Nils Parker, Bestselling Writer and Editor Behind Lives of the Stoics, The Obstacle Is the Way and The Daily Stoic

Sep 23, 2020

Nils Parker, a bestselling writer and editor known for his work with Ryan Holiday, shares insights from their collaboration on influential Stoic literature. They dive into the power of teamwork in creative endeavors and the emotional complexities of receiving feedback. Nils reflects on how writing shapes identity and the challenges of maintaining authenticity amid societal pressures. The conversation also touches on originality in publishing and storytelling, revealing how innovative ideas resonate with audiences.

55:44

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Write to Be a Writer

To be a writer, you must write consistently.
Calling yourself a writer before producing substantial work is disingenuous.

insights

INSIGHT

External Validation for Writers

True identification as a writer comes from external validation, not self-proclamation.
Producing a significant body of work solidifies the title.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Show, Don't Tell

Ryan Holiday's book Obstacle is the Way benefited from editorial advice.
Niels Parker advised "show, don't tell," leading to a stronger narrative structure.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

The Power of Collaboration in Creative Work

02:07 • 5min

chevron_right

The Fluidity of Time and Identity in Writing

06:56 • 15min

chevron_right

Navigating Feedback in Writing

21:55 • 14min

chevron_right

Navigating Communication and Creative Integrity

36:23 • 15min

chevron_right

Navigating Originality and Market Trends in Film and Publishing

51:36 • 3min

chevron_right

The Complexity of Classification in Publishing

54:06 • 4min

chevron_right

• Mentioned in 345 episodes

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.

#201

• Mentioned in 68 episodes

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.

#78

• Mentioned in 127 episodes

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.

#44

• Mentioned in 171 episodes

Stillness is the Key

Ryan Holiday

In 'Stillness is the Key', Ryan Holiday explores the concept of inner stillness as a universal principle across different philosophical and religious traditions, including Stoicism, Buddhism, Epicureanism, and more. The book is divided into three sections: stillness of the mind, stillness of the spirit, and stillness of the body. Holiday argues that cultivating stillness allows for better decision-making, increased focus, and a more fulfilling life. He uses anecdotes from historical figures and contemporary examples to illustrate the importance of moderation, patience, and self-awareness in achieving this state of stillness.

#35

• Mentioned in 187 episodes

Ego is the Enemy

Ryan Holiday

In *Ego Is the Enemy*, Ryan Holiday delves into the concept of ego and its detrimental effects on personal and professional success. The book is divided into three sections: Aspiration, Success, and Failure, each offering valuable lessons and perspectives. Holiday draws on a vast array of stories and examples from literature, philosophy, and history, featuring figures such as George Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Katharine Graham, Bill Belichick, and Eleanor Roosevelt. These individuals achieved great success by conquering their own egos, and their strategies and tactics are presented as models for readers. The book emphasizes the importance of staying grounded, continually learning, and embracing a mindset of growth rather than letting ego hinder development.

On today’s Daily Stoic Podcast, Ryan talks to his longtime writing partner and friend Nils Parker. They discuss Stoicism, their ongoing collaboration with Daily Stoic and Ryan’s other written works, and more.

Nils Parker is one of the most sought after writers and editors in the business, having worked on books that have grossed more than $100M in earnings in the last fifteen years. He and Ryan have been collaborators, friends and business partners.

Preorder Lives of the Stoics now: http://dailystoic.com/lives

This episode is brought to you by Four Sigmatic. Four Sigmatic is a maker of mushroom coffee, lattes, elixirs, and more. Their drinks all taste amazing and they've full of all sorts of all-natural compounds and immunity boosters to help you think clearly and live well. Four Sigmatic has a new exclusive deal for Daily Stoic listeners: get up to 39% off their bestselling Lion’s Mane bundle by visiting foursigmatic.com/stoic.

***

If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more people listen to the podcast, the more we can invest into it and make it even better.

Follow @DailyStoic:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dailystoic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailystoic/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/dailystoic

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dailystoic

Follow Nils Parker:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nilsaparker

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nilsparker

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books