Mateo Gonzaga, 18, is not just a voice behind the mic; he’s a beacon for his generation. Co-founder of “The Gen Z Stoic,” a podcast that dives into Stoicism to address modern challenges, Mateo’s Stoicism journey started in high school.

Alongside his friend, Wren, he transformed his struggle into a place where young people can learn to embrace Stoicism in their daily lives. With listeners from 50+ countries worldwide, Mateo proves how valuable Stoicism can be when trying to make sense of life in today’s fast-paced, digital world.

Table Of Contents:

• How Mateo Got Into Stoicism
• Mateo’s Journey Creating The Gen Z Stoic Podcast
• College Life As A Gen Z Entrepreneur
• Mateo’s Advice and Resources for Gen Z Entrepreneurs
• Connect with Mateo

How Mateo Got Into Stoicism

TL;DR Version:

• Mateo created The Gen Z Stoic podcast with his friend and co-host, Wren, when they were both in high school.
• The Gen Z Stoic podcast was created in Wren’s basement.

Q: Where’s home for you?

Home for me is Colorado. More specifically, Northeastern Colorado, back to like the more rural area.

Q: How did you get into Stoicism?

So, before we even started the podcast we had to define stoicism for ourselves. And I say “we” because I co-host the podcast with my dear friend, Wren, back home from Colorado. We went to high school together and found stoicism in our own way because we both went through rough periods in high school.

Mead HS in Colorado

Funny enough, we had homeroom together and always saw each other, but we never talked. Eventually, we started talking and dove into stoicism. He found stoicism in his own way, and I found it through the internet and started picking up books on stoicism. We bonded over stoicism.

Q: How would you define Stoicism to someone who’s never heard of it?

The simplest way to define stoicism is basically using and acting on your rationale, like reason and logic, instead of acting purely on emotion. But there’s a misconception that people believe that if you practice stoicism, you’re just cold and robotic. And we’re like, no, that’s not true, and we address this frequently. It’s not about being emotionally suppressed; it’s about being emotionally aware and emotionally intelligent.

Mateo’s Journey Creating The Gen Z Stoic Podcast

TL;DR Version:

• As of April 2024, the podcast is in its third season with more than 50+ episodes to date and consistently hitting 5-figure numbers in terms of reach.
• The top 3 lessons Mateo learned from running the podcast are: stay consistent, value your relationships and support, and enjoy the process.

Q: How did you two make the decision to create a podcast?

My co-host, Wren, just asked me if I wanted to start a podcast, and I was like, I’ve literally been waiting my whole life for someone to ask me to do a podcast. In all seriousness, we had a shared vision to provide value for people through stoicism.

Our core goal wasn’t to make money or become famous; we just felt that our generation really needed to learn about stoicism. Especially in a digital age where mental health is a big issue for Gen Z, we feel that contemporary stoicism can benefit many people.

Q: What was the process like learning how to create a podcast?

The first day we wanted to record, we went to American Furniture Warehouse and bought the cheapest decorations we could find because we were going to film it. Then, that same day, we spent 9 hours self-teaching ourselves how to record a podcast and upload audio and footage—the basics of creating a podcast.

Mind you, this all started out in a tiny corner of his basement on this janky little table, using a bedsheet as a backdrop for filming.

Mateo and Wren in The Basement

We were broke kids, but we were broke kids with drive.

Q: How has your podcast evolved since starting it in January 2023?

We’ve come a long way. We’re now in our third season of the podcast. When we started we’d be lucky to reach 1,000 – 2,000 people. This year, we’re hitting 5-figure numbers in reach and still growing. Our first and second seasons have about 25 episodes each, so we have about 50+ episodes to date.

At the beginning of the podcast, we’d do individual stoic readings, which were about 10-15 minutes long episodes each. But now that we’re in our third season, we’ve started to invite guests, which has been exciting. We now even have our website up that you can check out, and we have built media kits we use when reaching out to guests.

The Gen Z Stoic Website

Q: How do you find guests for your podcast?

Fortunately for us, we’ve had guests and potential guests reach out to us. We’re also using MatchMaker, a resource to find podcast guests, and doing our own research by browsing the internet to find people who would interested in appearing on our podcast.

