The Stoic Handbook with Jon Brooks

Available Episodes

5 of 133

The 5-Minute Emergency Drill: When the Craving Hits Right Now
Send us a textYou know that moment when the craving is right here, right now—and it feels like the only choice is to give in?That pull toward the drink, the scroll, the binge, the text you'll regret, the purchase you don't need. The sensation is real. The urgency feels absolute. But here's the Stoic truth the ancient philosophers knew:The craving is an impression, not a command.This 5-minute guided drill teaches you to insert one radical act between impulse and action: the pause. Using the Stoic practices of prosoche (attention), epochê (suspension of judgment), and prohairesis (deliberate choice), you'll learn to:Name the urge without obeying itTest the impression with three razor-sharp questionsChoose freely—whether that's abstaining proudly or proceeding mindfully (never as a hostage)Seal your decision so you walk away knowing you chose, you weren't draggedThis isn't about willpower white-knuckling. It's about inserting your rational mind into the split second where freedom lives—the gap between stimulus and response that Viktor Frankl called our greatest power.Marcus Aurelius wrote: "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."This practice makes that power real, in real time, when it matters most.Use this drill when:The craving for a substance hits hardYou're about to rage-text someoneThe urge to binge (food, Netflix, doomscrolling) takes overProcrastination disguised as "just one more video" whispersAny impulse threatens to hijack your day and your dignity🔥 🧰 Free SPQR Stoic Reset Kit — 5-min audio + 1-page protocol to stop anxiety spirals fast. → stoichandbook.co/toolkit
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Become Untriggerable: Masculinity, Intimacy, and Healing with Adam Rice
Send us a textMost “men’s advice” teaches tactics. In this conversation, Adam Rice shares a deeper path: becoming untriggerable, relating consciously, and integrating the masculine and feminine so you can lead, love, and live without the drama spiral.We cover how to spot ego flares in your body, the language of conscious communication, why intimacy beats performance, how to use rituals and rest without sliding into apathy, and when (and how) plant medicines are used in a safe, ethical container.You’ll learn:A 3‑step trigger protocol you can use mid‑argumentThe difference between performance sex vs. intimacy‑building sexRight Thought • Right Speech • Right Action—applied to daily lifeHow to challenge a partner without escalatingWhy rest and “softness” are part of true masculine strengthCeremony vs. recreation and the role of integrationGuest: Adam Rice — evolution coach, yoga teacher, shamanic guide, and men’s work facilitator. Instagram: @adamriceyoga.Co‑founder of Activate Your Alchemy. Co-founder Order of Honorable Men🔥 🧰 Free SPQR Stoic Reset Kit — 5-min audio + 1-page protocol to stop anxiety spirals fast. → stoichandbook.co/toolkit
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NVC in Real Life with Hans van Veen
Send us a textIf “be nicer” hasn’t fixed your toughest conversations, try Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in the wild. Coach Hans Nav Neev shows how to turn trigger moments into clarity, how to stop taking things personally, and why conflict—done well—becomes a portal to connection.What you’ll learnThe OFNR model (Observations, Feelings, Needs, Requests) that actually de-fogs conflictJackal vs. Giraffe ears: hearing judgments vs. hearing needsThe guilt process (“the art of being torn”) to end inner civil warsEnemy images and how to dissolve themWhen to set boundaries (and use protective force)Bridging NVC with BIFF (Brief, Informative, Friendly, Firm) for high‑conflict exchangesTimestamps00:00 Cold open, intentions, how we’ll talk02:40 What NVC is: surface techniques vs. deep worldview05:40 Taking things less personally; the guilt process08:10 Inner work vs. changing the world10:05 The OFNR model explained (Observations–Feelings–Needs–Requests)13:15 Practicing OFNR + the floor exercise14:50 Hardest skill: observations without interpretations (Krishnamurti)16:20 Anger = story about the event (not the event)18:30 Jackal vs. Giraffe ears (with props)21:20 Chronic “jackal mode,” boundaries, and dignity24:40 Needs, requests, and withdrawing from harmful dynamics26:30 Needs vs. rationalizations; congruence28:00 Language: “need” vs. “value/prefer”; needs as “frequencies”31:10 Family impact, social ripple of communication33:20 Trusting conflict; repair vs. rug-sweeping35:20 Intergenerational trauma; “enemy images”39:10 Avoiding the “obnoxious giraffe” (NVC police)41:30 Stoicism link: embody, don’t preach44:10 External validation; “seeds grow in the dark”45:50 Where NVC applies; protective use of force49:10 BIFF for high-conflict exchanges; bridging to NVC53:20 Filtering vs. entrenched relationships56:20 “Warm bath of empathy” and relationship risks59:30 Practice in low‑stakes settings first1:02:00 Resources and Insight Timer courses1:04:30 Two mantras: it’s never personal; guess the need1:06:40 Empathic guessing as a question (not a label)1:08:50 Measuring progress; conflict may rise first1:10:00 Positive gossip; humility as embodiment1:15:20 Self-image, overcorrection, and growth1:18:50 Vulnerability as success1:21:40 Beginner’s mind in communication1:24:10 Sensitivity with equanimity1:25:06 Rosenberg’s “tragic expression”; the third compassionate voice1:27:20 Metta vs. Tonglen; Michael Taft guidance1:30:27 Wrap-up, thanks, next stepsGuest: Hans Nav Neev — NVC coach and Insight Timer teacher with practical courses and tracks. Insight Timer (teacher page)https://insighttimer.com/hansvanv1Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nondualcommunication/Website (bio + offerings)https://www.nondualcommunication.net/bio--Host: Jon Brooks — The Stoic Handbook (stoicism + practical tools). • Site: https://stoichandbook.co • Newsletter (Nous): nous.xyz • YouTube: youtube.com/jonbrooksIf this helped, follow the show, share the episode with a friend, and join the newsletter for weekly tools.🔥 🧰 Free SPQR Stoic Reset Kit — 5-min audio + 1-page protocol to stop anxiety spirals fast. → stoichandbook.co/toolkit
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Good Kid, Tricky Moment: A Calm‑Parenting Reset
Send us a textWhen your child’s “No!” sparks your own surge, this guided reset helps you find your soft voice again. We begin with 4–6 breathing to settle the nervous system, set a one‑line intention, and repeat the cue phrase “Good kid, tricky moment.” Then we practice holding two truths—kind and firm—so you can keep connection first and offer clear guidance once the charge is gone. You’ll choose one calm sentence or boundary, visualize setting the shaken “snow globe” down, and close with a simple, honest repair script you can use later: “I’m sorry I snapped. I’m on your side.”Use this any time the day feels heavy—before pick‑up, after a meltdown, or when you want to stop the spiral and lead with steadiness. For parents and caregivers of kids of any age. If this helps, share it with a fellow parent who could use a calm reset today.🔥 🧰 Free SPQR Stoic Reset Kit — 5-min audio + 1-page protocol to stop anxiety spirals fast. → stoichandbook.co/toolkit
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The Ultimate Stoic Sleep & Wisdom Meditation: Daily (2025)
Send us a textEnd your day with this calming Stoic meditation designed to help you unwind, reflect, and sleep deeply. Drawing on ancient Stoic wisdom, you'll be guided through mindful presence, a gentle nightly review, acceptance of the day, and a cosmic perspective to let go of stress and reconnect with peace. Blending reflection, gratitude, and timeless philosophy, this practice is perfect for ending the day with clarity, calm, and inner stillness.🔥 🧰 Free SPQR Stoic Reset Kit — 5-min audio + 1-page protocol to stop anxiety spirals fast. → stoichandbook.co/toolkit
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