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Rodney Dangerfield, introduction, Serenity Prayer, patriotic song, headlines, election corner, military shorts, motivation, meditation, Daily Stoic, Bishop Barron, Ayn Rand Quote, psychopathy, Varney and Company, miscellaneous, Jordan Peterson, conclusionBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-true-conservative--2039343/support.
People will betray us in life. They will take from us. We can be hurt and broken and angry about this, or we can use it as Epictetus did—as a reminder of the transient nature of possession.
It's unfortunate Epictetus isn't more widely read—because when he is, he changes lives.
The greatest work isn't what goes viral, it's what endures. Podcaster, writer, and venture capitalist James Altucher joins Ryan to talk about why podcasting might be doing more harm than good, what makes a medium “healthy” for creativity, why some stories survive history and others disappear, and how the algorithm subtly rewires creators' minds. James Altucher is the podcast host of The James Altucher Show , an investor, venture capitalist, writer, and an expert in emerging technologies like crypto and AI. Follow James on Instagram @Altucher and X @JAltucher
Jessica Kirson, introduction, Serenity Prayer, patriotic song, headlines, election corner, military shorts, motivation, meditation, Daily Stoic, Bishop Barron, Ayn Rand Quote, psychopathy, Varney and Company, miscellaneous, Donald Trump, conclusionBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-true-conservative--2039343/support.
Charlie Callas, introduction, Serenity Prayer, patriotic song, headlines, election corner, military shorts, motivation, meditation, Daily Stoic, Bishop Barron, Ayn Rand Quote, psychopathy, Varney and Company, miscellaneous, Apollo, conclusionBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-true-conservative--2039343/support.
There was gruffness to the Stoics. A wariness of getting too close or too attached, lest your heart be broken by fortune. But does that mean the Stoics were unfeeling?
Mitch Hedberg, introduction, Serenity Prayer, patriotic song, headlines, election corner, military shorts, motivation, meditation, Daily Stoic, Bishop Barron, Ayn Rand Quote, psychopathy, Varney and Company, miscellaneous, Moral Politics, conclusionBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-true-conservative--2039343/support.
Most people are enslaved and controlled and directed by their ignorance. Their impulses. Their temper. Their desires and delusions.
In this letter, Seneca critiques sophistical argumentation, highlighting how it exercises wit without purpose and distracts from the essentials of living a good life. Today's episode is an excerpt from The Tao Of Seneca produced by Tim Ferriss' Audio. Get the free PDF at tim.blog/seneca
The most misunderstood Stoic practice is Memento Mori - remember you will die. Dr. Laurie Santos, an expert on the science of happiness, joins Ryan to share the research behind why thinking about your mortality is proven to increase happiness. Dr. Laurie shares how to balance negative and positive visualizations for a fulfilling life, the Stoic practices that she swears by, and practical applications of Stoic and Buddhist teachings. Dr. Laurie Santos is an expert on the science of happiness and the ways in which our minds lie to us about what makes us happy. Her Yale course, “Psychology and the Good Life,” teaches students how the science of psychology can provide important hints about how to make wiser choices and live a life that's happier and more fulfilling. The class became Yale's most popular course in over 300 years, with almost one out of four students enrolled. Her course has been featured in the New York Times, NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, GQ Magazine, Slate and O! Magazine. The online version of the class—The Science of Well-Being on Coursera.org—has attracted more than 4 million learners from around the world. A winner of numerous awards both for her science and teaching, she was recently voted as one of Popular Science Magazine's “Brilliant 10” young minds, and was named in Time Magazine as a “Leading Campus Celebrity.” Listen to Dr. Laurie's podcast, The Happiness Lab, where she shares the latest scientific research on what it means to be truly happy. Check out more of Dr. Laurie's work at DrLaurieSantos.com and follow her Instagram @LaurieSantosOfficial, X @LaurieSantos, and on YouTube and TikTok @DrLaurieSantos
Mitch Hedberg, introduction, Serenity Prayer, patriotic song, headlines, election corner, military shorts, motivation, meditation, Daily Stoic, Bishop Barron, Ayn Rand Quote, psychopathy, Varney and Company, miscellaneous, The Collapse of Parenting, conclusionBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-true-conservative--2039343/support.
Win or lose, what matters, the Stoics believed, was that we tried. That we did our best.
