The Daily Stoic

It would be wonderful if the world was naturally just, if people were automatically good, always doing the right thing. But of course, they don't.

At the core of Stoicism is the idea that our emotions are our responsibility. No one can make us frustrated. No one can offend us either, Epictetus said, not without us being complicit in the taking of offense.

After recording their episode, Ryan and Bert Kreischer stopped by The Painted Porch, where Ryan shared some must-read books with Bert.Watch this episode on Ryan Holiday's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VH7tzlzRwY

The most fearless philosopher in the ancient world didn't rule an empire or write books. He lived on the street and begged for food. And yet, he was bold enough to challenge Alexander the Great to his face. In today's episode, we're talking about Diogenes, the philosopher who rejected status, comfort, and approval and may have understood freedom better than anyone who came after him.

You're tough. You're firm. You don't get bothered by things. You keep yourself under control. Good. But you're missing something else just as important and perhaps more impressive.

From corruption to tyranny, the Stoics refused to sit on the sidelines. They tried to change things.

If your New Year motivation didn't make it to February, this episode is for you. Ryan and his business partner and longtime friend, Brent Underwood, talk about how waiting for permission, perfect conditions, or external validation quietly turns into procrastination, even for high performers. They discuss why open-ended ambitions are harder than deadlines, how success can actually make starting new things scarier, and the trap of telling yourself, “I'll get to it later.”Let's not write the year off just yet. The Daily Stoic New Year New You challenge is opening back up for a limited time. Learn more and sign up today at dailystoic.com/challenge.

It's always been a dilemma: Why should I be honest when no one else seems to be? Why should I play by the rules when others are so visibly breaking them? Why should I be respectful or kind or fair when nobody else is?

Few writers understand American culture like Chuck Klosterman, which is why he joins Ryan ahead of the Super Bowl to talk about how football reshaped American culture.In this episode, Chuck and Ryan discuss what football really reveals about American culture, power, and the stories we tell ourselves about expertise and control. Chuck shares his observations, strange historical parallels, and personal stories that connect sports to technology, identity, and how monocultures form and eventually fade.

Obstacles, adversaries, pitfalls, and bad luck. It's going to be there. It's going to happen.

When jarred by circumstances, Marcus Aurelius writes, we have to revert back to ourselves. We have to come back to the rhythm. We have to intervene. We can't let the challenges win.Let's not write the year off just yet. The Daily Stoic New Year New You challenge is opening back up for a limited time. Learn more and sign up today at dailystoic.com/challenge.

We have to stay at it. We have to accept the losses that come…without accepting the status quo. We should not give up.

Immigration is a complicated issue. Crime is complicated. But this is not complicated.

Bert Kreischer and Ryan continue their conversation about the tension between discipline and indulgence, why Bert sometimes feels better hungover than sober, and the pull of routines built around punishment and excess. Bert talks about quitting drinking, the daily “witching hour,” and why good news can be just as unsettling as bad.Bert Kreischer is a stand up comedian, actor, and podcast host of 2 Bears, 1 Cave. You can watch both his movie The Machine and now his latest show, Free Bert, on Netflix! Follow Bert on Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube Bert's new series Free Bert is officially out on Netflix! Watch Here: https://www.netflix.com/title/81696123

It always feels like the traditional values are slipping away…Maybe they are. Maybe they aren't.

Sometimes life happens, but here's your second chance. Now is the best time to start being the person you want to be. Let's not write the year off just yet. The Daily Stoic New Year New You challenge is opening back up for a limited time. Learn more and sign up today at dailystoic.com/challenge.

Bert Kreischer wants to be Stoic. It just doesn't come naturally. In this episode, he talks with Ryan about why Stoicism feels almost impossible for him, why criticism still gets under his skin, his hot take on why Nero may have been a good emperor, and some truly insane stories from his life.Bert Kreischer is a stand up comedian, actor, and podcast host of 2 Bears, 1 Cave. You can watch both his comedy special The Machine and now his latest show, Free Bert, on Netflix! Follow Bert on Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube Bert's new series Free Bert is officially out on Netflix! Watch Here: https://www.netflix.com/title/81696123

This is what philosophy is about, what discipline is as a virtue: Doing things you don't want to do.Let's not write the year off just yet. The Daily Stoic New Year New You challenge is opening back up for a limited time. Learn more and sign up today at dailystoic.com/challenge.

Forget party, forget class, forget any perceived differences: We must speak loudly and with one voice against those who intimidate, those who violate, those who abuse and discriminate. If we're not going to fight for the little guy, for the other, and do what we can for them, who will?

You're tired. You're busy. It would be easier to stay home...It's the perfect excuse. Unless, of course, you are disciplined.Let's not write the year off just yet. The Daily Stoic New Year New You challenge is opening back up for a limited time. Learn more and sign up today at dailystoic.com/challenge.

