The Daily Stoic
Episodes
To What Do You Pledge Your Honor? | The View from Above
31 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“As the Founders signed the Declaration of Independence, they knew that this wasn’t some painless petition. This wasn’t some minor political sta...
Seneca on Philosophy and Friendship
30 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is an excerpt from The Tao Of Seneca produced by Tim Ferriss’ Audio. In this letter Seneca writes about overcoming troubles withou...
Charlie Mackesy on the Creative Process and Finding Enough
29 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode, Ryan talks to author Charlie Mackesy about his #1 New York Times bestselling book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, the ...
This Reminder Hurts, But We Need It
28 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“At the height of his powers, King Pyrrhus was killed by a roof tile, thrown by an old woman, as he conquered another city. In 1967, Harold Holt, th...
What You Need To Know About Most People | Sweat the Small Stuff
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“It’s true. As Marcus Aurelius reminded himself, today you will meet jealous people. Selfish people. Mean people. Shameless people. Even stupid pe...
Author Candice Millard on the Moments that Define Great Leaders | You Have To Get To The Outside
26 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan reads today’s meditation and talks to author and biographer Candice Millard about her books The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darke...
Those Who Read Little, Know Little
25 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Was there a Stoic who didn’t love reading? It’d be hard to name one. The last thing Cato did before he died was read.”Ryan explains why readi...
This Is Why It's So Hard | Practice True Joy
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Everyone has trouble admitting they were wrong, including Marcus Aurelius. Yes, he writes glibly in Meditations about how he’s glad to be correct...
Navy SEAL Brandon Webb on Autonomy and Radicalization in America
23 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is a partial interview with combat-decorated Navy SEAL sniper Brandon Webb. Ryan and Brandon talk about his new thriller series Stee...
Sebastian Junger on the Wonder of Existence and the Complexity of Freedom
22 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode of the podcast Ryan talks to author and filmmaker Sebastian Junger about his new book Freedom which details his 400 mile journey ...
Why You Should Never Borrow Unhappiness
21 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Some time around the year 64 AD, Seneca’s friend Lucilius sent him a letter. Lucilius was nervous about an ongoing lawsuit. We’re not sure what...
We’ve Been Tested. Did You Pass? | Quality Over Quantity
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“The last half-decade has tested us in many ways. A pandemic. Corresponding outbreaks of conspiracy theories and magical thinking. A booming economy...
Cal Newport on Knowledge Work and Effective Communication | Don't Be Satisfied With This
19 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan reads today’s daily meditation and talks to Cal Newport about his new book A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication ...
Are You High or Low?
18 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Even in the ancient world, the classics scholar (and recent podcast guest) Robin Waterfield says, there was a distinction between high philosophy a...
It Is What It Is | Count Your Blessings
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“There are a lot of things that oppose us in this life. Starting with gravity, we are held down by so many things: other people, bad luck, unfavorab...
8 Stoic Tips For Spending Less Time On Your Phone
16 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode, Ryan talks about what Stoicism can teach you about managing your phone use.If Marcus Aurelius was alive today, he would use a ph...
Daniel Barkhuff on Restoring the 4 Stoic Virtues to Leadership
15 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode Ryan talks to Daniel Barkhuff about his path to the Naval academy and becoming a Navy SEAL, our individual obligation to each oth...
You Have To Find The Good In People Pt. II
14 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“It’s not telling you anything new to point out that there will be obnoxious, flawed, annoying, awful idiots that you will come across today, and ...
How Will You Measure Your Life? | Fueling the Habit Bonfire
13 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Of people who rise to positions of power, there are two types. Those who think they can do it alone and those who know that that is insane.”Ryan ...
Author Nancy Sherman on Building Resilience and Living Well | What Are You Making Up About This? That’s The Question.
12 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan reads today’s daily meditation and talks to author Nancy Sherman about her new book Stoic Wisdom: Ancient Lessons for Modern Resilience, using ...
Beware The Little Things
11 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“It can be easy to make an excuse. Oh, it’s just a bad habit. Oh, it doesn’t matter. It’s also easy to think you’ve got this life thing hand...
There Are No Banned Books | We Are a Product of Our Habits
10 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“One way to get a sense of how powerful something is is how scared people are of it. Why have governments gone to such trouble to ban various books ...
Amazon Kindle Author Fishbowl – Ryan Holiday on The Boy Who Would Be King
09 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is an interview with Amazon Author Fishbowl hosted by Jason Yoong for Ryan’s newest book The Boy Who Would Be King. They talk abou...
Greg McKeown on Doing Less and Getting More
08 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s podcast Ryan talks to bestselling author Greg McKeown about his new book Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most, how the pres...
You Need to Arm Yourself With These Weapons
07 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“In Greek mythology, characters go through katabasis—or “a going down.” Something forces them to retreat, to experience a breaking point, or i...
