The Daily Stoic

What made Marcus Aurelius different? What were his secrets to success, resiliency, and productivity? How did he master his emotions and maintain such self-control?

Things will go wrong. Fortune will turn on you. You will make mistakes. Plans will be disrupted. Dreams will be dashed. This is life.

How do we persevere well? How do we persevere happily? Thankfully, we can look to the Stoics. The Stoics not only wrote about how to persevere, they used Stoicism to persevere in the face of plagues, exiles, imprisonment, and wars. You can read this article here: https://dailystoic.com/perseverance/

It’s been six years since Ryan and his longtime editor and collaborator, Stephen Hanselman, first dreamed up the Stoic Virtues Series. In this bonus episode, they reflect on where the idea started, how each book built on the last, and why the four virtues are so deeply connected. Stephen Hanselman has worked for over three decades in publishing as a bookseller, publisher and literary agent. He is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School, where he received a Master’s degree while also studying extensively at Harvard’s philosophy department.

What happens when brilliance goes unchecked? In today's episode, Ryan and his research assistant Billy Oppenheimer dig into the cautionary side of genius, from Elon Musk’s unraveling to why so many smart people end up making dumb decisions. They talk about how success can warp reality, why intelligence without wisdom becomes dangerous, and how even the brightest minds can lose their way when they stop listening, stop learning, and stop taking care of themselves.Billy Oppenheimer is Ryan Holiday’s research assistant and the writer behind the newsletter, Six at 6 on Sunday. To read more of his work, check out his website billyoppenheimer.com.

What watching the news these days does to you is indisputable. It disrupts your focus. It disturbs your sanity. It changes your mood. But what does it change in the real world?

Elon Musk is smart. Yet would anyone describe Elon Musk as happy?

What does six years of studying and writing about the Stoic virtues really teach you? In today’s episode, Ryan sits down with longtime research assistant Billy Oppenheimer to look back on how the Stoic Virtues Series came together, from the first hike where the idea was born to the final chapter of Wisdom Takes Work. They talk about what it means to grow up alongside your own work, how each book became the lesson Ryan needed at that moment, and why wisdom can’t be outsourced.Billy Oppenheimer is Ryan Holiday’s research assistant and the writer behind the newsletter, Six at 6 on Sunday. To read more of his work, check out his website billyoppenheimer.com.

The bad guys might get away with it. But that’s not going to stop us from doing what we’re supposed to do, from being who we are supposed to be. 

No one will be able to do this for you. You can't outsource it. You can't fake it. There are no hacks. 

Wisdom Takes Work, the final book in the Stoic Virtues Series, is out TODAY! To celebrate, Ryan’s sharing a special preview: a full chapter from the audiobook.

Being smart is knowing facts. Being intelligent is having a mind that can solve hard problems or do complex things. Being creative is the ability to generate new and beautiful art. This is all wonderful and important, but we know it is not the same thing as wisdom.

Why do smart people fall for dumb ideas? In this episode, Ryan explains how ego and overconfidence can trip up even the smartest minds and how Stoicism can help you avoid the same trap.

The difference between panic and power comes down to a few simple rules. In today’s episode, Ryan dives into Les Snead’s philosophy on “panic rules” and why it’s stuck with him ever since they first talked. Ryan and Les discuss how these rules help leaders stay calm under pressure, make hard decisions, and mentor the next generation. Then, they wrap up the conversation at The Painted Porch, where Ryan shares some book recommendations with Les and his wife Kara.Les Snead is an American football executive who is the general manager of the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League. Snead played tight end for Auburn from 1992-93 and was part of the Tigers’ perfect 11-0 team in 1993. He also earned Southeast Region Academic All-American honors during his college career. Prior to joining the Rams, Snead spent 13 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.  

Whether we're a slave or an emperor, wisdom helps us rise above our limitations. It gives us clarity, it gives us perspective.

If you’ve ever thought, “What if I had just gone for it?” today's bonus episode is for you.

We come into existence—by some impossible, unbelievable set of circumstances—and then come out of it. Why? How? No one can say for certain.

As a leader, what do you do when your team is falling apart? Or when success comes faster than you expected? In this episode, Ryan sits down with Los Angeles Rams General Manager Les Snead, the man who helped build a Super Bowl–winning team. They talk about what Les calls his “panic rules,” the principles he leans on when things get chaotic, and how he and coach Sean McVay have learned to play to win instead of not to lose. Les Snead is an American football executive who is the general manager of the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League. Snead played tight end for Auburn from 1992-93 and was part of the Tigers’ perfect 11-0 team in 1993. He also earned Southeast Region Academic All-American honors during his college career. Prior to joining the Rams, Snead spent 13 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. 

This Stoicism thing—you’ve been practicing it for a while, but how do you know it’s working?

Those that don’t, or those that think they can go it alone, almost always fail.