In this episode, I explore Meditations 3.13, where Marcus Aurelius reminds us to keep the principles of Stoicism as close at hand as a doctor keeps their instruments. Our “scalpel” is our rational faculty—our ability to discern what is right and act justly, even when it's hard. When we stay ready in this way, we fulfill our role as rational agents within the whole of Nature.

We also dig into what it means to be part of a rational and interconnected universe. Marcus urges us to treat others justly not because they always deserve it, but because we’re bound to one another by a shared nature. Their ignorance could have been ours. Their path could have been ours. Recognizing this calls us to act with understanding and compassion, grounded always in reason.

MEDITATIONS 3.13

"As doctors have their instruments and scalpels always at hand to meet sudden demands for treatment, so do you have your doctrines ready in order to recognize the divine and human... you will not do any act well which concerns man without referring it to the divine; and the same is true of your conduct to God."

THREE TAKEAWAYS

— Keep your principles close: Stoic doctrines should be ready to apply, not left to theory.

— We are all connected: Wrongdoing stems from ignorance, and that demands compassion.

— Acting rationally is our duty: It’s how we honor our place within the whole of Nature.

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Introducing Part 2 – How Video Games Helped Pave the Way for AI in Medicine from Science Will Win.

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Last episode discussed data and how crucial large swaths of data are in assisting drug development. But more data requires a lot of storage – and that’s where hardware comes in. To make use of big data and all its possibilities, scientists need new tools at their disposal. In this episode, host Jeremiah Owyang, alongside expert guests, traces the rise of large-scale computational resources used throughout the medical industry today.

Featured Guests:
–Daniel Ziemek, Vice President of Integrative Biology and Systems Immunology at Pfizer
–Enoch Huang, Head of Machine Learning and Computational Sciences at Pfizer
–Tor Aamodt, professor at the University of British Columbia

Season 4 of Science Will Win is created by Pfizer and hosted by Jeremiah Owyang, entrepreneur, investor, and tech industry analyst. It’s produced by Wonder Media Network.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

In this episode, I walk through Meditations 3.12, where Marcus Aurelius claims that if we pursue Virtue with sincerity and without distraction, we will live “the blessed life.” But what does that really mean in Stoic terms? We examine what “blessed” refers to (spoiler: it’s Eudaimonia, or inner peace) and ask whether the Stoics pursued Virtue for its own sake or for the sake of that peace.

I argue that Virtue leads to inner peace by removing destructive emotions like anger, fear, shame, and grief—what the Stoics called the pathē. When we understand Nature and act in accordance with it, those emotions lose their hold on us. But that inner peace isn’t the goal of Stoicism—it’s a byproduct of doing the work of moral development for its own sake. That work is the point.

MEDITATIONS 3.12

“If you complete the present work, following the rule of right, earnestly, with all your might, with kindness, and admit no side issue, but preserve your own divinity pure and erect, as if you have this moment to restore it; if you make this secure, expecting nothing and avoiding nothing, but content with present action in accord with Nature and with heroic truth in what you mean and say, you will live the blessed life. Now there is no one who is able to prevent this.”

THREE TAKEAWAYS

— Virtue leads to inner peace: By eliminating destructive emotions through rational understanding, we create a calm mind and a steady heart.

— The pursuit of Goodness should be its own reward: Stoicism teaches us to seek Virtue not as a means to peace, but as the end in itself.

— Eudaimonia is a byproduct, not the goal: Inner peace naturally follows from living rightly, but it’s not what we should be aiming at directly.

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Hey everyone, Tanner here. Today I'm going to share something with you that's a little bit different. This is not an episode. This is what's called a feed drop.

A feed drop is when I feature a podcast I think you might like and then you listen to a little bit of it and if you like it you go find out more about it on your own. And this podcast is called Money for Couples.

If you have ever found yourself wondering as a couple, where is all our money going? You're definitely not alone. That is exactly what episode 192 of Money for Couples titled "We Spend 98% of What We Make, Where Is It All Going?" is all about. This episode dives into real stories and practical strategies that help couples stop money fights.

If you like it, you find it helpful and you want to hear the full conversation, just search for Money for Couples wherever you're already listening to this podcast right now.

Episode Description:

Justin (40) and Deepika (32) are stuck in a frustrating financial loop: despite their high income, they feel like they’re living paycheck to paycheck. Deepika dreams of buying a house someday, but the couple can’t seem to identify where their money is going—or how to escape the cycle of credit card debt. Justin has a side hustle that he’s eager to grow, but he’s struggling to get the same level of commitment from his business partners. For years, they’ve been focused on survival, not dreaming about the future. Now, they’re realizing that their lack of a shared vision for their finances is keeping them from the life they want. Can Justin and Deepika kick their old habits, create a better strategy for managing their money, and finally start living their Rich Life?

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In this episode, we explore Meditations 3.11 and its profound insights into how we process and assent to impressions. The Stoics believed that our initial reactions to external events—our impressions—are often flawed, and it’s our responsibility to critically examine them before accepting them as truth. This practice is essential for making rational, virtuous decisions instead of reacting emotionally or impulsively.

