The Daily Stoic

You Need to Have a Vision

29 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

***If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more people li...

Daily Stoic Sundays: How to Feel Like You Have Enough

28 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan discusses how to feel satisfied with what life has brought you—whatever that may be—using the wisdom of the Stoics.This...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and Jessica Lahey Talk Parenting, the Process of Writing, and How to Fail Gracefully

27 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan and author and teacher Jessica Lahey talk about how to teach your kids to fail, the process of putting together a book, and...

They Still Hide Money In Books

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"As a young boy, the famed basketball coach George Raveling learned an invaluable lesson about the power of both knowledge and ignorance from his...

It Keeps Coming and Won’t Stop Coming

25 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"In March, Brent Underwood thought he’d found the perfect place to ride out the pandemic: a small California ghost town he’d been slowly reno...

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop, Should Stop

24 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"If you’ve ever made it to the end of Homer’s Odyssey, you might have noticed a rather strange part of the ending. It’s a part that’s tal...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and Lauryn and Michael Bosstick (The Skinny Confidential) Talk Stoic Morning Routines and How to Manage Your Life in Quarantine

24 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan speaks with Lauryn and Michael Bosstick of The Skinny Confidential, They talk about how they start their days off strong wi...

This Is Your Fight

23 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"It’s tempting to tell yourself that we don’t have a problem. That you don’t have to get involved. This doesn’t affect your community. It...

Life is Overwhelming. Or Is It?

22 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"It’s incredible to think of what has occurred in the last twenty years. The tech bubble. 9/11. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Great Rec...

Daily Stoic Sundays: This Is Your Most Important Job

21 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

“How do we emulate the great parents of history? How do we work on improving ourselves at this essential job? The one for which we are given next to...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and Brett McKay Talk Parenting, Living Through History, and Modern Manliness

20 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan and Brett McKay, founder of The Art of Manliness (https://www.artofmanliness.com/), talk about being a parent in the age of...

You Need Less Philosophy

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"All this reading, all these quotes. This love of learning, our fascination with books. No one is saying it’s a bad thing. Because it isn’t....

You Must Avoid This Weakness

18 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"We’d like to think that our mind is our friend, but of course it isn’t. The Stoics knew this. The mind wants to jump to conclusions. The min...

The One Purchase That Pays You Back

17 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Is a Stoic stingy and frugal about everything? Some take it that way, but that’s probably the incorrect view. Instead, a Stoic should think bo...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and Ben Hardy Talk Family, Self-Improvement, and How to Take On a Challenge

17 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan and Ben Hardy, the author and organizational psychologist, talk about the path of self-improvement, being a parent to foste...

We Have To Try Harder To Get There

16 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"It’s not that our ancestors didn’t know what was right, it was that they had trouble fully getting there. In the opening pages of Meditatio...

Are You Holding Your Shield?

15 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"The world has asked a lot of us over the last few months." Ryan describes the sacrifices we've all had to make and why they were so ne...

Daily Stoic Sundays: It’s Always the Time to Act Bravely

14 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan reads an excerpt from Stillness Is the Key, describing the importance of actually taking action and living the way that you...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and UT Basketball Coach Shaka Smart Talk Self-Control and Using Your Time Wisely

13 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan and University of Texas basketball coach Shaka Smart talk about focusing on what you can control, how the COVID-19 pandemic...

This Is the Most Powerful Force on Earth

12 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Over and over again, the Stoics remind us how weak we are compared to the force of nature and the whims of nature. Why get angry at the world, Marcus ...

This Is Why You Have to Slow Down

11 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"There’s no question that we are facing a number of pressing issues as a planet: Public health dangers. Homelessness. The rise of authoritarian...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and Author Tom Mueller Talk Whistleblowers, Courage, and Doing the Right Thing

10 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan and bestselling author Tom Mueller talk about the history of whistleblowers, the crisis of courage in the world right now, ...

No One Can MAKE You Upset

10 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"These are strange times. We all have entrenched political beliefs, for which the stakes seem dreadfully high. There are trolls everywhere. There...

This Is the Hardest Thing

09 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"So much is happening. At home. Abroad. On the news. At work. You have the things you need to do. And the emails that keep pouring in. You have...

How Can You Lighten the Load for Others?

08 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"When things get hard, a Stoic steps up. We’ve talked about that before. We do this because we know we can carry a heavy load, a load heavier t...

