For centuries, all sorts of people—generals and politicians, athletes and coaches, writers and leaders—have looked to the teachings of Stoicism to help guide their lives. Each day, author and speaker Ryan Holiday brings you a new lesson about life, inspired by the thoughts and writings of great Stoic thinkers like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca the Younger. Daily Stoic Podcast also features Q+As with listeners and interviews with notable figures from sports, academia, politics, and more. Learn more at DailyStoic.com.
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We could do it later. We could get serious later. But why? Why not do it while we have the chance? 🎟️ DAILY STOIC LIVE | Ryan Holiday is coming to a city near you ! Grab tickets here | https://www.dailystoiclive.com/ 🎙️ AD-FREE | Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribing to The Daily Stoic Premium - unlock ad-free listening, early access, and bonus content: https://dailystoic.supercast.com/ 🎥 VIDEO EPISODES | Watch the video episodes on The Daily Stoic YouTube channel : h...
The easier life gets, the less prepared we may be for what’s hard. In today’s episode, Ryan talks with David Epstein about “desirable difficulties,” the challenges that make learning slower and more frustrating in the moment but lead to greater growth over time. David Epstein is the author of the #1 New York Times best seller Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World . His new book, Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better , is out now! 📚 Grab signed copies of David Epstein's ...
82 years ago, thousands of young men crossed the English Channel and stepped into one of the most consequential days in history. In today’s episode, Ryan shares the Stoic lessons behind D-Day and Dwight D. Eisenhower’s leadership. He explains how Eisenhower prepared for failure, took responsibility before the outcome was known, stayed steady under unimaginable pressure, and saw opportunity where others saw disaster. 🎟️ DAILY STOIC LIVE | Ryan Holiday is coming to a city near you ! Grab tickets ...
We are in desperate need of good, courageous people. Can you fill that need? 📚 Grab signed copies of Austin Kleon's books at The Painted Porch : Don’t Call it Art Steal Like An Artist Show Your Work Keep Going 🎟️ DAILY STOIC LIVE | Ryan Holiday is coming to a city near you ! Grab tickets here | https://www.dailystoiclive.com/ 🇺🇸 USA dates: Portland, Oregon - June 8 San Francisco, California - June 11 Minneapolis, Minnesota - August 18 Chicago, Illinois - August 19 Detroit, Michigan - August ...
The world has always been uncertain, but we have never had this much access to everything that might go wrong. In today’s episode, Ryan talks with the hosts of The Imperfects about what Stoicism can teach us when the world feels like too much. They discuss doomscrolling, AI anxiety, the difference between worrying and actually taking action, and how to stay engaged with the world without letting it pull you away from the life and people right in front of you. 👉 Check out the full episode on The...
It is harder to be courageous when all you see are examples of cowardice. Well, the Stoics can help us with this. 📚 Grab a copy of Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday 🎟️ DAILY STOIC LIVE | Ryan Holiday is coming to a city near you ! Grab tickets here | https://www.dailystoiclive.com/ 🇺🇸 USA dates: Portland, Oregon - June 8 San Francisco, California - June 11 Minneapolis, Minnesota - August 18 Chicago, Illinois - August 19 Detroit, Michigan - August 20 🇳🇿 NEW ZEALAND: Auckland, New Zealand -...
Moral compromise is never a single act. It creates a precedent…and then another, and another. 📚 Books Mentioned: Dying Every Day: Seneca at the Court of Nero Plato and the Tyrant How To Die How To Give 🎙️ Check out the full episode: James Romm on The Daily Stoic Podcast | Apple Podcasts , Spotify , YouTube 🎟️ DAILY STOIC LIVE | Ryan Holiday is coming to a city near you ! Grab tickets here | https://www.dailystoiclive.com/ 🎙️ AD-FREE | Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscr...
Stop extrapolating. Stop adding in the lens of anxiety. 🎟️ DAILY STOIC LIVE | Ryan Holiday is coming to a city near you ! Grab tickets here | https://www.dailystoiclive.com/ 🎙️ AD-FREE | Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribing to The Daily Stoic Premium - unlock ad-free listening, early access, and bonus content: https://dailystoic.supercast.com/ 🎥 VIDEO EPISODES | Watch the video episodes on The Daily Stoic YouTube channel : https://www.youtube.com/@DailyStoic/videos ✉...
For most of its history, Stoicism was a spoken, conversational philosophy. It was meant to be heard, discussed, and worked through in the back and forth. 🎙️ Listen to the episode with David Mamet on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 📚 Pick up a copy of The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday 🎟️ DAILY STOIC LIVE | Ryan Holiday is coming to a city near you ! Grab tickets here | https://www.dailystoiclive.com/ 🎙️ AD-FREE | Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribing to The Daily Stoic Premi...
