In this episode, I reflect on the wisdom of Epictetus, who reminds us that disturbing news—no matter how shocking or painful—is ultimately outside our control and shouldn’t dictate our inner peace. The real power lies in how we respond, not in the events themselves.
I get real about my own struggles—feeling stuck in a job that no longer fits, wrestling with pride and impatience, and the challenges of working with others when my heart isn’t fully in it. I share my ongoing battle with balancing emotions and reason, especially when faced with personal setbacks and loss. Despite these struggles, I recognize the importance of staying grounded, choosing virtue, and acting with integrity—even when it’s hard.
This episode is about embracing that tension between external chaos and internal calm. It’s about the slow, sometimes frustrating work of aligning our actions with our values, and the courage it takes to keep showing up for ourselves and others. I also speak candidly about my fears, regrets, and the difficult journey toward living a more authentic, virtuous life.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the news, trapped by circumstances, or unsure how to respond to life’s curveballs, this episode offers a hopeful, honest conversation about finding your inner compass—and keeping it steady through it all.
Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!
Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic Books
Please if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
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