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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Extrapolation, we have to understand, is the enemy. Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribing to The Daily Stoic Premium - unlock ad-free listening, early access, and bonus content coming soon: dailystoic.com/premium 📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes Work": https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/wisdom-takes-work 🎙️ Follow The Daily Stoic Podcast on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dailystoicpodcast 🎥 Watch top moments fr...
What made Lincoln great wasn’t power or genius, it was his moral fiber. Historian and bestselling author Doris Kearns Goodwin joins Ryan to explore why Lincoln stands above the rest, how ambition can be twisted toward selfishness or greatness, and how moments of pain and principle shape true leaders. Ryan and Doris discuss the pressures of writing about legendary figures, Doris’s years working for LBJ, and what it takes to bring history to life for future generations. Doris Kearns Goodwin is a P...
Life lessons aren’t handed to us, they’re earned the hard way. In this bonus episode, Ryan shares the eight truths he had to learn through failure, patience, and time Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribing to The Daily Stoic Premium - unlock ad-free listening, early access, and bonus content coming soon: dailystoic.com/premium 🎥 You can watch this episode on Ryan Holiday’s YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7yEl4mpQt8 📚 Sign up for Ryan’s free monthly re...
People will inspire you one moment and utterly disappoint you the next. You can’t let this confuse you. 📚 Books mentioned: The Daily Stoic Journal: 366 Days of Writing and Reflection on The Art of Living by Ryan Holiday: https://store.dailystoic.com/ The War of Art by Steven Pressfield | https://www.thepaintedporch.com/ Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribing to The Daily Stoic Premium - unlock ad-free listening, early access, and bonus content coming soon: dailystoic.com...
How much worse getting mad is than the things that caused it, Seneca said. 🪙 Carry The Daily Stoic Pause & Reflect Medallion as a reminder to pause. A pause creates space. A pause creates clarity. A pause can change everything. | Grab The Daily Stoic Pause & Reflect Medallion at dailystoic.com/pause 📔 Pick up your own leather bound signed edition of The Daily Stoic ! Check it out at the Daily Stoic Store: https://store.dailystoic.com/ 📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The St...
Seneca writes that we think life is short, when in reality we just waste it. The present moment—it is the most valuable thing you own. It is the only thing you have. Don’t waste it. Seize it. Live it. In today's episode, you will learn some of the time techniques Seneca used to make the most of his time. Read this article on The Daily Stoic website: https://dailystoic.com/time-management-6-techniques-from-the-stoic-philosopher-seneca/ Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribin...
The test of character is simple: what do you do when you have nothing to lose… or everything? Ryan and General Stanley McChrystal continue their conversation about what true leadership demands, why “later” never comes, how parenting tests your values, and the lessons McChrystal carried into life after the military. General McChrystal is a retired United States Army general best known for his command of Joint Special Operations Command in the mid-2000s. He established a consultancy firm, McChryst...
Sooner or later, it catches up with you. When you compromise with bad people, their consequences become yours. 📚 Sign up for Ryan’s free monthly reading list newsletter: https://ryanholiday.net/the-reading-list/ 📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes Work": https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/wisdom-takes-work 🎙️ Follow The Daily Stoic Podcast on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dailystoicpodcast 🎥 Watch top moments from The Daily Stoic Podcas...
Without wisdom, the other virtues cannot truly flourish—it is wisdom that guides our courage, moderates our discipline, and directs our sense of justice. Come see Ryan Holiday LIVE in Austin, Texas on September 17! | https://www.dailystoiclive.com/ 📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes Work": https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/wisdom-takes-work 📚 The Four Stoic Virtues: Justice, Temperance, Wisdom, Courage, are timeless keys to living your best lif...
We can’t let our accomplishments fool us into thinking that we are immortal, that we can outthink, outrun, outwork death. 📚 The ebook edition of Ryan Holiday's Ego Is the Enemy is just $1.99 for a limited time only! 📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes Work": https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/wisdom-takes-work 🎙️ Follow The Daily Stoic Podcast on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dailystoicpodcast 🎥 Watch top moments from The Daily Stoic Po...
