Podcasts about stoic philosophy

We're set in our habits. We're quick-tempered, we eat poorly, we're easily distracted. We skip exercise, we put stuff off, we make excuses. How did that work out for you in 2025?Make 2026 the year where you finally bring yourself closer to living your best life. 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.

The sooner you realize that you are not the center of the universe or the intended recipient of everything, the more understanding you can be, the less judgment you'll feel required to have.

Was John 1:1 an example of John the Apostle copying a concept from Stoic Philosophy? I will explain everything.

Every crisis creates the same instinct in people: go back to the wisdom that has outlasted everything else. In today's episode, Ryan and Mark Manson dive into why Stoicism keeps coming back during moments of crisis, why world leaders and big thinkers have leaned on it for centuries, and what its modern resurgence gets right and wrong.Check out Ryan's FULL episode on Solved with Mark Manson on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Grab Mark's books: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k Journal, and Everything Is F***ked: A Book About Hope, at The Painted PorchFollow Mark on YouTube, and check out more of his work at https://markmanson.net/

Even the giants of history couldn't outrun insecurity, comparison, or the feeling of not having enough. In today's episode, Ryan continues his conversation with Andrew Ross Sorkin to talk about why success rarely feels satisfying in the way you expect, why the goalposts always seem to move, and how Andrew has seen this pattern play out in some of the wealthiest and most accomplished people in the world.Andrew Ross Sorkin is a financial columnist for The New York Times and a co-anchor of CNBC's Squawk Box. He is also the founder and editor of DealBook, a financial news service published by The New York Times. He wrote the bestselling book Too Big to Fail and co-produced a movie adaptation of the book for HBO Films. He is also a co-creator of the Showtime series Billions. His new book is 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History--and How It Shattered a Nation. You can grab signed copies of 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin at The Painted Porch: https://www.thepaintedporch.com/Follow Andrew Ross Sorkin on Instagram @SorkinSays and on X @AndrewRSorkin

The myth of the self-made man is just that, a myth. There has never been such a thing.

It doesn't matter how smart you are. In the moment, if you can't control your emotions, you will be stupid.

How do you stay locked in on one project for eight years? Andrew Ross Sorkin shares what he learned while writing his bestselling book 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History and How It Shattered a Nation in today's conversation with Ryan. They talk about what it really takes to write a massive, deeply researched book while juggling a demanding career and family life. Andrew opens up about the fear, insecurity, and obsession that fueled his eight year journey into the world of 1929. Ryan and Andrew get into why writing still feels hard for him, the surprising reality of how much of history comes down to human behavior, and the strange process of trying to understand people who lived a century ago.Andrew Ross Sorkin is a financial columnist for The New York Times and a co-anchor of CNBC's Squawk Box. He is also the founder and editor of DealBook, a financial news service published by The New York Times. He wrote the bestselling book Too Big to Fail and co-produced a movie adaptation of the book for HBO Films. He is also a co-creator of the Showtime series Billions. His new book is 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History--and How It Shattered a Nation. You can grab signed copies of 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin at The Painted Porch: https://www.thepaintedporch.com/Follow Andrew Ross Sorkin on Instagram @SorkinSays and on X @AndrewRSorkin

Power is corruptive and corrosive no matter your age. To the young and inexperienced, it is even worse.

We have to illustrate those virtues of courage and justice toward and for and through others. To help people from going hungry. To alleviate someone's worry and fear. To put food on their table.Feeding America | We donated the first $30,000 and would love your help in getting to our goal of $300,000—which would provide over 3 million meals for families across the country! Just head over to dailystoic.com/feeding—every dollar provides 10 meals, even a small donation makes a big difference.

Let us be good Stoics today and prove that we don't just talk about this philosophy—we live it.Feeding America | We donated the first $30,000 and would love your help in getting to our goal of $300,000—which would provide over 3 million meals for families across the country! Just head over to dailystoic.com/feeding—every dollar provides 10 meals, even a small donation makes a big difference.Resources Mentioned:- Action Against Hunger: https://www.actionagainsthunger.org/

 Most of what people know about Stoicism is totally wrong. They might recognize names like Marcus Aurelius or Epictetus, or they assume the whole philosophy is about being stoic in the modern sense, cold, emotionless, shut down, resigned. But that picture couldn't be more off.

There's so much happening in the world, and so much of it feels terrible. There is dysfunction. There is conflict. There is outright lawlessness. There is corruption. There is cruelty. But there's a really easy way to feel better. Feeding America | We donated the first $30,000 and would love your help in getting to our goal of $300,000—which would provide over 3 million meals for families across the country! Just head over to dailystoic.com/feeding—every dollar provides 10 meals, even a small donation makes a big difference.

