The Daily Stoic Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and Niki Papadopoulos Go Inside Writing About Stoicism
Sep 9, 2020
In this engaging discussion, Niki Papadopoulos, Editorial Director at Penguin Random House, shares insights from her decade-long collaboration with author Ryan. They delve into the editing process and the evolution of Ryan's works, including his latest, 'Lives of the Stoics.' Niki highlights the balance between originality and market expectations in publishing. The duo reminisces about their journey, emphasizing the emotional challenges writers face and the importance of genuine connections to their material, all viewed through the lens of Stoicism.
01:10:21
Unconventional Proposal
- Ryan Holiday's first book proposal started with a story about defacing a billboard.
- This stood out to Niki Papadopoulos because it was different from the typical business book opening.
Life-Changing Meeting
- Ryan Holiday flew to New York for publisher meetings after his grandfather's funeral, running on adrenaline.
- After Portfolio preempted his book, he walked around Soho, realizing his life had changed.
Risk and Success
- People often mistake others' success as proof of a safe market niche.
- However, these niches were not safe when initially pursued; they became safe because of the person who took the risk.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Exploring Stoicism Through Publishing and Personal Insights
02:08 • 5min
Reflecting on a Decade of Writing
07:28 • 14min
The Journey of Originality in Publishing
21:51 • 6min
Authentic Connections in Writing
27:55 • 14min
Navigating Co-Authorship and Creative Relationships
41:41 • 3min
The Writer's Emotional Journey
44:26 • 16min
Navigating Creative Partnerships in Publishing
01:00:00 • 14min
Anticipation and Reflection on Stoicism and Writing
01:14:23 • 2min
Growth Hacker Marketing
Ryan Holiday
In this book, Ryan Holiday explains how the marketing landscape has changed and introduces the concept of growth hacking.
He argues that traditional marketing methods are no longer effective and presents a new approach that emphasizes achieving product-market fit, targeting specific groups, and creating viral growth through scalable and trackable methods.
The book includes case studies from companies like Dropbox, Instagram, and Airbnb, highlighting how these businesses achieved massive growth without traditional marketing.
Holiday stresses the importance of continuous product optimization and user feedback to drive exponential growth.
Trust Me, I'm Lying
Confessions of a Media Manipulator
Ryan Holiday
In 'Trust Me, I'm Lying,' Ryan Holiday exposes the inner workings of the online media system, detailing how rumors and false information can quickly spread from low-level blogs to major news outlets.
The book highlights the role of marketers and media manipulators in this process, driven by the toxic economics of the news business.
Holiday shares his own experiences as a media manipulator and provides insights into the social science behind why this system is so vulnerable to manipulation.
He also offers advice on how to spot and combat these manipulative tactics.
Zero to One
Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future
Peter Thiel
In 'Zero to One,' Peter Thiel argues that true innovation comes from creating something entirely new, going from 'zero to one,' rather than incrementally improving existing ideas.
He emphasizes the importance of vertical progress through technology and the benefits of monopoly in driving innovation.
Thiel also discusses the need for long-term planning, the importance of finding the right co-founders, and the power law in startup success.
The book challenges conventional wisdom and encourages readers to think critically and aim big to build the future.
The obstacle is the way
Ryan Holiday
In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes.
Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will.
He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs.
The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges.
Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.
Lives of the Stoics
The Art of Living from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius
Ryan Holiday
Stephen Hanselman
This book presents the fascinating lives of twenty-six ancient Stoics, from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius, organized in digestible mini-biographies.
It vividly brings to life the stories of key Stoic philosophers, such as Seneca, Epictetus, and Cicero, and demonstrates how their philosophies shaped their actions and legacies.
The authors intertwine historical context with philosophical insights, making the book both educational and entertaining.
It shows how Stoic principles can be applied to modern life, emphasizing virtues like Courage, Justice, Temperance, and Wisdom.
Hooked
How to Build Habit-Forming Products
Nir Eyal
In 'Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products', Nir Eyal explains the Hook Model, a four-step process (trigger, action, variable reward, and investment) that successful companies use to create products that users engage with habitually.
