James Romm, an esteemed author and scholar of Stoicism, joins Ryan Holiday, a contemporary Stoic thinker and media strategist. They discuss the vital role a good ending plays in life's narrative, using Seneca's final moments as a key example. The conversation highlights how our conclusions define our character and virtues like patience and generosity. They also explore the significance of self-respect in leadership, drawing on lessons from Marcus Aurelius and Cato to emphasize integrity and the power of interconnectedness.

There is, as we have talked about many times, a tinge of sadness in the story of Seneca. This immensely talented and wise man spent the best years of his life advising and collaborating with one of the worst emperors in history. As James Romm illustrates in his fascinating book, Dying Every Day (and you can listen to our podcast episode with James here) Seneca’s ambition, his drive, it took him fatally off track from where he should have been.We should all see it as a cautionary tale.---And in today's video excerpt, Ryan outlines some of the best ways that you can have better habits in 2023.Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TfzaMr0Lxc✉️ Sign up for the Daily Stoic email: https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail🏛 Check out the Daily Stoic Store for Stoic inspired products, signed books, and more.📱 Follow us: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, FacebookSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join Paul Cartledge, an expert on ancient Greece, along with fellow scholars such as Stephanie Larson and James Romm, as they unravel the captivating history of Thebes. They explore Thebes' military innovations, including the legendary Sacred Band, and discuss its rich mythology tied to figures like Oedipus and Dionysus. Archaeological insights reveal significant findings that illuminate Thebes' cultural heritage, while the discussion touches on its often-overlooked literary significance in relation to other ancient Greek cities. A thought-provoking journey awaits!

Ryan Holiday, a prominent author on Stoicism, joins classical studies expert James Romm to explore profound themes of morality and interconnectedness. They question whether we genuinely contribute to the greater good or merely flatter ourselves. Insightful historical perspectives connect teachings from Stoic philosophers like Seneca to modern challenges, emphasizing the importance of empathy and shared experiences. The discussion highlights how individual success ties to community well-being, urging listeners to prioritize collective happiness over self-interest.

Few people have studied the life and writings of Seneca as deeply as James Romm has. Romm is the author of a great biography of Seneca, Dying Every Day, a translation of Seneca’s various thoughts on death, How to Die: An Ancient Guide to the End of Life, and his newest work, How To Keep Your Cool: An Ancient Guide to Anger Management, presenting one of Seneca’s most timely essays, On Anger.Each of us should take a minute to think back, even in just the past week, to the times we’ve been angry or short-tempered and think, "Has this ever served me well?" The answer very very rarely yes. Anger, as Seneca says, always makes things worse: “No plague has cost the human race more dear.” But it’s a hard emotion to combat. It’s natural, often almost instinctual. In our interview with Romm, we wanted some real practical tips about managing our anger, so we asked what he thought was Seneca’s best piece of advice:My own favorite is summed up in the quote: "Do you want to be less angry? Be less aware." Anger often starts from noticing too many subtleties of the way others interact with us. In many cases, we'd do better not to notice the slights and microaggressions that can drive us nuts if we let them. One can will oneself to ignore such things—a practice many long-married couples will instantly recognize!Today, when you feel that anger start to boil up—someone cuts you off in traffic, your computer glitches when you just can’t afford it to, the waitress messes up your order despite very careful instructions—stop, step back, and ask yourself, what if I didn’t pay any attention to that? What if I hadn’t noticed? Would I still be bothered? Would I need to be this angry? It brings to mind what Marcus said, “You don’t have to turn this into something. It doesn’t have to upset you.”Because you don’t have to be aware of it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.