Facing death rewires your view of the world. Today's guest, bestselling author and legendary war reporter Sebastian Junger, can explain how. In this episode, Sebastian opens up to Ryan about the sudden, freak medical emergency that nearly killed him in minutes and how that moment completely rewired the way he thinks about time, technology, fear, fatherhood, and what actually matters.Sebastian Junger is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of The Perfect Storm, Fire, A Death In Belmont, War, Tribe, Freedom and In My Time Of Dying. As an award-winning journalist, a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and a special correspondent at ABC News, he has covered major international news stories around the world, and has received both a National Magazine Award and a Peabody Award. Junger is also a documentary filmmaker whose debut film "Restrepo", a feature-length documentary (co-directed with Tim Hetherington), was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. He is also the founder and director of Vets Town Hall.Follow Sebastian on Instagram @SebastianJungerOfficial and on X @SebastianJunger

Let us try to put some of our energy towards helping the less fortunate. Let's alleviate someone else's worry and fear.Feeding America | We donated the first $30,000 and would love your help in getting to our goal of $300,000—which would provide over 3 million meals for families across the country! Just head over to dailystoic.com/feeding—every dollar provides 10 meals, even a small donation makes a big difference.Resources Mentioned:- Action Against Hunger: https://www.actionagainsthunger.org/

In a rapidly changing world filled with uncertainties, many of us seek clarity and resilience. Enter Stoic philosophy—an ancient Greek philosophy founded in the early 3rd century BCE that offers profound insights and transformative lessons for modern living.  By exploring the Stoic principles of acceptance, self-control, and perspective, we can shift our outlook and face life's challenges with newfound strength.  In this episode, we'll delve into five essential lessons from Stoicism that can empower you to unlock a new perspective.

Happy Thanksgiving! In today's bonus episode, you will hear a powerful excerpt from Ryan's interview with author and journalist Julia Baird about the real-life power of grace, forgiveness, and why letting go can be one of the bravest things you do. Feeding America | We donated the first $30,000 and would love your help in getting to our goal of $300,000—which would provide over 3 million meals for families across the country! Just head over to dailystoic.com/feeding—every dollar provides 10 meals, even a small donation makes a big difference.Julia Baird is an author, broadcaster, and journalist based in Sydney, Australia. Be sure to check out her books, Phosphorescence: A Memoir of Finding Joy When Your World Goes Dark, Victoria: The Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire, and Bright Shining: How Grace Changes Everything.

There's something wonderful about being together, family, traveling in from near and far good people enjoying good food, taking a break from the busyness of the world, reflecting on all the things you're grateful for, remembering and making new memories. That's what Thanksgiving, which we're celebrating here in the US today is all about.Feeding America | We donated the first $30,000 and would love your help in getting to our goal of $300,000—which would provide over 3 million meals for families across the country! Just head over to dailystoic.com/feeding—every dollar provides 10 meals, even a small donation makes a big difference.

After you have faced death, you can't believe what people care about online. In this episode, Ryan sits down with bestselling author and legendary war reporter Sebastian Junger. Sebastian talks about why he refuses to get a smartphone, how technology gives us the illusion of control, Ambrose Bierce, and the multiple times he was nearly executed as a war reporter. Sebastian Junger is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of The Perfect Storm, Fire, A Death In Belmont, War, Tribe, Freedom and In My Time Of Dying. As an award-winning journalist, a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and a special correspondent at ABC News, he has covered major international news stories around the world, and has received both a National Magazine Award and a Peabody Award. Junger is also a documentary filmmaker whose debut film "Restrepo", a feature-length documentary (co-directed with Tim Hetherington), was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. He is also the founder and director of Vets Town Hall.Follow Sebastian on Instagram @SebastianJungerOfficial and on X @SebastianJunger Grab signed copies of Sebastian's books Tribe, Freedom and In My Time Of Dying at The Painted Porch | https://www.thepaintedporch.com

The Stoics said what needed to be said. But they weren't jerks. Not on purpose anyway.

This is what it is to be a human. Some of it good, some of it better to resist.

Seneca wasn't perfect. He struggled, as all humans do, with inconsistencies between his philosophy and his actions. So, why should we listen to him?

