The Daily Stoic

In November, 2007, Amanda Knox was 20 years old and had been studying abroad in Italy when her roommate, Meredith Kercher, was brutally murdered. Around the world, all eyes (and cameras) were on Amanda as the main suspect and she was wrongfully convicted of the murder. After spending four years in an Italian prison, the verdict was overturned and Amanda was able to come home to the United States.In 2013, a new trial was ordered by the Italian court and ultimately Amanda was found not guilty a second time. Then just a couple of months ago in June, she had to return to the same courtroom for a re-trial on charges of slander.Today, Amanda talks with Ryan about how being introduced to Stoicism and The Obstacle is the Way completely changed her perspective while navigating her unimaginable situation.  “In the eyes of other people, I was the girl accused of murder and I felt like they didn't really say anything true or real about me as a human being. And I had to really think about that idea, the obstacle

We don’t live in Ancient Rome. We are not emperors or senators. We are not professional philosophers. We are regular people. This doesn’t mean we are far from the world of virtue.

The Stoics were touched by the power of philosophy at an early age. It inspired them, charged them, challenged them. Whatever your age, you too have been touched by this fire. You also have their torch to carry forward as you do extraordinary things, as you try to make the world better for you having lived in it.

The obstacles are not impediments, they are opportunities. They are not holding us back, they are fueling us. 

The stereotypes of Stoics as emotionless brutes and Epicureans as self-indulgent pleasure-seekers is not just misleading, but is an injustice to the two philosophies. Tune in to learn the similarities, differences, myths, stories, and history behind Stoicism and Epicureanism.

Being consistent creates real, lasting change. It is the compound interest towards our future accomplishments and who we want to be. This is what Texas A&M Men’s Basketball Head Coach, Buzz Williams, calls “being an everyday guy”. Whether you’re practicing free throws in the gym every afternoon like Coach Buzz's players or you’re writing each morning like Ryan, the common denominator that leads each of us to where we want to go is consistently showing up and doing the work. Tune in to today’s episode to hear Coach Buzz and Ryan talk about being an everyday person, why all success is a lagging indicator, how Buzz thinks about winning and losing, coaching players in the age of social media fame, and more. Don’t forget to listen to part 1:

The Stoics were people that felt, but they also understood that life, especially leadership, requires being able to balance these emotions with the responsibilities and duties each of us have. We have to process these emotions, to be sure. We may also have to put them aside for a second.

We are the creators of our anxiety. Which means we can also be the ones to do something about it. In Meditations, Marcus Aurelius put it like this: “Today I escaped from anxiety. Or no, I discarded it, because it was within me, in my own perceptions—not outside.” To serve as a reminder of this, we have created the Daily Stoic Anxiety Medallion. Grab your own at the Daily Stoic Store!✉️ Want Stoic wisdom delivered to your inbox daily? Sign up for the FREE Daily Stoic email at https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail

As the Head Coach of Texas A&M Men’s Basketball team, Coach Buzz Williams is dedicated to setting his players up for success not only on the court, but with values that they will carry for the rest of their lives. During the off-season, Coach Buzz was able to come down to the Daily Stoic studio and share with Ryan what he’s learned about not just being a great coach, but also a great person, throughout his life and 30+ season coaching career. Buzz talks about how basketball legend George Raveling continues to be his mentor, the responsibility he feels as a coach, building trust with his players, the difference between discipline and justice, and more. Follow Buzz Williams on Instagram: @TeamCoachBuzz and on X: @TeamCoachBuzz

It’s because life is unpredictable, it’s because nothing is certain that we must find joy and happiness where we can.

There’s a reason the Stoics held up courage as a key virtue. Because they believed that we were obligated to participate in public life and that this meant putting ourselves out there. Whatever it is that we want to do in life demands this courage. We can’t let our fears win.

We’ve already lost many of our favorite guests and influences. Today, we must add another to that list, Jake Seliger. Jake was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year at age 39, and in the midst of that fight he gave a moving interview on the Daily Stoic podcast, despite having had his tongue removed.Please consider donating to Jake’s GoFundMe, his wife Bess announced that all future donations will now go to supporting their daughter Athena. 

Back in April, Ryan went to the United States Naval Academy and spoke to over 1,000 Sophomore Cadets about Stoicism, the virtue of Justice, and the legacy of USNA alum and former President, Jimmy Carter. This was part of the Stutt Ethics Lecture Series at the Naval Academy, made possible by a gift from William C. Stutt and his wife Carolyn.

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris are coming to a close and it’s been incredible watching the world’s top athletes compete for gold. Today, Ryan talks with Greg Harden, who has worked with Tom Brady and 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, about how he helped them stay mentally focused. Kate Courtney, who competed in the Tokyo Olympics, talks about seeing moments of failure as opportunities for growth. Chris Bosh and Ryan dive into how Stoicism helps elite athletes stay on top of their game and get out of their head. Greg Harden is a life coach, motivational speaker and executive consultant who is best known for his work with 7-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady, Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl MVP Desmond Howard, and 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps.

You don’t call yourself a Stoic. You must act like a Stoic.

Would you rather be poor today or wealthy in Rome two thousand years ago? You have access and knowledge that Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and the most brilliant doctors of antiquity would have genuinely seen as magic. We are incredibly lucky.Ask DS:Has Ryan always had this perspective or did he have a day of enlightenment in terms of defining himself as a Stoic?Why did Ryan decide to focus on Stoicism and philosophy (career wise) instead of something else?How can we follow the Stoics but still maintain strong desires and passions in life?✉️ Want Stoic wisdom delivered to your inbox daily? Sign up for the FREE Daily Stoic email at https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail

Behind every great man and woman of history, there's usually a library or a bookstore that has been formative in their life. Not only have bookstores shaped influential leaders, but also the ideas and movements that have altered society. Stoicism originated in a bookstore, Benjamin Franklin’s bookstore influenced the American Revolution, and countless bookstores have been the backbones of activist movements. Evan Friss, author of The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore, talks with Ryan in today's episode about the unchanged charm of bookstores over centuries, the impact of Amazon on the book industry, the role of libraries, and the romantic yet challenging undertaking of running a bookstore. 

A leader stands up, steps up…or in other cases, walks away.

Whenever the Olympics come around, we tend to place a big emphasis on winning and individual glory. But as the Stoics would remind us, it’s not winning that counts.

We’re all marked souls, living on borrowed time. Let’s not waste what time we have left. Memento Mori.