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It's only fools who fly off the handle, it's the immature who say the first thought that pops into their head, it's the irresponsible who act without thinking.
We tell ourselves that we're indispensable. That our presence is absolutely necessary. And you know what? We're right.
Ask yourself today: Where can you be less possessive? Where can you share the load, elevate someone else, or choose principle over pride?
It's not a question of whether your kids will ever feel stressed. The question is how will they respond to these everyday stressors?Give yourself the ultimate gift of parenting tools, structure, and community. Join The Daily Dad Society here: https://dailydad.com/societyMasterClass | Get 15% off any annual membership at MasterClass.com/DAILYDAD✉️ Sign up for the Daily Dad email: DailyDad.com
Everything went wrong. But Ryan stayed calm. A real-time Stoic stress test, and a reminder that philosophy is for days just like this.
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 media feels more like professional wrestling than journalism.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 Fifth Act: America's End in Afghanistan and Places and Names: On War, Revolution, and Returning. Elliot's books have been nominated for the National Book Award, the Andrew Carnegie Medal in both fiction and nonfiction, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, among others. He is a contributing writer at The Atlantic, a Senior Fellow at Yale's Jackson School of Global Affairs, and a veteran of the Marine Corps and CIA special operations, having served five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for Valor, and the Purple Heart. Be sure to check out Elliot's latest book, SHEEPDOGS. Apple Studios has actually bought the rights to develop the book as a series with Tom Hanks production company. Grab signed copies of Elliot's books 2054 and 2034 at The Painted Porch | https://www.thepaintedporch.com/Follow Elliot Ackerman on Instagram and X @elliot.ackerman
Ryan's back from 27 days in Greece, and he's got stories. A bee sting to the throat, a jellyfish sting, lost luggage, and a nearly missed flight… all while trying to stay calm with two young kids. In this solo episode, he shares what went wrong, what went right, and why the best parenting lessons happen when nothing goes according to plan.Give yourself the ultimate gift of parenting tools, structure, and community. Join The Daily Dad Society here: https://dailydad.com/societyPESTIE | Protect your home from bugs with Pestie. Go to pestie.com/dad for an extra 10% off your order!  Tinker, create and innovate with KiwiCo! Get up to 50% off your first crate at KiwiCo.com with code DAILYDAD✉️ Sign up for the Daily Dad email: DailyDad.com
The right time to do the hard thing, the courageous thing, the right thing? It's right now.
We have the treasure. This is the adventure. The rhythms of family life. Give yourself the ultimate gift of parenting tools, structure, and community. Join The Daily Dad Society here: https://dailydad.com/societyPESTIE | Protect your home from bugs with Pestie. Go to pestie.com/dad for an extra 10% off your order!Tinker, create and innovate with KiwiCo! Get up to 50% off your first crate at KiwiCo.com with code DAILYDAD✉️ Sign up for the Daily Dad email: DailyDad.com
Guilt is about the past and the past is the one thing we cannot change. All we can do is do better now.
Sure, we can talk all we want. We can have great conversations. We can give them a great lecture. But what matters is what we model.HIYA | Go to hiyahealth.com/DAILYDAD to receive 50% off your first order! Give yourself the ultimate gift of parenting tools, structure, and community. Join The Daily Dad Society here: https://dailydad.com/society✉️ Sign up for the Daily Dad email: DailyDad.com
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 Fifth Act: America's End in Afghanistan and Places and Names: On War, Revolution, and Returning. Elliot's books have been nominated for the National Book Award, the Andrew Carnegie Medal in both fiction and nonfiction, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, among others. He is a contributing writer at The Atlantic, a Senior Fellow at Yale's Jackson School of Global Affairs, and a veteran of the Marine Corps and CIA special operations, having served five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for Valor, and the Purple Heart. Be sure to check out Elliot's latest book, SHEEPDOGS. Apple Studios has actually bought the rights to develop the book as a series with Tom Hanks production company. Grab signed copies of Elliot's books 2054 and 2034 at The Painted Porch | https://www.thepaintedporch.com/Follow Elliot Ackerman on Instagram and X @elliot.ackerman
Our lives are unpredictable. We are at the mercy of so many forces.
