10% Happier with Dan Harris Stoic Practices for Getting Rid of Mental Junk, Your Morning Routine, and Talking to the Dead | Ryan Holiday
Ryan Holiday, bestselling author and modern Stoic, shares practical Stoic practices and his new book Wisdom Takes Work. He talks about reading as conversation with the dead, asking bold questions to spark curiosity, designing morning routines for deep focus, building a second brain to capture ideas, seeking tough criticism, and preparing for death with clarity.
01:07:52
Find A Teacher Who Opens Doors
- Seek out a real teacher or mentor who can open doors and assign tailored study.
- Cultivate someone you can ask many questions and who will chart a study path for you.
Avoid The Intelligent-Fool Trap
- Wisdom requires both acquiring knowledge and removing foolish tendencies and biases.
- Avoiding traps is as important as learning to prevent becoming an 'intelligent fool.'
Empty Your Cup Regularly
- Empty your cup by journaling and testing your emotions and first impressions before acting.
- Routinely check for ego and biases that taint incoming ideas.
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Intro
00:00 • 6min
What is wisdom and why it takes work
05:47 • 10min
Talk to the dead: reading as conversation
15:39 • 3min
Ask impertinent questions to unlock curiosity
18:32 • 2min
Focus: structure your day for deep work
20:34 • 9min
Create a second brain: note systems matter
29:59 • 4min
Find a teacher and cultivate mentorship
34:19 • 7min
Why avoid pitfalls: the sirens of foolishness
40:57 • 2min
Empty the cup: check ego and bias
43:02 • 12min
Seek criticism and cultivate honest feedback
54:58 • 3min
Ad break
58:24 • 3min
Apotheosis: the highest level of wisdom
01:01:01 • 2min
Embrace mystery and complexity
01:03:22 • 1min
Suffer into truth: lessons from pain
01:04:41 • 2min
Grasp the essence: Lincoln's distillation
01:06:11 • 3min
Pass the final test: learning to die
01:09:20 • 5min
Ad break
01:14:07 • 47sec
Wrap-up and Ryan's books
01:14:54 • 1min
Outro
01:16:03 • 28sec
#99196
Lincoln, The Biography of a Writer
Fred Kaplan
Acclaimed biographer Fred Kaplan delves into the life of America's sixteenth president, focusing on how Lincoln used words to express complex ideas, feelings, persuasion, and empowerment.
Influenced by literary giants like Burns, Byron, Shakespeare, and the Old Testament, Lincoln's writings shaped his identity, relationships, career, and the nation's public discourse.
The book highlights Lincoln's enduring effectiveness as a writer compared to modern presidents and underscores the importance of careful language for democracy.
#22686
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Choice of Hercules
A. C. Grayling
#19847
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Journal of a Novel
John Steinbeck
Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters is a series of letters written by John Steinbeck to his editor Pascal Covici during the composition of his novel 'East of Eden'.
The letters provide insights into Steinbeck's creative process, personal life, and the challenges he faced while writing his longest and most ambitious novel.
They offer a unique perspective on Steinbeck's writing habits and his emotional state during this period.
#6539
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
THE LAST OF THE WINE
Mary Renault
The Last of the Wine is a historical novel by Mary Renault, published in 1956.
It follows the life of Alexias, a young Athenian, as he navigates love, friendship, and the tumultuous political landscape of ancient Athens during the Peloponnesian War. The novel explores themes of love, friendship, and the pursuit of excellence, providing a rich portrayal of life in ancient Greece.
#167
• Mentioned in 130 episodes
Right Thing, Right Now
Justice in an Unjust World
Ryan Holiday
In 'Right Thing, Right Now', Ryan Holiday argues for the necessity of doing what’s right, even when it isn’t easy.
He draws on stories of historical figures such as Marcus Aurelius, Florence Nightingale, Jimmy Carter, Gandhi, and Frederick Douglass to illustrate the importance of justice, kindness, honesty, integrity, and loyalty.
The book emphasizes that justice is not an abstract concept but a daily practice that shapes one’s character and impacts those around us.
Holiday challenges readers to develop their own moral code and uphold it consistently, providing concrete steps and exercises to help incorporate these values into their lives.
#67
• Mentioned in 229 episodes
Ego is the Enemy
Ryan Holiday
In *Ego Is the Enemy*, Ryan Holiday delves into the concept of ego and its detrimental effects on personal and professional success.