Marcus Aurelius reminds us that true greatness comes from methodically and truthfully testing everything we encounter. This means breaking things down into their essential components, considering their role in the larger universe, and determining what virtue is best suited to respond to them. In a world that often prioritizes personal feelings over objective reality, Stoicism challenges us to cultivate reason and clarity.

MEDITATIONS 3.11

“For nothing is so able to create greatness of mind as the power methodically and truthfully to test each thing that meets one in life, and always to look upon it so as to attend at the same time to the use which this particular thing contributes to a Universe of a certain definite kind, what value it has in reference to the Whole, and what to man, who is a citizen of the highest City, whereof all other cities are like households.”

THREE TAKEAWAYS

— Assenting to impressions requires caution: We should resist the urge to immediately accept our first reactions as truth. Instead, we must analyze the data, break it down, and ensure our conclusions align with reality.

— Reason must lead our decisions: Emotions are valuable, but they should be informed by rational understanding. A truly great person is one who sees things as they are and allows reason to guide their responses.

— Withholding assent is not neutrality: Refusing to form an opinion does not mean avoiding bias; it is itself an assent to inaction. Stoicism calls us to engage with reality and make rational, virtuous choices based on the best information available.

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In this episode, I explore Meditations 3.10, where Marcus Aurelius reminds himself—and us—that we only ever live in the present moment. He urges us to remember three things: life is short, the space we occupy is small, and fame is fleeting. But why does he emphasize this? Because knowing who we are and becoming the best version of ourselves is what truly matters.

This discussion dives into the Stoic understanding of determinism and free will. I explore how our choices shape our character over time, using Chrysippus’ analogy of cones and cylinders to explain how habitual actions determine our future choices. Along the way, I challenge common misunderstandings about fate, examine neuroscientific insights on decision-making, and explain why our focus should be on habituating ourselves toward virtue rather than trying to control the uncontrollable.

Meditations 3.10:

“Therefore throw all else aside, and hold fast only these few things; further calling to mind at the same time that each of us lives only in the present, this brief moment; the rest is either a life that is past, or is in an uncertain future. Little the life each lives, little the corner of the earth he lives in, little even the longest fame hereafter, and even that dependent on a succession of poor mortals, who will very soon be dead, and have not learnt to know themselves, much less the man who was dead long years ago.”

Three key takeaways from this episode:

— The present moment is the only place where we have power. We cannot change the past, and the future is beyond our control.

— Habitual choices shape our character. Stoicism teaches us to be intentional about the habits we form because they dictate how we act when we’re not thinking.

— We cannot control everything, but we can control how we respond. Our role is not to change the world but to become virtuous people who act justly within the world we inhabit.

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This episode explores Meditations 3.9, where Marcus Aurelius urges us to revere our rational faculty. In Stoicism, rationality is our greatest gift—it’s the tool that allows us to pursue Virtue, shape our moral character, and ultimately live in accordance with Nature. But how do we cultivate this faculty, especially when our environment doesn’t support moral growth?

I discuss how we are shaped by our surroundings, often without realizing it. If we’re immersed in Stoic teachings, the path to moral improvement becomes clearer. If we’re surrounded by different influences—religious, ideological, or otherwise—we internalize those instead. This is why the Stoics believed that introducing philosophy too early could be a form of indoctrination rather than genuine moral development.

As a new father, I reflect on the challenge of raising a child without forcing beliefs upon them. The goal isn’t to dictate what’s right but to create an environment where they can discover Virtue for themselves. The same applies to guiding friends and family—lead by example rather than preaching. For those struggling to commit to moral improvement in a non-Stoic environment, I offer three actionable steps: recognize the need for guidance, seek a mentor, and eventually mentor others when ready.

Marcus Aurelius reminds us that our rational judgment must align with Nature. By shaping our habits and seeking wisdom, we give ourselves the best chance at living a life of Virtue.

“Reverence your faculty of judgement. On this it entirely rests that your governing self no longer has a judgement disobedient to Nature and to the estate of a reasonable being. This judgement promises deliberateness, familiar friendship with our fellow human beings, and to follow in the train of the gods.” — Meditations 3.9

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Modern interpretations of Stoicism are often wildly inaccurate, reducing the philosophy to a life hack for suppressing emotions, a tool for productivity-obsessed entrepreneurs, or a justification for toxic masculinity. But do any of these portrayals hold up under scrutiny? In this episode, I break down these misconceptions by turning to the words of ancient Stoic thinkers—Musonius Rufus, Zeno of Citium, and others—who show us that Stoicism is far more profound and ethical than pop culture suggests.

We’ll explore:

— Why Stoicism is not about indifference but about focusing on what truly shapes our character.

— How both men and women are equally called to pursue Virtue.

— Why Stoics deeply care about things outside their control, despite the common misunderstanding.

