Stoic Wellbeing
42 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago -A show for people who are ready to radically transform their lives through the use of Stoicism, the Enneagram, and other personal growth resources. Mindset and momentum coach Sarah Mikutel shares actionable exercises, interviews and stories to help you feel more peaceful, enjoy happier relationships, and live a more smoothly flowing life. If you’re stuck in a transition point — you know WHAT you want to change and can’t figure out WHY you can’t move forward — this show is the roadmap you’ve been looking for.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Conflict: 4 Stoic Solutions for Managing Difficult Conversations
February 02, 2024 11:00 - 8 minutes - 5.73 MBWhy do we get angry? How can we challenge our immediate reactions? And what's the best way to articulate our feelings without passive aggression or a blow-up? In this episode, you'll learn four Stoic tips to turn potential conflicts into opportunities for personal growth and stronger relationships. Let’s continue the conversation. Head on over to my blog on Substack for more content on how to thrive through better communication, Stoicism, and global exploration. That’s right, blogging is ...
Find the Good in this Very Moment
November 25, 2023 17:00 - 10 minutes - 7.58 MBI’m reading David Fideler’s excellent book Breakfast with Seneca, where he quotes Seneca in one of his letters: “If you want to escape your troubles, you don't need to be somewhere else: you need to be someone else.” Those searching for meaning or purpose in life might think a new place will provide answers. But a new location, a new job, a new partner doesn’t guarantee a better life or a fresh start. Finding purpose involves understanding your values, interests, and goals. It’s intern...
Your Intent Reveals Who You Are
November 05, 2023 14:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBOur intentions don’t always line up with our outcomes, and misunderstandings lead to anger, sadness, frustration, and conflict. In this episode, I’ll talk about intent vs impact, which is more important, and how to effectively and ethically communicate your intentions. Of course, I’ll be weaving in the timeless wisdom of the Stoics. Hi, I’m Sarah Mikutel, your communication and mindset coach, an Enneagram 9 expat in England, and practicing Stoic. Introverts come to me to learn to speak con...
Overcoming Speaking Anxiety through Stoic Psychology
October 14, 2023 13:00 - 20 minutes - 14 MBIntrovert Emergency Kit Click here if you're ready to become a less anxious, more charismatic public speaker. When it comes to public speaking, what exactly are you afraid of? Most people I talk to don’t explore their fears at all – and this makes them worse. The thought of public speaking brings up such uncomfortable feelings that they try to ignore them or stuff them down – which is why they continue to suffer from speaking anxiety, one of the most common fears in the world. How i...
Travel to Expand Your Circles of Concern of Concern (Oikeiosis)
October 01, 2023 17:00 - 10 minutes - 6.97 MBAs human beings, we’re naturally inclined to take care of ourselves and our immediate family. This is the center of our circles of concern. As Stoics, of course, we believe we can extend our sense of care and belonging (oikeiosis) to also include our community, country, and the rest of the world. I believe travel is one of the best ways to practice oikeiosis. This is why I’m sharing part of an interview I did on my podcast Live Without Borders. I’m speaking with my friend Zlatina, a Bulg...
How to Stop (Negative) Self-Comparison and Increase Your Confidence
July 31, 2023 13:00 - 21 minutes - 14.6 MBWe often hear how negative self-comparisons can be, especially when it comes to social media. But what if we could use comparison as a force for good? A tool to help us grow and flourish at work and in our personal lives? Great news, we can! Today you’ll learn how to stop negatively comparing yourself to others and start measuring your progress in healthier and more productive ways. Plus, you’ll learn the scientific theory about why you’re actually more likable the less perfect you are. H...
Discipline of Desire: Self-Mastery is Self-Love
July 15, 2023 11:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MBHave you ever wondered why the richest countries on Earth consistently rank so high in anxiety and depression? Research says this is because we’re so overstimulated by instant gratification that our brains never feel satisfied and become increasingly unhappy in the quest for more. We’re literally addicted to pursuing pleasures that will never satisfy us. The cure to this man-made misery? Self-control. The Stoics knew 2,300 years ago that the key to a tranquil and virtuous life lay in th...