After recording in studio for The Daily Stoic Podcast , Ryan and Maria Semple went next door to The Painted Porch to talk about the Stoic-themed novels everyone should read. 📚 Books: Moviegoer Memoirs of Hadrian Stoner A Man in Full Julius Caesar 🎥 Want more book recs? Check out the full list that Ryan put together for Maria on his YouTube channel : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1fhk-7PHN4 🎙️Listen to the full episode with Maria Semple on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or watch it on YouTube S...
In today’s episode, Ryan answers questions about how to apply Stoicism to the real problems life throws at us. How do you stay Stoic when the obstacle is emotional, personal, and human? What does “doing the work” look like when you’re exhausted, burned out, or discouraged? How do you know what’s in your control, what you can influence, and where your energy is best spent? Plus more. 🎟️ DAILY STOIC LIVE | Ryan Holiday is coming to a city near you ! Grab tickets here | https://www.dailystoiclive....
There are some situations where panic is not an option. In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Senator Mark Kelly about what his years as a Navy pilot, test pilot, and NASA astronaut taught him about fear, focus, humility, and staying calm under pressure. They discuss the lessons of spaceflight, the danger of ego in high-stakes moments, Marcus Aurelius’ “view from above,” and what real leadership requires in today’s world. Senator Mark Kelly is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. Before ...
A Stoic thinks about what’s right. They don’t ask, “Is this safe?” They say, “That’s wrong.” 📚 Mentioned: The Four Virtues Boxed Set : https://dailystoic.com/virtuesboxset The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday 🎟️ DAILY STOIC LIVE | Ryan Holiday is coming to a city near you ! Grab tickets here | https://www.dailystoiclive.com/ 🎙️ AD-FREE | Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribing to The Daily Stoic Premium - unlock ad-free listening, early access, and bonus content: https://dai...
The ancients are there to guide us. We can struggle to live up to their expectations. We can learn from their mistakes 📚 Grab a copy of Think Again by Adam Grant at The Painted Porch: https://www.thepaintedporch.com/ 👉 Listen to the full episode with Adam Grant on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 🎥 VIDEO EPISODES | Watch the video episodes on The Daily Stoic YouTube channel : https://www.youtube.com/@DailyStoic/videos 🎟️ DAILY STOIC LIVE | Ryan Holiday is coming to a city near you ! Grab tickets h...
Marcus Aurelius, despite being emperor of Rome, still made time every day to write in his journal, examining his thoughts and actions. He understood that wisdom required ongoing effort—not once, but continually throughout life. 📚 The Four Virtues Boxed Set : https://dailystoic.com/virtuesboxset 🎟️ DAILY STOIC LIVE | Ryan Holiday is coming to a city near you ! Grab tickets here | https://www.dailystoiclive.com/ 🎙️ AD-FREE | Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribing to The ...
Ryan Holiday, with Jeremy Utley and Henrik Werdelin, discusses applying Stoic philosophy to the age of AI. They explore how Stoics like Marcus Aurelius would view constant technological change and the importance of maintaining an "even keel" mindset. The conversation highlights that true wisdom cannot be outsourced to AI, drawing parallels to Seneca's teachings, and stresses the irreplaceable value of personal cognitive effort and agency in response to technological advancements.
Seneca and Marcus Aurelius and Cato were all concerned about their declining institutions. But unlike us, as we read about these historical events, they did not know how they would end. 🎥 VIDEO EPISODE | Watch the video of this episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBdlprawTkA 🎟️ DAILY STOIC LIVE | Ryan Holiday is coming to a city near you ! Grab tickets here | https://www.dailystoiclive.com/ 🎙️ AD-FREE | Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribing to The Daily Stoi...
The question for you today (and always) is: what do you pledge your sacred honor to? What are you fighting for? 📚 Books Mentioned: The Daily Stoic Journal: 366 Days of Writing and Reflection on The Art of Living by Ryan Holiday 🎙️ AD-FREE | Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribing to The Daily Stoic Premium - unlock ad-free listening, early access, and bonus content: https://dailystoic.supercast.com/ 🎥 VIDEO EPISODES| Watch the video episodes on The Daily Stoic YouTube c...
The Daily Stoic outlines practical steps to radically change your life today, drawing wisdom from figures like Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus. It emphasizes overcoming habits, the power of showing up daily, and discerning essential tasks from distractions. The episode concludes by highlighting how to transform adversity into advantage and protect your most valuable resource: time, urging a concentrated, present approach to life.