You think you're a hard worker, yet here you are neglecting your most important job.
Education takes time. It takes work. It takes patience.
Not all readers are great parents but all great parents are readers. We have to be.If you are struggling to put down the phone and pick up a book instead, try the Daily Stoic Read to Lead Challenge. Since it first launched in 2019, Read to Lead has been our most popular challenge, taken on by almost ten thousand people.Give yourself the ultimate gift of parenting tools, structure, and community. Become a Founding Member of The Daily Dad Society here: https://dailydad.com/society ✉️ Sign up for the Daily Dad email: DailyDad.com
Before, you were scared. Before, you were soft. Before, you were dependent. Before, you were so many things.
Let's focus on getting better, let's focus on learning from what happened—not feeling guilty and awful and like the worst parent in the world because of what happened.Give yourself the ultimate gift of tools, structure, and community. Join The Daily Dad Society here: https://dailydad.com/society✉️ Sign up for the Daily Dad email: DailyDad.com
In this episode, I share my thoughts on Ryan Holiday's take on the 9 Stoic rules for living a better life. From embracing discomfort to focusing only on what you can control, these timeless principles still hit hard today. Whether you're new to Stoicism or just need a reminder to slow down and refocus, there's something here for you.#stoicism #ryanholiday #selfgrowth #mindsetshift #mentalclarity #stoicwisdom #betterlife #philosophytools #selfreflection #dailypractice
True curiosity demands action. It challenges your assumptions, expands your worldview, and pushes you to do something with what you learn.
If there's one thing Candace Parker does best, it's winning. In today's episode, Ryan sits down with basketball legend Candace Parker to talk about championships, pressure, and what it takes to be one of the greats. Candace talks about how being elite changes the way you see the world (and yourself), why winning never really feels like enough, and what happens when your whole identity is built around being the best. She opens up about legacy, ambition, parenting, and why she doesn't go a year without reading The Alchemist. Candace Parker is one of the most influential athletes of all time. After being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, following a champion career at Tennessee, Parker went on to become the first player to earn WNBA MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season, win three WNBA championship titles, and take home two Olympic gold medals. Be sure to grab a copy of Candace's book: The Can-Do Mindset: How to Cultivate Resilience, Follow Your Heart, and Fight for Your Passions Follow Candace on Instagram and X @CandaceParker
What started as a simple hike on a remote Greek island turned into one of the most meaningful moments of the Holiday family's trip. In today's episode, Ryan reflects on what happens when you stop rushing your kids and start following them instead. Give yourself the ultimate gift of parenting tools, structure, and community. Become a Founding Member of The Daily Dad Society here: https://dailydad.com/societyHead to ZBiotics.com/DAILYDAD and use the code DAILYDAD at checkout for 15% off! ✉️ Sign up for the Daily Dad email: DailyDad.com
When people show us who they are, we need to believe them.
Kids will humble us like that. We think we're so important.Head to ZBiotics.com/DAILYDAD and use the code DAILYDAD at checkout for 15% off! ✉️ Sign up for the Daily Dad email: DailyDad.com
When Marcus Aurelius wrote 'the obstacle is the way,' he was talking about difficult people. Tune in to hear Matthew McConaughey's advice on how to handle the challenging individuals we all face every day.
Despair is so easy, even reasonable in moments like this. The Stoics knew that feeling well.
Why do we do this to ourselves? Why can't we take the break? Why can't we take the hand that's being offered?
What good is courage if not in pursuit of justice? And how can we know what is just and right without wisdom? And without temperance and self-discipline, how will we have the strength both to acquire wisdom and to apply courage?
