The Daily Stoic

In this letter, Seneca talks about intentionally pulling back from societal pressures to find real fulfillment and contentment. He talks about living a life away from the spotlight, but also recognizes that our past achievements can’t be erased.Today’s episode is an excerpt from The Tao Of Seneca produced by Tim Ferriss’ Audio. Get the free PDF at tim.blog/seneca

While in Vancouver on tour, Ryan Holiday met up with one of his favorite authors, John Vaillant, to discuss how destruction and crisis can fuel creativity and change. They talk about the lessons wildfires and other natural disasters teach us, not just about nature but about resilience, adaptation, and the stories we tell to make sense of disruption. John shares what it was like to be nominated for a Pulitzer, how success and recognition can be both motivating and distracting, and why embracing uncertainty is key to any creative process. Follow John on Instagram @johnvaillant_.

No matter how much philosophy you’ve read. No matter how much older you’ve gotten or how important your position or how many eyes are on you…it doesn’t take away natural feeling.

In 1954, the Brown v. Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court decision outlawed segregation in public education. Ernest Green was the first African American to graduate from Little Rock Central High School (May, 1958). In celebration of Black History Month, revisit Ryan's 2023 conversation with Ernest Green from 2023 about his experience as one of the first African-American students to integrate at Little Rock Central High School in 1957, why we should strive to disprove backwards thinking, how we must change as a country, and more.Ernest Green is one of the Little Rock Nine, a group of African-American students who, in 1957, were the first black students ever to attend classes at Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Green was the first African-American to graduate from the school in 1958. In 1999, he and the other members of the Little Rock Nine were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President Bill Clinton.

The shot clock is clicking down. Let's make every second count.

Austin Kleon joins Ryan to talk about unleashing creative energy, the power of hobbies, and why he believes we’ve been trained to be machine-like in today’s world. Austin talks about the driving force behind ambition, the culture of "cheap talk," and much more.Austin Kleon is a writer, author, artist, speaker, and blogger. He is most known for his five New York Times bestselling books Steal Like An Artist:10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative, Show Your Work!, Keep Going, Steal Like An Artist Journal, and Newspaper Blackout. You can follow his work at austinkleon.com, Instagram @austinkleon, and Twitter @austinkleon.

You've got this frustration, this anger, this anxiety that won't go away. What do you do about it?

None of us are entitled to tomorrow. Today though, is here. It is ours.

We choose what truly counts as an obstacle. We have the power.

The next four years will be chaotic—just as every four-year period in history has been. From wars to disasters, economic turmoil to political unrest, uncertainty is the only constant. So how do we stay strong through it all? In this episode, Ryan Holiday shares how he's future-proofing with timeless Stoic wisdom so you can do the same.

In this Part 2 episode, Randy Blythe, the lead singer of Lamb of God shares how his time in a Czech prison flipped his whole perspective on life, the cost of genius, and how thinking about mortality rewired his mindset. In his new book, Just Beyond the Light, Randy shares his approach to life, talks about what he’s learned touring the world as the vocalist of a successful heavy metal band, and the ways he is doing what he can to leave the world a better place.Randy’s coming to a city near you! Grab tickets here: https://randyblythe.com/Follow Randy on Instagram and X @DRandallBlythe and check out his Substack

We have to push ourselves outside our comfort. We have to give and give and give. Because it’s right.

Debt. It’s a word that carries heavy, negative connotations. But actually, there is a different kind of debt we are less aware of, one that doesn’t drown us but builds us up.Our premium edition of Meditations is crafted to last for generations—making it the perfect keepsake to display proudly and pass forward as a gift to someone who has made a difference in your life.Pair it with "How to Read Marcus Aurelius' Meditations (A Daily Stoic Guide)" to make sure you squeeze all the practical advice you can from this powerful book. Get both today and save $20!

Randy Blythe, lead singer of Lamb of God, joins Ryan to talk about the role ego plays as a successful frontman, conquering fears, and the intersections between Stoicism and heavy metal in his life.In his new book, Just Beyond the Light, Randy shares his approach to life, talks about what he’s learned touring the world as the vocalist of a successful heavy metal band, and of the very real ways he is doing what he can to leave the world a better place.Follow Randy on Instagram and X @DRandallBlythe and check out his Substack

The world is full of mysteries. There is so much to learn. 

Can you do it even when it's hard? Even when you don't want to? Even when you think maybe that you can't?Looking to make real, lasting change in your life? Check out The Daily Stoic Course: Habits for Success, Habits for Happiness: https://store.dailystoic.comGet Habits for Success, Habits for Happiness & all other Daily Stoic courses for FREE when you join Daily Stoic Life | dailystoic.com/life

As Truman also said, not all readers are leaders, but there is nothing better to start you on the path to leadership than reading great books.

This President’s Day, learn how Abraham Lincoln turned every challenge into an opportunity to grow. From personal loss to political failure, each setback made him wiser, tougher, and more empathetic leader.

The Thirty Tyrants were a ruthless group that crushed anyone who opposed them. Socrates had personal ties to some of its leaders but refused to take part in their brutal actions. Yet, his silence in the face of their regime would later come back to haunt him when he was put on trial.Today's audiobook excerpt is from How to Think Like Socrates: Ancient Philosophy as a Way of Life in the Modern World by Donald Robertson.

In today’s Part 2 episode, Josh Brolin and Ryan talk about shedding the ‘young talent’ image, the transformative power of gratitude, and the evolving journey of parenting through life’s different phases.Josh Brolin's breakout role was in The Goonies (1985), and after a hiatus from Hollywood, he made a powerful comeback in No Country for Old Men (2007). He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Dan White in the biopic Milk (2008). Brolin is also known for playing Thanos in the Avengers series, Cable in the Deadpool films, and Gurney Halleck in the Dune franchise.You can grab a copy of From Under The Truck at The Painted Porch. Follow Josh on Instagram @JoshBrolin and on X @TheJoshBrolin