Modern tools for ancient calm.
I’m Jon Brooks—a Stoicism practitioner, podcaster, and meditation teacher. I translate the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus into practical, no‑fluff practices for people navigating anxiety, ambition, and everyday chaos.
I teach simple, field‑tested methods for resilience, clarity, and inner steadiness—short enough to fit a busy life, deep enough to change one.
What I Do (and Why)
I run The Stoic Handbook across podcast, YouTube, meditations, and courses. Everything I publish serves one aim: turn philosophy into muscle memory.
Expect step‑by‑step exercises, visual frameworks, and guided practices you can use the same day.
- 🎙️ Podcast — Solo episodes and conversations on emotional mastery, adversity, and practical wisdom.
- 📺 YouTube — Clear breakdowns of Stoic ideas, decision frameworks, and thought experiments.
- 🧘 Guided Meditations & Courses — Short, structured programs to build calm, focus, and resilience. (Experienced by tens of thousands.)
“Jon is a great source of information, and his content has helped many people get turned on to modern Stoicism.”
— Donald J. Robertson, Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life
“Thank you, Jon, for one of the most motivational and moving meditations I’ve heard… it’s one of the few exercises that allows me to turn my negativity into something positive.”
— Dana, Stoic Handbook member
Who I Am
I’m a dad, a Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu purple belt, and a lifelong student of wisdom traditions—Stoicism, Buddhism, and contemplative practice.
- 🥋 BJJ & Discipline — Jiu‑Jitsu humbles you fast. It’s a living lab for resilience, ego management, and composure under pressure—pure Stoicism in motion.
- 🧘 Meditation & Focus — Daily practice sharpens attention and widens the gap between stimulus and response.
- 📚 Philosophy & Learning — I’m obsessive about distilling ideas into tools you’ll actually use.
The Stoic Handbook isn’t about abstract philosophy. It’s about living better, thinking clearer, and thriving despite uncertainty.
My Approach (Quiet, Practical, Human)
- Start from what’s controllable. Build habits around attention, values, and chosen action.
- Emotions aren’t enemies. They’re data; we train our response, not deny our humanity.
- Do the reps. Short, repeatable drills > complicated theory.
- Kindness + Courage. Stoicism is strength with warmth—not cold detachment.
If you want hype and hacks, this isn’t it. If you want calm competence you can feel in your nervous system, welcome.
Start Here: Choose Your Next Step
1) Get the Newsletter — Nous Weekly
Each week at Substack (stoicism.substack.com) I share modern interpretations of ancient wisdom, visual flowcharts, and bite‑size practices.
2) Listen to the Podcast
Press play while you walk. Learn one idea, apply one exercise.
3) Try a Guided Meditation
Five minutes to reset your nervous system and regain perspective.
Bonus: Watch my interview on The Stoa for a fast primer on how I approach Stoicism in real life.
An interview I did on The Stoa which provides a primer on my Stoicism approach
What You’ll Learn Here
- How to defuse anxiety and make decisions under pressure
- How to reframe setbacks into training (without toxic positivity)
- How to separate signal from noise and focus on what moves the needle
- How to practice daily—even when you’re busy, tired, or overwhelmed
You’ll leave each piece of content with one clear action. Philosophy isn’t finished until it changes your behavior.
Values I Stand By
- Integrity over image. No manufactured drama or guru theatrics.
- Evidence + experience. Where philosophy meets psychology and practice.
- Community over competition. We rise by learning together.
If this resonates, you’re in the right place.