Pain and hardship are part of life. From ancient Greece and Rome to now, people have faced plagues, wars, illness, and loss. The question has never been how to avoid it, but how to endure it and find meaning through it. In today's episode, Ryan shares practical Stoic methods that have been tested for centuries to help reduce anxiety, anger, and stress, build real resilience, and become stronger when life gets hard.

You've seen Jaimie Alexander as the tough, unstoppable character on screen, but what was happening off camera tells a completely different story. In this episode, Ryan sits down with actress Jaimie for one of the most honest conversations she's ever shared publicly. She opens up about a near-death experience, years of hidden alcoholism, and the moment she realized the life she was pushing through wasn't sustainable anymore. Jaimie also talks about how Stoic philosophy became a grounding force in her recovery, how curiosity helped replace fear, and more. Jaimie Alexander is known for her role as Lady Sif in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Thor (2011), Thor: The Dark World (2013), and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), as well as the television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Kyle XY, and Blindspot.Follow Jaimie on Instagram @JaimieAlexander and subscribe to her Substack called "In The Hallway"

January is January. A slump is a slump. They're not fun, but neither are they the whole world…or forever.

It's important to remember that Stoicism isn't about judging other people. It's not a moral philosophy you're supposed to project and enforce onto the world. No, it's a personal philosophy that's designed to direct your behavior.

David Mamet is one of the most influential writers of the last half-century, so when he talks about craft, discipline, and courage, it's worth listening. In this episode, David joins Ryan to talk about acting, writing, Stoicism, and why most people make things far more complicated than they need to be. David breaks down his blunt philosophy on performance and life, why courage matters more than talent, why “just saying the words” is often the hardest part, and the Stoic question he literally engraved on his watch. David Mamet won a Pulitzer Prize for Glengarry Glen Ross and first broke through in the 1970s with plays like American Buffalo and Sexual Perversity in Chicago. He's also written and directed films including House of Games, The Spanish Prisoner, and Heist, and wrote the screenplays for The Verdict and The Untouchables. Most recently, David released the film Henry Johnson and published the novel Some Recollections of St. Ives: A Novel.

Be wary whom you go to work for. Moral compromises add up and eventually destroy you.

We can train. We can prepare. This will not be enough. Because more will be expected of us still, more will be piled onto our plates.

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day here in America. It's worth taking a minute today to consider one particularly brilliant and inspiring part of King's approach to civil rights.

In today's episode, you'll hear about 7 traits that the Stoics actually lived by, and why they shaped leaders we're still learning from 2,000 years later.

From writing with David Goggins to working alongside Rich Roll, Adam Skolnick's success didn't make imposter syndrome disappear. In this episode, Adam opens up to Ryan about his path as a writer, the years of underreported stories and side gigs, how self-doubt still shows up, and the unbelievable true story that inspired his new novel American Tiger. Adam Skolnick has written about travel, adventure sports, human rights and the environment for outlets like The New York Times, Outside, Lonely Planet, ESPN, BBC, and Men's Health. He is best known as the ghostwriter and audiobook narrator for David Goggins memoirs Can't Hurt Me and Never Finished. He is also the author of One Breath - Freediving, Death and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits and now his debut novel, American Tiger, is officially out. Check out Adam's new novel American Tiger and follow him on Instagram @AdamSkolnick

Now is for certain. Later is a lie. It's only going to get harder the longer you wait.

What's the difference between self-awareness and self-consciousness? In today's bonus episode, Ryan shares an excerpt from his conversation with high-performance expert Steve Magness on how to spot the difference.

People probably thought Marcus Aurelius was strange. The time he spent alone in his room. The long walks he took by himself. There would be no Meditations without this quiet solitude, but more alarming, there would have been no Marcus Aurelius, either.

Most productivity advice promises that if you just find the right system, you'll finally catch up. In today's episode, Ryan sits down with Oliver Burkeman who explains why that feeling never arrives and why that is not a personal failure. They discuss the productivity lie that keeps so many people feeling behind every single day, how hustle culture quietly creates anxiety, and why the goal of getting “on top of everything” is impossible. Oliver explains why urgency often makes life worse, not better, how saying no is harder than it should be, and what actually changes when you stop trying to win time and start accepting your limits.Oliver Burkeman is the author of the New York Times bestseller Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking, and Meditations for Mortals. Follow Oliver on Instagram and X @OliverBurkemanGrab signed copies of Meditations for Mortals and Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman at The Painted Porch: https://www.thepaintedporch.com/

Our feet will always move in the direction of our focus. So look where you want to go. Stay focused on the path, keep moving forward, one foot in front of the other.

Focus on what you can control. Keep your cool. Do the right thing. Be brave. Because if you're not going to do it now, when will you?

You went to school. You worked hard. You sacrificed. You got really good at what you do. And yet…despite this success, this track record, this leverage you have, your life is so backwards.

