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Ryan Holiday: Why I'm Embracing Death in 2025 (E316)

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Dec 30, 2024

Guest

Ryan Holiday

In this lively discussion, Ryan Holiday, a bestselling author and expert on Stoic philosophy, shares his insights on embracing mortality through the concept of 'Memento Mori.' He emphasizes how recognizing life's fragility can enhance appreciation for each moment. Procrastination, discipline, and the dangers of comparison take center stage as he discusses reframing obstacles into opportunities. With personal anecdotes, Ryan advocates for authentic living and using Stoic principles to navigate challenges, reminding us to cherish our unique journeys.

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ADVICE

Memento Mori Practice

Remember death and life's fragility through memento mori.
Practice awareness of your mortality for a more meaningful life.

insights

INSIGHT

Positive Memento Mori

Memento mori is not about detachment, but appreciating present moments.
Use it to avoid pointless negativity, especially in farewells.

insights

INSIGHT

Modern Memento Mori

Today, we need the reminder of mortality most, yet are furthest from it.
Ancient times, with higher mortality rates, had a more active memento mori practice.

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

Embracing Life Through Awareness of Mortality

04:35 • 4min

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Embracing Mortality: The Memento Mori Perspective

08:10 • 6min

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Navigating Perfectionism and Productivity Through Stoic Principles

14:37 • 2min

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Embracing Mortality and Authentic Living

16:53 • 21min

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Understanding High Performance: A Personal Perspective

38:13 • 3min

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Embracing Individuality Over Comparison

41:05 • 15min

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Embracing Mortality for High Performance

56:30 • 3min

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• Mentioned in 871 episodes

Meditations

Marcus Aurelius

Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.

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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.

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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.

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The top five regrets of the dying

Bronnie Ware

In this book, Bronnie Ware shares her experiences from working in palliative care, where she identified the five most common regrets of the dying. These regrets include: 'I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me,' 'I wish I hadn’t worked so hard,' 'I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings,' 'I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends,' and 'I wish that I had let myself be happier. ' The book provides a heartfelt and inspiring account of how these regrets can be addressed while there is still time, promoting a life of greater compassion, honesty, and happiness.

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• Mentioned in 334 episodes

The Daily Stoic

366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

Ryan Holiday

Stephen Hanselman

This book provides 366 meditations on Stoic wisdom, featuring new translations of passages from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and other Stoic philosophers. Each day, readers are presented with a Stoic lesson explained in modern language, along with advice on how to apply these lessons in everyday life. The book is organized temporally and thematically across the twelve months of the year, making it a daily resource for practicing Stoicism.

Ryan Holiday is a bestselling author and expert on stoic philosophy, known for his books like ‘The Obstacle Is the Way’ and ‘Daily Stoic’. Through his work, he helps others apply ancient wisdom to modern-day challenges, exploring themes like discipline, perseverance, and self-awareness.

In this episode, Jake talks with Ryan about stoicism and how its principles can improve everyday life. Ryan covers ways to overcome procrastination, build discipline, and face life’s challenges with purpose and clarity.

He shares insights on the power of reframing obstacles as opportunities and the danger of living in constant comparison with others. Ryan also unpacks the stoic practice of ‘Memento Mori’, a powerful reminder of mortality, and how it can be used as a tool for living a more meaningful life.

This conversation is packed with practical lessons for living a more intentional, disciplined, and authentic life, grounded in the wisdom of stoicism and Ryan’s own journey.

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