When You're Interrupted, Use These Stoic Practices to Control Your Anger
June 24, 2023 17:00 - 21 minutes - 15.1 MBEver been cut off mid-sentence and feel a whirlwind of emotions – frustration, anger, embarrassment? Why do we take interruptions so personally, and how can we use Stoicism to handle them with grace? I'm your host, Sarah Mikutel, and in this episode, I dive into effective communication and mindset strategies that will help you be seen and heard. By the end, you'll be equipped to handle interruptions confidently, communicate effectively, and enjoy life with more wisdom and less anxiety. ht...
Stoic Leadership: Lessons from the Greatest Generation
May 29, 2023 16:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBWhat do courage and resilience truly mean? This Memorial Day, I reflect on the incredible bravery of the 'Greatest Generation' during World War II, drawing inspiration from my visits to historic locations such as Auschwitz and Churchill's War Rooms in London. From blackouts to rationing, the everyday experiences of European civilians during WWII serve as a testament to human resilience. In the film Saving Private Ryan, a dying Captain Miller says to Matt Damon's character: "Earn this."...
When You Think People Are Judging You
May 21, 2023 15:00 - 7 minutes - 5.07 MBHave you ever noticed how our thoughts and reactions can create unnecessary stress, or cultivate empathy and understanding for others? On a recent flight to Florida, I was reminded of the power of perception and emotional resiliency. I share the story of passengers clapping after a smooth landing, the reactions of those around me as a father rushed to exit the plane, and how the simple words of a child turned turbulence into an exciting adventure. Inspired by the wisdom of Epictetus, we'l...
Choose a Life Philosophy
April 07, 2023 19:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBDo you have a philosophy that you live your life by? My guest today thinks you should — and so do all the Stoics who came before her. I’m speaking with Brittany Polat, author of Tranquility Parenting: A Guide to Staying Calm, Mindful, and Engaged and Journal Like a Stoic: A 90-Day Stoicism Program to Live with Greater Acceptance, Less Judgment, and Deeper Intentionality. She’s also a steering committee member of Modern Stoicism, and co-founder, along with Eve Riches, of the nonprofit St...
Oikeiosis: Make More Meaningful Connections
February 26, 2023 18:00 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MBWhat would life be like if we felt more happy connections with people on a regular basis? How can we embrace the wider world and bring people closer to us, even if for a few moments at the seaside? Oikeiosis Stoics believe we are all citizens of the world, part of one global community. This is Stoic cosmopolitanism. The Stoic philosopher Seneca said: “Our relations with one another are like a stone arch, which would collapse if the stones did not mutually support each other, and which...
The Key to the Good Life: Who You’re With on the Journey
February 04, 2023 10:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBHarvard researchers have been studying what makes people happy for decades. Since 1938, they’ve been following the same people, and then their families, to learn more about what makes a good life. This is the longest-running study of its kind involving hundreds of people across different walks of life. JFK was even involved when he was a student. So what did they discover in this happiness survey? Money, fame, and awards don’t lead to long-term happiness. Here’s what does — good relati...
Sign Up Now: Goal-Setting Workshop Jan 14
January 12, 2023 20:00 - 3 minutes - 2.14 MBI’m hosting a 2023 Goal-Mapping Workshop on Jan. 14. It’s free and a replay will be available for a few days after if you register in advance. This isn’t a lecture – it’s a very interactive session. You’ll: Create a vision for your year that aligns with your values and priorities Break down your big goals into manageable tasks that don't overwhelm you Develop a plan of action to stay on track and avoid procrastination Prioritize your tasks and projects in a way that helps you stay focu...
Keep Your Commitments: The Real Reason People Won’t Change
January 07, 2023 12:00 - 15 minutes - 10.6 MBAround January 1, we set goals that we intend to keep. But most of us break these vows before the month is over – why? What’s the real reason people won’t change? And how can we use Stoicism and modern psychology to start? To truly be free and move forward, we need to cultivate helpful thoughts and let go of unhelpful ones. This is how we become resilient and learn to flow with life instead of fighting it. But what if you’re not even aware of your unhelpful thoughts? I’ve talke...
Auld Lang Syne: What It Means and Why It Matters
January 01, 2023 22:00 - 5 minutes - 3.89 MBWhat does Auld Lang Syne mean and why is its message so important? Find out in this episode. Also, Happy New Year! What are your intentions for this year? https://sarahmikutel.com/ Let’s continue the conversation. Head on over to my blog on Substack for more content on how to thrive through better communication, Stoicism, and global exploration. That’s right, blogging is cool again. Over on the Substack platform, you can chat with me in the comments and I have plenty of bonuses for paid ...
