The Daily Stoic

chevron_right

Ed Helms on History’s Greatest Screw Ups

whatshot 135 snips

Apr 30, 2025

Guest

Ed Helms

Ed Helms, the talented actor known for his roles in "The Office" and "The Hangover," joins to share his passion for history's greatest screw-ups, or SNAFUs. He dives into humorous tales of engineering fails, including notorious disasters that went hilariously wrong. Ed explores how history can provide a therapeutic escape, reflecting on the absurdities of past blunders and the lessons they teach us. Further, he discusses the importance of resilience and how personal struggles can fuel creative expression, all while keeping the conversation lighthearted and engaging.

01:12:09

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

insights

INSIGHT

History Teaches and Warns

History offers comic relief and perspective but also warns us to get decisions right.
Poor choices in leadership have real and grave consequences for people.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

War Game Tactics Suppressed

In a military war game, the Red team used unconventional tactics to dominate until restricted.
The Blue team resisted learning from this, causing the opposing commander to quit.

insights

INSIGHT

Power Distorts Truth Flow

Many historical failures stem from leaders being shielded from truth.
Power distorts communication and accountability.

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

The Lasting Influence of 'The Office' on Family Life

04:18 • 2min

chevron_right

Exploring Family Connections Through Humor and History

05:52 • 3min

chevron_right

Books, History, and Human Resilience

08:56 • 10min

chevron_right

The Consequences of Ignorance and the Importance of Physical Practice

18:29 • 4min

chevron_right

Carter's Crisis Leadership and Cold War Misunderstandings

22:41 • 20min

chevron_right

The Influence of Perception and Confirmation Bias

42:20 • 5min

chevron_right

From Struggles to Strengths: Art of Resilience

47:40 • 16min

chevron_right

Prohibition's Dark Legacy

01:03:21 • 14min

chevron_right

The Absurdity of Historical Engineering Fails

01:17:00 • 2min

chevron_right

#13444

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

The Oral History of the Office

Various

#982

• Mentioned in 38 episodes

Empire of the Summer Moon

Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History

S.C. Gwynne

This book spans two astonishing stories. The first traces the rise and fall of the Comanches, who were the most powerful Indian tribe in American history, known for their exceptional horsemanship and warfare skills. The second story follows the remarkable narrative of Cynthia Ann Parker, a pioneer woman kidnapped by the Comanches in 1836, and her mixed-blood son Quanah, who became the last and greatest chief of the Comanches. The book covers a sweeping narrative that includes Spanish colonialism, the Civil War, the destruction of the buffalo herds, and the arrival of the railroads, providing a historical feast for anyone interested in the development of the United States.

#8430

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

The Johnstown flood

David McCullough

The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough tells the story of the catastrophic failure of the South Fork Dam in 1889, which resulted in over 2,000 deaths and widespread destruction in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The book explores the social and historical context leading up to the disaster, highlighting themes of complacency and human error. It is a classic portrayal of life in late 19th-century America, offering powerful historical lessons.

#3703

• Mentioned in 13 episodes

A night to remember

Walter Lord

A Night to Remember is a classic non-fiction book by Walter Lord that recounts the tragic story of the Titanic's sinking in 1912. The book is based on interviews with 63 survivors and provides a detailed, moment-by-moment account of the disaster. It explores the experiences of passengers and crew from different social classes, highlighting the human side of the tragedy.

#10694

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

Snafu

Ed Helms

#25746

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

No rising tide

theology, economics, and the future

Joerg Rieger

#7040

• Mentioned in 7 episodes

Dead Wake

Erik Larson

Dead Wake recounts the tragedy of the sinking of the passenger ocean liner Lusitania by a German submarine. The book sets the stage for the tragedy, recreating the tension of the chase, the horror of the attack, and the tragic aftermath. Larson masterfully weaves together the stories of the passengers, crew, and the German U-boat crew, using a wealth of sources including telegrams, wireless messages, survivor depositions, and secret intelligence ledgers. The sinking of the Lusitania had a significant impact on history, mobilizing American public opinion in favor of entering World War I and casting Germany as the villain in the eyes of the international community.

#100

• Mentioned in 169 episodes

James

Percival Everett

Percival Everett's "James" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that reimagines the classic tale of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim. Everett's writing is both sharp and witty, blending humor and pathos to create a compelling narrative. The novel explores themes of race, freedom, and identity in a way that is both timely and timeless. Everett's unique voice and perspective offer a fresh take on a familiar story, challenging readers to reconsider their assumptions about race and American history. The novel's unexpected twists and turns keep readers engaged until the very end, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.

#1798

• Mentioned in 24 episodes

The River of Doubt

Candice Millard

Candice Millard's "The River of Doubt" recounts Theodore Roosevelt's perilous journey down the uncharted River of Doubt in the Amazon. The book details the physical and mental hardships faced by Roosevelt and his team, highlighting their resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Millard masterfully weaves together historical accounts, personal diaries, and scientific research to create a gripping narrative. The expedition's challenges and near-death experiences underscore Roosevelt's adventurous spirit and his ability to overcome obstacles. The book offers a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal moment in Roosevelt's life and the exploration of the Amazon.

#2513

• Mentioned in 18 episodes

Night of the Grizzlies

Jack Olsen

In 'Night of the Grizzlies', Jack Olsen provides a detailed and suspenseful narrative of the events surrounding the tragic bear attacks in Glacier National Park on August 13, 1967. The book explores how mismanagement and human actions contributed to the attacks, which marked a turning point in bear management within the National Park Service. Olsen's work is both a gripping tale and a critical examination of human-wildlife interactions.

#7870

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

The Library

Apollodorus

You might know Ed Helms as Andy Bernard from The Office or Stu Price from The Hangover movies—but did you know he’s also a serious history buff? He’s especially fascinated by history’s biggest screwups, better known as SNAFUs ("Situation Normal: All F**ked Up"). In today’s episode, Ed joins Ryan to unpack some of these epic blunders, explain how history became an escape for him, and share why learning about the past can be surprisingly therapeutic.

Ed Helms is an actor, comedian, podcast host, and author. Ed has starred as Andy Bernard in The Office, Stuart Price in The Hangover trilogy, We’re the Millers, The Lorax, and much more. He hosts the podcast SNAFU and just released his book SNAFU: The Definitive Guide to History’s Greatest Screwups.

You can follow Ed on Instagram and X @EdHelms

🎙️ Listen to Ed’s podcast SNAFU

📕 Pick up a copy of SNAFU: The Definitive Guide to History’s Greatest Screwups

📚 Books Ryan recommended to Ed:

The Library Book by Susan Orlean

Night of the Grizzlies by Jack Olsen

River of Doubt by Candice Millard

The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough

A Night To Remember by Walter Lord

Rising Tide by John M. Barry

Dead Wake by Erik Larson

His Majesty's Airship by S.C. Gwynne

🎙️ Follow The Daily Stoic Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailystoicpodcast

🎥 Watch top moments from The Daily Stoic Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dailystoicpodcast

✉️ Want Stoic wisdom delivered to your inbox daily? Sign up for the FREE Daily Stoic email at https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail

🏛 Get Stoic inspired books, medallions, and prints to remember these lessons at the Daily Stoic Store: https://store.dailystoic.com/

📱 Follow us: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books