A Note from James:
Ryan Holiday is one of the few writers I consider a peer—not just because of the work he’s done, but because of the choices he's made along the way. We’ve both published a lot of books. We've both dealt with audiences, platforms, and the weight of having a “point of view” in a world that increasingly wants you to pick a side. This episode wasn’t meant to be a debate or an interview. It was just two people trying to make sense of the tension between creativity and truth, honesty and influence, and why sometimes the best thing you can say is nothing at all.
Episode Description:
In this candid and far-ranging conversation, James Altucher sits down with bestselling author Ryan Holiday to talk about the changing nature of creativity, writing, podcasting, and personal ethics in a polarized media landscape.
They discuss the illusion of having to weigh in on every issue, the danger of algorithmic thinking, and how to stay true to your voice without becoming a prisoner to your audience. Whether you're a writer, a creator, or just trying to think more clearly in chaotic times, this episode offers real insight into the forces shaping our thinking—and how to resist them.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why sharing too early can kill creative momentum
- How social media shifted from expression to algorithm worship
- Why long-form podcasts might be bad for your brain
- How writing differs from other art forms in its tension and permanence
- The tradeoffs between artistic freedom, platform growth, and audience expectations
Timestamped Chapters:
- [00:00] Writing Without Talking About It
- [01:00] Why Book Ideas Need Time in the Dark
- [02:00] Creative Compulsion vs. Discipline
- [03:00] Stand-Up, Dopamine, and Daily Feedback
- [05:00] Point of View in a Binary World
- [06:00] Silence, Ethics, and Speaking Up
- [07:00] Noise as a Form of Violence
- [09:00] Political vs. Philosophical Disagreements
- [10:00] Social Media’s Shift to Opinion Farming
- [11:00] The Algorithm as Audience Puppet Master
- [12:00] When the Audience Has You
- [13:00] Podcasting’s Algorithm Problem
- [14:00] Are Podcasts Dangerous?
- [16:00] Podcasting vs. Books: Tension and Craft
- [18:00] The Rise of the Longform Grifter
- [20:00] RFK Jr., Bad Ideas, and No Fact Checks
- [22:00] Why Audiobooks Outperform Podcasts
- [23:00] Can the Medium Save Us?
- [25:00] When Podcasts Work (And When They Don’t)
- [27:00] Music and the Emotional Power of Simplicity
- [29:00] Songs vs. Culture War Commentary
- [30:00] Great Lyrics, Great Feelings
- [32:00] Bono, Stoicism, and Making You Feel Seen
- [34:00] The Parasocial Magic of Fame
- [35:00] Acting, Politics, and Emotional Truth
- [37:00] Writing as the Hardest Artform
- [39:00] Why Great Writing Still Matters
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