Joe Bartnik, introduction, Serenity Prayer, patriotic song, headlines, election corner, military shorts, motivation, meditation, Daily Stoic, Bishop Barron, Ayn Rand Quote, psychopathy, Varney and Company, miscellaneous, Jordan Peterson, conclusionBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-true-conservative--2039343/support.
It's rather sad—almost sacriligeous—that more people don't know who shaped Marcus's philosophical worldview.
Ronald Reagan, introduction, Serenity Prayer, patriotic song, headlines, election corner, military shorts, motivation, meditation, Daily Stoic, Bishop Barron, Ayn Rand Quote, psychopathy, Varney and Company, miscellaneous, Apollo, conclusionBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-true-conservative--2039343/support.
You can't expand your perspective if you never step out of your bubble. In today's episode, Ryan sits down with Chet Garner, host of The Daytripper, to explore how traveling, even just one town over, can completely change the way you see the world. They talk about why you don't need to leave the country (or even your own state) to gain a new perspective, how the Stoics thought about travel in the ancient world, and how to use everyday adventures to raise more curious, open-minded kids.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
It drives you nuts—the things some people believe and do and say. But here's the thing: It does make sense. It makes sense to them.
Jimmy Carr, introduction, Serenity Prayer, patriotic song, headlines, election corner, military shorts, motivation, meditation, Daily Stoic, Bishop Barron, Ayn Rand Quote, psychopathy, Varney and Company, miscellaneous, Jordan Peterson, Donald Trump, conclusionBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-true-conservative--2039343/support.
Why is self-command and self-knowledge so elusive? How can we find it? Well, Epictetus can show us the way, as he did for Marcus and Hadrian and countless others over the centuries.
The key to life, Epictetus said, was not to dream for things to be a certain way but to dream for them to be the way they were. To be grateful that you had the fate you had.
Looking for practical strategies to deal with difficult people? In today's episode, communication expert Jefferson Fisher shares a 3-step process for navigating conflict, especially when kindness and empathy no longer work.Jefferson Fisher is one of the most respected voices on communication and arguments in the world. He is a Texas board certified personal injury attorney and law firm owner of Fisher Firm. Millions of people and some of the world's leading brands come to Jefferson for advice and practical strategies to communicate more effectively. Follow Jefferson on Instagram and X @Jefferson_Fisher, on YouTube @JeffersonFisher and on TikTok @JustAskJefferson
You're not here to impress, you're here to make a difference. In this PT. 2 episode, historian and bestselling author Rutger Bregman sits down with Ryan for a deep dive into what a meaningful life actually looks like and why so many people end up wasting their one shot at it. They talk about how easy it is to chase the wrong goals, why real impact often goes unnoticed, and how to realign your work with what truly matters.Rutger Bregman is a Dutch historian and author. His latest book Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference was released in April 2025. In 2024, Rutger co-founded The School for Moral Ambition, a non-profit organization inspired by his latest book, Moral Ambition. The initiative helps people to take the step toward an impactful career.Follow Rutger on Instagram and X | @RutgerBregman
The American experiment—based as it was on individual liberty—was built on the necessity of virtue and honor. A people freed from the tyranny of government, they understood, still needed to be checked by their own morality, philosophy and religion.
There is something that can't be taken from us by even the strongest strong man or the most unlucky of external events.
You could be doing anything with your life…so why are you choosing this? Historian and bestselling author Rutger Bregman joins Ryan to question everything we tend to believe about success, work, and impact. They discuss why many “prestigious” careers might actually be pointless, how a few regular people pulled off one of the biggest moral wins in history, and why meaningful work rarely looks like what society celebrates.Rutger Bregman is a Dutch historian and author. His latest book Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference was released in April 2025. In 2024, Rutger co-founded The School for Moral Ambition, a non-profit organization inspired by his latest book, Moral Ambition. The initiative helps people to take the step toward an impactful career.Follow Rutger on Instagram and X | @RutgerBregman
What Epictetus learned in his fascinating life—beginning in slavery and culminating in a legacy as one of the most influential philosophers of all time—was simple, profound, and enduring. It's why countless Roman families sent their children to learn from Epictetus at his school in Nicopolis. And that's why we're spending this month doing a deep dive into Epictetus—because if reading him changed Marcus Aurelius' life, how might he change yours?
