American author, marketer, and entrepreneur
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No one can take away what you've learned. No one can make you forget philosophy.
View the ENTIRE list of books mentioned in this video here: https://www.thepaintedporch.com/collections/joe-rogan-picksListen to Ryan and Joe's conversation on The Joe Rogan Experience: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3VbGyix7GOozgg8sry2Tmr
Ryan Holiday is a podcaster, marketer and an author. If intelligence were enough, the smartest among us would also be the wisest. Yet time and again, they stumble over life's simplest lessons. Wisdom isn't about knowing more; it's about seeing deeper. So how do we shed the illusion of being ‘smart,' and actually grow into wisdom? Expect to learn what Ryan learned from his near-death experience, what most people get wrong about wisdom, how daily habits compound into wisdom across a lifetime, what Ryan learned from studying the Wright Brothers, why in a culture of shortcuts and “life hacks,” how Ryan convinces people that wisdom is worth the long, uncomfortable path, what a Stoic would say about when you've lost yourself in life, why humility is such a crucial ingredient for wisdom, and much more… Sponsors: See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals Get 5 Free Travel Packs, Free Liquid Vitamin D, and more from AG1 at https://ag1.info/modernwisdom Get $100 off the best bloodwork analysis in America at https://functionhealth.com/modernwisdom Get a Free Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular flavours with your first purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom Timestamps: (0:00) Why We Need to Push Outside Our Comfort Zone (5:13) Banning Books Isn't Ethical (16:41) Does Learning Keeps Us Humble? (27:48) Why We Learn Lessons from Old Tales (33:41) Literally True, Figuratively False (50:33) Do the Work Now to Build Your Wisdom (57:55) Stoic Advice for When You're Lost in Life (01:03:45) How Stockdale Remained Unbroken Extra Stuff: Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: https://chriswillx.com/books Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom Episodes You Might Enjoy: #577 - David Goggins - This Is How To Master Your Life: https://tinyurl.com/43hv6y59 #712 - Dr Jordan Peterson - How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs: https://tinyurl.com/2rtz7avf #700 - Dr Andrew Huberman - The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain: https://tinyurl.com/3ccn5vkp - Get In Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Life is filled with difficult, frustrating people. As parents, we encounter this reality daily—at work, in traffic, even at our children's afterschool activities.
How much is your word worth? For former NBA player turned psychologist John Amaechi, the answer is $17 million. In this episode, John and Ryan unpack why he walked away from that payday, why integrity is his ultimate non-negotiable, why your job should never define you, and more. John Amaechi is an English psychologist, consultant and former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Vanderbilt Commodores and Penn State Nittany Lions, and professional basketball in the NBA for the Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Since retiring from basketball, John got his PhD in psychology and has worked as a psychologist and consultant, establishing his company Amaechi Performance Systems.Follow John on X @JohnAmaechi and on Instagram @JohnAmaechiOBE
We are how we treat the vulnerable. We are how we treat people who can't do much for us anymore. We are who we take care of.
They seemed like they lived in their own world. They were so big, so strong. They were closed off to us. When we were kids, many of our parents were quite far away from us.
You said you were going to take care of it. You said it would be done by the deadline. You set aside the time. You had every intention of doing it. But what happened?
You care about them more than anything. You would die if anything happened to them. And how do you show this?
On today's episode, we bring you Part 2 of the powerful Fireside Chat with Ryan Holiday, live from the 2025 Dental Success Summit. Dr. Mark Costes continues the in-depth conversation with Ryan, diving deeper into the core of Stoicism and what it really means to live with courage, discipline, justice, and wisdom. Ryan explains the third grade version of Stoicism, saying it's about understanding that we don't control what happens but we do control how we respond. He brings this idea to life through stories from Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, Seneca, and his own daily practices like cold plunges and early morning runs. They discuss common misconceptions about Stoicism, the importance of humility in learning, and how wisdom is something earned through experience, curiosity, and consistent effort. Ryan also gives a sneak peek at his upcoming book, Wisdom Takes Work, the final volume in his series on the Stoic virtues, and shares how the virtues interconnect in both leadership and life. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast
As Seneca says, the path to wisdom is acquiring one thing a day. Wisdom takes work.
It's our daily choices—our response to rudeness, our handling of power, how we treat friends, children, the elderly—that reveals the core of who we are.
We want to keep their clothes clean. We want them to get good grades. We want them to learn good behavior. All this matters, sure…a little.
On today's episode, we kick off Part 1 of an unforgettable fireside chat with bestselling author and modern-day philosopher Ryan Holiday, recorded live at the 2025 Dental Success Summit. Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Ryan to explore his journey from college dropout to Director of Marketing at American Apparel, and eventually to becoming a bestselling author and one of the leading voices in contemporary Stoic philosophy. Ryan shares how mentorship from Robert Greene shaped his writing career, what it was like working inside a chaotic billion-dollar startup, and how his first book on media manipulation laid the groundwork for his later philosophical works. He also discusses the founding of his Bastrop-based bookstore and content studio, the Painted Porch, and explains how the wisdom of ancient Stoics remains powerfully relevant in today's fast-paced, tech-saturated world. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast
In today's episode, Ryan reflects on the passing of his friend George Raveling and turns to Seneca for wisdom on how to handle grief. You'll hear Seneca's timeless words on love, loss, and why even painful memories can carry sweetness.