The book provides practical insights and actionable steps for building products that capture widespread attention and encourage repeated use without relying on costly advertising.
Eyal draws on his research, consulting experience, and practical knowledge to offer a how-to guide that is accessible and valuable for understanding user behavior and designing engaging products.
The net delusion
E. Morozov
Evgeny Morozov
Eduardo G. Murillo
In 'The Net Delusion', Evgeny Morozov challenges the idea that the Internet inherently promotes democracy.
He argues that technologies like the Internet are ideologically neutral and can be used by both democratic and authoritarian forces.
The book explores how authoritarian regimes exploit the Internet to maintain control and spread their ideologies.
Perennial seller
The Art of Making and Marketing Work that Lasts
Ryan Holiday
In 'Perennial Seller', Ryan Holiday explores the principles behind creating works that endure and thrive long after their initial release.
He argues that these 'perennial sellers' are not flukes but are built to last from the outset.
The book is divided into four parts: the creative process, positioning, marketing, and platform.
Holiday uses examples from various industries, including music, restaurants, and literature, to illustrate how creators can ensure their work remains relevant and continues to attract new customers over time.
He emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to both the creation and marketing of the work, as well as the need for patience, dedication, and a strong platform of loyal supporters.
Captivate
The Science of Succeeding with People
Vanessa Van Edwards
In 'Captivate,' Vanessa Van Edwards shares shortcuts, systems, and secrets for taking charge of interactions at work, home, and in any social situation.
This book provides simple, science-backed methods to solve people problems, such as how to work a room, read facial expressions, and make memorable conversations by generating the pleasure hormone dopamine in listeners.
It aims to improve interpersonal intelligence, make a lasting first impression, and build rapport quickly and authentically in various situations like negotiations, interviews, and parties.
American Kingpin
The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road
Nick Bilton
American Kingpin tells the story of Ross Ulbricht, a libertarian-leaning programmer who built the Silk Road, an online marketplace for drugs and other illicit goods on the dark web.
The book details Ulbricht's transformation from a college dropout to the mastermind behind a billion-dollar drug empire, and his eventual capture by law enforcement.
The narrative is filled with twists and turns, including the involvement of crooked FBI agents, murder-for-hire plots, and the complex interplay between technology, libertarian ideology, and law enforcement.
The Four
The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google
Scott Galloway
In this book, Scott Galloway deconstructs the strategies of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google, revealing how these companies have become the most influential in the world.
He explains how they exploit basic human needs such as the desire for love, sex, and consumption, and how they maintain their dominance through unique business models and strategic maneuvers.
The book also discusses the implications of their power and provides advice on how individuals and businesses can learn from and adapt to the environment these companies have created.
Thinking in bets
Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts
Annie Duke
In this book, Annie Duke teaches readers how to make better decisions by treating them as 'bets' on uncertain outcomes.
She emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between the quality of a decision and its outcome, acknowledging the role of luck, and avoiding biases such as 'resulting' and hindsight bias.
Duke draws on her experiences as a professional poker player and combines these with insights from cognitive psychology and other fields to provide tools for making more objective and thoughtful decisions.
The book encourages readers to get comfortable with uncertainty, seek truth through diverse opinions, and learn from outcomes to improve future decision-making.
The obstacle is the way
Ryan Holiday
In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes.
Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will.
He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs.
The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges.
Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.
On today’s Daily Stoic Podcast, Ryan talks with his editor Niki Papadopoulous about their long career together, from the origins of The Obstacle Is the Way and how Ryan became a writer to the development of Ryan’s books on Stoicism, the inner workings of the editing process, and Ryan’s latest book, Lives of the Stoics (now available for preorder).
Niki Papadopoulous is the editorial director for the Portfolio imprint at Penguin Random House. She has been Ryan’s editor since The Obstacle Is the Way, and has published several New York Times and Wall Street Journal best sellers. Besides Ryan’s books, Niki has also published works such as Hooked by Nir Eyal, Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke, and The Four by Scott Galloway.
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