The Daily Stoic

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?

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. 

What separates the work that fades from the work that endures? In this episode, Ryan explores the Stoic wisdom behind lasting success and how to turn adversity into something timeless, meaningful, and built to outlive you.

James Altucher and Ryan return for Part 2 to talk about creativity, aging, and why most ideas don’t last. Ryan explains why he avoids personal stories in his Stoic Virtues series, a research skill he learned while working for Robert Greene, and what most writers get wrong. James opens up about his renewed obsession with an old passion and the painful truth of chasing a past version of yourself.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 @JAltucherWatch Ryan's latest interview on The James Altucher Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTe49rKcAEA

Epictetus didn't just theorize about resilience—he lived it. It’s why his powerful lessons have endured for nearly two millennia as perhaps the most practical and accessible playbook in Stoic philosophy.

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. 

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

It's unfortunate Epictetus isn't more widely read—because when he is, he changes lives.

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?

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 onlin

Win or lose, what matters, the Stoics believed, was that we tried. That we did our best. 

It’s rather sad—almost sacriligeous—that more people don’t know who shaped Marcus’s philosophical worldview. 

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.

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