Before You Go Anywhere, Remember This | Righteousness Is Beautiful
06 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“The people on your flight tomorrow will be slow and rude. They will recline their seats into you. They will clog the aisles. They will watch videos...
Jessica Lahey on Self-Efficacy and the Virtue of Temperance | Whatever Will Be Will Be
05 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan reads today’s meditation and talks to Jessica Lahey about her new book The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependen...
Life Is Too Short To Rush Through
04 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“You look around and you see people rushing everywhere. Rushing through traffic. Rushing to get their kids down to bed. No time to talk. No time to ...
This is the Mindset For Life | Show, Don’t Tell
03 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“You clean and then it gets dirty. You do the dishes and then five minutes later, the sink is full again. You made it through your inbox in the morn...
Quintilian on How to Tell a Joke
02 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode features a section from Michael Fontaine’s How to Tell a Joke: An Ancient Guide to the Art of Humor part of Princeton University P...
Classics Scholar Robin Waterfield on Translating Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations - Pt.2
01 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode, Ryan talks to Robin Waterfield about his new annotated translation of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, the art of translating anc...
The More You Learn, The Less You Know
30 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“It’s wonderful that you are so committed to this philosophy that you get these emails, and you have read these books. You probably know more abou...
Enjoy It While You Have It, Don’t Miss It When You Don’t | Washing Away the Dust of Life
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“The thing about most things we label as “bad” is that they aren’t. They just are. A virus isn’t evil. An economic depression isn’t malici...
Classics Scholar Robin Waterfield on Translating Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations - Pt.1 | There’s Only One Path To Greatness
28 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan reads today’s Daily Stoic meditation and talks to Robin Waterfield about his new annotated translation of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, the h...
Life is School. School Is For Life
27 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Late in his reign, a friend stopped Marcus Aurelius as he was leaving the palace, carrying a stack of books. Finding this to be a surprising sight,...
Your Shoulders Are Made of Ivory | The Freedom of Contempt
26 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Marcus was like us. He wasn’t naturally extraordinary. He wasn’t born to greatness. His destiny was not pre-ordained. So how did it happen? How...
Sextus Empiricus on How to Keep an Open Mind
25 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is an excerpt from Chapter 2 of Richard Bett’s How to Keep an Open Mind: An Ancient Guide to Thinking Like a Skeptic published by ...
YouTubers Sam and Colby on Fame and Practicing Memento Mori
24 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode, Ryan talks to YouTube duo Sam & Colby about the early days of their career, finding peace in the practice of memento mori, w...
Have You Ever Had A Motionless Moment?
23 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“We are so busy. We think we’re supposed to be. We think that’s how we get better. We think that moving is the only way to move forward.”Ryan ...
This Is How To Treat Your Brain | The Marks of a Rational Person
22 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“On the one hand, the Stoics were big believers in the power of reason. They believed we were rational creatures, capable of thinking away through a...
Michael Gervais on the Path to Excellence | You Have To Wrestle With This
21 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan reads today's Daily Stoic meditation and talks to sport psychologist and entrepreneur Dr. Michael Gervais about his work in elite performanc...
You Don't Need Everyone, Just More
20 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“It’d be wonderful if we could get everyone on board. If evidence and data and civic duty convinced people to do the right thing, the smart thing,...
This Is The Only Acceptable Form of Anger | Impulse Control
19 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“There is an expression popular amongst basketball coaches. A coach doesn’t “get” a technical foul, they take one. If you’ve ever watched ...
Life Is About What We Can Do For Each Other
18 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Why are we here? It’s an impossible question to answer, I suppose. Of course, on a fundamental evolutionary level, we’re here to pass along our...
Admiral James Stavridis on James Stockdale and the Voyage of Character
17 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s podcast, Ryan talks to Admiral James Stavridis about the voyage of character as detailed in his book Sailing True North, his friendship w...
It All Turns on Concentration
16 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“We often think that greatness is a synonym for brilliance. That great leadership is all about magnetism and communication. For which we need vision...
You Are Not Alone | Pay Your Taxes
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Sometimes it can feel like you’re a solitary warrior. Certainly Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations reads like that at times. He feels like the last ...
Author Bonnie Tsui on the Wonders of Water | Pressure, Like Power, Reveals
14 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan reads today's Daily Stoic email and talks to author Bonnie Tsui about her new memoir, Why We Swim, their mutual adoration of swimming, how p...
Not Who’s Right, What’s Right
13 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“You have your views. You have your side of things. You have the team you’re on, the group you belong to. So instinctually, naturally, you default...
You Can—No, You Should—Forget About This. | Test Your Impressions
12 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“You’ve been wronged. Someone let you down. Something didn’t go your way. This person stole from you. That one lied to you. She betrayed you. He...