At first, we were looking for smaller authors and entrepreneurs, but we’ve been aiming high, reaching out to higher-profile guests.

Our first guest for season three, Giovanni Dienstmann, runs the 5th most popular meditation blog online. Having Giovanni on the podcast showed me that the most important thing you can do is be bold and aim high.

I think of it like this: if you’re going to shoot your shot and miss, at least aim high. You gain experience and learn by aiming high and taking action. The worst thing that can happen [in our case] is if a potential guest doesn’t get back to us, they don’t get back to us. Big deal. On to the next.

Q: What key lessons did you learn about yourself while running The Gen Z Stoic podcast?

Staying Consistent

A lesson I’ve learned entrepreneurially is that it’s all about consistency. The average podcast takes roughly around 400 episodes to really go somewhere. Most people, when they start something, will be in it for maybe a little bit (a few weeks, few months) and think, this isn’t going anywhere” and then just quit. I’ve really learned to stay consistent and persist.

The Importance of Support

On a more personal note, I’ve learned to value relationships, especially my relationship with my co-host, Wren. This podcast has brought us closer and closer together. It’s such a journey to see the numbers on our podcast go up and see people interested in what we have to say. It’s about supporting each other’s growth and realizing the value of a solid, supportive team.

Enjoying The Process

I’ve come to appreciate the process. Don’t get me wrong it does feel slow and painful. I remember the weeks when I felt it wasn’t worth it or didn’t think we were getting anywhere. But you learn to embrace the journey instead of only focusing on the outcome or end result. You focus on the present and take it day by day. It’s all about the lessons you learn through the process that make it so much sweeter.

College Life As A Gen Z Entrepreneur

TL;DR Version:

• Mateo’s mom was an influence for him to go to college at Loyola Marymount University.
• College has been a great experience for Mateo, advancing his entrepreneurial journey through the connections he’s made.

Q: Who influenced you to go to college?

My mom. Growing up, I was super close with my mom. She was and still is my biggest supporter. She attended Northwestern and majored in biochemistry, and she did very well.

She loved school and valued education. So much so that she started saving up for my college education by the time I was born so that I could get an education when it was time.

Q: Did your views on college change as you grew up?

Oh yeah. When I reached high school and thought more about college, I asked myself, is college the only way? The world is changing very quickly and is very different from what it used to be. Entrepreneurship is much easier today than it’s ever been.

Nowadays, we have supercomputers (phones) in our hands that can create anything in an instant. Looking back on it, I was skeptical about a college education. Younger me thought I could just start a business and avoid college debt.

Q: How’s your college experience been so far? How has it helped your entrepreneurial journey?

It’s been great. I finished my first year of college at Loyola Marymount University here in LA.

LMU Campus

Truthfully, I didn’t really learn anything academically this year because it was all gen ed classes. Regarding my entrepreneurial journey, I don’t think you can teach someone to be an entrepreneur inside a classroom. You learn it by going out there and taking action.

And that’s what I’ve been doing. Outside of the classroom I’ve attended events I never thought I’d attend, met new people, and pursued opportunities left and right. I grew up in a small town in Colorado, so being here in LA has expanded my network and opened the door to many opportunities.

It’s been incredible making connections with everyone from small business owners to presidents of multi-billion dollar companies. You meet people you’d never expect to meet in the craziest ways.

Overall I’m very thankful to be here. I know that it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to pursue a college education, lots of people wish they could. I don’t take it for granted. This experience is encouraging me to keep learning and seeking knowledge.

Q: You mentioned having opportunities to attend events in LA you wouldn’t experience back home. What event has had the biggest impact on you so far?

The first one that comes to mind was when I interviewed my best friend’s dad, Mr. Nixon, who’s the president of a national renewable energy company. I got to speak with him on his personal phone and we talked for almost 2 hours.

It was incredible to hear directly from an established entrepreneur and to see how he conducts himself and operates. The conversation shifted my entire mindset about how the world works, and I realized that it is easy(ish) to succeed in your field if you’re willing to put in the work. It was one of the biggest highlights of the semester.

