Ryan Holiday

Date: 2022-06-23 | Duration: 3h 0m

Episode Overview

Ryan Holiday joins Joe Rogan to explore a wide range of topics centered on philosophy, history, and modern culture. Drawing heavily from Stoicism, Holiday delves into the lives of Roman emperors like Marcus Aurelius, highlighting their struggles with power, character, and forgiveness. He reflects on how these ancient lessons remain relevant today, especially in managing emotions and focusing on what’s within one’s control. Holiday also discusses the importance of discipline and resilience, sharing personal insights about the mental challenges of writing and the parallels between intellectual and physical pursuits. The conversation shifts to contemporary issues such as the impact of social media on attention and empathy. Holiday critiques how constant exposure to others’ opinions can overwhelm and fragment focus, advocating for intentional disconnection to regain clarity. He touches on the evolution of journalism and communication, praising podcasting as a medium that fosters deeper, unfiltered conversations. Throughout, Holiday weaves in stories from history, personal anecdotes, and cultural observations, offering a thoughtful perspective on mastering oneself amid the noise of modern life.

About Ryan Holiday

Ryan Holiday is a prolific writer and media strategist renowned for his insightful exploration of Stoicism and its modern applications. He is the author of several influential books, including "Lives of the Stoics: The Art of Living from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius," "Stillness is the Key," and "Trust Me, I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator," which critiques the media landscape and its impact on public perception. As the host of "The Daily Stoic" podcast, Ryan shares practical wisdom that resonates with audiences seeking resilience and clarity in today's chaotic world. His unique blend of ancient philosophy and contemporary issues makes him a captivating voice in the realms of personal development and media literacy. Discover more about his work at [ryanholiday.net](http://www.ryanholiday.net/) and [dailystoic.com](http://www.dailystoic.com/).

Key Moments

– Stoicism
– Ancient Rome
– Philosophy
– Mental Health
– Social Media
– Addiction Recovery
– Athletics
– Book Writing
– Historical Biography
– Hollywood Industry
– Power Dynamics
– Civil War History
– Economic Inequality
– Education System
– Technology Impact
– Podcasting
– Human Behavior
– Self-Help Genre
– Wildlife Preservation
– Russian Conflict
0:00:00 – Introduction and guest welcome
0:01:23 – Discussion on Robert Greene's influence
0:04:19 – Experiences with Hollywood assistants and abuse
0:06:36 – Working alongside A-list celebrities
0:09:41 – How books are created and developed
0:11:13 – Relevance of ancient writings today
0:15:41 – Historical anecdotes about slaves and sea slugs
0:17:13 – Eastern emperors and family dynamics
0:23:20 – Death of Marcus Aurelius from the plague
0:25:06 – Impact of wealth and power on character
0:30:11 – Success in athletics vs academic pursuits
0:35:02 – Challenges of writing and persistence
0:36:46 – Concept of ataraxia and mental calmness
0:42:48 – Effects of social media on mental health
0:47:14 – Empathy and societal value of people
0:50:21 – Concerns about media and misinformation
0:56:21 – Epictetus on control and acceptance
1:00:03 – Comparison of television and printing press
1:07:28 – Benefits of podcasting as pure communication
1:10:46 – History of journalism and newspapers
1:15:55 – Guest's experience in Russia during Ukraine invasion
1:19:46 – Owning your audience vs being owned
1:23:05 – Motivation driven by desperation
1:31:54 – Discussion of the movie Nomadland and poverty
1:34:13 – Documentary by Mariana Van Zeller on pain management
1:39:06 – Student loans impacting social security checks
1:41:14 – Critique of the education system
1:46:11 – Choosing sports with upside and minimal downside
1:50:38 – The dangers and rewards of professional fighting
1:57:34 – Pursuit of control and agency in life
1:59:58 – Mastery and human nature in Conan books
2:02:49 – Experience of attending large events
2:04:16 – Human drive for improvement and innovation
2:08:49 – Marcus Aurelius on forgiveness and civil strife
2:12:47 – Meeting Richard Overton and historical reflections
2:23:05 – Discussion on societal kindness and self-awareness
2:28:02 – Book 'What Makes Sammy Run' and Hollywood ambition
2:40:38 – Stoicism and philosophy in young adulthood
2:52:05 – Story of a Siberian tiger hunt
2:56:08 – Recommended reading for project preparation

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Joe Rogan Podcast, check it out! Starting point is 00:00:15 Yeah, good to meet you. Starting point is 00:00:28 So not really, I guess. Starting point is 00:00:43 You know, like, I dropped out of college at 19 and so and i worked in hollywood and so i was always like the the Starting point is 00:01:23 Robert Greene 40 all its power guy sure by the way I brought you a new one from him oh Starting point is 00:02:06 It was the weirdest thing. Starting point is 00:02:23 you know, like, when you're on a conference call. I was supposed to like be like feeding him info you know like when you're on the on the conference call I was supposed to like type him stuff and uh you know like you log into the call Starting point is 00:02:53 Right. Starting point is 00:03:02 Right. Starting point is 00:03:21 He's like, what the fuck are you doing? Starting point is 00:03:30 and then like, Starting point is 00:03:49 went back oh my god it was crazy I dated a girl when I was like 27 and she was an Starting point is 00:04:19 So she worked for this guy who was just a complete asshole, Starting point is 00:05:04 agent and you get an assistant, you're just going to abuse them because you were abused when you were an assistant. Starting point is 00:05:22 You have to go through it. Starting point is 00:05:44 But I think back then it was unchecked you know now Starting point is 00:06:17 businesses. Starting point is 00:06:36 You're starring in an action movie right next to the fucking biggest A-list celebrities in the world. Starting point is 00:06:56 You can see by someone like Amber Heard. Starting point is 00:07:27 probably there's probably something in that too where you're aware of the inherent bankruptcy like Starting point is 00:08:09 So it was like 20, 30 years ago and they're still around. Starting point is 00:08:53 like they're beneficial. Starting point is 00:09:16 What did you want to do? Starting point is 00:09:41 It's like, here's how books come together...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1836?

Ryan Holiday was the guest on JRE #1836. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1836?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1836 with Ryan Holiday, topics include Stoicism, Ancient Rome, Philosophy, and Mental Health.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #1836?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #1836 with Ryan Holiday is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.