The Everyday Stoic

📖 Get my book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Everyday-Sto...US & Canada [https://a.co/d/1tnxZ11]If you’re new here, my name’s William Mulligan.I grew up in a council house in the UK with my single mum and seven siblings. We didn’t have much. I was a shy, anxious, weak, and often depressed kid. At 16, I was laboring full time — illegally underpaid and working all hours to help my family survive.At 18, I discovered Stoicism. It changed everything.I quit my job and flew to New Zealand with my best mate, sleeping in our car as we visited every Lord of the Rings film location. That trip gave me something I’d never had before: a vision of what life could be.When I got home, my brothers and I started The Mulligan Brothers, with one simple mission: to inspire 1 billion people. I began editing the videos you’ve probably seen if you've ever looked for gym motivation — the viral ones with powerful speeches and cinematic storytelling. That was me behind the scenes.But I didn’t stop there. I kept studying Stoicism — not the fancy, elitist version you find online, but the real stuff. The kind of philosophy that helps working-class people like me survive, grow, and live well.I started sharing Stoic teachings online in a way anyone could understand. That eventually led to my first book, The Everyday Stoic, published by Penguin. It’s now been translated into 15 languages.My goal is to take Stoicism back from the influencers and the intellectual gatekeepers. It’s not supposed to be expensive, complicated, or only for the wealthy. It’s simple. And it saved my life.Now, I spend my time creating content, writing books, and building a movement that helps real people improve their lives using the timeless wisdom of Stoicism, Taoism, and Zen.To everyone out there fighting their own battles:You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to keep going.You either get an epic outcome or an epic story. Both mean you win.Never quit,William🔔 Subscribe for more Stoic wisdom & self-improvement!

If you’re new here, my name’s William Mulligan.I grew up in a council house in the UK with my single mum and seven siblings. We didn’t have much. I was a shy, anxious, weak, and often depressed kid. At 16, I was laboring full time — illegally underpaid and working all hours to help my family survive.At 18, I discovered Stoicism. It changed everything.I quit my job and flew to New Zealand with my best mate, sleeping in our car as we visited every Lord of the Rings film location. That trip gave me something I’d never had before: a vision of what life could be.When I got home, my brothers and I started The Mulligan Brothers, with one simple mission: to inspire 1 billion people. I began editing the videos you’ve probably seen if you've ever looked for gym motivation — the viral ones with powerful speeches and cinematic storytelling. That was me behind the scenes.But I didn’t stop there. I kept studying Stoicism — not the fancy, elitist version you find online, but the real stuff. The kind of philosophy that helps working-class people like me survive, grow, and live well.I started sharing Stoic teachings online in a way anyone could understand. That eventually led to my first book, The Everyday Stoic, published by Penguin. It’s now been translated into 15 languages.My goal is to take Stoicism back from the influencers and the intellectual gatekeepers. It’s not supposed to be expensive, complicated, or only for the wealthy. It’s simple. And it saved my life.Now, I spend my time creating content, writing books, and building a movement that helps real people improve their lives using the timeless wisdom of Stoicism, Taoism, and Zen.To everyone out there fighting their own battles:You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to keep going.You either get an epic outcome or an epic story. Both mean you win.Never quit,William

In today's episode, William explores eleven practical Stoic rules for a better life inspired by the teachings of Marcus Aurelius. Drawing from classic texts like Meditations and over a decade of personal practice, he breaks down ancient philosophical concepts into simple and actionable advice. The discussion covers essential habits for personal growth, such as remaining a lifelong student, taking absolute responsibility for your actions without falling into a victim or tyrant mentality, and the importance of having clear direction. Listeners will also learn why they should adopt the grounded mindset of a wrestler rather than a dancer, how to face uncomfortable truths, and the profound peace found in staying present and embracing simplicity. Additional highlights include the value of doing good selflessly, establishing core life principles, confronting mortality to find true meaning, and the mental clarity gained through daily journaling.

In today's episode, William analyzes the philosophical differences between Diogenes the Cynic and Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius to determine who lived a genuinely better life. He contrasts the immense power, wealth, and societal duties of Marcus Aurelius with the absolute destitution and societal rejection of Diogenes.
While Marcus Aurelius faced the heavy burdens and personal tragedies associated with leadership, William points out that Diogenes enjoyed true freedom by desiring nothing at all. This extreme independence is highlighted by Diogenes' famous dismissal of Alexander the Great, proving that wanting nothing can equate to having everything. William acknowledges the strong appeal of living entirely free from the traps and expectations of society.

In today's episode, William breaks down fifty-six practical lessons he has learned from over a decade of practicing real Stoicism. Moving past the academic theories and superficial social media trends, he shares how these ancient principles completely transformed his life from a state of anxious uncertainty to genuine happiness. He explores powerful concepts like the block of wood theory, the true meaning of discipline, and the profound importance of finding beauty in entirely ordinary moments. Listeners will discover actionable advice on overcoming the bystander effect, embracing their fate, and understanding why a single month of genuine practice always beats thirty years of simply reading.