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
241 snips
Feb 15, 2026 • 13min
If You Only Read a Few Books This Year, Read These
A rapid-fire tour of a handful of high-impact books worth your limited reading time. Topics include taming your inner voice with mindfulness, building character and leadership, finding stillness in a busy life, repairing relationships in parenting, and prioritizing experiences over hoarding wealth. Creative resistance and daily wisdom practices also get spotlighted.
190 snips
Feb 14, 2026 • 24min
11 Stoic Rules For Love
Practical rules for treating love as an intentional practice. Self-knowledge and self-improvement as foundations for healthy relationships. Choosing partners who help you grow and serving them through time and attention. Letting go of control, accepting change, and staying committed despite imperfection. Using reflection on loss to stay present and tempering passion with reason.
140 snips
Feb 13, 2026 • 16min
This Kindles the Soul | Why You Can't Ignore What's Happening
Rick Jervis, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who covers immigration, discusses why immigration touches every community. He describes conditions inside detention centers, the logistics that worsen harm, and how recent enforcement sweeps differ from past practices. Short, urgent conversations about the moral strain on agents and the systemic pressures shaping outcomes.
158 snips
Feb 12, 2026 • 14min
Do Not Delay | Dan Harris & Ryan Holiday on The Pursuit of Wisdom
A conversation about memento mori and why we should not delay practicing wisdom. They explore wisdom as a process that emerges from experience, discipline, and social perception. Historical examples like Seneca, Lincoln, and Clarkson illustrate how study and action intertwine. They contrast raw intelligence with the fuller skill of practical judgment.
45 snips
Feb 11, 2026 • 3min
There’s a Rhythm. There’s a Rhythm.
A reflection on feeling rattled and directionless, and how to regain composure. Talks about reverting to your true self when life upends you. Explores the idea of an underlying rhythm or Logos that restores order. Shares ancient Stoic examples of returning to that harmony and practical encouragement to stand tall and move forward.
98 snips
Feb 11, 2026 • 56min
Stephen Greenblatt: Why “This Time Is Different” Is Always Wrong
Stephen Greenblatt, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and Harvard professor known for books like The Swerve, talks about recurring patterns of power, fear, ego, and insecurity across centuries. He explores how dangerous leaders hide in plain sight. They discuss how artists and literature conceal dissent, how thinkers survived tyrants, and why some ideas survive only when embedded in art.
135 snips
Feb 10, 2026 • 26min
You Have to Fight for It | Is There A Dark Side To Stoicism?
Stephanie Ruhl, an on-stage interviewer and conversationalist, steers a lively exploration of wisdom, reading, and moral courage. Short, punchy conversations cover why deep reading matters, the risks and effects of AI on effort, how curiosity fuels social change, and the potential misuse of Stoic ideas. Quick takes on empathy, journaling, and moral responsibility round out the discussion.
126 snips
Feb 9, 2026 • 9min
You Are Responsible For How They Make You Feel | Watch Over Your Perceptions
They explore the Stoic idea that emotions are our responsibility and others cannot force offense. They explain pausing to prevent reactive anger and the “second arrow.” A medallion is suggested as a cue to create space before responding. The conversation covers guarding perceptions, choosing what deserves attention, and cultivating focus and inner steadiness.
24 snips
Feb 8, 2026 • 14min
Bert Kreischer's Reading List (From Ryan Holiday)
Bert Kreischer, comedian and podcaster known for loud storytelling and comedy specials, explores a stack of books and his changing takes on classics. Short conversations jump from Fitzgerald and Hemingway to Confederacy of Dunces and The Fountainhead. They discuss what sparked his reading habit and practical rituals like journaling and strength training.
142 snips
Feb 7, 2026 • 24min
The Philosopher Who Didn’t Care What Anyone Thought
Inger Kuhn, a Classics professor at UVA who studies ancient Greek philosophy, guides a lively look at Diogenes of Sinope. Conversations cover his street-life provocations, rejection of status and comfort, his famous clash with Alexander, and how Cynic practices shaped Stoic ideas. Short, vivid stories bring ancient radical freedom to life.
