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Mel Robbins | What Would a Stoic Think About The Let Them Theory?

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Jan 3, 2026

Guest

Mel Robbins

Mel Robbins, bestselling author and speaker known for her practical self-help strategies, explores the Let Them Theory through a Stoic lens. She and Ryan discuss how acceptance can be a source of strength and the roots of jealousy in personal success. They advocate transforming jealousy into motivation and emphasize focusing on what you can control. Mel also tackles misconceptions around acceptance and how to navigate difficult relationships without enabling harmful behavior, promoting resilience amidst challenges.

01:10:33

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ANECDOTE

Failed Launch, Audiobook Breakthrough

Mel recounts her failed 2017 book launch that sold poorly and listed unavailable on Amazon.
That setback led her to discover audiobooks and a new business model that changed her career.

insights

INSIGHT

Run The Right Race

Run races where winning depends on you, not on external gatekeepers.
Redirect effort toward projects you control to increase the chance of success.

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ADVICE

Let Them, Then Let Me

Let people be who they are and remove your judgment to create emotional space.
Then ask "let me": choose actions aligned with your values and limits.

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

Why Let Them Theory Resonates Now

05:06 • 4min

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Mel's Bookwriting Journey and Sales Story

09:20 • 1min

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Handling Other People's Success and Jealousy

10:50 • 3min

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Persistence After Early Book Launch Failures

Stoic Race: Choose the Right Competition

21:08 • 8min

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Defining Success on Your Terms

28:55 • 4min

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Let Them vs. Let Me: Acceptance and Agency

33:05 • 5min

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Transforming Family Dynamics with Let Them

37:52 • 8min

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Difficult People as Opportunities to Grow

45:43 • 2min

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When Letting Them Is Not Enabling Abuse

47:14 • 6min

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Misconceptions and Criticism of Let Them

Creativity, Comparison, and Selective Ignorance

59:08 • 2min

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Turning Jealousy into Directional Signals

01:01:08 • 6min

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Allocate Energy to What You Can Control

01:06:53 • 3min

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Optimism, Small Actions, and Community Impact

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'The Daily Stoic' offers daily insights and exercises drawn from Stoic philosophy, designed to cultivate wisdom, resilience, and mindfulness. Each entry provides a quote from a Stoic philosopher, followed by Ryan Holiday's reflections and actionable advice. It encourages readers to embrace challenges, practice self-control, and find meaning in everyday life. The book is structured as a year-long guide, with each day offering a new opportunity for reflection and growth. Its practical approach makes Stoicism accessible and relevant for modern readers seeking to improve their mental and emotional well-being.

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The book is divided into two parts. The first part recounts Frankl's harrowing experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, between 1942 and 1945. He describes the inhumane conditions and the psychological and emotional struggles of the prisoners. The second part introduces Frankl's theory of logotherapy, which posits that the primary human drive is the search for meaning, rather than pleasure. Frankl argues that meaning can be found through three main avenues: work (doing something significant), love (caring for another), and suffering (finding meaning in one's own suffering). The book emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life, even in the most adverse conditions, as a key factor in survival and personal growth.

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Mel Robbins' "The High Five Habit" explores the power of self-affirmation and positive self-talk. The book introduces the concept of neurobics, a method for creating new neural pathways in the brain. Robbins emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and encourages readers to cultivate a mindset of self-belief. The book uses scientific research to support its claims and provides practical techniques for improving self-esteem and confidence. The central theme is the transformative power of positive self-interaction.

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The Five Second Rule

Mel Robbins

Would the Stoics agree with Mel Robbins’ Let Them Theory? In today's episode, Mel Robbins sits down with Ryan to look at The Let Them Theory through a Stoic lens. They discuss what Marcus Aurelius would really say about letting go, where acceptance becomes strength, and why so much of our stress comes from fighting things that were never in our control to begin with. Ryan and Mel talk about jealousy and comparison, why letting go does not mean giving up, and learning how to protect your energy.

Mel Robbins is the creator and host of the award-winning The Mel Robbins Podcast, one of the most successful podcasts in the world, and a #1 New York Times bestselling author. The Let Them Theory was the top selling book of 2025 according to Publisher’s Weekly, with +7 million copies sold within nine months of its release date. It is on pace to have the best non-fiction book launch of all time. She is also the author of the multimillion-copy-selling The 5 Second Rule, The High 5 Habit, and seven #1 audiobook releases on Audible.

Tune into The Mel Robbins Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify

Follow Mel Robbins on Instagram and TikTok

Pick up a signed copy of The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins at The Painted Porch: https://www.thepaintedporch.com/

Grab a copies of Mel Robbins’ other books: The Let Them Theory and The 5 Second Rule

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