Global Stoa

Join us for our monthly conversation with a scholar in Modern Stoicism or another branch of philosophy. This month, we welcome Brittany Polat, a writer, speaker, and scholar whose work explores Stoicism as a lived philosophy and its deep connections with other wisdom traditions.

Brittany is the author of several books related to Stoicism and a Good Life and has an upcoming book, Jesus and Stoicism The Parallel Sayings, where she brings ancient texts into direct conversation to reveal their shared ethical vision. Her work highlights how Stoic philosophers such as Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca, alongside the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, offer converging insights into how we might live with integrity, compassion, and purpose in a complex modern world.

Through careful comparison of these traditions, Brittany illuminates a powerful common ground, a commitment to virtue, the cultivation of inner character over outward status, and a deep concern for how we relate to others. Her work is not merely theoretical, it is grounded in the practical question of how these teachings can guide everyday life, relationships, and decision making.

In our conversation, Brittany will explore

• The shared ethical foundations of Stoicism and Christianity, and what they reveal about human flourishing
• How teachings from Jesus and the Stoics converge on themes like compassion, forgiveness, and universal concern
• The importance of inner integrity over external success in both traditions
• Practical ways these ancient philosophies can help navigate modern challenges, including relationships and emotional life
• How reading these traditions side by side can deepen our understanding of both

Brittany’s work speaks to a wide audience, from those rooted in Christian traditions to those drawn to Stoic philosophy, as well as anyone interested in the intersection of philosophy, religion, and daily life. She offers a thoughtful and accessible approach to questions that have shaped human reflection for centuries.

The conversation will be hosted by Joe Bullock, followed by a Q and A session where attendees can ask Brittany their questions directly.

We look forward to an engaging discussion with someone who brings ancient wisdom traditions into meaningful dialogue for the modern world.

Learn more about Brittany Polat

[Please note that this meeting is scheduled, unusually, for a Saturday, since Sunday 4/5 will be Easter day.]

We continue our series featuring an in-depth look at the Discourses of Epictetus, a book that has literally changed my life and that I think is one of the most important of the entire Western philosophical canon, if not of philosophy worldwide.

The idea is to slowly and deliberately make our way through all four extant books of the Discourses, taking our time to discuss what Epictetus says, why he says it, and whether it may be helpful to us denizens of the 21st century. This may take a long time and a good number of meetings, so pace yourselves!

Throughout history it has always been true that people don’t know as much as they think they do. The ancient Greeks and Romans formulated an approach to life based on this notion. They recognized that adjusting our beliefs to the evidence while keeping in mind that we could be mistaken is the path to a just society—and a happy and meaningful life.

During this retreat we will adopt the ancient Roman public advocate, orator, statesman, and philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero as our guide to reveal the benefits of cultivating curiosity and doubt in the pursuit of a life worth living. Cicero’s skeptical philosophy is more relevant than ever in our current age of misinformation.

Join Rob Colter, John Sellars and Massimo Pigliucci for an exploration of Cicero’s life and works, during which we will examine the foundations for a good life, from how to formulate our values to how to nurture friendships; from being a good citizen and fighting for social justice to handling grief, pain, and even death. Skepticism as a philosophy was developed during a time of violence, social upheaval, and political turmoil. Taking a page from Cicero’s book, we, too, can adopt a practical philosophy of reason and learn to live well through uncertain times.