The hardest thing in life is finding the courage to do what's right when it costs you. In this episode, Ryan continues his conversation with journalist and historian John Avlon, diving into the dangerous myths we cling to, the lessons he learned from running for office, and the warnings history has to offer. John shares why he still chooses a defiant optimism for America's future and why you should, too.John Avlon is an American journalist and political commentator. He was a senior political analyst and anchor at CNN, and was the editor-in-chief and managing director of The Daily Beast from 2013 to 2018.
The best way to teach your kids about the world is to actually go see it. In today's episode, Ryan shares how simple day trips have created unforgettable family memories, sparked curiosity in his kids, and proved that the best adventures don't always require a plane ticket. You'll also hear some funny (and thoughtful) questions from Ryan's kids as they interview Chet Garner, host of The DayTripper.Chet Garner is the creator, producer, and host of "The Daytripper", an 11-time Emmy-Award winning travel show airing on PBS stations across the country.You can check out Chet's show The Daytripper on PBS and his videos on YouTube @TheDaytripperTV Follow Chet on Instagram @ChetTripper and see more at thedaytripper.com
Booker T. Washington - this quote was mentioned in a book Ryan Holiday wrote (can't remember which one). If you're not careful, you'll waste a lot of time catering to the wants of others who want to take up your time.My links:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jakeboucher_?_t=ZT-8xj9DhfusXn&_r=1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeboucher_re?igsh=dXcyYzdzeHJ2a28x&utm_source=qrLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3qXZhFFTwitter: https://twitter.com/jakeboucher_ Podcast: https://anchor.fm/jboucherreBlog: https://20jakeb.medium.com/
Just as one becomes strong through lifting weights, or skilled at woodworking through hours in the shop, we become wise through the same kind of effort.
No one looks good angry. Worse still, that image can etch itself into our kids' brains for a long time.
It doesn't matter if you're young or old. It doesn't matter if you're a private or a president, a CEO or a summer intern. THIS is your responsibility.
It's not enough to just handle what you can handle. We have to help each other handle what needs to be handled.
Ryan Holiday - hands down one of my favorite authors. He has so many amazing quotes from his books to his newsletters. The one I discuss in this episode came from his Daily Stoic email newsletter today and I just had to share it.My links:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jakeboucher_?_t=ZT-8xj9DhfusXn&_r=1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeboucher_re?igsh=dXcyYzdzeHJ2a28x&utm_source=qrLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3qXZhFFTwitter: https://twitter.com/jakeboucher_ Podcast: https://anchor.fm/jboucherreBlog: https://20jakeb.medium.com/
How do you stay informed without losing your mind? In this episode, Ryan sits down with journalist and historian John Avlon to discuss how to fix your “news diet,” why local journalism matters more than ever, and what studying Lincoln can teach us about leadership, empathy, and navigating chaos. They talk about Lincoln's surprising use of humor, the ways history repeats itself, and what it really takes to stay sane in today's overwhelming media world.John Avlon is an American journalist and political commentator. He was a senior political analyst and anchor at CNN, and was the editor-in-chief and managing director of The Daily Beast from 2013 to 2018.Follow John Avlon on Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/johnavlon/?hl=en
We get to decide what things mean to us. We get to decide how we respond to things.
Yes, another listen in the car. Yeah, they want to watch it again. Can't we listen or watch or do or talk about anything else?
We once had Stoics in high office. We had Stoics making important decisions. We're a long way from that today, aren't we?
For nearly 3,000 years, one story has ruled them all. The Odyssey. In today's episode, Ryan shares12 Stoic lessons hidden inside this timeless epic.
We have to show them we have not graduated, we are not on summer break, and we have not arrived at the final destination of education.
How does it happen? How does someone become great?
It is said that no man is a hero to his valet. It could also be said that many an accomplished and heroic parent is resented (or feared) at home. Because like the valet, family sees the real person behind closed doors. Give yourself the ultimate gift of parenting tools, structure, and community. Become a member of The Daily Dad Society here: https://dailydad.com/societyMasterClass | Get 15% off any annual membership at MasterClass.com/RyanHoliday✉️ Sign up for the Daily Dad email: DailyDad.com
If you think you know what wisdom is, you probably don't. If you think you have wisdom, you almost certainly don't.
