmBOor8t_N4hIPDmIeFEW9uavx769LCOATvQqsRtQbiBjh_JznfJr-

KEY TOPICS COVERED
• What did an "enchanted world" actually mean? 
• How religion shaped everyday life in Late Antiquity 
• Gods, demons, spirits and supernatural beings 
• Why "magic" and "superstition" are problematic labels 
• Ancient spells, prayers and protective amulets 
• How people sought protection from disease and misfortune 
• What Jews and Christians shared despite religious differences 
• Why religious history isn't only a story of conflict 
• Science, rationality and the disenchantment of modern life 
• Can rituals still have meaning without belief? 
• The psychological value of awe and humility 
• What ancient spirituality can teach the modern world 

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Meet Michael Satlow
01:26 Entering an "enchanted world"
04:37 Gods, spirits & invisible beings
08:16 Is "magic" really the right word?
10:20 Spells or prayers?
11:44 Amulets & protection
13:05 Everyday vs. official religion
15:30 Why do humans create religion?
18:02 A shared religious world
20:13 Fear, disease & scapegoating
22:01 Rethinking religious conflict
24:03 Has science disenchanted us?
26:52 Ritual without belief
29:12 Awe & well-being
30:41 What can the ancient world teach us?
33:41 Final thoughts

What do you think? Has modern life become too disenchanted, or are we better off seeing the world through science and reason? Let us know in the comments.

Subscribe for more conversations with leading historians, classicists, philosophers and thinkers exploring what the ancient world can teach us today.

GUEST:
Michael Satlow: Professor of Judaic Studies and Religious Studies at Brown University. He is the author of How the Bible Became Holy and An Enchanted World: The Shared Religious Landscape of Late Antiquity, the book at the heart of this conversation.

What Did Roman Houses Reveal About the People Who Lived Inside Them? | Ancient Architecture & Morality

Roman houses were more than places to live—they were reflections of identity, values, status, and ideas about how to live a good life.

In this fascinating conversation, Marden Nicholls explores what ancient Roman homes can teach us about architecture, morality, social values, and the relationship between our surroundings and ourselves. Discover how Roman writers viewed the house as a mirror of character, why design choices mattered, and what ancient ideas about sustainable building and meaningful spaces can teach us today.

Perfect for anyone interested in Roman history, ancient architecture, archaeology, classical literature, philosophy, and the everyday lives of people in the Roman world, this episode reveals how the spaces we inhabit shape the way we think, act, and understand ourselves.

KEY TOPICS COVERED
What Roman houses reveal about identity and values
Ancient Roman architecture and social life
The connection between homes and morality
How Roman authors used houses as reflections of character
Architecture, environment, and sustainability
Ancient ideas about living well
How private spaces shaped public identity
Roman construction methods and lasting materials
What ancient architecture can teach modern society
The relationship between surroundings and personal improvement

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction & Roman homes
03:00 The meaning of the Roman house
08:00 Architecture, identity & social values
15:00 Ancient texts and household ideals
22:00 How Romans viewed wealth and status
30:00 Materials, sustainability & construction
36:10 Architecture, environment & modern lessons
38:00 The home as a reflection of morality
40:00 Public spaces, private spaces & human behavior

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for more discussions on Ancient Rome, classical literature, archaeology, philosophy, and the lessons the ancient world still offers today.

Comment below: Do you think the spaces we live in influence the people we become?

🔗 LINKS

👉 Subscribe: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1
👉 Full podcast: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/p/what-does-your-home-say-about-you
👉 Buy How to Make a Home: An Ancient Guide to Style and Comfort: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691249124/how-to-make-a-home?srsltid=AfmBOooKQLgpvMeBjjc_IamYBxRqF5xQrwRX-elm-pZ-j8MLosxuql5w 

🎙️ GUEST

Marden Nicholls — Scholar of Classics and ancient Roman culture whose work explores Roman literature, architecture, domestic spaces, and the ways ancient texts reveal ideas about identity, morality, and daily life.

🔖 HASHTAGS

#AncientRome #RomanArchitecture #Classics #AncientHistory #Archaeology

Do we truly have free will, or are our choices shaped by biology, habits, and unconscious forces? 

This fascinating panel explores one of humanity's oldest and most important questions.

Join philosopher Tamar Gendler, psychologist Jeffrey Schaler, and classicist Michael Fontaine as they debate free will, consciousness, Aristotle, and what ancient wisdom can teach us about making better decisions today. 

Whether you're interested in philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, ethics, or personal development, this conversation offers thought-provoking insights into how we become the people we choose to be.

KEY TOPICS COVERED
What free will actually means
Philosophy vs. psychology on human choice
Are our decisions determined by biology?
Consciousness and self-awareness
Addiction, habits, and responsibility
Aristotle, Plutarch, and ancient ideas of character
Can neuroscience explain behavior?
Moral responsibility and the justice system
Building better habits and exercising self-control
Ancient philosophy for modern life

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction & panel introductions
06:40 What is free will?
17:45 Ancient philosophy on choice
30:10 Habits, character & Aristotle
42:05 Neuroscience vs. free will
56:20 Addiction, agency & responsibility
01:10:35 Ozempic, habits & behavior change
01:12:32 Do we really choose our actions?
01:15:03 Audience Q&A begins
01:20:55 Consciousness & self-awareness
01:25:58 Plutarch on becoming better
01:27:08 Final reflections & closing

If you enjoyed this discussion, subscribe for more conversations exploring ancient wisdom, philosophy, psychology, and the ideas that continue to shape the modern world.

Comment below: Do you believe we truly have free will, or are our choices determined by factors beyond our control?

🔗 LINKS

👉 Subscribe: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1
👉 Buy Michael Fontaine's book 'How to Have Will Power': https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691220345/how-to-have-willpower
👉 Buy Jeffrey Schaler's book 'Addiction is a Choice': https://www.amazon.com/Addiction-Choice-Ph-D-Jeffrey-Schaler/dp/081269404X
👉 Buy Tamar Gendler's book 'Thought Experiment: On the Powers and Limits of Imaginary Cases': https://www.amazon.com/Thought-Experiment-Powers-Limits-Imaginary/dp/1138990337

🎙️ GUESTS

Michael Fontaine: Classicist and professor whose work connects ancient philosophy with contemporary questions about ethics, choice, and human behavior.

Tamar Gendler: Philosopher and cognitive scientist whose work explores belief, reasoning, habits, and the philosophy of mind.

Jeffrey Schaler: Psychologist, author, and leading voice on addiction, personal responsibility, and human agency.

#FreeWill #Philosophy #Psychology #Consciousness #Neuroscience