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
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.
110 snips
Feb 6, 2026 • 25min
This Is A Good Surprise | The Stoic Edge Behind Peak Performance
Explores how Stoic calm and unexpected tenderness shaped peak athletic performance. Traces how Stoic ideas spread through NFL teams and influenced coaching routines. Discusses halftime composure, overcoming imposter doubt, and how early struggles and obsessive work build lasting strength. Examines the unique pressures and demands placed on quarterbacks.
105 snips
Feb 5, 2026 • 40min
BONUS | No One Is Coming to Give You Permission
Brent Underwood, owner of Cerro Gordo and author known for Ghost Town Living, shares how waiting for permission and perfect conditions becomes procrastination. They cover deadlines vs open projects, using accountability and consequences to finish work, fear that success will overload future bandwidth, and practical habits like one hour a day and iterating early.
30 snips
Feb 5, 2026 • 2min
This is The One Thing You Don’t Accept
A look at the Stoic line between acceptance and action. Short reflections on when to let go and when to push back. Stories about refusing silence in the face of corruption and tyranny. A call to direct outrage at fixable wrongs and avoid wasted complaints.
35 snips
Feb 4, 2026 • 3min
It’s Always Going To Be One-Sided
A reflection on why honesty and fairness matter even when others cheat. Historical examples of corruption highlight that unfairness is nothing new. Stoic ideas about character as the only true harm take center stage. A call for more principled people who choose right over easy choices rounds out the conversation.
129 snips
Feb 4, 2026 • 1h 16min
Chuck Klosterman: The NFL Explains More About America Than You Think
Chuck Klosterman, author and cultural critic known for books like Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs and Football, explores how football reveals American identity. He links sports to media, power, and monocultures. Short anecdotes and surprising historical parallels illuminate TV’s role, expertise illusions, tech like AI, and why shared cultural moments form and fade.
103 snips
Feb 3, 2026 • 7min
Do You Have Double What It Takes? | The Source Of Your Anxiety
A reflection on why life often requires you to be twice as capable to get ahead. Tough moments are recast as training partners that build resilience. Anxiety is traced to craving outcomes beyond your control. Practical stories and Stoic ideas show how to question worries and choose presence over needless fretting.
12 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 3min
BONUS | You Can't Let The Setbacks Win
A reflection on recovering from setbacks and not letting them define you. A look at accepting interruptions without surrendering to them. A reminder to return to your rhythm and take deliberate action after being thrown off. An invitation to rebuild momentum with community support.
64 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 8min
Sometimes You Just Lose (But That’s No Excuse) | A Proper Frame Of Mind
A reflection on accepting losses without surrendering the fight for change. Historical examples show causes can outlive defeat. Practical Stoic tools for resisting impulses and reclaiming freedom from habits and devices. A call to frame thoughts like an elder and persist despite setbacks.
