The Night of the Gun is a brutally honest memoir by David Carr, detailing his journey from the depths of crack addiction to becoming a respected journalist at The New York Times. The book explores themes of addiction, recovery, and the reliability of memory, as Carr interviews friends, family, and others to piece together his past. It's a story of personal redemption and the power of truth-telling.
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.
In 'The Way to Love', Anthony de Mello presents thirty-one meditations that explore the concept of love and its relationship with awareness. De Mello insists that love springs from awareness and that true love can only be achieved by seeing others and oneself without illusion or misconception. He discusses the obstacles to love, such as attachments, beliefs, and societal conditioning, and advocates for a life of freedom and contemplation. The book encourages readers to break through these illusions and to live a life animated by gratitude, joy, and attention, leading to a carefree and loving existence[1][4][5].
In 'Status Anxiety', Alain de Botton examines the phenomenon of status anxiety, which arises from the fear of being perceived as unsuccessful by society. He argues that this anxiety is a result of capitalism, democracy, and the egalitarian society we live in, where everyone is judged on their material success. De Botton identifies five causes of status anxiety: lovelessness, snobbery, expectation, meritocracy, and dependence. He also proposes five potential solutions: philosophy, art, politics, religion, and 'bohemia'. The book draws on historical and philosophical perspectives to understand and address this widespread anxiety, aiming to be both entertaining and insightful[2][4][5].
In 'The Game', Neil Strauss chronicles his transformation from an 'average frustrated chump' (AFC) to a successful pickup artist. The book recounts his experiences living among the seduction community, learning from gurus like Mystery, and adopting the pseudonym 'Style'. Strauss shares numerous seduction techniques, his encounters with celebrities, and the psychological and social dynamics involved in the pickup artist culture. The book also explores the author's eventual realization that these techniques, while effective in picking up women, were not conducive to forming meaningful relationships.
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.
Ryan reads today’s daily meditation and talks to Josh Peck about his new book “Happy People Are Annoying” (which you can pick up at The Painted Porch), his journey from being a child actor to getting sober at 21, the power of breaking the cycle of generational trauma, and more.
🎓 Sign up for Stoicism 101: Ancient Philosophy For Your Actual Life - https://dailystoic.com/101
Josh Peck is an American actor, comedian, and YouTuber. Josh began his career as a child actor in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Peck rose to prominence for his role as Josh Nichols alongside Drake Bell's character in the Nickelodeon sitcom Drake & Josh. His new book, which was released just yesterday, “Happy People Are Annoying,” is a humorous and candid memoir reflecting on the stumbles and silver linings of his life—including early struggles with food, drugs, self-esteem, and self-sabotage—and traces a zigzagging path to redemption.
Links: Daxflame interviews Josh Peck | Curious with Josh Peck: Ep. 32 | Ryan Holiday
Try Surfshark risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Get Surfshark VPN at surfshark.deals/STOIC. Enter promo code STOIC for 83 % off and three extra months free!
The Jordan Harbinger Show is one of the most interesting podcasts on the web, with guests like Kobe Bryant, Mark Manson, Eric Schmidt, and more. Listen to one of Ryan's episodes right now (1, 2), and subscribe to the Jordan Harbinger Show today.
DECKED truck bed tool boxes and cargo van storage systems revolutionize organization with a heavy-duty in-vehicle storage system featuring slide out toolboxes. DECKED makes organizing, accessing, protecting, and securing everything you need so much easier. Get your DECKED Drawer System at Decked.com/STOIC and get free shipping.
KiwiCo is a subscription service that delivers everything your kids will need to make, create and play. Get 50% off your first month plus FREE shipping on ANY crate line with code STOIC at kiwico.com.
Sign up for the Daily Stoic email: https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail
Check out the Daily Stoic Store for Stoic inspired products, signed books, and more.
Follow us: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook
Follow Josh Peck: Homepage, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Daily Stoic 