Cicero on How to Tell a Joke
11 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode features a section from Michael Fontaine’s How to Tell a Joke: An Ancient Guide to the Art of Humor published by Princeton Univers...
Charles & Chase Koch on the Power of Principles
10 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s podcast, Ryan talks to Charles and Chase Koch about challenging assumptions and leaning on first principles, the advantages of a bottom-u...
Remember: Little Things Are Not Small
09 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“George Washington’s favorite saying was “many mickles make a muckle.” It was an old Scottish proverb that illustrates a truth we all know: th...
But What Will We Do IF? | The Cost of Accepting Counterfeits
08 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“A few days ago we talked about this paralyzing fear—the “preemptive whataboutism” that holds people back from doing the right thing. It’s w...
Arthur Brooks on Stoicism vs. Epicureanism | You Don’t Know What’s Going On With People
07 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan reads today's Daily Stoic email and talks to Arthur Brooks about the differences and similarities in Stoicism and Epicureanism, the obligati...
Who Are You Studying Under?
06 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“It’s interesting to think of the Stoics, from Marcus Aurelius to Zeno, reaching back through the centuries like links in a chain (from Z to A no ...
Better Days Will Shine Through | What Can Go Wrong… Might
05 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Imagine you are Seneca and tuberculosis has claimed ten years of your life in convalescence. Imagine you are Seneca and after climbing to the top o...
Today is a Day of Rebirth | A Day in the Life of a Stoic
04 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s special episode of the podcast, Ryan describes the universal message of redemption that can be found in the story of Jesus Christ’s exe...
Lt. General H.R. McMaster on Strategic Empathy and Seneca’s Contradiction
03 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode, Ryan talks to Lt. General H.R. McMaster about why leaders must study history and philosophy, his book Dereliction of Duty about ...
If You’re Not Feeling This, You’re Doing It Wrong
02 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“You see them in the comments sections. You see them on social media. You hear it come out of the mouths of friends, family members. Sometimes it’...
Just Keep Hammering Away | The Color of Your Thoughts
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“There is something delightfully simple about Ulysses S. Grant. Napoleon seems like some sort of larger than life figure, a peerless genius like the...
Author Robert Wright on Buddhism vs Stoicism
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan speaks to the author and journalist Robert Wright about the Stoic obligation to being involved in politics, staying creative while controlling yo...
A Book Isn’t A Mirror. It’s A Door!
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“A couple weeks ago, we talked about Fran Lebowitz’s secret to be immensely rich. They also happen to be a secret to empathy and understanding. Th...
You Can’t Buy Fearlessness
30 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“There’s no question that the super rich can afford better medical care than you. They have access to the best doctors, the most cutting-edge trea...
What Would Less Look Like? | Say No to the Need to Impress
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“This has not been fun. It’s been brutal. But it has been, at least, an exercise in that question that the Stoic aficionado Tim Ferriss is a fan o...
These Simple Words Will Help You Through Life's Most Difficult Situations
28 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, Ryan introduces 3 core Stoic concepts that are sure to help you through whatever life puts in front of you. The German philos...
Agnes Callard on Socrates and Wisdom
27 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode Ryan speaks to professor and author Agnes Callard about the philosophical model that Socrates passed down, the ancient problem of...
You Can Do This. You Can Do This.
26 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Marcus Aurelius didn’t believe he was suited to be emperor. In fact, when he received the news of Hadrian’s plans to have Antoninus Pius adopt ...
There Will Always Be These Kinds of People | Wealth and Freedom are Free
25 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“It’s easy to become disappointed with humanity each time you step into your car. Not even because of how angry and aggressive some drivers are. O...
Volleyball Legend Gabrielle Reece on Relationships and Finding Enough
24 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan speaks to Gabrielle Reece about how the Stoics valued hard work, the stillness that is required to accurately observe ourselves, how to properly ...
You Are Blessed
24 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“It’s easy not to feel blessed. We look readily for what we don’t have rather than what we do. We see people who are taller, who look better, wh...
Power Doesn’t Corrupt, It Reveals
23 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“There were not many good emperors in Rome. There have not been many good kings since. In fact, there haven’t been many good leaders ever—there ...
We Can’t Let This Go On | The Portable Retreat
22 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“No man is an island. We’ve taken the line from the John Donne poem and turned it into a common expression, but we’ve missed the point. It’s n...
7 Ways Marcus Aurelius Will Help You Journal Like A Pro
21 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s podcast, Ryan discusses 7 strategies that can help you develop a highly effective journaling habit. Almost 2000 years ago, Marcus Aureliu...
Dr. Jonathan Fader on Peak Performance
20 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan speaks to psychologist Dr. Jonathan Fader about how difficult mental preparation and training can help lead to peak performance, the unseen value...