In addition, I’ve had the opportunity to immerse myself in environments surrounded by wealthy people, and it’s been an eye-opener. I’ve realized that wealthy people are just regular people, and many don’t have their life together like any other person. It debunked my myth that rich people have it all figured out. That couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Q: As you attend these events, how’s it been like networking with people?

It’s been great. When it comes to networking, it’s all about being a good, sociable person.

Mateo attending a dinner party in Santa Monica

You can be stupid in school and not know anything about something you’re doing, but if you know how to have a conversation and connect with people, you’ve got your foot in the door. I’ll share a secret: I first like to observe when I attend any event. I watch people and notice how they act, speak, and walk, paying attention to everything.

Observing teaches you how to be human and how to ask the right questions. Mr. Nixon told me during our conversation that his mentor once told him, “You may be smarter than me, but I will get the answer 10x faster because I know what to ask.” And that’s stuck with me ever since.

Mateo’s Advice and Resources for Gen Z Entrepreneurs

TL;DR Version:

• Mateo advocates authenticity and accountability.
• His advice for Gen Z entrepreneurs: seek knowledge and follow your curiosity.

Q: How important is authenticity for you?

Authenticity is important to me in every area of my life. On a basic level, being an authentic person is key. If you’re not an authentic person then what goes around comes around. What you give and put out is what you’re going to receive back, just like the law of attraction. And if you’re not authentic, you won’t be surrounded by authentic people.

There’s a good book called The Go Giver. I won’t spoil it, but it’s a business/sales book that centers around the idea of providing value to people’s lives in an authentic way. In sales, people can recognize when you’re being inauthentic and just trying to sell them something. They can also recognize you’re passionate and want to help the person with whatever you provide.

I also have a very small, close group of friends I trust in the business side of things. I’d rather have a small group of five people I trust than have inauthentic relationships with hundreds of people. If everyone in the world were to disappear, I would be fine with my small group.

Mateo and Friends At The Beach

I also believe in accountability. If you’re authentic, you’ll hold your friends and loved ones accountable – including yourself. Authenticity and accountability go hand in hand. Authenticity is the golden stream that runs through you and influences the people around you.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you have for Gen Z Entrepreneurs?

Seek out knowledge and question everything. Don’t accept what you’re told. If you just accept a certain type of narrative that doesn’t resonate with you, then you’ll walk through life pretty unfulfilled. Even within stoicism we question so many things and find people on the podcast who disagree to learn their point of view.

My co-host and I don’t always see eye to eye. Always ask questions and follow your curiosity. There’s so much knowledge out there. So question everything.

Q: What books or podcasts do you recommend Gen Z Entrepreneurs look into?

Books

• Atomic Habits by James Clear (adopt good habits, let go of bad ones).
• Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (great introduction to stoicism).
• The Go-Giver by John David Mann (shift your focus from getting to giving)
• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill (cultivate positivity and a clear vision for your goals).
• The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason (financial advice through a collection of parables set in ancient Babylon).
• 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene (laws to follow to become powerful in your life).
• 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson (help you create a sense of order in a chaotic world).

Podcasts

• The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday (famous podcast on stoicism).
• The Huberman Lab by Andrew Huberman (science and science-related tools for everyday life).

Q: What AI tools have you used in your business? AI Tools/Software

• Riverside FM: Online studio we use to for podcast video recording and editing.
• Adobe: Generate thumbnails and graphics.
• Opus Clips: Turns our podcast videos into high-quality viral clips to share on socials.
• ChatGPT: Helped us write articles on our website.
• Thunderbird: game changer for organizing your email inbox.

Connect with Mateo

Interested in connecting with Mateo? Feel free to find him on LinkedIn.

Listen to The Gen Z Stoics podcast on Spotify and visit their website for more on stoicism.

You can also follow them on Instagram and subscribe to their Youtube channel.

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DISCLAIMER: This article is written in the voice of Mateo Gonzaga. The conversation and answers are based on Mateo’s actual responses and have been edited in collaboration with him to reflect his authentic voice and experiences.