Ryan Holiday sits down with General Stanley McChrystal to explore the profound importance of character in both individual lives and leadership. They define character as the product of deeply held convictions and personal discipline, emphasizing that it's a dynamic trait that evolves through continuous self-reflection and life experience. The conversation delves into historical examples, the role of wisdom in moral fortitude, and how leaders' actions, both intentional and unintentional, impact those they lead. They also discuss the original purpose of classical education in cultivating virtue and the need for modern society to re-embrace practical wisdom for personal and collective betterment.
A pause creates space. A pause creates clarity. A pause can change everything. 🪙 Carry The Daily Stoic Pause & Reflect Medallion as a reminder to stop and take a breathe. | Grab The Daily Stoic Pause & Reflect Medallion at dailystoic.com/pause 📓 Pick up a signed edition of The Daily Stoic Journal: 366 Days of Writing and Reflection on The Art of Living : https://store.dailystoic.com/ 📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes Work": https://sto...
We’re doing better than it sometimes feels. Let us marvel at the cooperation that is possible—considering the flawed and petty humans it depends on. 📚 Books Mentioned: Zero to One by Peter Thiel Lives of the Stoics by Ryan Holiday Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday 🎥 Watch Dr. Laurie Santos' episode on The Daily Stoic YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8OARstQGfM 📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes ...
The Stoics remind us that time, especially the time we’re healthy and able to actually enjoy life, is our most valuable resource. But knowing that isn’t enough. 🎥 Watch Robert and Ryan's conversation here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvzsEopZ94Q 📕 Grab a copy of The Stoic Capitalist: Advice for the Exceptionally Ambitious by Robert Rosenkranz | https://www.thepaintedporch.com/ 💡 The Wealthy Stoic: A Daily Stoic Guide to Being Rich, Happy, and Free explores how stoic ideas can be applied ...
History has a way of looking calmer than it really was. In this PT. 2 episode, Ryan sits down with historian and author James Romm to talk about the messy, dangerous, and often absurd reality of life in ancient Greece and Rome, especially for the philosophers who tried to “advise” the powerful. From Plato’s naïve trips to Syracuse, to Seneca’s complicated dance with Nero, to Marcus Aurelius resisting the pull of corruption, they discuss the timeless tension between access and integrity. James Ro...
When it comes to doing what’s right, the timing is rarely perfect. 🎥 Watch the video of Ryan running the ORIGINAL Marathon on The Daily Stoic YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAdB5ax0r-0 📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes Work": https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/wisdom-takes-work 🎙️ Follow The Daily Stoic Podcast on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dailystoicpodcast 🎥 Watch top moments from The Daily Stoic Podcast on YouT...
We want the stamp of approval—from the critics, from the crowd, from the market. This makes sense...except it doesn’t. 📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes Work": https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/wisdom-takes-work 🎙️ Follow The Daily Stoic Podcast on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dailystoicpodcast 🎥 Watch top moments from The Daily Stoic Podcast on YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@dailystoicpodcast ✉️ Want Stoic wisdom delivered to yo...
The point is: It’s always been rough. The point is: It always will be rough. 📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes Work": https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/wisdom-takes-work 🎙️ Follow The Daily Stoic Podcast on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dailystoicpodcast 🎥 Watch top moments from The Daily Stoic Podcast on YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@dailystoicpodcast ✉️ Want Stoic wisdom delivered to your inbox daily? Sign up for the FREE Daily...
Host Ryan Holiday and historian James Romm discuss the timeless phenomenon of wise individuals working for flawed leaders, drawing parallels between ancient figures like Seneca under Nero and Plato with his tyrant, and modern politics. They explore the allure of access, the gradual compromise of integrity, and the difficult decision to disengage from a corrupt system. The conversation also contrasts Marcus Aurelius's principled leadership with Nero's descent into tyranny, offering insights into human nature and the role of philosophy in challenging power.
This episode delves into Stoic wisdom, emphasizing the importance of emotional control and the practice of pausing before reacting to situations. It introduces the "Daily Stoic Anger Medallion" as a tool for reflection. Furthermore, it highlights the core Stoic question, "Is this necessary?", as a means to cut through distractions, reduce unnecessary actions and thoughts, and ultimately achieve greater tranquility and focus on what truly matters for a fulfilling life.