The year ahead is unknown, but one thing you can control is how you show up. In this episode, Ryan breaks down 26 timeless Stoic rules you can rely on when things feel overwhelming, chaotic, or out of your control.

Most people think manipulation only works on other people. That belief is exactly what makes it dangerous. In this episode, Ryan sits down with historian and human behavior expert Rebecca Lemov to talk about what actually happens when people are pushed, pressured, or slowly pulled into systems of control. From prison camps and cults to propaganda and social pressure, they discuss how people break in ways that still feel rational, why belonging can override reason, and why almost everyone believes they are immune right up until they are not.Rebecca Lemov is a historian of science at Harvard University. Her research explores data, technology, and the history of human and behavioral sciences.

Marcus Aurelius wrote about how the philosopher is one with their weapon—like a boxer, more than a swordsman. A boxer just clenches their fist. A fencer has to pick something up. Through repetition, through absorption, we're trying to fuse ourselves with our philosophy.

You probably wish you didn't have to. Of course, you didn't want it to happen. It would be nicer if things went as planned. As we've said before, this is what we trained for!

As Marcus would say, we can't be satisfied with just “getting the gist” of things we read. Read deeply. Read repeatedly.

After recording in-studio, Mel Robbins and Ryan Holiday headed to the Bastrop Opera House for a live conversation and audience Q&A. They discuss the biggest misconceptions about the Let Them Theory, why Stoicism isn't about suppressing feelings, and how self-control is really about creating space between what you feel and how you respond. Mel also opens up about how learning to pause changed her relationships, her parenting, and her sense of peace after years of living on edge.Mel Robbins is the creator and host of the award-winning The Mel Robbins Podcast, one of the most successful podcasts in the world, and a #1 New York Times bestselling author. The Let Them Theory was the top selling book of 2025 according to Publisher's Weekly, with +7 million copies sold within nine months of its release date. It is on pace to have the best non-fiction book launch of all time. She is also the author of the multimillion-copy-selling The 5 Second Rule, The High 5 Habit, and seven #1 audiobook releases on Audible.

Seneca believed wisdom comes from focusing on one small idea each day, something simple you can sit with and let make you better.

They knew that life was tough. They knew that a fragile person would not survive. But does that mean the Stoics were unfeeling? Utterly disconnected? Harsh and invulnerable?

Again and again, the Stoics pored over the same texts. So the ideas could take firm hold. So they could be absorbed. So it could become muscle memory, infused into their DNA.

After recording the podcast, Ryan and Mel Robbins walked next door to The Painted Porch to talk books. Head to Ryan Holiday's YouTube Channel to watch the video of him giving Mel Robbins book recommendations at The Painted Porch: https://www.youtube.com/@RyanHolidayOfficial

Would the Stoics agree with Mel Robbins' Let Them Theory? In today's episode, Mel Robbins sits down with Ryan to look at The Let Them Theory through a Stoic lens. They discuss what Marcus Aurelius would really say about letting go, where acceptance becomes strength, and why so much of our stress comes from fighting things that were never in our control to begin with. Ryan and Mel talk about jealousy and comparison, why letting go does not mean giving up, and learning how to protect your energy. Mel Robbins is the creator and host of the award-winning The Mel Robbins Podcast, one of the most successful podcasts in the world, and a #1 New York Times bestselling author. The Let Them Theory was the top selling book of 2025 according to Publisher's Weekly, with +7 million copies sold within nine months of its release date. It is on pace to have the best non-fiction book launch of all time. She is also the author of the multimillion-copy-selling The 5 Second Rule, The High 5 Habit, and seven #1 audiobook releases on Audible.Tune into The Mel Robbins Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Follow Mel Robbins on Instagram and TikTokPick up a signed copy of The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins at The Painted Porch: https://www.thepaintedporch.com/Grab a copies of Mel Robbins' other books: The Let Them Theory and The 5 Second Rule It's not too late to join The Daily Stoic New Year New You challenge! Learn more and sign up today at dailystoic.com/challenge.

What about if, instead of fighting against the current, we fought instead “to be the person that philosophy tried to make us?”Make 2026 the year where you finally bring yourself closer to living your best life. No more waiting. Demand the best for yourself. Sign up for The Daily Stoic New Year New You challenge at dailystoic.com/challenge.

2025 is dead and gone. Who we were in 2025 is dead and gone. Here we are, lucky enough to rise again in 2026. A year not guaranteed to anyone. No more waiting. Demand the best for yourself. The Daily Stoic New Year New You challenge begins January 1, 2026. Learn more and sign up today at dailystoic.com/challenge.

We've been blessed with another go, or at least the start of another go. Will we take it? Or will we go on the same as we did before and before and before?No more waiting. Demand the best for yourself. The Daily Stoic New Year New You challenge begins January 1, 2026. Learn more and sign up today at dailystoic.com/challenge.