In this episode I share how I am preparing for the End of the Year planning and 2026 goal-setting process including reflections, learning, goals, etc. I discuss my own 2025 goals, including my struggles with learning Spanish, cycling achievements, launching my new book, and missing my income targets. I provide actionable tips on reviewing your year, setting new goals, analyzing your learning investments, and evaluating subscriptions. Tune in for a comprehensive guide to ending the year on a high and preparing for a successful 2026.00:00 Introduction and Stoic Philosophy in Practice02:12 The Importance of End-of-Year Reviews03:59 Reflecting on Personal Goals and Achievements10:31 Setting Goals for the New Year14:04 Reviewing Subscriptions and Investments16:04 Continuous Learning and Growth20:57 Conclusion and Upcoming ContentFor your own goal-setting, make sure to get my book, Own Your Career Own Your Life, available on Amazon.

In this episode I share how I am preparing for the End of the Year planning and 2026 goal-setting process including reflections, learning, goals, etc. I discuss my own 2025 goals, including my struggles with learning Spanish, cycling achievements, launching my new book, and missing my income targets. I provide actionable tips on reviewing your year, setting new goals, analyzing your learning investments, and evaluating subscriptions. Tune in for a comprehensive guide to ending the year on a high and preparing for a successful 2026.00:00 Introduction and Stoic Philosophy in Practice02:12 The Importance of End-of-Year Reviews03:59 Reflecting on Personal Goals and Achievements10:31 Setting Goals for the New Year14:04 Reviewing Subscriptions and Investments16:04 Continuous Learning and Growth20:57 Conclusion and Upcoming ContentFor your own goal-setting, make sure to get my book, Own Your Career Own Your Life, available on Amazon.

Dive into the wild life of Diogenes, the philosopher who wasn't afraid to challenge norms or even Alexander the Great. In today's episode, discover how his bold actions and sharp wit left an enduring legacy and why historians still debate his famous sunbathing encounter with the young conqueror.Pick up a copy of Inger Kuin's new book Diogenes: The Rebellious Life and Revolutionary Philosophy of the Original Cynic. Thanks to Basic Books for allowing us to run this audio excerpt.

What can Diogenes teach us about the roots of Stoicism? In today's episode, Ryan and classicist Inger Kuin break down the real gap between Stoicism and Cynicism, discussing why one trusted order and structure while the other thought most of society was nonsense. They get into Diogenes' legendary stunts, the Stoics' attempt to distance themselves from him, and why the world still needs people who question absolutely everything.Inger Kuin is a researcher, writer, and teacher focused on the intellectual history of ancient Greece and Rome. She is Associate Professor of Classics at the University of Virginia. Originally from The Netherlands, she publishes both in English and in Dutch.Check out Inger's website: https://ingerkuin.com/Be sure to pick up a copy of Inger's new book Diogenes: The Rebellious Life and Revolutionary Philosophy of the Original Cynic.

Marcus Aurelius didn't just study philosophy when he was young. To him, philosophy was a lifelong study, a process that he committed to.

Silly worries and petty rivalries. People arguing for no reason. People trying to accumulate more than they could ever need. This is what we do, isn't it?

Diogenes wasn't a Stoic… but without him, the Stoics don't exist. His life was so bold, so uncompromising, and so brutally honest that it reshaped the entire philosophical world the Stoics inherited. In today's episode, Ryan sits down with classicist Inger Kuin to unpack the wild and brilliant philosophy of Diogenes, the original cynic. Inger Kuin is a researcher, writer, and teacher focused on the intellectual history of ancient Greece and Rome. She is Associate Professor of Classics at the University of Virginia. Originally from The Netherlands, she publishes both in English and in Dutch. Be sure to pick up a copy of Inger's new book Diogenes: The Rebellious Life and Revolutionary Philosophy of the Original Cynic. Check out Inger's website: https://ingerkuin.com/

Whether we're beginning some creative work or we're trying to solve some complex problem, we should never be starting from zero.

Culture has changed. Technology has changed. Work has changed. Politics have changed. The environment has changed. You think these changes could have been prevented. Yet what you're forgetting is that this is how it's always been.