Seneca practiced poverty. Marcus Aurelius mentally rehearsed being criticized and misunderstood. Why did they put themselves in these uncomfortable positions?
Our lives are unpredictable. We are at the mercy of so many forces.
When we think of great Stoic figures like Marcus Aurelius, Cato, and Epictetus, we tend to focus solely on the individual, their perspective, their observations. But how did these brilliant thinkers treat those around them?Read this article here: https://dailystoic.com/6-stoic-tips-to-being-a-great-friend/
Is AI the end of creativity, or the beginning of a new artistic era? Rick Rubin returns for PT. 2 of his conversation with Ryan about how AI is reshaping creativity and why the real art still lies in the choices we make. They discuss the beauty of unexpected results, the difference between AI generating and iterating, timeless wisdom of the Tao Te Ching, and much more. Rick Rubin is a renowned American record producer and the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, founder of American Recordings, and former co-president of Columbia Records. He has produced albums for a wide range of acclaimed artists, including the Beastie Boys, Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine, and Johnny Cash. He has won nine Grammys and has been nominated for 12 more. He has been called “the most important producer of the last 20 years” by MTV and was named on Time‘s list of the “100 Most Influential People in the World”. Check out Rick's latest project The Way of the Code: https://www.thewayofcode.com/Grab copies of Rick's book The Creative Act: A Way of Being at The Painted Porch | https://www.thepaintedporch.comCheck out Rick's podcast Tetragrammaton Follow Rick on Instagram and X @RickRubin
For all the stupidity, for all the disasters, for all the noise and uncertainty, this is actually one of the least bad moments to ever exist.
Why should a Stoic let the awfulness of the world make them feel awful? Why would we let someone else's darkness cast a shadow on our own life?
Stress, anxiety, and concern don't exist outside us but within us—which means we have the power to do something about it, too.
What if AI isn't replacing creativity, but expanding it in ways we've never seen before? Rick Rubin joins Ryan to discuss the mysterious nature of using AI throughout the creative process. They talk about what vibe coding is, why structure can unlock freedom, and revisiting ancient philosophy to uncover new insights.Rick Rubin is a renowned American record producer and the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, founder of American Recordings, and former co-president of Columbia Records. He has produced albums for a wide range of acclaimed artists, including the Beastie Boys, Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine, and Johnny Cash. He has won nine Grammys and has been nominated for 12 more. He has been called “the most important producer of the last 20 years” by MTV and was named on Time‘s list of the “100 Most Influential People in the World”.
The thing about power is not so much that it changes you but that it changes the people around you. It changes what they're willing to say to you…and how they say it.
Do you ever feel like your life is on autopilot?Could romanticizing life be the key to feeling connected?Are you mistaking peace for boredom?Are you stuck in a cycle of waiting for the “big moments” to finally feel alive? In this episode of A Really Good Cry, Radhi Devlukia dives into the trending idea of “romanticizing your life”—and why it’s so much more than an aesthetic. Sparked by a friend’s comment that life felt “too still,” Radhi offers a thoughtful exploration of what boredom really means and how it might be a signal from your soul, not just your schedule. Drawing on wisdom from The Daily Stoic, ancient Sanskrit philosophy, and her own life, Radhi shares how you can shift your perspective and reconnect to the joy, purpose, and peace already present in your daily rhythms. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why boredom is often misdiagnosed—and what it might really be telling you How to build a life you’re excited to wake up to without needing big changes Rituals and small sensory shifts to bring presence and magic into ordinary moments How to reframe "boredom" as peace, stillness, or sacred routine The powerful difference between consuming and creating Practices to cultivate curiosity and emotional presence Whether you’re in a season of stillness or just looking to reconnect to your spark, this episode is your gentle reminder: you don’t need a new life—just a new way of seeing the one you have. Follow Radhi:https://www.instagram.com/radhidevlukia/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxWe9A4kMf9V_AHOXkGhCzQhttps://www.facebook.com/radhidevlukia1/https://www.tiktok.com/@radhidevlukiaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Coming to terms with pain and setbacks and unfairness is critical to moving forward, to affecting change, to being a leader, to basic happiness.
“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” - Mark TwainIn this powerful talk, Ryan explains why justice is the true measure of leadership. This is a call to do the right thing, not because it's easy or profitable, but because it's the only thing that truly lasts.
