Back in the 1990s, Phoenix writer Mark Athitakis was feeling adrift.

He'd just graduated from college, and he was trying to figure out where he fit in the world. A friend suggested he should check out "The Manual," by the Roman writer Epictetus.

Epictetus was a firm believer in stoicism. Stoicism is a centuries-old philosophical framework, but it's more popular than ever these days, thanks to a constellation of social media influencers, YouTubers and podcasters.

Athitakis recently wrote about stoicism's resurgence in the Washington Post. He talked with The Show about why this ancient school of thought first resonated with him.

Amber Victoria Singer/KJZZ

Mark Athitakis.

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