A artistic digital illustration of a human face in profile, formed by swirling smoke and glowing particles in blue, gold, and white tones, with the text 'The Synapse and the Stoa' on the left side.

Why do the same human struggles persist for thousands of years? Whether it’s the anxiety of the unknown, the weight of ambition, or the search for purpose, our challenges remain ancient—even if our world is modern.

Join John Sampson as he deconstructs the complexities of life through three distinct lenses:

  • The Stoa (Ancient Wisdom): We look to the timeless principles of Stoic philosophy to find the character and resilience required to face life’s inevitable hardships.

  • The Synapse (Neuroscience): We look under the hood of the human brain to understand the biological hardware and chemical signals that drive our reactions and moods.

  • The Mind (Psychology): We apply modern behavioral science to bridge the gap between ancient ideals and our daily mental health.

The Synapse & The Stoa isn't just a philosophy show or a science lecture—it is a toolkit for the modern human. By understanding the "why" behind our biology and the "how" of ancient virtue, we can stop reacting to life and start navigating it.

It’s time to upgrade your ancient hardware for the modern world.

New episodes weekly. Hosted by John Sampson.