Daily Stoic Sundays: This Is Why You Have to Care

07 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan reads his latest article, discussing the unfair advantage that privilege gives to certain of us because of the color of our...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and Sunday Night Football’s Michele Tafoya Talk Stoicism and Making the Most of Each Day

06 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan and Michele Tafoya, NFL sideline reporter and radio host, discuss self-improvement in quarantine, sympatheia, and more.This...

You Have to Fight

05 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Maybe you don’t have to worry about being pulled over for little reason. Maybe you don’t have to worry about not getting the benefit of the ...

You Should Meditate on Greatness

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"The Stoics were some of the keenest admirers of human greatness. Marcus Aurelius opens his Meditations with seventeen entries—nearly ten perce...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and Charlamagne tha God Talk Opening Your Mind and Political Power

03 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan and Charlamagne tha God, host of The Breakfast Club and author, speak on a number of different topics—from reading and fa...

To Wrong One Is To Wrong All

03 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"It’s easy to forget. It’s easy to think small. But this life is not just about us. Our loyalty and duty is not just to ourselves, to our fa...

This Is a War We Are Fighting

02 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"It would be easy to say that this is someone else’s fight. It is easy to say, as some pundits have said, that this is not a fight at all. You ...

You Always Have The Power To Resist

01 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"When one considers the notion of 'resignation and the principle of 'amor fati,' it might not seem like the Stoics and the idea of...

Daily Stoic Sundays: How Marcus Aurelius Conquered Stress (and the Rest of Us Can Too)

31 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan reads his latest article describing how Marcus Aurelius fought against the stresses and anxieties that come with running a ...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and Cal Newport Discuss Staying Productive in a Pandemic and How to Maintain Focus

30 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today’s podcast, Ryan talks with author and computer scientist Cal Newport about staying productive during the pandemic, how to maintain your foc...

Remove These Three Words From Your Life

29 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"You’ve said them a thousand times. You said them when you were a kid. You said them last year. You’ve caught yourself saying them recently a...

At Least It’s a Chance to Do This

28 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"It would have been much better if this hadn’t happened. If your employee had listened. If your parents could respect your boundaries. If your ...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and Coach George Raveling Talk Meeting Harry Truman, Reading and the Perils of Ego

28 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today’s podcast, Ryan talks with Coach George Raveling, the longtime college basketball coach and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall...

Stress Is a Fact Of Life, Being Stressed Is Not

27 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"You think the Stoics didn’t experience stress? Of course they did... Seneca had health problems, was exiled, and then had to show up to work ...

There’s Nothing Better Than A Simple Pleasure

26 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"The Spartans were known for their simple, rustic ways. Unlike the citizens of Athens, who dined on the most gourmet fare, the Spartans ate almos...

This Will Make You Feel Better

25 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"It’s been rough. We’re not meant to be inside this long. We’re not meant to spend this much time with our devices. We’re not meant to hi...

Daily Stoic Sundays: You Must Stare This Scary Fact in the Face

24 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today’s podcast, Ryan discusses the idea of memento mori as depicted in art throughout the centuries, and why it might be such a common motif.Thi...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and Coach Buzz Williams (Texas A&M) Talk Habits, Time Management and the Lessons You Can Learn from the Pandemic

23 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today Ryan talks with Buzz Williams, head coach of the men’s basketball team at Texas A&M. They discuss the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on...

There Is Nothing Special About Money

22 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"For all the poverty he practiced and Stoic philosophy he wrote, clearly there was some part of Seneca that was dazzled by money. Even though he ...

Do You Know How To Wait?

21 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Shakespeare waited out a plague. So did Isaac Newton. The poet John Keats spent 10 days in a harbor, waiting out a typhus epidemic. Think of the...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan Talks Freedom and Personal Responsibility with David French

20 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today Ryan talks with author and reporter David French about the balance between personal and civic responsibility, the ability to take criticism, the...

The Horror of Words Not Turned Into Deeds

20 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"It’s always been tempting to talk a good game. People have been doing it for thousands of years. But today, it’s never been easier to talk a...

Bring On Your Wrecking Ball

19 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"What does a Stoic say to adversity? To recessions? To pandemics? To setbacks and struggles and months stuck inside? To uncertainty and cramped q...

Don’t Learn This Dangerous Lesson

18 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"It’s easy to look at history and learn the wrong lesson. You see Alexander the Great or Julius Caesar and can’t help but connect their enorm...

Daily Stoic Sundays: Ryan Talks with South Carolina Football About How to Practice Stoicism

17 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s podcast features Ryan talking to the University of South Carolina Gamecocks football team, discussing how you can use Stoicism in a practica...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and Historian Andrew Roberts Talk Leadership, Character and How One Person Can Change The World

16 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today Ryan talks with writer and historian Andrew Roberts about the process of writing about historical figures, the ways that character is tested dur...

