Bi-Vocational Martyrdom and the Pronoun Police: Crying Wolf in a Library

This entry is part 54 of 54 in the series Daily Douche-Bag

Tony Perkins is mad again. This time, it’s because his “bi-vocational” pastor buddy got fired from a public library job for refusing to call a coworker by their chosen pronouns. Perkins calls it persecution. I call it what happens when someone mistakes rudeness for righteousness. This essay cuts through the drama, mocks the martyr complex, and reminds Pastor Luke that if you want respect, you might try giving some. Being a public employee means treating the public like people — all of them.

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Rising from the Defeat That Wasn’t

This entry is part 19 of 50 in the series Journey Through Stoicism

Sometimes the worst defeats are the ones you didn’t cause but still feel responsible for. A job ends. A friendship slips away. You tell yourself it wasn’t your fault, but that doesn’t stop the questions. Maya Angelou once wrote that defeat might be necessary—not because we deserve it, but because it reveals who we really are. This essay reflects on regret and unexpected renewal through the lens of Stoic thought and lived experience. What you rise from, it turns out, may be the truest part of you.

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Boone, Facebook, and Marcus Aurelius…Oh My

This entry is part 18 of 50 in the series Journey Through Stoicism

I came across a meme that read, “There are two places you need to go often: The place that heals you. The place that inspires you.” It struck me deeply, because for me, one of those places is Boone, North Carolina, where I went to college. But as I reflected on that idea through the lens of Stoic philosophy, I realized the Stoics might offer a very different kind of guidance: to go inward. This essay explores the contrast, and surprising harmony, between modern healing and ancient inner retreat.

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Crazy … or Just Early?

They called you odd. Paranoid. “That guy with the charts.” But maybe you weren’t wrong—just early. Turns out, history has a soft spot for the weirdos who saw it coming. Being early often looks a lot like being weird. People smile politely. They call you intense. Or ask if you’ve “been getting enough sleep lately.” But then ten years pass, and suddenly everyone’s quoting the person they once thought needed a nap and a hobby.

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A Way Out of No Way: John Lewis and the Moral Will

This entry is part 17 of 50 in the series Journey Through Stoicism

“Lewis did not need a theory of justice. He lived one.”
Five years after the death of Congressman John Lewis, his words and witness still call us to the hard, necessary work of moral courage. Drawing from Christian theology, the Black church, and the discipline of nonviolence, Lewis embodied a philosophy of action that mirrors the core of Stoic thought—and resonates just as deeply with the teachings of Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism. He did not merely protest injustice. He met it with clarity, hope, and a soul unshaken by cruelty. His legacy extends beyond American history. It is human wisdom.

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When Facts Fail: Political Psychology Meets Trump’s Epstein Files Debacle

Ever wonder why some people refuse to change their minds even when presented with clear evidence? Scientists have discovered that our brains are wired to protect our beliefs, not seek truth.We see it in Donald Trump’s spectacular mishandling of the Jeffrey Epstein files controversy proves just how dangerous this psychological quirk can be, even for master manipulators.

For years, Trump expertly exploited this mental bias, convincing his supporters to dismiss investigations as “hoaxes” regardless of the evidence. But his attempt to brand concerns about the Epstein files as just another Democratic conspiracy has backfired spectacularly. Unlike previous scandals, this one taps into his base’s deepest fears about secret cabals and hidden power. Beliefs so central to their identity that when Trump dismissed their concerns, they turned on him instead. The result? The worst internal revolt of his political career, with major allies like Mike Pence and Elon Musk publicly breaking ranks.

This isn’t just political drama, it’s a real-time case study in how the psychology of conspiracy theories can eventually consume even those who try to control them. When belief becomes currency, losing trust costs more than any scandal ever could.

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Warriors for Justice: A Stoic Response to Robert Reich

This entry is part 16 of 50 in the series Journey Through Stoicism

Your first thought might be: One more warrior is exactly what we do not need in this moment. The world feels overrun with conflict already. But what if the kind of warrior we need now is not one who fights for dominance or control, but one who stands calmly for conscience, who chooses clarity over chaos and courage over comfort? That is the kind of warrior Robert Reich wrote about — a woman on the front lines of immigration defense, who meets injustice not with rage, but with a quiet joy rooted in purpose. Her story holds a lesson as old as the Stoics and as current as the morning’s headlines.

This reflection is part of the ongoing “Stoicism Journey” series, which explores how ancient Stoic principles can offer clarity, strength, and moral direction in today’s world. Each piece connects Stoic thought to real-life challenges, often intersecting with faith, justice, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. In this installment, we respond to a story shared by Robert Reich, considering what it means to be a warrior for justice in dishonorable times.

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Amor Fati: Love What Happens

This entry is part 15 of 50 in the series Journey Through Stoicism

In a time of political unrest, personal uncertainty, and social fracture, the ancient Stoic idea of Amor Fati — to love one’s fate — offers a powerful challenge. Not to surrender to injustice, but to meet it with clarity, courage, and compassion. This essay reflects on the tension between acceptance and action, drawing on Marcus Aurelius, the Serenity Prayer, and a timely conversation with Rev. Justin LaRosa to explore how we can live fully and faithfully in the world we have, not just the one we wish for.

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Joy in the Margins

“Joy doesn’t cancel out the heavy things, but it gives you little pockets of strength to carry on. Let it in, whenever and wherever you can.” Joy isn’t a finish line. It’s a companion. A weird, sometimes inappropriately timed companion. It shows up when you need it, not when you deserve it. In this reflection, I explore how small moments of joy can help carry us through the weight of the world, with a little humor and maybe even a rubber chicken.

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“Healing or Hiding?”

This entry is part 35 of 36 in the series Deep Thoughts

What if the peace you’re chasing is actually keeping you asleep? In a world that rewards quiet compliance, true healing might look less like serenity and more like staying present, even when it hurts. This post explores why “wellness” without justice isn’t peace—it’s sedation.

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