This Is Your Second Chance: Stay Present For It
December 23, 2022 23:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MBIt’s that time of year when we encourage each other to slow down, appreciate what we have, and be present with others. But how do we stay in the moment when our minds keep drifting to what’s happening next week, or what occurred 10 years ago? That’s what this episode is about. Sarahmikutel.com Let’s continue the conversation. Head on over to my blog on Substack for more content on how to thrive through better communication, Stoicism, and global exploration. That’s right, blogging is cool a...
Chocolate: How Can We Be Ethical Consumers?
December 10, 2022 13:00 - 47 minutes - 32.5 MBChocolate. Lots of us love it. Where does it come from? Who makes it? And how can we be ethical consumers of chocolate? I want the answer to be easy — like, just by such-and-such chocolate bar. But the answer is more complicated than that. Today I’m speaking with cocoa and chocolate scholar (and lover of chocolate) Dr. Kristy Leissle, an American who now lives in South Africa. Kristy, aka Dr. Chocolate, wrote the book Cocoa and has spent her career studying the politics, economics, and ...
Chocolate: How Can We Be Ethical Consumers?
December 10, 2022 13:00 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBChocolate. Lots of us love it. Where does it come from? Who makes it? And how can we be ethical consumers of chocolate? I want the answer to be easy — like, just by such-and-such chocolate bar. But the answer is more complicated than that. Today I’m speaking with cocoa and chocolate scholar (and lover of chocolate) Dr. Kristy Leissle, an American who now lives in South Africa. Kristy, aka Dr. Chocolate, wrote the book Cocoa and has spent her career studying the politics, economics, and ...
How to Talk to People Who Drive You Crazy: 5 Stoic Practices
December 04, 2022 21:00 - 11 minutes - 7.87 MBChances are this holiday season you'll have to talk to at least one person who drives you bananas. But what if this doesn't have to stress you out? What if you could have a good conversation? What if this could be your least angst-filled holiday yet? It can be! Here are five ancient Stoic techniques (backed up by modern psychology) to manage your anger and anxiety when talking to people you think are difficult. sarahmikutel.com Let’s continue the conversation. Head on over to my blog...
Stand for Something (When It’s Easier to Join the Mob)
November 30, 2022 19:00 - 8 minutes - 6.2 MBOn a recent trip, I learned that the last so-called witch to be executed in Scotland died in 1727. Of course, there are still people being tortured, killed, and scapegoated around the world today. But we’re more likely to be involved in hanging people on social media. Let’s continue the conversation. Head on over to my blog on Substack for more content on how to thrive through better communication, Stoicism, and global exploration. That’s right, blogging is cool again. Over on the Substa...
How to Love Doing the Hard Thing: Stoic Discipline and Eudaimonia
November 12, 2022 12:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBOn a recent trip to Scotland, I ate well, I drank well -- didn’t so much sleep well. But I enjoyed just the right amount of indulgence for me on a trip. This kind of happiness is hedonia. Hedonic pleasure is about, well, pleasure. Comfort. Satisfaction. What feels good in the moment. Pleasure coming from external things. A massage after a long day. A bite of flourless chocolate cake. Sprawling out on your beach towel and doing nothing. These pleasures are fun and worthwhile and should b...
How the Selfie Generation Can Honor the Greatest Generation
May 06, 2022 19:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBThe end of the year is a time for reflection: What went right? What went wrong? What could I have handled better? Questions that Stoics ask themselves every evening. It’s also the time of year that we see round ups of popular news stories, though 2020 often felt like we heard of nothing other than Covid-19 and the U.S. presidential election, and sometimes Brexit. Many stories slipped through the cracks, including the 75th anniversary of the end of World War 2. We throw around the word n...
Design Your Ideal Day
April 20, 2022 13:00 - 34 minutes - 23.8 MBWhat are the life skills that really matter? In this episode, you’ll hear specifics on how to live a good life. A simple life. One that will give you more energy and inner peace. I’m joined by Stephen Warley, fellow Stoicism lover and host of the Life Skills That Matter podcast. This interview originally aired on my other podcast, LIVE Without Borders, a year or so ago. I think you’ll get a lot out of it, so I’m sharing it with you here. Our interview was a two-parter. In part one, Steph...