Ask yourself today: Where can you be less possessive? Where can you share the load, elevate someone else, or choose principle over pride? 📔 Pick up your own leather bound signed edition of The Daily Stoic ! Check it out at the Daily Stoic Store: https://store.dailystoic.com/ 📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes Work": https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/wisdom-takes-work 🎙️ Follow The Daily Stoic Podcast on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/da...
Everything went wrong. But Ryan stayed calm. A real-time Stoic stress test, and a reminder that philosophy is for days just like this. 📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes Work": https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/wisdom-takes-work 📚 The Four Stoic Virtues: Justice, Temperance, Wisdom, Courage, are timeless keys to living your best life. The Daily Stoic is releasing a limited collector’s edition set of all four books signed and numbered, with a ti...
What happens when politics becomes performance and politicians become influencers? In today’s Part 2 episode, former Marine and NYT bestselling author Elliot Ackerman joins Ryan to talk about the idea that “everything’s a racket,” the collapse of institutional trust, and why restraint used to define real leadership. They talk about how cancel culture morphed into shamelessness as a superpower, why we might be living in a post-shame society, Ambrose Bierce’s wild literary exit, and why modern med...
The right time to do the hard thing, the courageous thing, the right thing? It’s right now. 📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes Work": https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/wisdom-takes-work 📚 The Four Stoic Virtues: Justice, Temperance, Wisdom, Courage, are timeless keys to living your best life. The Daily Stoic is releasing a limited collector’s edition set of all four books signed and numbered, with a title page identifying these books as part of...
Guilt is about the past and the past is the one thing we cannot change. All we can do is do better now. 📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes Work": https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/wisdom-takes-work 📚 The Four Stoic Virtues: Justice, Temperance, Wisdom, Courage, are timeless keys to living your best life. The Daily Stoic is releasing a limited collector’s edition set of all four books signed and numbered, with a title page identifying these book...
Our lives are unpredictable. We are at the mercy of so many forces. 📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes Work": https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/wisdom-takes-work 🎙️ Follow The Daily Stoic Podcast on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dailystoicpodcast 🎥 Watch top moments from The Daily Stoic Podcast on YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@dailystoicpodcast ✉️ Want Stoic wisdom delivered to your inbox daily? Sign up for the FREE Daily Stoic em...
Former Marine turned novelist Elliot Ackerman sits down with Ryan to talk about what discipline really looks like in everyday life. From 100-degree runs to cold plunges and daily writing routines, they discuss what helps them stay steady, focused, and consistent even when it’s hard. Elliot Ackerman is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels 2054 , 2034 , Halcyon, Red Dress in Black and White , Waiting for Eden , Dark at the Crossing , and Green on Blue , as well as the memoirs The Fi...
Education takes time. It takes work. It takes patience. 📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes Work": https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/wisdom-takes-work 📓 Pick up a signed edition of The Daily Stoic Journal: 366 Days of Writing and Reflection on The Art of Living : https://store.dailystoic.com/ 🎙️ Follow The Daily Stoic Podcast on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dailystoicpodcast 🎥 Watch top moments from The Daily Stoic Podcast on YouTube ...
Before, you were scared. Before, you were soft. Before, you were dependent. Before, you were so many things. 📔 Pick up your own leather bound signed edition of The Daily Stoic ! Check it out at the Daily Stoic Store: https://store.dailystoic.com/ 📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes Work": https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/wisdom-takes-work 🎙️ Follow The Daily Stoic Podcast on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dailystoicpodcast 🎥 Watch top ...
True curiosity demands action. It challenges your assumptions, expands your worldview, and pushes you to do something with what you learn. 📚 The Four Stoic Virtues: Justice, Temperance, Wisdom, Courage, are timeless keys to living your best life. The Daily Stoic is releasing a limited collector’s edition set of all four books signed and numbered, with a title page identifying these books as part of the only printing of this series. PLUS we're including one of the notecards Ryan used while writi...