The book is divided into three sections: Aspiration, Success, and Failure, each offering valuable lessons and perspectives.
Holiday draws on a vast array of stories and examples from literature, philosophy, and history, featuring figures such as George Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Katharine Graham, Bill Belichick, and Eleanor Roosevelt.
These individuals achieved great success by conquering their own egos, and their strategies and tactics are presented as models for readers.
The book emphasizes the importance of staying grounded, continually learning, and embracing a mindset of growth rather than letting ego hinder development.
#81
• Mentioned in 198 episodes
Stillness is the Key
Ryan Holiday
In 'Stillness is the Key', Ryan Holiday explores the concept of inner stillness as a universal principle across different philosophical and religious traditions, including Stoicism, Buddhism, Epicureanism, and more.
The book is divided into three sections: stillness of the mind, stillness of the spirit, and stillness of the body.
Holiday argues that cultivating stillness allows for better decision-making, increased focus, and a more fulfilling life.
He uses anecdotes from historical figures and contemporary examples to illustrate the importance of moderation, patience, and self-awareness in achieving this state of stillness.
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• Mentioned in 100 episodes
Wisdom Takes Work
Ryan Holiday
#133
• Mentioned in 146 episodes
Courage Is Calling
Ryan Holiday
In 'Courage Is Calling', Ryan Holiday explores the virtue of courage through engaging stories about historic and contemporary leaders such as Florence Nightingale, Ulysses S. Grant, Abraham Lincoln, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The book breaks down the elements of fear, cowardice, bravery, and heroism, and shows how to conquer fear and practice courage in daily life.
Holiday also shares personal anecdotes, including his own experiences with courage and cowardice, to emphasize the importance of choosing to act courageously despite the presence of fear.
#59
• Mentioned in 235 episodes
Discipline is Destiny
The Power of Self-Control
Ryan Holiday
In 'Discipline is Destiny', Ryan Holiday explores the Stoic virtue of self-discipline, drawing on historical figures and contemporary examples to illustrate its transformative power.
The book emphasizes that discipline is the foundation upon which other virtues such as courage, justice, and wisdom depend.
Holiday argues that self-control is essential for personal triumph and fulfillment, and he provides engaging stories and practical advice on how to cultivate discipline in a world filled with distractions and temptations.
The book also cautions against the perils of extravagance and hedonism, stressing the importance of balance and self-mastery in achieving success and happiness.
#415
• Mentioned in 69 episodes
The Daily Stoic
366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Ryan Holiday
Stephen Hanselman
'The Daily Stoic' offers daily insights and exercises drawn from Stoic philosophy, designed to cultivate wisdom, resilience, and mindfulness.
Each entry provides a quote from a Stoic philosopher, followed by Ryan Holiday's reflections and actionable advice.
It encourages readers to embrace challenges, practice self-control, and find meaning in everyday life.
The book is structured as a year-long guide, with each day offering a new opportunity for reflection and growth.
Its practical approach makes Stoicism accessible and relevant for modern readers seeking to improve their mental and emotional well-being.
#12
• Mentioned in 444 episodes
The obstacle is the way
Ryan Holiday
In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes.
Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will.
He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs.
The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges.
Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.
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• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Glorious Exploits
Ferdia Lennon
#551
• Mentioned in 57 episodes
East of Eden
Paul Osborn
In 'East of Eden', John Steinbeck tells the story of the Trask and Hamilton families, set against the backdrop of California's Salinas Valley.
The novel is a modern retelling of the biblical story of Cain and Abel, focusing on the tumultuous relationship between Cal and Aron Trask, and their struggles with their father, Adam.
The book delves into themes of love, rejection, and the choice between good and evil, symbolized by the Hebrew word 'timshel', meaning 'thou mayest'.
The narrative is rich with characters like Samuel Hamilton, a kind and wise patriarch, and Kate, the embodiment of evil, whose past and actions significantly impact the lives of the Trasks.
How to become the wisest version of yourself.
Ryan Holiday is one of the world's bestselling living philosophers. His books, including The Daily Stoic, The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, Stillness Is the Key and his #1 New York Times bestselling series on the Stoic Virtues, appear in more than forty languages and have sold over 10 million copies.
In this episode we talk about:
- The value of asking pertinent questions
- How to create a second brain
- Finding a teacher for yourself
- How not to be a know it all
- Achieving focus through a morning routine
- How to seek out criticism
- Learning how to die
- And much more
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