It Doesn’t Have to Upset You
April 02, 2022 22:00 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MBYou know when you’re traveling and you see families fuming in the airport or no longer speaking to each other at dinner? Chances are, one of them, or multiple people, blew something out of proportion and are still reacting to it. Why does this happen? How can we be more emotionally resilient, that is, more Stoic, and enjoy a more smoothly flowing life? Let’s dive into why things don’t have to upset us with an AirBnB story… Hello! I'm your host, Sarah Mikutel. But the real question is...
Emotions: How They’re Made & How to Master Them
March 19, 2022 08:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBNote: I recorded this awhile ago. With everything happening in Ukraine, this information is more important than ever. *** Where do these emotions come from? What are emotions? How can we cultivate healthy emotions that improve our own wellbeing, and thereby our positive impact on the world? That’s what I want to talk about today. Here's a little taste... Most people think emotions run their lives, but, in her popular Ted Talk, Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, says that, “Emotions are no...
Are You a Citizen of the World?
March 05, 2022 14:00 - 44 minutes - 30.3 MBIn this episode, I am back with my friend Kai Whiting, co-author of the book Being Better: Stoicism for a World Worth Living In. Kai is a researcher and lecturer in sustainability and Stoicism currently living in Lisbon, Portugal. If you’re into ancient ruins, you will love the beginning of our interview, where Kai talks about the research he conducted in Pompeii. And then we spend a lot of the conversation talking about what it means to be a citizen of the world, a concept that was ve...
Cancel Culture, or Conversation Culture? A Stoic Perspective on What Benefits Society
February 26, 2022 12:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBAs a listener of this podcast, you’ve already heard me talk about how the ancient philosophy of Stoicism offers guidance on how we can live the good life in the modern world. How to be less stressed. How to be a better listener. How to be more productive. But Stoicism is about more than improving ourselves on an individual level, it’s about improving our communities and being an active member of society. “No one is an island,” says today’s guest. That’s actually the title of chapter five...
How Long Will You Wait Before You Demand the Best for Yourself?
February 12, 2022 16:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBJanus is the Roman god of beginnings and endings, transitions and passageways, doorways and duality, amongst several other things. And he was one of my favorite sculptures in my town’s art Triennial this year, formally known as the Creative Folkestone Triennial 2021. High up on the East Cliff, in a little park overlooking the ocean, stood this massive head of Janus, who’s typically portrayed with two faces, one facing toward the future and the other face looking toward the past. That's...
Goals! How to Achieve Your New Year’s Resolutions
January 01, 2022 19:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MB“Putting things off is the biggest waste of life,” Seneca says, “it snatches away each day as it comes, and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today.” Seneca, On the Shortness of Life. Most of us don’t follow through on our New Year’s Resolutions because we treat them like wishes and not goals. Ideally, if we want to achieve a goal, we map out a plan to achieve it and follow through. Today’s episo...
May Your Heart Grow Three Sizes Today
December 25, 2021 17:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBHow to cultivate loving kindness during the holiday season (and all year!) ❤️ Hello! I'm your host, Sarah Mikutel. But the real question is, who are you? Where are you now and where do you want to be? Can I help you get there? Visit sarahmikutel.com to learn how we can work together to help you achieve more peace, happiness, and positive transformation in your life. Book your Enneagram typing session by going to sarahmikutel.com/typingsession Let’s continue the conversation. Head on ove...
How to Calm Your Anger Using the Enneagram & Stoicism
December 18, 2021 22:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MBIt does not take much to make some people angry. We live in a society where people are quick to take offense. To feel victimized. To be enraged at people with opposing views. Political leaders and certain media outlets stir the pot for their own benefit. In my episode on Stoicism and the Art of Happiness, Donald Robertson offered some techniques we can use to manage our anger toward people who hold views that we strongly disagree with. Today I want to talk to you about becoming more aware...
All in Moderation: How to Eat Like a Stoic
December 11, 2021 18:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBGrowing up, what were your family’s eating habits? Fruits and vegetables? Canned spaghetti and doughnuts? At our house, once in a while we’d have pizza, and maybe once a year for a crazy treat we could pick out a sugary cereal -- Booberry was my fav. But for the most part, we were a junk food-free house. Fast forward quite a few years, and now when I go home to visit, it’s like I’m entering Candy Land. Brownies, cookies, pies staring me in the face. Even though I don’t have much of a sw...
