Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and Author Rich Cohen On How to Succeed When Everyone’s Against You

Aug 12, 2020

Rich Cohen, a best-selling author and editor known for his diverse subjects ranging from Jewish gangsters to the Rolling Stones, shares intriguing insights on navigating success amid adversity. He discusses the changing perceptions of historical figures and the complexities of heroism. The conversation dives into the intersection of Stoicism and religion, emphasizing resilience, and explores the creative process in writing, likening it to a boxing match. Cohen highlights the importance of embracing failures on the path to success, underscoring perseverance as a key to achievement.

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INSIGHT

Zemuri's Legacy

Sam Zemuri's legacy is complex and has been reinterpreted over time.
He's now seen as a villain, but he was a forward-thinking entrepreneur in a backwards industry.

INSIGHT

Judging History

Judging historical figures harshly implies a belief in present-day moral superiority.
History suggests future generations will likely judge our actions negatively.

INSIGHT

Empty Pedestals

Removing statues of flawed figures is easier than finding replacements.
Our inability to agree on new heroes reflects a fear of future judgment.

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On today’s Daily Stoic Podcast, Ryan and author Rich Cohen talk about the ever-changing lens through which we judge historical figures, how the subjects of several of Cohen’s books reached success in the face of seemingly-insurmountable opposition, and more.

Rich Cohen is a best-selling author and editor. His books range in subject matter from Jewish gangsters, the Rolling Stones, and the formation of the original banana republics to the NFL’s Chicago Bears and the artificial sweetener Sweet’n Low. Cohen’s writing has appeared in places like The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Harper’s Magazine. He has also worked in television on such shows as Showtime’s Magic City and HBO’s Vinyl.

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