Self-regulation is the single most important skill for life. In today's episode, developmental psychologist and parenting expert Dr. Aliza Pressman joins Ryan to talk about how to start reframing everyday frustrations, why she is worried for this generation of parents, and the difference between expressing emotion and acting on it. Dr. Aliza Pressman is a developmental psychologist, parenting expert, the author of the New York Times bestselling book THE 5 PRINCIPLES OF PARENTING: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans which you can grab signed copies of at The Painted Porch | https://www.thepaintedporch.comCheck out her award-winning podcast Raising Good Humans and follow Dr. Aliza on Instagram and X @RaisingGoodHumansPodcast
A Note from James:We kept recording because the conversation wasn't done. Part 1 was about writing and honesty. Part 2? It's about consequences—what happens when people believe their own hype, when we confuse being loud with being right, and when storytelling gets weaponized. Ryan Holiday has written about ego, stillness, and obstacles. But this part of the conversation gets at something deeper: what happens when power and narrative collide. And how do we live with integrity when the tools we use to create can just as easily be used to manipulate?Episode Description:In Part 2 of their conversation, James Altucher and Ryan Holiday explore the darker side of influence—how public figures lose their grounding, how movements become cults, and how audience validation can steer creators away from their original purpose.They discuss RFK Jr., Jordan Peterson, and Tucker Carlson—not as political figures, but as case studies in how public personas evolve under the pressure of attention. Along the way, they wrestle with their own roles as communicators: when to speak, when to hold back, and what it really means to be useful in a world full of noise.What You'll Learn:Why creators are vulnerable to audience captureThe line between healthy skepticism and conspiracy thinkingWhat separates honesty from manipulation in public discourseWhy power often comes at the expense of self-awarenessHow James and Ryan each wrestle with responsibility as public thinkersTimestamped Chapters:[00:00] Continuation from Part 1[01:00] How Personas Get Distorted Over Time[02:00] The RFK Jr. Conundrum[04:00] Audience Capture and Dopamine Loops[06:00] When Truth Becomes Optional[08:00] Jordan Peterson and the Burden of Symbolism[10:00] Platform Power vs. Message Integrity[11:00] What Happens When You Start Believing Your Own Brand[12:00] The "Edge" as a Career Strategy[13:00] The Slippery Slope from Insight to Grift[15:00] Building a Philosophy Business[16:00] How Stoicism Can Be Used or Abused[17:00] Tucker Carlson, Outrage, and Narrative Control[19:00] Being Useful vs. Being Loud[21:00] When You're More Known Than You Are Understood[23:00] The Fear of Changing Your Mind[24:00] When Silence is the Most Ethical Choice[25:00] Creating in Public Without Losing Yourself[27:00] The Most Powerful Words: “I Don't Know”Additional Resources:Ryan Holiday's website: ryanholiday.netEgo Is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday: AmazonJames Altucher on Twitter: @jaltucherThe Daily Stoic podcast: Daily StoicSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Why aren't they listening? Why are they so loud? Why do they make such a huge mess? The answer should be obvious: They are like this because they are kids!Give yourself the ultimate gift of parenting tools, structure, and community. Join The Daily Dad Society here: https://dailydad.com/society ✉️ Sign up for the Daily Dad email: DailyDad.com
You have to interrogate the thoughts, views, and understanding of the facts. You do this not to prove you're right, but to ensure you're not wrong—to make sure you're not embarrassingly, shamefully, confidently wrong.
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3684: Ryan Holiday reveals how the smallest decisions shape our identity and long-term success, emphasizing that discipline in daily routines carries into every area of life. By mastering how we approach anything from chores to challenges, we set the standard for everything we do. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://ryanholiday.net/how-you-do-anything-is-how-you-do-everything/ Quotes to ponder: "How you do anything is how you do everything." "If you're sloppy with the small things, you'll be sloppy with the big ones too." "You can't be great at the big things if you're not great at the little things." Episode references: Ego Is the Enemy: https://www.amazon.com/Ego-Enemy-Ryan-Holiday/dp/1591847818 Daily Stoic: https://dailystoic.com The Obstacle Is the Way: https://www.amazon.com/Obstacle-Way-Timeless-Turning-Triumph/dp/1591846358 The War of Art: https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Steven-Pressfield/dp/1936891026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The key is balance. We want our kids to work hard, but not at the cost of their well-being. Give yourself the ultimate gift of parenting tools, structure, and community. Join The Daily Dad Society here: https://dailydad.com/society ✉️ Sign up for the Daily Dad email: DailyDad.com
“Why do you wait?” Seneca asks us. “Wisdom comes haphazard to no man.”
