Finding clarity through Stoicism: An interview with Niels Overgaard.

Welcome to the first comundo conversation of 2025. Today, we’re speaking with Niels Overgaard, journalist and author of the critically acclaimed bestsellers More is Never Enough and It's Not All About You. In these two books, he explores ancient philosophical principles and how they can be applied to our modern lives to help us live with greater clarity and purpose. And just in March, he released his new book, It’s going to be fine – 48 things I wish I knew when I was young.

If you’ve ever struggled with stress or wondered how to become the best version of yourself, this conversation is for you. Niels doesn’t claim to have all the answers – but the ancient philosophers might. What sets him apart is his ability to translate their timeless wisdom into a contemporary context, helping thousands of people navigate life’s complexities.
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Let’s dive in.

Who are you and what do you do?‍

My name is Niels Overgaard. I’m 44 years old, a trained journalist who has worked in both journalism and corporate communications for several years. Over the past decade, I’ve dedicated much of my free time to studying ancient philosophy. I’ve written a couple of books on the subject and also give lectures about it.

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What drives your interest in ancient philosophy?‍

For me, it’s not just an interest – it’s a necessity. Being human is incredibly difficult, and philosophy has been one of the few things that has made life really make sense to me.

Being human is incredibly difficult, and philosophy has been one of the few things that has made life really make sense to me.

I’ve spent a lot of time in therapy, but philosophy provides an anchor. Just last night, for example, I woke up at five and couldn’t get back to sleep – which happens from time to time. What did I do? I reached for Seneca, which I keep next to my bed, read for half an hour, and then fell asleep again. Ancient philosophy is a lifeline for me.

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How did you become interested in Stoicism?‍

I first encountered Stoicism through what others had written about it. The way Stoics expressed their ideas – punchy, dramatic statements – immediately resonated with me. Initially, I explored Buddhism, particularly Zen Buddhism, but found it difficult to translate into everyday life. Somehow, Stoicism spoke to me more directly. So, I’ve spent the past ten years immersed in it, which might be a bit unusual, but here we are.

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What is it about the Stoics that appeals to you?‍

I’m not a religious person. I haven’t found God, though I sometimes think it would be easier if I had. I’ve tried, but I just don’t believe. I was searching for direction, and what I appreciate about Stoicism is that it’s testable and logical. You can test it through personal experience. Interestingly, Buddhism operates on the same principle. There’s a quote from Buddha that says something along the lines of, "Go and see for yourself." That’s how a philosophy of life should be in my view – it has to work in practice.

I’m not trying to preach. I don’t care what others do. The beauty of Stoicism is that you can try it with an open mind and see if it improves your life.

My mind is quite practical. If something doesn’t work for you – if you can’t see its logic or benefit in your own life – then you don’t have to follow it. I’m not trying to preach. I don’t care what others do. The beauty of Stoicism is that you can try it with an open mind and see if it improves your life. For me, the more I’ve lived by its principles over the past ten years, the better I’ve felt.

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How do you experience Stoicism in practice?‍

One of the most powerful Stoic concepts is the idea of the sphere of control. There are things we can control and things we cannot. Our focus should be on what we can influence. It’s like a Swiss Army knife – it applies to everything from minor daily annoyances to major existential questions: What can I actually do something about?

There are things we can control and things we cannot. Our focus should be on what we can influence.

Most of the time, you can change your own approach – how you think and how you act. Everything else? You can’t control it. You have to let go of trying to control it. This balance of taking control where possible and releasing control where necessary is incredibly challenging, requiring constant practice. But when you get it right, life becomes much easier.

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Most people in modern society, however, do the opposite. They waste energy on things they can’t change, like what a politician said weeks ago or how their social media post is perceived, while neglecting what truly matters: their own actions.

Most people in modern society, however, do the opposite. They waste energy on things they can’t change

It also frees up a lot of time and energy to be more productive with the stuff that matters to you. I try not to waste too much time and energy on things that don’t concern me, freeing up lots of time and energy. I’m genuinely indifferent to a lot of things.

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And that mindset becomes a life philosophy?‍

Yes, absolutely. The Stoics believe that humans exist for the greater good. Each of us is here to contribute to the community. I really like that idea because it provides a clear direction for understanding oneself and one’s role in life.

You might not be able to change the world, but you can be a good colleague, a good father, a good friend – or simply a good person in any given role. And that’s enough.

But the idea that we are fundamentally created for community – not just for ourselves – completely changes how you see the world. It also shifts what it means to live a good life. It becomes about contributing, both to the small and large communities you are part of. You might not be able to change the world, but you can be a good colleague, a good father, a good friend – or simply a good person in any given role. And that’s enough.

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Can that mindset be applied in today’s workplaces?‍

Absolutely. Workplaces often suffer from internal politics. Departments and individuals can often prioritise their own interests, wasting energy on navigating a system where self-preservation takes precedence over collaboration.

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This applies to individuals, departments, and entire divisions. They focus on what’s best for them. But there’s a brilliant quote from Marcus Aurelius that goes something like this, "What is good for the hive, is good for the bee."

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That’s a valuable perspective for the workplace. The company I work for, Gyldendal, doesn’t exist for me – it exists for its own purpose. I’m just a small part of it for a period of time.

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I work for a company that’s over 250 years old. In that context, I’m nothing more than a grain of sand. The idea that the company should revolve around my needs would be absurd. But knowing I get to contribute for a time? That’s meaningful to me.

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Which community is important to you right now and why?‍

My football team. A group of us started it 19 years ago, and it has meant a lot to me. The last year or so, we’ve been struggling to field a team, and I sometimes fear we’re falling apart, which would be a real loss in my life. Football is unique. Off the pitch, people have different statuses, but on the field, you are defined by your performance. If you don’t sprint back or control the ball properly, you’ll hear about it. That’s what I love about sports; it’s raw and honest.

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What are you currently working on improving?‍

Meditation. I was inspired by Niels Lyngsø’s excellent book En sti gennem indsigtens landskaber (A Path Through the Landscapes of Insight). It motivated me to start meditating daily. I’ve kept it up for four months now and even started taking lessons with Lyngsø himself to stay on track. It’s a work in progress, but I’m committed.

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When was the last time you did something good?‍

I hope I do small good things every day, but that’s for others to judge. Recently, though, I made a decision for my own sake. A couple of years ago, I went through a divorce. After dealing with the pain, I decided to acknowledge both the bad and the good in that experience. So when my kids weren’t with me for their winter break, I chose to do something positive for myself, I took a solo trip to Spain for a week. It was a way of taking care of myself, recognising that self-care is also an important part of living well.

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Photo credit: Sara Galbiati