— The true meaning of Stoic emotional management, which is about reasoning through emotions rather than repressing them.

At its core, Stoicism is a philosophy of moral excellence, a commitment to aligning ourselves with Nature, and a guide to becoming a force for good in the world. Getting Stoicism right matters—not just for personal development, but for the influence it has on society as a whole.

“The goal (of Stoicism) is to live in agreement with nature. For our individual natures are parts of the nature of the whole universe.” — Zeno of Citium

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In this episode, I explore Meditations 3.8 and the idea of preparing for death—not as a morbid fascination, but as a necessary step toward living justly and without fear. Marcus Aurelius describes the Stoic sage as someone unshaken by fate, someone who meets the end of life without hesitation or regret. But how does this apply to the rest of us, who are still progressing in our practice?

“In the understanding of a man of chastened and purified spirit you will find, no trace of festering wound, no ulceration, no abscess beneath the skin. The hour of fate does not surprise his life before its fulfilment, so that one would say that the actor is leaving the stage before he has fulfilled his role, before the play is over. You will find nothing servile or artificial, no dependence on others nor severance from them; nothing to account for, nothing that needs a hole to hide in.” -- Meditations 3.8

A core theme in this meditation is the relationship between fear and duty. If we allow fear—whether of death, judgment, or hardship—to dictate our choices, we risk abandoning our roles and responsibilities. Through a firefighter analogy, I break down how Stoicism teaches us to act justly by focusing on our roles rather than potential consequences. The takeaway? True Stoic practice isn’t about becoming fearless but about ensuring that fear never prevents us from acting in alignment with Virtue.

Key Takeaways:

• Marcus Aurelius is speaking about the Stoic sage, not the Prokoptôn.

• Fear of death impairs our ability to act justly and fulfill our roles.

• Stoicism does not glorify suffering—it values resilience and moral clarity.

• Stoics are not indifferent to life, but they recognize it as an indifferent in the pursuit of Virtue.

• The ancient Stoics believed sagehood was theoretically possible, but practically, it remains an unreachable ideal.

Ultimately, this meditation reminds us that shedding fear—especially fear of death—frees us to serve others and pursue Virtue without hesitation.

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In this episode, I explore Meditations 3.7, where Marcus Aurelius reminds us that nothing should take priority over Virtue. Many misunderstand Stoicism as a philosophy of detachment, resilience, and isolation, but in truth, it is profoundly prosocial. Being a Stoic means fulfilling our roles within the broader human community, not retreating from it. I challenge the popular but misguided idea of Stoicism as a philosophy for lone survivalists, demonstrating how its core teachings—from Zeno to Epictetus to Seneca—emphasize duty, justice, and engagement with the world. True Stoicism isn’t about turning inward; it’s about striving for moral excellence in every interaction.

“Never value as an advantage to yourself what will force you one day to break your word, to abandon self-respect, to hate, suspect, execrate another, to act a part, to covet anything that calls for walls or coverings to conceal it. A man who puts first his own mind and divinity, and the holy rites of its excellence, makes no scene, utters no groans, will need neither the refuge of solitude nor the crowded streets. What is most worthwhile, he will pass his days neither in pursuit nor in avoidance, and it is no concern at all of his whether the time be longer or shorter for which he shall have the use of the soul in its bodily envelope; for even if he must be released at once, he will depart as easily as he would perform any other act that can be done with reverence and sobriety, being careful all his life of this one thing alone: that his understanding be not found in any state which is foreign to a reasonable social being.” --(Meditations 3.7)

TAKEAWAYS

— The highest priority in Stoicism is the pursuit of Virtue—nothing should stand in its way.

— Stoicism is not a philosophy of detachment or isolation but of prosocial engagement and duty.

— A Stoic does not seek solitude or approval; they act justly regardless of external validation.

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In this episode, I explore Meditations 3.6 and the challenge Marcus Aurelius presents to those seeking the Good life: is there anything higher than justice, truth, temperance, and fortitude? If we find something greater, we should pursue it wholeheartedly. But if not, then we must commit ourselves fully to Virtue. I also address the common misconception that Stoicism promotes emotional repression or toxic perfectionism. True Stoicism is about disciplined reasoning, self-improvement, and moral alignment—not detachment or indifference. If the pursuit of Virtue is the highest aim, then what could be better than dedicating our lives to it?

“If you discover in the life of man something higher than justice, truth, temperance, fortitude, and generally speaking than your understanding contented with itself, where it presents you behaving by the rule of right, and satisfied with destiny, in what is assigned to you and is not yours to choose; if, I say, you see something higher than this, turn to it with all your heart and enjoy the supreme good now that it is found…” - Meditations 3.6

TAKEAWAYS

+ The highest good in Stoicism is the pursuit of Virtue—nothing else surpasses it.

+ True Stoicism is not about emotional repression but about disciplined reasoning and moral alignment.

+ The pursuit of an ideal, even if unattainable, is valuable in itself and fuels lifelong self-improvement.

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