Description
Stoicon 2026: Ancient Philosophy and Modern Well-Being (Full Conference)
Watch the complete broadcast of Stoicon 2026, the premier global conference hosted by Modern Stoicism. Discover how ancient Stoic philosophy, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (CBT), and modern empirical science combine to build emotional resilience, master anger, and foster human flourishing in everyday life.
Featuring world-renowned authors, psychotherapists, and scholars—including Derren Brown, Donald Robertson, John Sellars, Tim LeBon, Ralph Wedgwood, Matthew Sharpe, and Anya Leonard.
🔔 Subscribe to Modern Stoicism for year-round philosophy lectures, practical exercises, and Stoic Week guides.
💬 Which talk provided your biggest breakthrough? Share your key takeaway in the comments below!
⏱️ CHAPTERS & TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Opening Remarks & Conference Welcome
05:00 – A Retrospective on Modern Stoicism (John Sellars)
25:00 – Can Stoicism Help Us Live Better? Trainable Capacities for Well-Being (Tim LeBon)
55:00 – Interview: "Happy", Meaning, & the Edges of Stoicism (Derren Brown & Phil Yanov)
1:35:00 – Stoic Ethics After Darwin (Ralph Wedgwood)
2:10:00 – Psychology and Stoicism: Empirical Research & Reflections (Alexander Mclellen)
2:50:00 – Lightning Talks: Practical Stoicism in Everyday Life
3:30:00 – Turning the Stoic Cheek: Stoicism and Christianity (Matthew Sharpe)
4:05:00 – Heracles: The Making of a Stoic Hero (Anya Leonard)
4:45:00 – Keynote: Anger and Flourishing – Chrysippus & CBT (Donald Robertson)
5:30:00 – Closing Q&A & Extended Wrap-Up (Phil Yanov & Donald Robertson)
📋 SESSION DETAILS & HIGHLIGHTS
* 00:00 | Opening Remarks — Hosts Phil Yanov, Anya Leonard, Michael Maune, and Larry Monuteax welcome over 540 registered participants and preview the conference agenda.
* 05:00 | Modern Stoicism Retrospective — John Sellars traces the movement from its 2012 inception at the University of Exeter through international summits and ongoing clinical research.
* 25:00 | Trainable Capacities for Well-Being — Tim LeBon breaks down the Stoic Attitudes and Behaviors Scale (SABS), demonstrating an 18% drop in negative emotions during Stoic Week.
* 55:00 | Derren Brown on Happy — Derren Brown discusses shifting from "Act 1 optimization" to "Act 2 inhabiting life," navigating fate versus goals, and adopting "the view from amongst."
* 1:35:00 | Stoic Ethics After Darwin — Ralph Wedgwood contrasts ancient teleology with Darwinian natural selection, framing Stoic virtue as necessary normative truth.
* 2:10:00 | Psychology & Stoic Practice — Alexander MacLellan presents empirical data proving philosophical Stoicism is distinct from emotional suppression.
* 2:50:00 | Community Lightning Talks:
* Louisa Swaden — Philosophy in Motion: Land-speed motorcycle racing and resilience.
* Russell Holt — Mentoring youth with the Dichotomy of Control.
* Nona Maiorano — Grand Prix dressage, non-verbal presence, and the inner citadel.
* Steven Kent — Pop-culture role models (Star Wars, LOTR) and Epictetus on impressions.
* Cathy Yee — Expanding accessibility and warmth through the Feminine Stoic Press.
* 3:30:00 | Stoicism and Christianity — Matthew Sharpe examines non-retaliatory ethics in Socrates, Seneca, Musonius Rufus, and Epictetus alongside early Church writings.
* 4:05:00 | Heracles: The Stoic Hero — Anya Leonard unpacks Prodicus's Choice of Heracles and Epictetus's insights on inner fortitude.
* 4:45:00 | Keynote: Anger and Flourishing — Donald Robertson analyzes Chrysippus’s To Therapeuticon, two-stage emotional processing, withholding cognitive assent (synkatathesis), and anger management tactics.
* 5:30:00 | Extended Q&A — Deep dive into why anger impairs decision-making, Muhammad Ali's "rope-a-dope" psychological strategy, and constructive problem-solving.
⠀📚 FEATURED BOOKS & RECOMMENDED READING
* Lessons in Stoicism & Stoicism Is Not What You Think by John Sellars
* Wise Therapy & 365 Ways to Be More Stoic by Tim LeBon
* Happy: Why More or Less Everything Is Fine & A Book of Secrets by Derren Brown
* The Value of Rationality by Rafe Wedgwood
* Stoicism, Bullying and Beyond by Matthew Sharpe
* Sappho the Lost Poetess & Socrates and the Sphinx by Anya Leonard
* How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor, & Stoicism and the Art of Happiness by Donald Robertson
⠀🔗 ORGANIZATIONAL LINKS & RESOURCES
* Modern Stoicism Official Site: https://modernstoicism.com
* Modern Stoicism Substack: https://modernstoicism.substack.com
* Classical Wisdom: https://classicalwisdom.com
* Participate in Stoic Week: https://modernstoicism.com/stoic-week
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