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 3642: Shana Olmstead reframes anxiety not as a flaw to fix but as a spiritual signal, a gentle (or not-so-gentle) nudge toward alignment, authenticity, and inner truth. Through practices like mindfulness and meditation, anxiety becomes a guide that reveals ego patterns, highlights necessary life changes, and supports conscious evolution. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://shanaolmstead.com/2019/04/30/anxiety-into-awakening/ Quotes to ponder: "Anxiety is a call to wake up. To connect with your deeper wisdom. To stop doing things that are creating misalignment internally and start doing things that bring you closer to your truth." "This anxiety you feel is your higher self letting you know that some things need to change. You didn't do anything wrong, you were just unconscious of your truth." "Without this gift of anxiety we would go through life numb and asleep, never becoming aware of the discomfort that can lead us to transformation and expansion." Episode references: The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday: https://dailystoic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark Twain didn't just write American classics, he lived one of the most powerful personal transformations in history. In Part 2 of this conversation, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Ron Chernow returns to join Ryan for a deep dive into Twain's remarkable moral evolution. They discuss how Twain's journey mirrors those of Ulysses S. Grant and John D. Rockefeller, reflect on the tragic cost of chasing fortune over purpose, and explore what makes a biography timeless and a life unforgettable.Plus, a special moment: Ryan's 8-year-old son jumps in to ask Ron about Hamilton, his favorite musical.Ron Chernow is the prizewinning author of seven previous books and the recipient of the 2015 National Humanities Medal. His first book, The House of Morgan, won the National Book Award, Washington: A Life won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography, and Alexander Hamilton—the inspiration for the Broadway musical—won the George Washington Book Prize. He has twice been a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and is one of only three living biographers to have won the Gold Medal for Biography of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Ron's latest book is on the fascinating and complex life of American writer Mark Twain. Follow Ron Chernow on Instagram: @RonChernow
There are forces out there, just as tempting as power, that can cut us off from our values, from truth, from other people, from what matters. It takes work to resist them, to counteract them, and to rise above them.
The Stoics remind you that the point of financial security is to feel secure. The point of plenty is to realize that you have enough. You can't fear losing what you had–there was a time you didn't have it and you survived.
Brilliance without emotional control is often a recipe for destruction. In this episode, Ryan sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Ron Chernow, whose acclaimed biographies on Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, John D. Rockefeller, and most recently, Mark Twain have reshaped our understanding of American greatness. Ron and Ryan talk about how these men's deepest personal struggles and their ability to manage emotion became the defining factor in their lives and legacies.Ron Chernow is the prizewinning author of seven previous books and the recipient of the 2015 National Humanities Medal. His first book, The House of Morgan, won the National Book Award, Washington: A Life won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography, and Alexander Hamilton—the inspiration for the Broadway musical—won the George Washington Book Prize. He has twice been a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and is one of only three living biographers to have won the Gold Medal for Biography of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Ron's latest book is on the fascinating and complex life of American writer Mark Twain. Follow Ron on Instagram: @RonChernow
Powerful people can take from you. Yet the Stoics remind us: our character is our own.
We will be wronged—by friends, by colleagues, by life itself. When that happens, we have a choice: to be consumed by bitterness or to rise above it. Marcus showed us the way. The question is, will we follow?
It is astonishing, this world we live in. And it is a gift, this philosophical tradition we carry forward.
What if the most valuable thing you'll ever own is already slipping through your fingers?
What does it take to stay good when the world feels like it's falling apart? And how do we prepare the next generation to do the same? Science journalist and bestselling author Melinda Wenner Moyer joins Ryan to discuss what it means to hold onto empathy, curiosity, and integrity in an age of moral confusion. They discuss how to think critically in a world of misinformation, how to stay hopeful without becoming naïve, and how to not become an asshole in a world full of 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. She is contributing editor at Scientific American magazine and a regular contributor — and former columnist at The New York Times. Melinda's first book, How To Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes, was published in July 2021 and won a gold medal in the 2022 Living Now Book Awards. Her second book, Hello Cruel World!: Science-Based Strategies for Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times, is out now! Follow Melinda on Instagram @ MelindaWMoyer and check out her substack, Now What?
Nobody likes being criticized. Nobody likes it when someone highlights your mistakes. In Meditations, Marcus Aurelius tries to remind himself that he has the freedom to take correction and criticism. He knew he didn't control what the person said or how they said it, but he did control how he handled it.