How to Manage Your Mind with Stoicism & CBT
December 05, 2021 21:00 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MBMost of our suffering comes from thoughts that we let run wild in our brains. We spend a lot of time each day rehashing different conversations and situations in our mind, and we think that we’re just reviewing facts. But we’re not. We’re reflecting on our own points of view, assuming what others think, worrying about the future, and ruminating about the past. The ancient Stoics understood that our thoughts are nothing more than stories we tell ourselves. And modern mental health profes...
Enneagram 101: An Introduction to the 9 Personality Types
November 27, 2021 20:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MBNew to the Enneagram? Welcome to your introductory class. At its most basic level, the Enneagram is a framework that says there are nine personality types, and each of the nine types has a different core motivation driving their behavior and beliefs. Why do you do the things you do? What motivates you? How do you see the world? How does the world see you? We all have a little of every type in us, but one of the types is our core type and it doesn’t change. You might wonder why people of...
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor with Donald Robertson
November 20, 2021 17:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MBI've had a travel podcast for several years now called LIVE Without Borders, where I interview women like myself who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. One of the core values that I talk about is that we will never have this day again — make it matter. It's my softer way of saying 'If you died tomorrow, would you be satisfied with how you lived this day?' I knew I didn't invent this way of thinking but I didn't realize that Stoics have been talkin...
Stoicism and the Art of Happiness with Donald Robertson
November 13, 2021 22:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MBEven though I haven't lived in the U.S. for 10 years, I've been in Italy and England for most of this time, I still pay close attention to my home country. And my goodness, things are heated. I see the divisiveness and bitter partisanship. People are becoming more tribal. Canceling out opposing views. At the same time people seem desperate for connection and to be part of something greater than themselves. And then I look around and see what they're gravitating toward. If they're not rel...
Welcome to Stoic Wellbeing
November 06, 2021 18:00 - 1 minute - 1 MBDo you wish you cared less about what other people think? That you were less anxious and more comfortable putting yourself out there? That you could take faster (or any) action on your dreams? Then welcome to Stoic Wellbeing. On this show, I share Stoic and other wellbeing practices to help you thrive and live with arete — with excellence — so you can better yourself, your community, and your world at large. I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, an American in England who uses Stoicism to help ...
This Podcast Has Moved. Listen to Find Out Where to Find It Now.
February 12, 2021 18:00 - 1 minute - 1.44 MBThis podcast is moving and this feed will be deleted soon. If you'd still like to continue hearing this content please click on the link below and resubscribe / re-follow the show 😊 Click here to subscribe to Part of Something Greater https://sarahmikutel.com/part-of-something-greater
All in Moderation: How to Eat Well in 2021 with Simple Green Smoothies Founder Jen Hansard
January 08, 2021 18:00 - 37 minutes - 25.8 MBGrowing up, what were your family’s eating habits? Fruits and vegetables? Canned spaghetti and doughnuts? At our house, once in a while we’d have pizza, and maybe once a year for a crazy treat we could pick out a sugary cereal -- Booberry was my fav. But for the most part, we were a junk food-free house. Fast forward quite a few years, and now when I go home to visit, it’s like I’m entering Candy Land. Brownies, cookies, pies staring me in the face. Even though I don’t have much of a sw...
Welcome to Part of Something Greater
November 09, 2020 19:00 - 4 minutes - 3.12 MBWelcome to Part of Something Greater, a show for peacefully ambitious people seeking personal transformation so they can better themselves, their communities, and the world at large. I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, an American in England who uses the Enneagram and Stoicism to help my coaching clients become more present, curious, and open hearted. If you’re looking to reduce anxiety and overwhelm, strengthen your relationships, and/or shift from uncomfortable stalemate to confident action,...
Part of Something Greater: Launching Dec. 2
November 09, 2020 19:00 - 4 minutes - 3.37 MBWelcome to Part of Something Greater, a show for people who are ready to radically transform their lives through the use of The Enneagram, Stoicism, and other personal growth resources. I'm your host, Sarah Mikutel, founder of the Stoic Enneagram, and I'll be sharing interviews, stories, and actionable exercises to help you feel more peaceful, enjoy happier relationships, and live a more smoothly flowing life. If you’re stuck in a transition point — you know WHAT you want to change and c...