In 'David and Goliath', Malcolm Gladwell challenges conventional wisdom about obstacles and disadvantages. He uses the biblical story of David and Goliath as a starting point to explore various cases where underdogs have triumphed over more powerful opponents. The book delves into topics such as the benefits of 'desirable difficulties', the impact of dyslexia on successful individuals, and the dynamics of successful and unsuccessful strategies in different contexts, including warfare, education, and social movements. Gladwell argues that what appears to be a weakness can often be a strength, and that too much power or advantage can sometimes be counterproductive.
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.
The Book of Virtues is a comprehensive anthology edited by William J. Bennett, intended to aid in the moral education of children. The book contains 370 passages across ten chapters, each dedicated to a different virtue, including self-discipline, compassion, responsibility, friendship, work, courage, perseverance, honesty, loyalty, and faith. The selections are drawn from a wide range of sources, including the Bible, Greek mythology, Aesop's Fables, William Shakespeare, and works by authors like Charles Dickens, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Oscar Wilde. The book is designed to be used for browsing and bookmarking, with the aim of teaching children moral literacy and helping them develop good character. The 30th anniversary edition includes new figures such as Mother Teresa, Colin Powell, and heroes of 9/11 and the War in Afghanistan, continuing its legacy of promoting moral education[1][4][3].
In 'Outliers: The Story of Success', Malcolm Gladwell examines the often-overlooked factors that contribute to high levels of success. He argues that success is not solely the result of individual talent or hard work, but rather is influenced by a complex web of advantages and inheritances, including cultural background, family, generation, and luck. The book delves into various examples, such as the success of Bill Gates, the Beatles, and Canadian ice hockey players, to illustrate how these factors play a crucial role. Gladwell also discusses the '10,000-hour rule' and the impact of cultural legacies on behavior and success. The book is divided into two parts: 'Opportunity' and 'Legacy', each exploring different aspects of how success is achieved and maintained.
In 'The Opposite of Spoiled', Ron Lieber provides a detailed blueprint for parents to handle various financial aspects such as the tooth fairy, allowance, chores, charity, saving, and more. The book emphasizes the importance of open conversations about money with children to help them become more patient, prudent, and less materialistic. Lieber shares practical tips, stories, and interviews from families across different income brackets, highlighting the need to encourage children to work, earn money, and develop a healthy relationship with finances. The book also addresses the impact of advertising and consumer culture on children's financial behaviors and suggests ways to instill gratitude and fiscal responsibility from an early age.
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[2][3][5].
Ryan speaks to author Ron Lieber about the key Stoic virtue of temperance, how money can be a great tool for teaching, how parents and kids should approach college and gap years, and more.
Ron Lieber is a bestselling author of several books and has been a New York Times columnist since 2008. His newest book The Price You Pay for College: An Entirely New Road Map for the Biggest Financial Decision Your Family Will Ever Make released in January 2021.
This episode is brought to you by Harry’s, the best subscription service where you receive new razor blades, shaving cream, and other grooming products by mail. For a limited time, Harry’s has an exclusive offer for listeners of the Daily Dad Podcast. New customers can get a Harry’s Starter Set and a FREE body wash for just $3 at harrys.com/dailydad. You’ll get a 5-blade razor, weighted handle, foaming shave gel, a travel cover, and a travel size body wash. It’s an incredibly great deal, but act fast while supplies last! Go to harrys.com/dailydad to redeem your offer.
This episode is also brought to you by Readeo. Readeo provides a virtual story time platform called Bookchat. Bookchat lets you read your favorite award-winning books over video chat with your loved ones, no matter how far apart you are. The Readeo library includes hundreds of books from publishers like Chronicle and Simon and Schuster, including stories in English, Spanish, and French. All of this can be yours for just $10 per month. You can try Readeo out for yourself with a 30-day free trial by using the code DAILY on readeo.com. That’s readeo.com to get 30 days of virtual storytime for free.
***
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.
Sign up for the Daily Dad email: DailyDad.com
Follow Daily Dad:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dailydademail
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydad/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/dailydademail
YouTube: https://geni.us/DailyDad
Follow Ron Lieber:
Homepage: https://ronlieber.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ronlieber
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronlieber/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ronlieber
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Daily Dad 