We are so lucky. Not everyone gets this.  Give yourself the ultimate gift of parenting tools, structure, and community. Join The Daily Dad Society here: https://dailydad.com/society SmartCredit | Start with your 7-day trial at SmartCredit.com/DAILYDAD ✉️ Sign up for the Daily Dad email: DailyDad.comÂ
Marcus Aurelius didn't read a book once and think that he got it. He read it over and over and over again. In today's video, Ryan shares 100 lessons that he has gotten from reading Meditations hundreds of times over the last decade.
After their conversation for The Daily Stoic Podcast, Ryan gives communication expert and The Next Conversation author Jefferson Fisher book recommendations at The Painted Porch.
In today's Part 2 episode, Ryan visits the birthplace of Stoicism in Athens and sits down for lunch with writer and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist Donald Robertson. They explore the rich history of Stoicism in Greece, share their must-see ancient philosophy spots, and catch up on what they've been reading and writing.Donald is a writer, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist and trainer. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH). Donald specializes in teaching evidence-based psychological skills, and is known as an expert on the relationship between modern psychotherapy (CBT) and classical Greek and Roman philosophy.
A Note from James:Ryan Holiday is one of the few writers I consider a peer—not just because of the work he's done, but because of the choices he's made along the way. We've both published a lot of books. We've both dealt with audiences, platforms, and the weight of having a “point of view” in a world that increasingly wants you to pick a side. This episode wasn't meant to be a debate or an interview. It was just two people trying to make sense of the tension between creativity and truth, honesty and influence, and why sometimes the best thing you can say is nothing at all.Episode Description:In this candid and far-ranging conversation, James Altucher sits down with bestselling author Ryan Holiday to talk about the changing nature of creativity, writing, podcasting, and personal ethics in a polarized media landscape.They discuss the illusion of having to weigh in on every issue, the danger of algorithmic thinking, and how to stay true to your voice without becoming a prisoner to your audience. Whether you're a writer, a creator, or just trying to think more clearly in chaotic times, this episode offers real insight into the forces shaping our thinking—and how to resist them.What You'll Learn:Why sharing too early can kill creative momentumHow social media shifted from expression to algorithm worshipWhy long-form podcasts might be bad for your brainHow writing differs from other art forms in its tension and permanenceThe tradeoffs between artistic freedom, platform growth, and audience expectationsTimestamped Chapters:[00:00] Writing Without Talking About It[01:00] Why Book Ideas Need Time in the Dark[02:00] Creative Compulsion vs. Discipline[03:00] Stand-Up, Dopamine, and Daily Feedback[05:00] Point of View in a Binary World[06:00] Silence, Ethics, and Speaking Up[07:00] Noise as a Form of Violence[09:00] Political vs. Philosophical Disagreements[10:00] Social Media's Shift to Opinion Farming[11:00] The Algorithm as Audience Puppet Master[12:00] When the Audience Has You[13:00] Podcasting's Algorithm Problem[14:00] Are Podcasts Dangerous?[16:00] Podcasting vs. Books: Tension and Craft[18:00] The Rise of the Longform Grifter[20:00] RFK Jr., Bad Ideas, and No Fact Checks[22:00] Why Audiobooks Outperform Podcasts[23:00] Can the Medium Save Us?[25:00] When Podcasts Work (And When They Don't)[27:00] Music and the Emotional Power of Simplicity[29:00] Songs vs. Culture War Commentary[30:00] Great Lyrics, Great Feelings[32:00] Bono, Stoicism, and Making You Feel Seen[34:00] The Parasocial Magic of Fame[35:00] Acting, Politics, and Emotional Truth[37:00] Writing as the Hardest Artform[39:00] Why Great Writing Still MattersAdditional Resources:Ryan Holiday's website: ryanholiday.netThe Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday: AmazonJames Altucher on Twitter: @jaltucherRyan Holiday's books on Amazon: Author PageOlivia Rodrigo – “Drivers License” (YouTube): Watch hereLed Zeppelin lyrics and discography: ledzeppelin.comU2 – “Sunday Bloody Sunday”: YouTubeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
While traveling in Athens, Ryan's 8-year-old asked him this question: Who was greater, Socrates or Ben Franklin? What followed was one of those unexpectedly deep parenting moments about history, using AI, and what real education actually looks like.  80,000 Hours | To get started planning a career that works on one of the world's most pressing problems, sign up now at 80000 hours.org/DAILYDAD Head to ZBiotics.com/DAILYDAD and use the code DAILYDAD at checkout for 15% off! ✉️ Sign up for the Daily Dad email: DailyDad.comÂ
How can we make a great fortune out of misfortune? Reverse our circumstances, as Epictetus did?
