Description
How does a high-profile journalist and political speechwriter navigate the "dumpster fire" of modern conflict, online abuse, and high-stakes politics?
In this engaging and deeply personal headline conversation from Stoicon 2025, bestselling author Brigid Delaney joins Phil Yanov (Conversations with Modern Stoicism) to discuss her unexpected journey into Stoicism and its practical application in our messy, modern world.
Brigid Delaney is the author of the international bestseller Reasons Not to Worry: How to Be a Stoic in Chaotic Times, co-creator of the Netflix comedy series Wellmania, a long-time journalist for The Guardian, and a former speechwriter in the Australian Parliament.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Brigid and Phil explore:
* How her Stoic journey began as a "joke column" for The Guardian and evolved into a profound personal practice, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
* Why her work is seen as an essential "on-ramp" to Stoicism for those who find the ancient texts intimidating.
* Her practical Stoic framework for navigating high-stress careers in media and politics.
* The Stoic strategy for dealing with online hate and negative reviews (and why she strictly "doesn't read the comments").
* The profound tension between Stoic acceptance and the drive for civic justice, drawing from her emotional work as co-founder of the anti-death penalty Mercy Campaign.
* The modern "epidemic of loneliness" discussed in her new book, The Seeker and the Sage, and the vital importance of building durable, real-world communities.
* Her personal daily practices, including journaling and Vedic meditation, and how they complement her Stoicism.