Everything (And I Really Mean Everything) Is A Chance To Do This

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Nov 2, 2025

The discussion dives into the profound choices we face: bravery versus fear, selfishness versus selflessness. Insights on interpreting Marcus Aurelius highlight using obstacles not just for success but for cultivating moral character. The podcast explores the four cardinal virtues of Stoicism—courage, discipline, justice, and wisdom. Personal anecdotes illustrate how hardships serve as tests of character. Ryan emphasizes that virtue is a craft to be practiced, guiding us in responding to life's unpredictability.

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INSIGHT

Obstacle As Moral Opportunity

The Stoic phrase "the obstacle is the way" points beyond opportunistic advantage to moral growth.
Obstacles are chances to practice the four Stoic virtues and become better people.

insights

INSIGHT

Four Cardinal Virtues Defined

Stoicism centers on four cardinal virtues: courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom.
These virtues serve as guiding touchstones for how we ought to act in any situation.

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ANECDOTE

Keeping A Lost Loved One Alive

Francis Ford Coppola honored his late wife by imitating her compassionate habits to keep her influence alive.
He began calling and comforting lonely people, becoming more like her in action.

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Reinterpreting Marcus Aurelius' Famous Line

01:09 • 4min

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Stoic Virtue Beyond Professional Advantage

05:32 • 2min

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The Four Cardinal Stoic Virtues Defined

07:40 • 2min

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Virtue in Tragedy: Francis Ford Coppola's Example

09:32 • 2min

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Applying Stoic Virtues to Real-Life Hardships

11:34 • 2min

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Choosing to Become Better During Crisis

13:57 • 44sec

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Completing the Stoic Virtue Series

14:41 • 2min

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Wisdom as the Guide to All Virtues

16:49 • 36sec

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Virtue Is a Craft to Practice

17:25 • 2min

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Responding Well: Stoicism's Core

• Mentioned in 133 episodes

Courage Is Calling

Ryan Holiday

In 'Courage Is Calling', Ryan Holiday explores the virtue of courage through engaging stories about historic and contemporary leaders such as Florence Nightingale, Ulysses S. Grant, Abraham Lincoln, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The book breaks down the elements of fear, cowardice, bravery, and heroism, and shows how to conquer fear and practice courage in daily life. Holiday also shares personal anecdotes, including his own experiences with courage and cowardice, to emphasize the importance of choosing to act courageously despite the presence of fear.

#206

• Mentioned in 84 episodes

Wisdom Takes Work

Ryan Holiday

#569

• Mentioned in 41 episodes

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

Edward Gibbon

This magisterial history, written by Edward Gibbon, covers the peak of the Roman Empire, the history of early Christianity, the fall of the Western Roman Empire, and the rise and fall of various other empires and civilizations up to the fall of Byzantium in 1453. Gibbon's work is renowned for its thorough scholarship, diverse sources, and engaging prose. He argues that the Roman Empire succumbed to barbarian invasions partly due to the gradual loss of civic virtue among its citizens and critiques the role of Christianity in the empire's decline. The work was published in six volumes between 1776 and 1789 and has remained a seminal work in historical literature despite some criticisms from modern scholars.

• Mentioned in 386 episodes

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.

#35

• Mentioned in 220 episodes

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.

#128

• Mentioned in 117 episodes

Right Thing, Right Now

Justice in an Unjust World

Ryan Holiday

In 'Right Thing, Right Now', Ryan Holiday argues for the necessity of doing what’s right, even when it isn’t easy. He draws on stories of historical figures such as Marcus Aurelius, Florence Nightingale, Jimmy Carter, Gandhi, and Frederick Douglass to illustrate the importance of justice, kindness, honesty, integrity, and loyalty. The book emphasizes that justice is not an abstract concept but a daily practice that shapes one’s character and impacts those around us. Holiday challenges readers to develop their own moral code and uphold it consistently, providing concrete steps and exercises to help incorporate these values into their lives.

• Mentioned in 890 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.

Will you be brave or afraid? Selfish or selfless? Strong or weak? Wise or stupid? Will you cultivate a good habit or a bad one? Courage or cowardice? The bliss of ignorance or the challenge of a new idea? Stay the same…or grow? The easy way or the right way? Is it easy to make these choices? Of course not.

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