In real life, Epictetus taught his students that freedom lies in wanting only what we can control: our character, our choices, our reasoned response.Â
The Stoics were human. Most great men and women were. If they were made of stone, what would there be to admire?
Follow along as Ryan visits the birthplace of Stoicism in Athens—where Zeno once taught beneath the legendary Stoa Poikile. Joined by writer and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist Donald Robertson, the two tour the ancient ruins, explore the deep roots of Stoic philosophy, talk about the surreal experience of standing where it all began, and share updates on their latest writing projects.Donald is a writer, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist and trainer. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH). Donald specializes in teaching evidence-based psychological skills, and is known as an expert on the relationship between modern psychotherapy (CBT) and classical Greek and Roman philosophy.
If enslavement—the horrible torture that Epictetus experienced, the lifelong disability that followed it—didn't touch his power over himself, what excuse do the rest of us have?
Now on Spotify Video! Entrepreneurship isn't just about launching a product; it starts with building the mindset to navigate risk, rejection, and uncertainty. Before you can turn passion into profit, you need clarity, confidence, and a deeper purpose to push through the tough moments. In this first episode of the Passion to Profit series, presented by Intuit, Hala Taha dives into the mental preparation it takes to build a profitable side hustle or startup. You'll hear from successful entrepreneurs like Mel Robbins, Pat Flynn, and Benjamin Hardy on why mindset, grit, and resilience are the keys to starting a business. In this episode, Hala will discuss: (00:00) Introduction  (01:20) Clarifying Your Purpose as an Entrepreneur  (07:58) Taking Imperfect Action to Start Your Business  (17:19) Using Discomfort and Fear as Fuel for Growth  (22:11) Embracing Setbacks in Entrepreneurship  (25:08) Committing to Your Vision Without a Plan B Intuit, the maker of TurboTax and QuickBooks, is expanding its world-class network of tax and bookkeeping experts. Whether you want a side hustle or a career pivot, Intuit offers the tools to help you grow as an entrepreneur. Their supportive team, mission-driven culture, and Intuit Academy—a free, self-paced training platform—mean you're set up to succeed, even if you're just getting started. Learn more or apply now at intuit.com/expert. Sponsored By: Intuit, The Maker of TurboTax and QuickBooks. Learn more or apply now at intuit.com/expert. Resources Mentioned: YAP E344 with Dave Ramsey: bit.ly/5StagestoBuildaBusiness YAP E353 with Krista Williams: bit.ly/FriendshipIsaBusinessSuperpower YAP E206 with Benjamin Hardy: bit.ly/_Achieve_Your_Goals YAP E329 with Mel Robbins: bit.ly/The_LetThemTheory YAP E359 with Pat Flynn: bit.ly/SurprisingProductivityHack YAP E294 with Dean Graziosi: bit.ly/PassionintoEntrepreneurialSuccess YAP E111 with Jay Samit: bit.ly/Future_ProofYourself YAP E298 with Ginni Rometty: bit.ly/Lead_withPurpose YAP E239 with Tina Wells: bit.ly/TheElevationApproach YAP E347 with Ryan Holiday: bit.ly/StoicismTransformsLeadership YAP E274 with Rory Vaden: bit.ly/BuildPersonalBrands Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap YouTube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new Disclaimer: This episode is a paid partnership with Intuit. Sponsored content helps support our podcast and continue bringing valuable insights to our audience. Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health, Growth Mindset, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business Podcast, Passive Income, Online Business, Solopreneur, Founder, Networking
We study philosophy to learn how to protect this real estate between our ears—and you could argue there's no better teacher than Epictetus.
Let's call out the cowards and the corrupt—but let's also hold up the mirror.