Better To Have Than Not To Have

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"It’s easy to think—given their spurning of so many of the pleasures that other people chase—that the Stoics didn’t want or like anything...

We Are All Tied Up Together

14 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"These are rough times. Then again, times are always rough for someone. If not for us, then for someone else. And according to the Stoics, that ...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and NBA G League Coach Coby Karl Answer Your Questions About Stoicism and Sports

13 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today Ryan talks with Coby Karl, a former member of the Los Angeles Lakers and current head coach of the NBA G League’s South Bay Lakers. They take ...

Always Keep A Role Model In Mind

13 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"It’s key then, if you want to be good and do good, that you have a kind of North Star in your life that keeps you centered. A role model who d...

This Is Who To Turn To When You’re Struggling

12 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"For thousands of years people have been turning to Stoicism when they had problems, big and small. Obviously you know that on some level or you ...

Just Do One Thing Every Day

11 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Seneca wrote a lot of letters to his friend Lucilius. We don’t know a lot about Lucilius, only that he was from Pompeii, he was a Roman knight...

Daily Stoic Sundays: Life Comes at You Fast. So You Better Be Ready.

10 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan reads his latest article about the unpredictability of life, and how we should always be prepared for the worst and the bes...

Ask Daily Stoic: How Do I Deal With Imposter Syndrome?

09 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan talks about the new box set (https://geni.us/A6gX) of his first three books on Stoicism. He reads from Seneca’s Letters f...

Can You Help Others First?

08 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Here we are in tough times. A global pandemic has struck wide swaths of the population. Governments are struggling under the load. Economies are...

There Is Only One Person to Listen To

07 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Like any person in power, any person in the public spotlight, any person striving to be great, Marcus struggled with caring too much about what ...

Now Is The Time For Structure

06 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Maybe right now you’re stuck at home, maybe you’re not working. Your kids might be home with you. Certainly the normal way of doing things h...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and Robert Greene Talk Plagues, Politics, and Polarization

06 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan talks with his mentor, author and strategist Robert Greene. They discuss historical links to today’s pandemic, the 2020 U...

It’s Important to Have Reminders

05 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"It seems crazy now, but amongst the Stoics in the ancient world there was once intense disagreement over whether philosophers should have “pre...

Yours Is Not to Reason Why

04 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"It just doesn’t make sense, does it?They have every incentive in the world to get it right, and they can’t. They’re putting their own live...

Daily Stoic Sundays: All You Need Are a Few Small Wins Every Day

03 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan describes how success rarely comes in one fell swoop, but rather is built a little more every day, bit by bit.Building succ...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and NBA Legend Pau Gasol Talk Books, Basketball, and Stoicism

02 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan talks with NBA All-Star, Laker legend and humanitarian Pau Gasol. They discuss everything from Pau's reading habit to ...

You Do the Math

01 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"At least 200,000 people are marked for death worldwide and they don’t even know it. They are the back half of 'the curve.' They are ...

In the End, It’s Nothing

30 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"From the outside, it can all seem very impressive. Think of Marcus Aurelius, marching into Rome in triumph. Think of him looking down at the cro...

You Will Not Be Made Whole

29 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"This was not your fault. You work hard. You pay your taxes and your insurance premiums. You follow the law. So you should be good, right?"R...

This Is a Critical Strength to Cultivate

28 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Whatever you decide to do with your life, whatever path you decide to walk, people are going to  stand in your way. They’re going to doubt yo...

You Have to Care About the Most Vulnerable

27 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"By now, you’ve probably seen the viral CNN clip of the woman heading to church in Ohio. Aren’t you worried about being exposed to COVID-19, ...

Daily Stoic Sundays: What Marcus Aurelius Can Teach Frontline Responders During COVID-19

26 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This past January, Ryan spoke with the USAF’s 31st Fighter Wing, stationed in Aviano, Italy. Later this area would experience a virulent outbreak of...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan Talks Social Media, Social Distancing, and Stoicism with Congressman Mike Gallagher

25 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Ryan speaks with US Representative Mike Gallagher from the 8th District of Wisconsin. They talk how not to be distracted by social me...

This Is a Game of Inches

24 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Zeno lost everything in a shipwreck in the 3rd century BC. A family fortune. His occupation. Everything. He washed up in Athens anonymous and pe...

