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The 5-Step Stoic Routine for Clear Thinking | Maria Semple

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Apr 16, 2026

Guest

Maria Semple

Maria Semple, bestselling novelist and former TV writer behind Where’d You Go, Bernadette, shares her 5-step Stoic morning routine. She talks about reframing everyday annoyances, choosing a virtue before the day begins, and turning obligation into gratitude. The conversation also explores compassion, love, and why Stoicism feels especially relevant in unstable times.

55:06

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INSIGHT

Stoicism Works By Changing The Viewing Angle

Stoicism often changes nothing external; it changes the angle you use to interpret the same event.
Ryan Holiday uses Baldwin seeing a muddy puddle as rainbow oil and reflection, then applies that to jobs, obstacles, and ugly city scenes.

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ADVICE

Write Your Philosophy Of Life Every Morning

Write your philosophy of life every morning so the day starts from chosen principles instead of mood.
Maria Semple literally copies, “virtue equals freedom,” and reminds herself that virtue alone secures good cheer, joy, and tranquility.

insights

INSIGHT

How Maria Semple Orders The Four Virtues

Maria Semple treats wisdom as discernment that sets the right amount of justice, courage, and temperance.
She elevates justice after Donald Robertson pushed her, reframes courage as moral nonconformity, and uses temperance to “right size” herself within larger systems.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Reframing Ordinary Annoyances

01:49 • 9min

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Maria’s Stoic Origin Story

10:37 • 6min

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Virtue as Daily Alignment

16:17 • 7min

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Purpose Before the Day Begins

Turning Obligation Into Gratitude

28:16 • 7min

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A Solo Stoic Practice

35:36 • 3min

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Softening Stoicism With Compassion

38:33 • 6min

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Where Love Fits Stoicism

44:33 • 6min

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Why Women Already Practice Stoicism

50:11 • 6min

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Why Stoicism Meets This Moment

• Mentioned in 75 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.

#7405

• Mentioned in 7 episodes

Gentle

Courtney Carver

Gentle is a self-help book that offers 30 practices to help readers overcome chronic overwhelm, cultivate self-compassion, and find permission to do less. Organized into three parts—Rest, Less, and Rise—the book provides simple challenges to help readers shift their pace, headspace, and heart. It rejects the old rules of hustle culture and invites readers into real self-care that goes beyond superficial measures, focusing on trusting oneself and embracing a rhythm that frees them to enjoy their lives.

#7931

• Mentioned in 7 episodes

Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Maria Semple

The book follows the story of Bernadette Fox, a former renowned architect and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, who has become a recluse and suffers from severe agoraphobia. When her daughter Bee earns perfect grades, she claims her reward: a family trip to Antarctica. However, Bernadette's aversion to people and her increasing mental breakdown lead to her disappearance. Bee compiles a series of emails, documents, and secret correspondences to find her mother, revealing a complex web of family dynamics, social satire, and personal struggles. The novel pokes fun at Seattle's elite culture, private school parents, and the tech world, while exploring themes of creativity, mental health, and the bond between a mother and daughter.

#1341

• Mentioned in 32 episodes

A Guide to the Good Life

William B. Irvine

#107

• Mentioned in 177 episodes

Letters from a Stoic

Seneca

Seneca's "Letters from a Stoic" comprises a collection of personal letters offering practical advice on living a virtuous life according to Stoic principles. Written to Lucilius, a friend and student, the letters cover a wide range of topics, including dealing with adversity, managing emotions, and finding inner peace. Seneca's writing style is engaging and relatable, making complex philosophical concepts accessible to a wider audience. The letters offer timeless wisdom on self-improvement and ethical living. They remain a valuable resource for anyone seeking guidance on navigating life's challenges.

• Mentioned in 1,106 episodes

Meditations

Marcus Aurelius

Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.

#25931

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Today will be different

Maria Semple

Today Will Be Different is a novel by Maria Semple that chronicles a single day in the life of Eleanor Flood as she attempts to break old habits and live better, making a series of decisions with comedic and emotional consequences. Semple uses tight, witty prose and keen observation to explore themes of self-improvement, domestic life, and personal redemption. The novel's structure and voice highlight the protagonist's internal struggles and the small moments that shape a life, blending humor with sincerity. Today Will Be Different reflects Semple's interest in how daily practices and intentions influence behavior and mood. The book was well received for its relatable protagonist and incisive look at modern family life.

#30850

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

This One Is Mine

Maria Semple

This One Is Mine is an earlier novel by Maria Semple that delves into the complexities of relationships, identity, and the consequences of choices through Semple's characteristic humor and sharp dialogue. The story focuses on personal dynamics and emotional struggles, presenting well-drawn characters navigating love and family. Semple's television background contributes to the book's pacing and scene construction, making it engaging and accessible. The novel reflects recurring themes in Semple's work: the domestic sphere, female experience, and the interplay between ambition and vulnerability. While less widely known than her later bestseller, it established Semple's voice as a novelist.

#10

• Mentioned in 465 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.

The difference between reacting and thinking clearly starts with how you begin your day. In this episode, Ryan sits down with bestselling author Maria Semple to break down the 5-step Stoic routine she uses each morning. They talk about how a daily practice of reflection, intention, and perspective can change the way you approach everything from small annoyances to life’s biggest challenges.

Maria Semple is the bestselling author of Today Will Be Different, Where’d You Go, Bernadette, and This One Is Mine. Her new novel, Go Gentle, is about a Stoic philosopher living in New York City. Before writing fiction, Maria wrote for TV shows like Arrested Development, 90210, Mad About You, Ellen, and more.

📚 Grab a signed copy of Go Gentle by Maria Semple | https://www.thepaintedporch.com/

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