What can the ancient world teach us today? In our Stoic conversation with Anya Leonard, she showed that it can teach us a whole lot more than most people realize. As co-founder of Classical Wisdom, Anya has spent over a decade making ancient philosophy, literature, and history accessible to a global audience, and in our latest episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, she joined us to share how.
A Life Shaped by Philosophy and Travel
Anya’s life story reads like a cross-cultural epic. Born in Norway, raised in England and the U.S., with chapters in Kazakhstan, Russia, Dubai, Taiwan, and now Buenos Aires. Speaking to us while in Greece, she has visited 92 countries already and will keep going. But it’s not just stamps in her passport that shape her worldview. It’s what she’s done with the experiences.
“My sense of identity has always been complicated,” she said, “but that’s been a gift. When you’re on the outside looking in, you see life differently. Travel forces you to want less, to accept discomfort, and to reflect, values that align deeply with Stoic thought.”
Anya Leonard
Travel, for Anya, is philosophical. Whether navigating road trips in Egypt or adapting to new cultures, she sees these moments as opportunities to practice what the ancients taught: presence, perspective, and control over one’s inner state.
Why the Classics Still Matter
At the heart of her work with Classical Wisdom is the belief that the ancient world isn’t just a relic, it’s a resource.
“There’s this whole depth of understanding just sitting there,” she said. “When you start learning about the classics, it’s like putting on x-ray glasses — you suddenly see the hidden meanings in sculptures, metaphors, even psychology.”
Anya Leonard
This is one of Anya’s main missions: to make classical knowledge sustainable and relevant. With articles, essays, interviews, and a thriving Substack community, she’s helping people all over the world rediscover the richness of ancient thought.
“From Hadrian’s Wall to Egypt, 1200 BC to 300 AD — that’s our scope. But more than time and geography, we’re focused on the interconnectedness of ideas. Philosophy, mythology, history — they don’t sit in silos. They shape each other.”
Anya Leonard
Stoicism as a Gateway (But Not the Final Destination)
Anya is a fan of Stoicism but not a purist.
“Stoicism is the gateway drug to philosophy,” she joked. “It’s practical, relatable, and helpful. But it shouldn’t be the only tool in the box.”
Anya Leonard
Her philosophical stance is eclectic. She finds value in Epicurean gratitude, Aristotelian ethics, and even the poetry of Heraclitus. This approach, she says, reflects the spirit of the ancient thinkers themselves.
“Zeno synthesized earlier philosophies to create Stoicism. Why shouldn’t we do the same? If you only ever follow one system without questioning it, you’re no longer philosophizing.”
Anya Leonard
She also cautions against modern misinterpretations of Stoicism that reduce it to emotional suppression or cold rationality.
“Done right, Stoicism is loving. It’s not about becoming a stone wall. It’s about living well and that includes connection, community, and compassion.”
Anya Leonard
Reviving the Role of Women in Philosophy
When asked about female voices in the classics, Anya didn’t hold back. From Cleopatra to Hypatia, she highlights figures who have been misrepresented or forgotten.
“Many of these women were powerful intellectuals, but their stories were distorted by later biographers. We’re finally giving them the justice they deserve.”
Anya Leonard
And she sees the same issue playing out today. The resurgence of Stoicism is still overwhelmingly male-dominated, something she hopes to help change.
“Philosophy is for everyone. You don’t need dusty books or ivory towers. You need curiosity. These ideas are powerful for moms, for caretakers, for anyone trying to live a better life.”
Anya Leonard
On Self-Help, Community, and the Human Condition
Though Anya sees overlap between philosophy and the self-help genre, she believes philosophy offers a broader view.
“Self-help can be very self-focused. Philosophy reminds us that life is bigger than just ourselves. Read literature. Talk to your neighbors. Be part of your community. That’s Aristotle 101.”
Anya Leonard
And if you’re wondering where to start?
“Just begin with one idea, one article, one conversation. That’s how it starts.”
Anya Leonard
Keep the Flame Alive
As the founder of Classical Wisdom, Anya sees herself as part of a long tradition, one dedicated to keeping the wisdom of the ancient world alive for future generations.
“We don’t want another Library of Alexandria. If we don’t care about this knowledge, we’ll lose it. But if we keep the languages, engage with the texts, and share them widely — we’ll always find something new to learn.”
Anya Leonard
Listen to the full conversation with Anya Leonard on the Via Stoica Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Watch the full conversation with Anya Leonard on the Via Stoica YouTube Channel
Explore more at classicalwisdom.substack.com, or go to Classical Wisdom
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