Is ego a prerequisite for greatness as an NFL quarterback? In this episode, Ryan is joined by award-winning sports journalist, Seth Wickersham, to dig into the brutal realities of the position, from overbearing parents and sideline meltdowns to Tom Brady's relationship with Bill Belichick. They talk about the psychology, pressure, and identity struggles that come with the glory of America's most powerful position in sports. Seth Wickersham is a senior writer at ESPN and the New York Times bestselling author of It's Better to Be Feared: The New England Patriots Dynasty and the Pursuit of Greatness. Focusing primarily on longform enterprise and investigative work on the National Football League, Wickersham has been a finalist for the National Magazine Award for Reporting, and his stories have been anthologized in the Best American Magazine Writing, the Best American Sports Writing, and Next Wave: America's New Generation of Great Literary Journalists, among others. Released in 2021, It's Better to Be Feared was named Nonfiction Book of the Year by Sports Illustrated and Best Sports Book by the National Sports Media Association. Follow Seth Wickersham: X & Instagram: @Seth.Wickersham
Why is self-compassion so hard to practice, and even harder to teach our kids? In this episode, best-selling author Melinda Wenner Moyer shares the three key components of self-compassion and explains how nurturing this skill in children can help them grow resilient, confident, and kind—while positively shaping the world around them.Melinda Wenner Moyer is an award-winning journalist whose work explores the intersection of science and everyday life. Her work deep dives into subjects that have both scientific and societal implications, addressing issues that are relevant to parents, families, and the general public. Buy the audiobook of Hello Cruel World! here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/751131/hello-cruel-world-by-melinda-wenner-moyer/audio/
Each of us is sent on missions, each of us does our stint in this situation or that one. The question is, then, will we return with honor?
For someone else, we'll do it because they ask, because it's a social obligation, because, because, because. But then when it's our kids...
You may not have a lot of money. Or powerful connections. Or even superior genetics. Does this mean you're at a disadvantage?
We all worry about helping our kids. Sometimes we worry we don't know exactly how to help them. Sometimes we worry if we're helping too much—or not enough.
In America, kings don't wear crowns, they wear helmets. Being an NFL quarterback is the ultimate crown and it never comes free. Today, award-winning journalist Seth Wickersham joins Ryan to pull back the curtain on football's most scrutinized position. They dive into why players can't walk away, the intense loneliness at the top, and how the pressure can consume a player's life.Seth Wickersham is a senior writer at ESPN and the New York Times bestselling author of It's Better to Be Feared: The New England Patriots Dynasty and the Pursuit of Greatness. Focusing primarily on longform enterprise and investigative work on the National Football League, Wickersham has been a finalist for the National Magazine Award for Reporting, and his stories have been anthologized in the Best American Magazine Writing, the Best American Sports Writing, and Next Wave: America's New Generation of Great Literary Journalists, among others. Released in 2021, It's Better to Be Feared was named Nonfiction Book of the Year by Sports Illustrated and Best Sports Book by the National Sports Media Association. Follow Seth Wickersham: X & Instagram: @Seth.Wickersham
“As long as you live,” Seneca said, “keep learning how to live.” As long as we're alive, we must keep learning and wrestling with these ideas.
We'll never do this, never be here, never see them again. So shake the sleep from your eyes, shrug off the frustration or the fear and just be present.
Anyone who has had a run of bad luck knows the feeling. It's frustrating and annoying and sometimes deeply unfair, but there is also something freeing about it.
Curiosity isn't just for children—it's a lifelong pursuit that brings joy, fulfillment, and wisdom. And like any worthwhile pursuit, it requires intention and effort.
It would be wonderful if we had more Stoic heads of state but a far more attainable goal is Stoic heads of companies, of families, of communities, of organizations and institutions.
You want them to listen. You want them to respect you. What's the secret?Give yourself the ultimate gift of parenting tools, structure, and community. Join The Daily Dad Society here: https://dailydad.com/societyTinker, create and innovate with KiwiCo! Get 50% off at KiwiCo.com with code DAILYDAD✉️ Sign up for the Daily Dad email: DailyDad.com
While in Athens, Ryan had a near-death experience that reminded him just how short life really is. In today's episode, he shares 9 Stoic reminders about Memento Mori for you to think about today.
Self-doubt is just one of the 5 voices you can't afford to keep listening to. Former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot Michelle Curran and Ryan continue their conversation, breaking down the five inner critics that fuel fear, doubt, and perfectionism and show you how to rise above them. They talk about what people get wrong about courage, the myth of shortcuts, the illusion of importance, and how to push past the voices telling you you're not enough. Michelle “MACE” Curran is a former United States Air Force fighter pilot with nearly 2,000 hours of F-16 flying time. She flew combat missions in Afghanistan and honed her skills across the globe, becoming the second woman in history to serve as the Lead Solo Pilot for the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's elite demonstration team. Known for her signature upside-down maneuvers, Mace performed for millions, inspiring audiences at airshows and flyovers like the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, and Indy 500.You can follow her on Instagram @Mace_Curran and learn more about her work at https://macecurran.com/
Seneca advises us to look in a mirror when we're angry to see how we've transformed. What we often find is shocking—a face distorted by rage, barely resembling our true selves.
In today's bonus episode, Gen. Dan Caine reflects on being one of the first pilots in the air on 9/11 and what that moment taught him about courage, leadership, and service.General Dan Caine is the 22nd Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He has flown more than 100 combat hours in F-16 aircraft. His total flight hours are 2,800. Throughout his career he was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
Today, on the 24th anniversary of 9/11, let's honor Brian Sweeney and the thousands of others we lost by striving to be, as Marcus said, "free of passion and yet full of love."