Ryan Holiday, a bestselling author and thought leader on intentional living, discusses insights from his new book, RIGHT THING, RIGHT NOW. He shares his transformative journey from a college dropout in Hollywood to a successful writer. The conversation touches on navigating integrity in a competitive landscape and the importance of personal ethics. Ryan also reflects on the benefits of country living for creative freedom, while exploring the establishment of a multimedia stoic community that values quality engagement over metrics.
Ryan Holiday emphasizes the importance of justice as a stoic virtue, crucial for cultivating a deep and intentional life.
His unconventional journey from college dropout to successful author highlights the value of real-world experiences over traditional academic paths.
Holiday discusses the need for a personal code of ethics to navigate moral complexities in pursuit of success and integrity.
Deep dives
The Concept of Justice in a Deep Life
Justice is framed as a fundamental stoic virtue and critical to cultivating a deep life, according to Ryan Holiday's discussions. The podcast underscores the notion that doing the right thing, particularly when it is challenging, is often overlooked in modern conversations about personal development. Holiday emphasizes that having a personal code, which evolves over time, provides essential guidance and stability in navigating life's turbulent situations. He posits that society today tends to shy away from defining justice concretely, leading to a lack of clear moral compasses for individuals.
Ryan Holiday's Journey from College to Writing Success
Ryan shares his unconventional path from dropping out of college to becoming a successful writer and marketer. Initially, he rejected the idea of a standard career, opting instead to work in Hollywood while gaining experience alongside renowned authors. This decision was driven by his desire to craft an engaging life as a writer, which ultimately shaped his dynamic journey. Reflecting on his experiences, Holiday notes that pursuing real-world opportunities can lead to greater learning than traditional academic routes.
Navigating Moral Decisions in the Pursuit of Success
The podcast highlights the moral complexities that arise when individuals prioritize success and career ambition over their values. Holiday discusses how fame, prestige, and income can cloud judgment and draw people away from ethical standards. He stresses the importance of having a well-defined code that governs decisions, thereby maintaining integrity despite external pressures. By confronting these moral dilemmas, individuals can define their character and ultimately foster a more meaningful life.
The Evolution of Marketing Strategies in Ryan's Career
Ryan recounts his transition from solely focusing on marketing for others to developing his own brand and series of books about stoicism. Interrupting the conventional approach in his marketing techniques, he emphasizes the significance of creating valuable content across different mediums to reach broader audiences. This strategic pivot has led to multiple streams of engagement, allowing his philosophies to resonate with diverse groups. Regularly assessing and evolving marketing strategies, Holiday illustrates the power of building relationships and leveraging platforms to enhance visibility.
Building a Sustainable and Meaningful Lifestyle
The podcast discusses the importance of creating a sustainable lifestyle that prioritizes personal well-being alongside professional success. Ryan explains how his move to a more serene setting allowed him greater autonomy to shape the life he desired, emphasizing the need for creatives to surround themselves with supportive environments. He further delves into the concept of compounding growth, illustrating how consistent, steady progress can lead to significant achievements over time. Ryan believes that prioritizing passion, health, and family leads to a richer life experience rather than simply chasing financial milestones.
In this episode of IN-DEPTH, a new semi-regular interview series with people at the frontiers of deep living, Cal interviews bestselling author Ryan Holiday about the systematic construction of an intentional life. They begin by talking about lessons from Ryan’s new book. RIGHT THING, RIGHT NOW, then go deep on Ryan’s own journey from a college drop-out working in a Hollywood talent agency to becoming a fully independent and massively successful writer and media personality.
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia
INTERVIEW: Mega-bestselling writer Ryan Holiday [3:33]