It’s Possible To Tune These Things Out
19 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“We have so many strong opinions. Especially about things we don’t like. We don’t like it, and we want you to know that we don’t like it—tha...
This is the Secret to Real Wealth | Impossible Without Your Consent
18 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“What is the point of reading? ’To me,’ Fran Lebowitz tells Martin Scorsese in the new ‘Pretend It's A City’ docuseries, ‘[reading] i...
Guitarist Nita Strauss on Music and Philosophy
17 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s podcast, Ryan talks to musician Nita Strauss about their mutual love of Iron Maiden, how she uses Stoicism to approach life as a female m...
Start Strong, Finish Strong. That Is The Way.
17 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“It was on this day 1841 years ago that Marcus Aurelius came to the end. It had been an incredible life, as we’ve talked about. From an ordinary k...
So, How Did You Do?
16 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“It’s been a year, as unbelievable as that is to write. Time has dragged. It has flown by. On March 14, 2020, almost exactly one year ago, we sent...
Always Consider the Unconsidered Consequences | Think About It from the Other Person’s Perspective
15 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“A little while back we talked about the bold stroke—inspired by the Stoics—which struck down Julius Caesar and his reign on the Ides of March. ...
Plutarch on How To Be A Leader Part 2
14 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode features another excerpt from Jeffrey Beneker’s How To Be A Leader: An Ancient Guide to Wise Leadership. How To Be A Leader is a m...
Steven Pressfield on Battling Resistance and Winning With Love
13 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan speaks to his friend and fellow author Steven Pressfield about battling resistance and becoming who you were meant to be, the triumph of good ove...
What Can You Give Up To Help Others?
12 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“It’s impossible to overstate the terror and uncertainty that swarmed Marcus’ life. Just while writing Meditations, Rome fought a war against th...
You’ll Never Get Your Pound of Flesh | Living Without Restriction
11 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“They screwed you over. Hurt your career. They disrespected you. They blew it. They did...whatever. Now, you want your revenge. You want them to suf...
Put The Weight Right On Me
10 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“So much happens in life. There is so much happening. Forget macro events—there are dogs that get sick in the middle of the night. There are trips...
Illustrator Victor Juhasz on Marcus Aurelius and The Boy Who Would Be King
10 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s podcast, Ryan speaks to his collaborator and illustrator for his new book The Boy Who Would Be King about the process of creating the art...
If You Want To Be Great...
09 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“You can’t find a single page in Meditations where you get the sense that Marcus was attuned to his extraordinariness. There’s nothing about a l...
You Will Fight This Battle All Alone | What Expensive Things Cost
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“It would be wonderful we were aligned on this. It would be nice if the world was your ally, that it was green lights all the way—for your diet, f...
How to Beat Procrastination With Stoicism
07 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Procrastination is something we all have to struggle with. It can be so tempting to put off a daunting task indefinitely. On today’s episode, Ryan t...
Allie Esiri On the Power of Poetry and Daily Reads
06 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s podcast, Ryan speaks to writer Allie Esiri about the Stoic’s infatuation with ancient poetry, how to read and find insight in poetry, h...
Success Can Make People Better... Or Worse
05 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Success made Marcus Aurelius better. It seems to have made Seneca worse. Marcus turned to philosophy in his twenties, was first selected for the th...
Respect the Man Who Stands Alone | Awareness Is Freedom
04 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“It’s hard not to read about Cato’s life and not be struck by how often the man stood alone. He stood alone as Quaestor, as he reformed Rome’s...
Keep Doing This—You’ll Always Need It
03 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“You’ve been reading for years now. You’ve been studying your Stoicism. You’ve been keeping up with your morning journals, doing your evening ...
Author Ron Lieber on Money and Values
03 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan speaks to author Ron Lieber about the key Stoic virtue of temperance, how money can be a great tool for teaching, how parents and kids should app...
Are You Really That Special?
02 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“You’ve been reading for years now. You’ve been studying your Stoicism. You’ve been keeping up with your morning journals, doing your evening ...
Don’t Get Even, Get Justice | Cultivate Indifference
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“These are angry times… with plenty to be angry about. From politicians that have failed us to systemic evils that have gone on for too long. Mayb...
Plutarch on How To Be A Leader
28 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode features an excerpt from Jeffrey Beneker’s How To Be A Leader: An Ancient Guide to Wise Leadership. How To Be A Leader is a modern...
Shopify CEO Tobias Lütke on Building a Better Future
27 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan talks to Shopify CEO and founder Tobias Lütke about his introduction to Stoic philosophy, how Stoicism can be a guide to wealth and power, the i...
You Must Find Your Rules and Stick To Them
26 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“It’d be wonderful if life never tempted you, if you could just go day-to-day, winging it and always do right. But that’s not how the world is. ...