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The Knowledge Project Podcast

Ryan Holiday: The Stoic Whisperer [The Knowledge Project Ep. #11]

In this episode, I talk with multiple best selling author, speaker and media manipulator, Ryan Holiday (@RyanHoliday) about how he reads, what it means to be a stoic, and how to gracefully deal with freeloaders.

Now available on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Transcript

On this episode of The Knowledge Project, I have multiple best selling author, speaker, and media manipulator, Ryan Holiday.

Ryan Holiday is the author of a number of incredible books, including Trust Me I’m Lying, The Obstacle is the Way, and Ego is the Enemy. He also runs Brass Check, a premier book marketing agency responsible for dozens of New York Times bestsellers and tens of millions of books sold. In short, Ryan is the real deal.

Here are a few highlights from our conversation:

  • What Stoicism is and how it differs from many of the mainstream “philosophies” you learn about in school
  • How Dr. Drew is partially responsible for putting Ryan on the Stoic path
  • How Stoicism has helped Ryan navigate some of the challenges he’s faced in his life
  • How Ryan juggles everything he has to do as a writer, a business owner, and consultant
  • The impact working with Robert Greene had on Ryan and how that experience influenced everything from his writing, how he does research, and even the kind of person he turned out to be
  • How Ryan uses the famous Notecard System he learned as a researcher for Robert Greene
  • Why Ryan insists on writing his thoughts longhand, and why copy and paste is almost a capital offense
  • The process Ryan uses to write a book and what the ideation, writing and editing stages look like
  • The brilliant way Ryan runs his consulting business, including how he charges clients and how he gracefully handles people looking for free advice

You’re going to get so much out of this episode. Enjoy!

Books Mentioned

  • Marcus Aurelius Meditations
  • Diogenes Laertius Lives of Eminent Philosophers (Stoics in Book 7)
  • Robert Greene The 48 Laws of Power
  • James Romm Dying Every Day: Seneca at the Court of Nero
  • Pierre Hadot The Inner Citadel
  • Robert Caro The Years of Lyndon Johnson

Transcript

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The Knowledge Project

A podcast about mastering the best of what other people have already figured out. The Knowledge Project focuses on insights and lessons that never expire. You’ll walk away from every episode with actionable insights that help you get better results and live a more meaningful life.

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