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Actor Alexander Ludwig on How Stoicism Helped Him Get Sober

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Apr 29, 2023

Guest

Alexander Ludwig

Canadian actor and musician Alexander Ludwig, known for his roles in Vikings and The Hunger Games, shares how Stoicism transformed his journey to sobriety. He discusses the discipline gained from Stoic principles, emphasizing the importance of surrendering to the moment and pursuing mastery in his crafts. Ludwig also reflects on navigating rejection in the acting world with resilience and self-acceptance, showcasing how authenticity and personal growth outweigh external validation in achieving true success.

01:08:50

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ADVICE

Try Audiobooks

If you struggle with reading, try audiobooks.
They offer a valuable alternative, especially for busy individuals or those with wandering minds.

insights

INSIGHT

Rehab's Purpose

Rehab is about understanding why we make self-destructive choices.
Discipline and structure are key to overcoming these behaviors.

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ANECDOTE

Idealized Self

Ludwig realized he often desires the person he'd be in a different situation, not the situation itself.
He emphasizes becoming the best version of yourself instead of chasing external changes.

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

Stoicism and the Path to Sobriety

05:55 • 18min

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The Power of Surrender and Embracing the Journey

23:41 • 4min

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Success Beyond Achievements

27:21 • 20min

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Navigating Work Dynamics and Stoic Philosophy

46:53 • 3min

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Stoicism in Literature and Life

49:40 • 16min

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Navigating Rejection in Acting

01:05:24 • 8min

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The Power of Intention and Embracing Opportunities

01:12:54 • 3min

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Recovery

Freedom from Our Addictions

Russell Brand

In this book, Russell Brand shares his journey through addiction and recovery, addressing a wide range of addictions including drugs, alcohol, caffeine, sugar, work, stress, bad relationships, digital media, and fame. With a mix of honesty, humor, and compassion, Brand provides a recovery plan based on the 12-step program and his own experiences. He emphasizes understanding the underlying pain that addiction masks and offers tools and techniques to help individuals stay clean, sane, and unhooked. The book is a personal and detailed account of Brand's own struggles and his path to sobriety, making it a valuable resource for addicts and their loved ones.

Why We Sleep

Matthew Walker

This book delves into the purpose and power of sleep, explaining how it affects every aspect of our physical and mental well-being. Walker discusses how sleep enriches our ability to learn, memorize, and make logical decisions, recalibrates our emotions, restocks our immune system, fine-tunes our metabolism, and regulates our appetite. He also explores the consequences of sleep deprivation and provides actionable steps to improve sleep quality, including ways to prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes, slow the effects of aging, and increase longevity.

Discipline is Destiny

The Power of Self-Control

Ryan Holiday

In 'Discipline is Destiny', Ryan Holiday explores the Stoic virtue of self-discipline, drawing on historical figures and contemporary examples to illustrate its transformative power. The book emphasizes that discipline is the foundation upon which other virtues such as courage, justice, and wisdom depend. Holiday argues that self-control is essential for personal triumph and fulfillment, and he provides engaging stories and practical advice on how to cultivate discipline in a world filled with distractions and temptations. The book also cautions against the perils of extravagance and hedonism, stressing the importance of balance and self-mastery in achieving success and happiness.

The Power of Intention

Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way

Wayne Dyer

In this book, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer delves into the concept of intention as an invisible, omnipresent energy field that can be harnessed to co-create one's life. The book is divided into three parts: Part I discusses the principles of intention, Part II provides a guide on how to apply these principles in daily life, and Part III describes Dyer's vision of a world in harmony with the universal mind of intention. Dyer emphasizes the importance of aligning oneself with this universal energy, letting go of ego, and embracing virtues such as kindness, sincerity, and service to others. He argues that by doing so, individuals can manifest their desires and live more purposeful lives.

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.

A Life in Parts

Bryan Cranston

In 'A Life in Parts', Bryan Cranston shares captivating stories from his life and career, offering insights into his acting process and personal experiences. The book chronicles his evolution from early roles in soap operas and comedies to iconic performances in 'Breaking Bad' and Broadway's 'All the Way'. Cranston reflects on the transformative power of hard work and the importance of empathy in his craft.

Ryan speaks with Alexander Ludwig about how studying Stoicism gave him the discipline to quit drinking, the power of surrendering to the moment, pursuing mastery of the crafts of acting and songwriting, the mindset he has maintained while navigating his career, and more.

Alexander Ludwig is a Canadian actor and country musician. He is most known for his starring and supporting roles in the History Channel series Vikings and the films Bad Boys for Life, Lone Survivor, The Hunger Games, and Race to Witch Mountain. He currently stars on the series Heels. He began his acting career in commercials at the age of nine and moved into movie work shortly thereafter. As a musician, Ludwig released his self-titled EP in 2021, and then his debut album Highway 99 in 2022 via BBR Music Group. Ludwig has also participated in competitive freestyle skiing.

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