What have Viktor Frankl, Seneca, St. Francis, and my friend Mark known? It's that acts of kindness and service not only make the world better, they make us feel better too. In this episode, psychologist Traci Stein shares how and why everyday people may have the greatest ability to create positive change for themselves and the world at large, and why even “small,” everyday acts of kindness count.You'll also learn about an ancient and specific philosophy to help us be and do good in the world (it's still relevant today); hear examples of how everyday people have made the world a better place, and get a promo code you can use through the end of December 2025 that will give you over 20% off of two of my most popular albums and – even better –help make a difference for people and pets (the net proceeds help you to help others).Mentioned in this episode:PROMO CODE for discount on “Developing Your Intuition” and “Manifesting Your Future Self During Deep Sleep” albums by Traci Stein: DOGOODVisit to apply promo code: https://tracistein.com/discount/DOGOOD(Net proceeds of these albums will be split between West Orange TNVR and Holy Trinity Food Pantry. To donate directly to these charities, click the links below.)West Orange TNVR (charity to help trap, neuter, vaccinate and release or adopt out stray cats): https://www.wotnvr.com/howtohelpHoly Trinity Food Pantry: https://ampleharvest.org/food-pantries/holy-trinity-west-orange-food-pantry-3692/To learn more about Fred's Team and Team Mark (NYC Marathon Fundraiser), visit: https://fredsteammark.com/Also mentioned in this episode:For more information on Seneca and Stoic Philosophy, visit: https://dailystoic.com/what-is-stoicism-a-definition-3-stoic-exercises-to-get-you-started/For more on Viktor Frankl: https://viktorfranklamerica.com/viktor-frankl-bio/Traci Stein's Affirmations to Foster Healthy Self-Esteem (available for free on the Insight Timer app): https://insig.ht/jFy9jJ0GiYb?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=contentDr. Kristin Neff's Self-Compassion Meditations: https://self-compassion.org/self-compassion-practices/

People are weak. People are scared. People are afraid to go for what they want. It has always been thus.

We should fight, as Marcus Aurelius says, to be the person philosophy tried to make us. In this episode, Ryan shares why deciding to live with virtue can completely transform your life.

What's the point of achieving success if you're burned out, lonely, or exhausted? In today's episode, Ryan sits down with Mark Manson (bestselling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k) to talk about how the habits that help you “make it” are usually the same ones that burn you out later. Mark talks about the moment he realized he couldn't keep living like a maniac, the changes he had to make in his 30s and 40s, and why he no longer trusts himself around certain decisions.Mark Manson is a bestselling author best known for The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k. In it, Mark looks at self-improvement not through avoiding problems or always being happy, but rather through improving amidst problems and learning to accept the occasional unhappiness. Grab Mark's books: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k Journal, and Everything Is F***ked: A Book About Hope, at The Painted Porch | https://www.thepaintedporch.com/Watch Ryan's episode on the Solved Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvEg37B4DU4Listen to the Solved Podcast with Mark Manson on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube Follow Mark on YouTube, and check out more of his work at https://markmanson.net/

It seems insensitive to even suggest that someone “love” their fate. How are you supposed to love a breakup? Love that you buried someone? Love that you lost your business?

In this bonus episode, Ryan sits down with his friend and collaborator, Joe Byerly, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, writer, and host of From the Green Notebook. The two talk about the overlap between Stoicism and service, the discipline it takes to think clearly, and why wisdom isn't something you're born with. Joe Byerly is a recently retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel with 20 years of service, including combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and command of a cavalry squadron in Europe. He's earned multiple honors, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart.In 2013, he founded From the Green Notebook, a platform that helps leaders reflect, grow, and share their experiences. Joe's passionate about the power of reading, writing, and self-reflection—and he's the author of The Leader's 90-Day Notebook and co-author of My Green Notebook: “Know Thyself” Before Changing Jobs.Follow Joe on Instagram @FromTheGreenNotebook and on X @jbyerly81Check out Joe's podcast From The Green Notebook on YouTube, Apple Podcast, and Spotify See more of Joe's work on his website: https://fromthegreennotebook.com/

There's even a famous old saying: Whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make angry.

You don't have to accept being treated this way. You should stand up. You should speak out. But you know what you shouldn't do?

At some point, you realize courage isn't something you are born with, it's something you build. In this episode, Ryan sits down with bestselling author Cheryl Strayed (Tiny Beautiful Things, Wild) to talk about what it really means to be brave. They discuss how fear and courage always show up together, why you can't wait to “feel ready,” and the difference between saying you'll change and actually doing it. Cheryl shares what hiking alone on the Pacific Crest Trail taught her about courage, loss, and starting over. Cheryl Strayed is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, which was made into an Oscar-nominated film. Her bestselling collection of Dear Sugar columns, Tiny Beautiful Things, was adapted for a Hulu television show and as a play that continues to be staged in theaters nationwide. Strayed's other books are the critically acclaimed novel, Torch, and the bestselling collection Brave Enough, which brings together more than one hundred of her inspiring quotes. Her books have sold more than 5 million copies around the world and have been translated into forty languagesYou can grab copies of Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed at The Painted Porch: https://www.thepaintedporch.com/Follow Cheryl Strayed on Instagram @CherylStrayed and check out more of her work at her website CherylStrayed.com

Was Marcus Aurelius a bad father? How did he not manage to pass his Stoicism—to say nothing of his kindness and sense of responsibility—to his son?