The episode re-examines the notorious Emperor Nero, challenging the widely accepted narrative of his villainy by scrutinizing biased ancient sources and exploring modern historical revisionism. It contrasts Nero's leadership with Stoic ideals, examining how power revealed his insecurity and paranoia, leading to his tyrannical actions and conflict with the Stoic Opposition. The discussion also compares Nero's upbringing and choices to those of Marcus Aurelius, offering insights into leadership and the human psyche.
This is your life that sits before you. Time is ticking away. 📚 Books Mentioned: The Daily Stoic Journal: 366 Days of Writing and Reflection on The Art of Living by Ryan Holiday 🎙️ AD-FREE | Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribing to The Daily Stoic Premium - unlock ad-free listening, early access, and bonus content: https://dailystoic.supercast.com/ 🎥 VIDEO EPISODES| Watch the video episodes on The Daily Stoic YouTube channel : https://www.youtube.com/@DailyStoic/video...
The Stoics had high standards. They also understood that perfection was not possible. 📚 The Stoic Virtues Series teaches the timeless principles of Courage, Discipline, Justice, and Wisdom through history’s greatest examples. Check out The Four Virtues Boxed Set here: https://dailystoic.com/virtuesboxset 🎟️ DAILY STOIC LIVE | Ryan Holiday is coming to a city near you ! Grab tickets here | https://www.dailystoiclive.com/ 🎙️ AD-FREE | Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribi...
Maybe you don’t think it’s making much of a difference. Maybe it’s terrifying and exhausting. Maybe it’s costing you a lot—friends, followers, peace of mind. Still, it is worth doing. 📚 The Stoic Virtues Series teaches the timeless principles of Courage, Discipline, Justice, and Wisdom through history’s greatest examples. Check out The Four Virtues Boxed Set here: https://dailystoic.com/virtuesboxset Ryan Holiday is coming to a city near you ! Grab tickets here | https://www.dailystoiclive.com/...
Empathy is not the opposite of Stoic strength. It’s part of what keeps that strength from becoming coldness. In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Will Guidara , author of Unreasonable Hospitality , about why empathy is one of the most powerful skills a leader can build. They discuss why hospitality is really about making people feel seen, the Stoic idea of slowing down to speed up, the importance of not wasting adversity, and why we should never let someone else’s bad behavior pull us away from t...
The four virtues serve as a compass for how to act, who to be, and how to respond in any situation. Have we found anything better? 📚 The Stoic Virtues Series teaches the timeless principles of Courage, Discipline, Justice, and Wisdom through history’s greatest examples. Check out The Four Virtues Boxed Set here: https://dailystoic.com/virtuesboxset 👉 Thanks to Tim Ferriss for providing this letter from Seneca! You can get the free PDF at tim.blog/seneca . 🎙️ AD-FREE | Support the podcast and ...
You think they have everything they could possibly want. But the rich, the powerful? They are actually incredibly jealous people. 💡 The Wealthy Stoic: A Daily Stoic Guide to Being Rich, Happy, and Free explores how Stoic ideas can be applied to personal finance, wealth-building, financial mindset, and how it can help you overcome common financial obstacles and challenges 👉 Get The Wealthy Stoic: A Daily Stoic Guide to Being Rich, Happy, and Free & all other Daily Stoic courses for FREE whe...
Ryan shares timeless Stoic lessons to improve thinking skills, crucial in the AI era. The discussion covers the importance of first principles, a healthy information diet, suspending judgment, and independent thought over mimetic desire. It also highlights the value of embracing intellectual humility, admitting errors, and developing adaptability. Practical tools like writing, walking, commonplace books, and asking good questions are presented as keys to continuous wisdom.
The real test of philosophy is not what it teaches us in quiet moments, but what it demands from us when power, pressure, and ego enter the room. In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, about Stoicism, leadership, responsibility, and the dangers of power without introspection. They discuss ego, the crisis facing young men, the loss of shared rituals and institutions, and why philosophy still matters in public life. 🎥 Watch the full episode on Gavin Newsom's...
This episode delves into the profound impact of anxiety, urging listeners to honestly assess its costs and learn to discard it, drawing wisdom from Marcus Aurelius. It then transitions to a Stoic perspective on reading and learning, advocating for a focus on quality over sheer volume. The discussion highlights the value of deep engagement with fewer works and the benefits of rereading to foster personal growth.
What’s left of Stoicism today is, if anything, more robust than it was in the ancient world. 💡 Modern Stoics are parents, athletes, entrepreneurs, soldiers, artists, students. They are busy, curious, principled people who want to do more than talk about virtue—they want to live it . And they want to do it with others who share that aim. Join The Daily Stoic Life community today: dailystoic.com/life 📚 Grab a signed copy of Go Gentle by Maria Semple | https://www.thepaintedporch.com/ 🎥 Watch th...
