The Daily Stoic

On Memorial Day, it is worth reflecting on this very beautiful and almost baffling bit of human greatness.

In today’s episode, Ryan opens up about how despite his career success and net worth, he still struggles with anxiety and stress, not so much about the state of the world but about the constant pressure for things to go right.

Can people actually change or are we just stuck with who we are? In this episode, author and journalist Olga Khazan joins Ryan to unpack the age-old debate: are personality traits fixed or can we reshape them over time? Olga shares what happened when she tried to change her own personality over the course of a year and what science says about whether that’s even possible.Olga Khazan is a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of Me, But Better. You can follow Olga on Instagram and X @Olganator and read more of her work on Substack: https://olgakhazan.substack.com/

As leaders, we cannot allow people to tell us what we want to hear. We have to cultivate honesty, both in ourselves and in those around us.

The world is crazy. Plus, we have our own crazy lives to worry about—that pile of work, the kid who might be coming down with a cold, the house project that must be finished.

1963 was a transformational year in American history—JFK's assassination, Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech, the Birmingham Campaign, the rise of the Civil Rights Movement, and escalating Cold War tensions. It was a year that changed the soul of America.In this episode, Dr. Peniel Joseph, author and professor at the University of Texas at Austin, joins Ryan to discuss how 1963 ignited a decade of transformation. They discuss the pivotal events of the year, the contrasting strategies of Malcolm X and MLK Jr., and how this single year reshaped the course of future generations.Dr. Peniel E. Joseph is the Barbara Jordan Chair in Ethics and Political Values, founding director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and distinguished service leadership professor and professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin. He is the author and editor of eight award-winning books on African American history, including The Third Reconstruction and The Swo

As Seneca wrote: “Associate with people who are likely to improve you. The process is a mutual one: men learn as they teach.”

We are not emperors. We are not senators. But we are human beings, connected to all other human beings. 

The Stoics remind us that everything has its compensation…if we choose to see it, if we choose to welcome it.

Is a world without rude people possible? Perhaps. Likely? Not in our lifetimes. So the question is…how do we deal with them without compromising our character? Learn 5 Stoic tips for dealing with the worst kind of people in today's episode. Read this article: https://dailystoic.com/5-stoic-tips-for-handling-rude-people/Narrated by: Kat Pichik

What if you could learn a few simple, powerful tricks to handle arguments and conflict more effectively without losing your cool? In today’s Part 2 episode, communication expert Jefferson Fisher shares his practical approaches to communication that will help you stay calm, clear, and in control even in the heat of tough conversations.Jefferson and Ryan talk about the urge to have the last word, the discipline it takes to remain composed in conflict, and the Stoic lessons on emotional control and restraint.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. Grab a signed copy of Jefferson’s book, The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More, at The Painted Porch! Follow Jefferson on Instagram and X @Jefferson_Fisher, on YouT

They are who they are. Stop expecting them to be anything else.

Today, Stoicism is more popular than ever. But too many of us are on this path alone.

You might prove a point in an argument, but what will you lose in the process? In today’s episode, Jefferson Fisher and Ryan talk about the art of handling arguments, drawing on wisdom from the Stoics, Jefferson’s real-world legal practice, and Abraham Lincoln’s legendary diplomacy. They discuss why being "right" isn't always worth the cost, how to stay grounded in the age of social media outrage, and the importance of knowing your “Alamo,” the hill you’re actually willing to die on. 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. Grab a signed copy of Jefferson’s book, The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More, at The Painted Porch! Follow Jefferson on Instagram and X @Jefferson_Fisher, on YouTube @JeffersonFis

That person you just can’t stand. That person in traffic who won’t get out of the way. Don’t they realize how annoying they are? Probably not anymore than you did when you were that person.

The world needs unbending, courageous people. It needs people who day to day do what’s right, not what’s expedient.

The best way to get out of your head, to get outside yourself…is to step outside yourself. Literally. Step outside. Let nature do its quiet, steady work.

Sharon McMahon, aka "America's Government Teacher", hosted Ryan on an Instagram Live to discuss his recent experience at the U.S. Naval Academy. Invited to speak on the topic of wisdom, Ryan was informed just moments before his lecture that it had been canceled due to his decision to address the removal of books from the Academy’s library. What was meant to be a conversation about wisdom quickly turned into a powerful lesson on censorship, free speech, and the challenge of living with virtue.Sharon and Ryan talk about the importance of confronting history honestly, the controversy around books labeled “too woke,” and the scary implications of silencing ideas in places meant to shape future leaders.After years as a high school government teacher, Sharon now runs the non-partisan, fact-based Instagram account @sharonsaysso and is the author of The Small and the Mighty.Check out Sharon’s podcast Here’s Where It Gets Interesting and follow her on Instagram @SharonSaysSo and on X @Sharon_Says_SoSharon's Substack:

For the Stoics, riches weren’t evil but attachment to them was. In Part 2 of their conversation, self-made billionaire Robert Rosenkranz and Ryan dive into the power of living within your means, mastering your mindset, and finding deeper purpose in your work. They discuss how your upbringing influences your relationship with money, why detachment leads to true freedom, and what really defines success.Robert Rosenkranz became a self-made billionaire as a pioneer in private equity, multi-strategy hedge funds, and the insurance industry. He launched the acclaimed NPR program, Open to Debate, funded Impetus Grants to extend human healthspans, and is founding an innovative cultural institution in New York to showcase immersive work at the intersection of visual art, sound, music, and technology.

Happy Mother's Day this weekend to everyone!