Brigid Delaney is one of many talented artists connecting with readers, thinkers, and creatives at the 2025 Canberra Writers Festival. Photo: Canberra Writers Festival.
“We are all going to die, so how should we live?”
Writer, lawyer, and journalist Brigid Delaney has considered this question over and over again. If it piques your interest as well, you can hear her talk about it at the upcoming Canberra Writers Festival.
Brigid is the co-creator and associate producer of the Netflix smash hit Wellmania (2023). She’s been pondering the ins and outs of Stoicism for a while now, most recently through her latest book, The Seeker and The Sage (2025).
Stoicism is an ancient philosophy with fascinating applications for modern society. Founded in ancient Greece, it essentially offers a practical system for living a happy and moral life.
At the heart of Stoicism are four key virtues: courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom.
Embody these virtues as you respond to life’s events and, theoretically, you’ll be able to maintain inner peace no matter what happens.
“Stoicism also considers a number of principles that teach how and where to apply those virtues,” Brigid says.
“One of the first principles is to accept what is beyond your control. The modern world is chaotic and increasingly troubled, but many of the things we worry about aren’t up to us.
“Stoicism says we should focus on our own thoughts and actions instead. There’s peace in letting go of things you can’t change.”
Part fascinating fiction, part philosophical guide, The Seeker and The Sage tests and teaches the principles of Stoicism through the eyes of its characters.
Readers follow a traumatised journalist as she interviews the mayor of Silver Springs, a mysterious town whose residents are known as the happiest people on Earth.
“The journalist wants to know how to live a good life and be a good person when she returns to the chaos outside the valley,” Brigid says.
“The mayor wants to protect his dominion from being tainted by the modern world.”
Through her characters, Brigid investigates how these principles could be applied to modern communities and what their effects might be.
This October at the Canberra Writers Festival, Brigid invites Canberrans from all walks of life to a unique conversation event: Desperately Seeking Stoicism.
Inspired by Brigid’s latest book and its philosophical roots, Desperately Seeking Stoicism will take visitors on a deep dive into all things Stoic.
She’ll be joined in conversation by acclaimed Australian author and illustrator Kate Mildenhall. The hour promises to provoke deep thought, with plenty of humour sprinkled in along the way.
You don’t have to be a writer to attend – everyone is welcome.
“Kate is a brilliant author and thinker who knows how to ask the important questions,” Brigid says.
“You’ll be entertained, but you’ll also learn a lot.”
Desperately Seeking Stoicism: Brigid Delaney in conversation with Kate Mildenhall will run from 11.30 am on Saturday, 25 October, at the National Library of Australia.Tickets are $28 per person.
For more information and to check out the full festival program visit Canberra Writers Festival.
