

#101 - Ryan Holiday: Finding stillness amidst chaos
Ryan Holiday, bestselling author of 'Daily Stoic' and 'Stillness is the Key,' shares how to find calm amidst chaos through Stoic philosophy. He discusses the importance of routine and structure in times of crisis and how to reassess personal priorities. Holiday emphasizes the role of self-reflection and exercise for mental well-being, drawing lessons from leaders like Winston Churchill. He also highlights the need for good leadership during tough times and suggests using journaling as a tool for personal growth.
01:22:44
Adversity and Reflection
- Adversity offers a chance to re-evaluate priorities and see things differently.
- The status quo is often something we set up, but shocks can reveal hidden preferences.
Marcus Aurelius and the Antonine Plague
- Marcus Aurelius, a Stoic philosopher, faced a 15-year pandemic in ancient Rome.
- He sold imperial treasures to aid Rome, showing leadership and prioritizing character over panic.
Leadership in Crisis
- Social isolation in crises is influenced by leadership, not just the crisis itself.
- The current pandemic reveals widespread leadership failures at all levels.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Resilience in Crisis
02:17 • 16min
Embracing Stillness Amid Chaos
18:42 • 34min
Finding Control in Chaos
52:28 • 15min
Navigating Social Media and Societal Challenges
01:07:58 • 5min
Navigating Ethical Dilemmas and Personal Reflections During a Crisis
01:12:41 • 5min
Exploring Daily Wisdom and the Power of Meaningful Conversations
01:17:56 • 2min
Exclusive Membership Benefits and Episode Wrap-Up
01:19:52 • 3min

THE SECOND WORLD WAR
Winston Churchill
This work is Churchill's personal and historical account of the Second World War. It spans six volumes and covers the period from the end of the First World War to July 1945.
Churchill provides a detailed narrative of the events leading up to and during the war, drawing from his own experiences as a high-ranking government official and his access to official documents.
The series includes volumes such as 'The Gathering Storm', 'Their Finest Hour', 'The Hinge of Fate', 'The Grand Alliance', 'Closing the Ring', and 'Triumph and Tragedy'.
Churchill's work is notable for its personal perspective and its emphasis on the British war effort, although it also touches on other theatres of the war.
The books are considered a seminal and iconic part of the historical record of World War II.

The diary of a young girl
Anne Frank
The Diary of a Young Girl is the personal diary of Anne Frank, a Jewish teenager who chronicled her family's two years in hiding during the German occupation of the Netherlands.
The diary begins on Anne's 13th birthday in 1942 and ends shortly before her capture by the Gestapo in 1944.
It details her daily life in the 'Secret Annex' above her father's office, where she lived with her family and another family, the van Daans, and a dentist, Mr. Dussel.
The diary includes her thoughts on her relationships with the people in the annex, her feelings of isolation and loneliness, and her reflections on the war and her own identity.
It is a powerful and poignant account of a young girl's experience during one of the most horrific periods in history.

Leadership In Turbulent Times
Doris Kearns Goodwin
In this book, Doris Kearns Goodwin examines the leadership skills of four U.S.
presidents through their experiences during significant crises.
The book is organized into three parts: the early days and ambitions of each president, their overcoming of significant early obstacles, and their leadership strategies during their presidencies.
Goodwin delves into how each president—Lincoln during the Emancipation Proclamation, Theodore Roosevelt during the coal strike, Franklin Roosevelt during his first 100 days, and Lyndon Johnson during the Civil Rights Act—demonstrated unique leadership qualities that enabled them to surmount challenges and make significant impacts on the nation.

Farewell to Arms
Ernest Hemingway
A Farewell to Arms is a semiautobiographical novel that captures the harsh realities of war and the pain of lovers caught in its sweep.
The story follows Lieutenant Frederic Henry, an American ambulance driver on the Italian front, and his passionate relationship with Catherine Barkley, an English nurse.
The novel interweaves themes of love, war, loyalty, and desertion, reflecting Hemingway's own experiences as an ambulance driver during World War I. The book is known for its vivid and deeply felt portrayal of war and its impact on individuals, as well as Hemingway's distinctive writing style that emphasizes immediacy and simplicity.

Tribe
On Homecoming and Belonging
Sebastian Junger
In 'Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging', Sebastian Junger delves into the human desire for community and belonging.
Drawing from history, psychology, and anthropology, Junger examines why many individuals, including combat veterans, often feel a stronger sense of belonging in tribal or wartime environments than in modern society.
He argues that the lack of community in affluent societies can lead to feelings of isolation and depression, while disasters and wars can paradoxically bring people together and foster a sense of unity.
The book challenges the notion that modern society is superior to tribal societies, highlighting the benefits of egalitarianism and community found in the latter.
Junger also discusses how the absence of these communal bonds can affect veterans returning from war and suggests that societal changes could help reintegrate them and improve overall societal well-being.

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.

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.

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.
Ryan Holiday, bestselling author and author of Daily Stoic, discusses practical ways to find stillness and apply the insights of stoic philosophy in the midst of COVID-19 chaos. Ryan discusses the importance of taking back a feeling of control, the benefits of structure and routine, and the idea of being prepared for anything. We discuss:
- Using times of adversity to evaluate and reflect how you’ve set up and prioritized your life [2:30];
- What insights might the famous stoics provide amidst this COVID-19 pandemic? [8:15];
- The possible consequences of the socially isolating nature of a pandemic (and why we need good leaders) [13:00];
- Stoicism—what it means and how to apply it [18:45];
- Lessons taken from the life of Winston Churchill—stillness, structure, routine, hobbies, empathy, forward thinking, and more [23:30];
- Alive time vs. dead time—taking control of your time and making it count [38:45];
- Auditing how the world (and its leaders) are handling the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of stoic philosophy [44:15];
- Asserting control and using routine to find stillness in an environment not conducive for it [52:15];
- Why you should find a way to exercise, especially now [58:30];
- How to find purpose during this time—goal setting, having a project to work on, and the benefits of keeping a journal [1:02:00];
- What is Ryan most optimistic about and what is he most concerned about over the next few months? [1:08:45];
- How can you follow Ryan’s work and messages about stoicism and stillness? [1:17:45].
- And more.
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