Ulysses S. Grant knew what the Stoics knew—that outside circumstances don't say anything about us, that it didn't matter, as Epictetus said, what we bear, only how we bear it.

What is the "Tortoise Method" and how can it help us build habits for happiness? Look no further than this excerpt from Chapter 9 of the audiobook of Aristotle's Guide to Self-Persuasion: How Ancient Rhetoric, Taylor Swift, and Your Own Soul Can Help You Change Your Life by Jay Heinrichs (last week's guest on The Daily Stoic Podcast!). Jay Heinrichs is a New York Times bestselling author of Thank You For Arguing and is a persuasion and conflict consultant. Middlebury College has named him a Professor of the Practice in Rhetoric and Oratory. Jay has conducted influence strategy and training for clients as varied as Kaiser Permanente, Harvard, the European Speechwriters Association, Southwest Airlines, and NASA. He has overseen the remake and staff recruiting of more than a dozen magazines. Pick up a copy of Jay's latest book Aristotle's Guide to Self-Persuasion: How Ancient Rhetoric, Taylor Swift, and Your Own Soul Can Help You Change Your Life Follow Jay on Instagram @JayHeinrichs and check out more of his work at www.jayheinrichs.comThanks to Penguin Random House Audio for granting us permission to run this excerpt from Aristotle's Guide to Self-Persuasion.

It takes a trained mind to see wonder and awe in the middle of everyday struggles. In today's PT. 2 episode, Ryan and persuasion expert Jay Heinrichs dive deeper into discipline, the power of our inner dialogue, and what it really means to have agency. Jay shares the story of having breakfast with the Dalai Lama and how the Stoics, Buddhists, Aristotle, and even Taylor Swift all point to the same truth about how we see and respond to life. Jay Heinrichs is a New York Times bestselling author of Thank You For Arguing and is a persuasion and conflict consultant. Middlebury College has named him a Professor of the Practice in Rhetoric and Oratory. Jay has conducted influence strategy and training for clients as varied as Kaiser Permanente, Harvard, the European Speechwriters Association, Southwest Airlines, and NASA. He has overseen the remake and staff recruiting of more than a dozen magazines. Pick up a copy of Jay's latest book Aristotle's Guide to Self-Persuasion: How Ancient Rhetoric, Taylor Swift, and Your Own Soul Can Help You Change Your Life Follow Jay on Instagram @JayHeinrichs and check out more of his work at www.jayheinrichs.com

What's the point? What is philosophy for?

After their interview, Ryan and Nick Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and author of The Running Ground, headed into The Painted Porch to talk about their favorite books and swap recommendations.

This is what Stoicism has done throughout history. It's made people the best they could be.

You're not lazy, you're just losing the debate in your own head. In today's episode, Ryan talks with Jay Heinrichs, bestselling author of Thank You for Arguing and one of the world's leading experts on rhetoric and persuasion. Jay has spent decades studying how we influence others, but in this conversation, he flips that lens inward to show how we can use the same tools to influence ourselves.Ryan and Jay talk about the fascinating overlap between Stoicism and rhetoric, how Marcus Aurelius used rhetoric to his advantage, and why self-persuasion might actually be more powerful than raw willpower. They discuss the rhetorical tricks Jay used on himself and what the best tools are for getting unstuck.Jay Heinrichs is a New York Times bestselling author of Thank You For Arguing and is a persuasion and conflict consultant. Middlebury College has named him a Professor of the Practice in Rhetoric and Oratory. Jay has conducted influence strategy and training for clients as varied as Kaiser Permanente, Harvard, the European Speechwriters Association, Southwest Airlines, and NASA. He has overseen the remake and staff recruiting of more than a dozen magazines. Pick up a copy of Jay's latest book Aristotle's Guide to Self-Persuasion: How Ancient Rhetoric, Taylor Swift, and Your Own Soul Can Help You Change Your Life Follow Jay on Instagram @JayHeinrichs and check out more of his work at www.jayheinrichs.com

The Stoics were not passive. They did impressive things. They were impressive people. They were fighters. But you know what? They, like the rest of us, sometimes got carried away, sometimes hung on too long, went after the wrong things.

History isn't something that other people lived through and we get to read about. We all live through history and we all can make it if we choose.