The Daily Stoic
Daily Stoic | Backyard Ventures
For centuries, all sorts of people—generals and politicians, athletes and coaches, writers and leaders—have looked to the teachings of Stoicism to help guide their lives. Each day, author and speaker Ryan Holiday brings you a new lesson about life, inspired by the thoughts and writings of great Stoic thinkers like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca the Younger. Daily Stoic Podcast also features Q+As with listeners and interviews with notable figures from sports, academia, politics, and more. Learn more at DailyStoic.com.Support the podcast and go deeper with Stoicism by subscribing to The Daily Stoic Premium - unlock ad-free listening, early access, and bonus content (coming soon): dailystoic.com/premium
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 13, 2026 • 29min
The Stoic Code General Mattis Lives By
Margaret Hoover, TV moderator who steers sharp civic conversations, interviews General Jim Mattis, retired four-star Marine and bestselling author known for fierce leadership and wide reading. They discuss how philosophy guides action in crises. They explore first principles from Washington and Lincoln, Stoic discipline in military leadership, and the civic duty of preserving democracy.
5 snips
May 13, 2026 • 3min
This Is Inseparable From Living a Good Life
A crisp look at how courage, temperance, justice and wisdom fit together as a single way of living. A discussion about which virtue can seem most important and why perspective matters. A focus on wisdom as the thread that supports the others. A reminder that virtues work in tandem rather than alone.
32 snips
May 12, 2026 • 8min
No, This Is The Mission | Kindness Is Always The Right Response
A reflection on turning obstacles into your mission and using challenges as fuel for growth. A discussion of why sincere kindness is a disciplined, powerful response to hostility. Historical examples show nonviolence and kindness transforming violent encounters. A call to choose kindness over retaliation and observe how it changes outcomes.
58 snips
May 12, 2026 • 9min
BONUS | Ryan Holiday Responds to Daniel Radcliffe
Conversation centers on a praised history of empire and its surprising links to everyday life. Topics include 19th-century fights over guano-rich islands and how territorial grabs shaped modern warfare. The discussion explores Pearl Harbor’s colonial context, domestic anti-imperial voices, and why holding colonies proved strategically costly. Recommendations for related historical reading round out the talk.
60 snips
May 11, 2026 • 26min
It Can Change Everything | A Real-Life Example of How to Build a Coaching Tree
R. C. Buford, longtime Spurs executive and CEO who helped build a championship culture, shares how a people-first organization develops future leaders. Short takes cover team culture, succession planning, the Spurs coaching tree, and how mentorship creates lasting influence. Conversations spotlight model leaders, community-driven retention, and spreading leadership beyond sports.
42 snips
May 10, 2026 • 14min
We Owe It All To Them | What Marcus Aurelius Learned From His Mother
Donald Robertson, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist and Stoic writer, discusses Marcus Aurelius’ mother as his formative moral model. They explore her education, business acumen, and intellectual salon. Short scenes highlight her warmth, independence, and the influence that helped shape Marcus’ inner life and writings.
114 snips
May 9, 2026 • 23min
Rock Bottom, Recovery, and Starting Over at 40 | Jon Gustin
Jon Gustin, creator of The Tired Dad and author focused on showing up for family, shares his journey through sobriety, parenting, and rebuilding life at 40. He talks about hitting emotional rock bottom, replacing substances with daily practices like journaling and cold plunges, and how Stoic ideas and boundaries with social media helped him reclaim presence and purpose.
78 snips
May 8, 2026 • 30min
The Stoic All the Stoics Admired
A vivid look at Cato the Younger as a living example of Stoic courage and character. Short takes on restraint in speech, valuing obscurity, and austere habits as moral training. Discussions cover standing for justice, using privilege to protect others, and Stoic exercises like voluntary hardship and silence.
44 snips
May 7, 2026 • 3min
BONUS | 6 Stoic Rules of Arete (Excellence)
What does excellence really demand? This conversation explores chosen discomfort, steady effort over outcomes, asking for help, humility over ego, resilience after failure, and turning obstacles into training. A sharp look at the mindset behind becoming better.
47 snips
May 7, 2026 • 15min
It Can’t Think About You | How to Be a Better Friend, According to the Stoics
A Stoic look at why fate is impersonal and why that matters for keeping your humanity. Then the focus shifts to friendship: earning trust slowly, rejecting fair-weather loyalty, stepping back from bad company, making time for people while life is short, and supporting others without trying to control them.