We All Fall Short

23 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

By now, you may have seen the video. A devout religious woman grabs the hand of Pope Francis as he greets the crowd of pilgrims and children. He tries...

Rage, Rage Against the Dying of the Light

22 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"In April 46 BCE, 1,974 years ago, Cato the Younger died. In one sense, you might say he died willingly, as he chose death by his own hand rather...

Ryan Interviews Brent Underwood, Ghost Town Proprietor

22 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this special bonus episode of the Daily Stoic podcast, Ryan interviews Brent Underwood, a partner in Ryan's marketing endeavors and the owner ...

We Are What We Repeatedly Do

21 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Arete.That’s a powerful word. To the Greeks, it meant excellence. It was the ultimate expression of human greatness—moral, physical, spiritual. I...

Keep Calm and Carry On

20 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Things are rough out there, it’s hard to argue with that. The stock market. Quarantines. Hospitals filled to capacity, and beyond. Travel plan...

Daily Stoic Sundays: Using Stoicism To Become Unbeatable

19 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Ryan talks to the University of Alabama football team and discusses how to use the concepts of Stoicism to take on any challenge...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and John Brownstein Discuss the Science Behind the Pandemic

18 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Ryan speaks with John Brownstein about the COVID-19 pandemic and what we all should do to stay safe and fight back against it. John B...

How Will You Remember This?

17 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Right now, we’re looking at this all up close. It’s in our face. Being stuck at home. Watching business—and money—evaporate. Our plans are can...

We Cannot Be Servants To Our Stuff

16 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

There is a story about King Philip, the father of Alexander the Great. He was leading a massive army campaign, and had picked an ideal spot to stop to...

We Always Lose When We Lose Our Tempers

15 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Something happened. You got pissed. Now two bad things have happened. That’s just a fact. Because getting angry rarely makes things better—even i...

Your Job is to Get The Best Out of People

14 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

One of the trickiest parts of holding yourself to a high standard in life is that it’s only natural to start to expect others to do the same. You’...

You Have A Gun To Your Head

13 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s one of the most surprising scenes in literature and film. In Fight Club, Tyler Durden walks into a 24-hour convenience store and puts a gun to ...

Daily Stoic Sundays: The Important Thing is to Not Be Afraid

12 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today’s episode, Ryan talks about the importance of courage in the face of great peril—and the distinction between being scared and being afrai...

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan Holiday & Tim Ferriss Discuss "Alive Time vs Dead Time"

11 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan speaks with Tim Ferriss, the author, podcaster, and investor. Tim has written five New York Times best selling books, including The 4-Hour Workwe...

It’s Okay To Ask For Help

10 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the strongest and the most helpful among us that often have the most trouble asking for help. The frontline responders know that their duty is ...

In Any Event, Do Your Best

09 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Look: none of us are truly self-sufficient. The success of a salesman depends on whether they’ve been given a good product and solid leads. The proj...

You Don’t Control When, You Do Control How

08 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As we’ve discussed, one could look out at the world right now and see a lot of negative. Or you could grab the other handle, as Epictetus says, and ...

When You’re Going Through Hell, Do This…

07 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When Seneca was exiled, he wanted to give up, but he didn’t. He wrote. He prepared for the opportunity that would eventually come. When Musonius Ruf...

Now Is The Time For Heroes

06 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It was a decade or so ago, in the depth of the global financial crisis, that the musician and writer Henry Rollins offered a prescription that once ag...

Daily Stoic Sundays: The Four Stoic Virtues

05 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Ryan discusses the Four Stoic Virtues: Courage, Justice, Moderation, and Wisdom. Listen to find out why the Four Virtues are ...

Ask Daily Stoic: Chris Guillebeau

04 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this super-sized edition of Ask Daily Stoic, Ryan talks about his visit to a mastermind event in Nashville, where he shared ideas and inspiration w...

We’re Part of This Beautiful Tradition

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Do you remember the first time you heard about the Stoics? Maybe you read about them in another book. Maybe someone you know recommended them to you. ...

The Way, The Enemy and The Key

02 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We should always be looking for mantras and epigrams. Ideas that are true and applicable in every situation, to every generation, across all time. The...

From The Past, We Are Able To Tell The Future

01 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s imagine a scenario in which almost all our modern scholarship was lost. Imagine if some great fire at the Library of Alexandria wiped away the...

How a Few Can Help The Many

31 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Perhaps you know the story of the 300 Spartans. It was first immortalized by Herodotus, and then has been passed down through the ages (there’s a wo...