The Daily Stoic

It’s a book that was never meant to be read. So why has Meditations by Marcus Aurelius endured and influenced across so many centuries? And what makes its ancient wisdom still relevant to the modern problems we face today?

The White Lotus season finale aired Sunday, titled "Amor Fati"—and without giving away any spoilers, it served as a powerful reminder of a timeless philosophy: to love one’s fate.

Good exists everywhere—we need only look for it. Beauty surrounds us, waiting to be noticed. 

In a note to himself in the early days of the pandemic, Ryan Holiday wrote, “2020 is a test: will it make you a better person or a worse person?” That was the test that he reminded myself of over and over again: will this make you a better person or a worse person?Check out the blog post of this episode: https://ryanholiday.net/

Does telling your story mean revealing everything? Bestselling author and viral poet Maggie Smith returns for part two of her conversation with Ryan, discussing how writers decide what to share and what to keep sacred. They debunk the myth that memoirs must be exposés, talk about the role of empathy in both storytelling and activism, and explore the challenges of staying true to one's work while navigating success.In 2016, Maggie Smith’s poem Good Bones became a viral sensation. It was named the “Official Poem of 2016” by the Public Radio International. Maggie Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of You Could Make This Place Beautiful; My Thoughts Have Wings, a picture book illustrated by SCBWI Portfolio grand prize winner Leanne Hatch; the national bestsellers Goldenrod and Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change; as well as Good Bones, named one of the Best Five Poetry Books of 2017 by the Washington Post and winner of the 2018 Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medal in Poetry.&nbs

Want to jump on a quick call to chat? Should we have coffee next week? You got a few seconds? These may seem small, but they add up.

A lot of times discipline is pushing yourself to do something you don’t want to do, but the other part of it—what we might call the temperance part—is not doing the stuff you do want to do.Ready to make real, lasting changes in your life? Our course Habits for Success, Habits for Happiness provides a proven framework to build and maintain positive habits that will transform your daily routines. Check it out here: https://store.dailystoic.com

The best writing, like the best life, thrives not on the absence of rules but on the right ones. In today’s episode, Ryan sits down with viral poet and bestselling author Maggie Smith to explore the power of restraint, the fine line between hope and cynicism, and why caring deeply is a bold act of courage.In 2016, Maggie Smith’s poem Good Bones became a viral sensation. It was named the “Official Poem of 2016” by the Public Radio International. Maggie Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of You Could Make This Place Beautiful; My Thoughts Have Wings, a picture book illustrated by SCBWI Portfolio grand prize winner Leanne Hatch; the national bestsellers Goldenrod and Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change; as well as Good Bones, named one of the Best Five Poetry Books of 2017 by the Washington Post and winner of the 2018 Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medal in Poetry. Maggie’s latest book, Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life just released on Ap

The best Stoics did not simply accept the awfulness of their times or participate in the corruption. So how did they fight it? How did they get revenge on the bad guys?

That is the task before all of us. Like Marcus, we can choose to steady ourselves in wisdom, to seek refuge in philosophy, to lean on those who guide us. 

It’s a simple choice, but not easy.

Tim Ferriss sits down with George Raveling to uncover the incredible story of how he came to possess the original copy of Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech and where it is now. Tim also talks with Ryan about the lessons he’s learned from the 88-year-old basketball icon, the best advice George has given him, and what working on What You’re Made For meant to him.

In this PT. 2 episode, Josh Jung, professional baseball player for the Texas Rangers, joins Ryan to talk about the mental battles, leadership, and personal growth that come with playing baseball at the highest level. Josh opens up about the pressure of expectations, the dangers of comparison, and the mindset needed to thrive through the ups and downs of a grueling MLB season.Josh Jung is a professional baseball player for the Texas Rangers as a third baseman. A former star for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, he was selected by the Rangers in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft.Follow Josh on Instagram and X @Josh6Jung⚾️ Grab tickets to watch Josh and the Texas Rangers here

The unfeeling stereotype of a Stoic would of course not be moved by a roll call of plague victims, the death of beloved tutor, or the enormity of the imperial burden. But Marcus Aurelius was never that. He was a human being.

Plenty of people with less have found contentment, while plenty with more have been miserable. You can lead a good life anywhere, the Stoics remind us.

How do the best athletes push through self-doubt, turn failure into fuel, and avoid getting lost in the details? Josh Jung, professional baseball player for the Texas Rangers, joins Ryan to discuss his mental and physical routines, the game-changing effects of the pitch clock, and what can make or break an elite athlete's long-term success. Josh Jung is a professional baseball player for the Texas Rangers as a third baseman. A former star for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, he was selected by the Rangers in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft.Follow Josh Jung on Instagram and X @Josh6Jung⚾️ Grab tickets to watch Josh and the Texas Rangers here

Cicero vs. Cato: Who is the greater example?

If we want to be the metaphorical fire that turns everything into fuel, we must be quite strong. We must have real momentum. We must be operating at a high and heated level. 

We must regroup. We must come together to defeat the flood.

Learn 12 powerful Stoic techniques to conquer stress and turn anxiety into strength. Equip yourself with the strength and poise to handle life's obstacles calmly and confidently, no matter what comes your way.Read more here: https://dailystoic.com/stress-relief/