Podcast Summary: "Why Are Tech Bros Obsessed with Stoicism?"

Podcast: Hasan Minhaj Doesn't Know
Host: Hasan Minhaj (186k Films)
Guest: Ryan Holiday
Date: February 18, 2026

Main Theme

This episode explores the explosive popularity of Stoicism among modern elites and particularly among "tech bros" and men seeking self-mastery, resilience, and guidance in a chaotic era. Hasan Minhaj sits down with bestselling author and Stoicism advocate Ryan Holiday to unpack what draws people—especially men in power and the broader "manosphere"—to the ancient philosophy, the differences between authentic Stoicism and what Ryan calls "broicism," Stoicism’s impact on culture, its critiques, and what wisdom really means today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to Stoicism’s Appeal

• Stoicism is an ancient philosophy centered on radical acceptance, self-mastery, justice, discipline, and wisdom.
• Ryan Holiday is known for popularizing Stoicism through books and "The Daily Stoic" podcast.
• Hasan points out the contradiction in today's Stoic followers, especially those who become "insufferable" and weaponize Stoicism as a life hack or personality veneer.
  • Quote (Hasan, 03:01):
    “Every conversation with them incites violence in your heart. The core of most of these ideologies, Stoicism. An ancient philosophy focused on radical acceptance and letting go of material wealth, which can be a thoughtful perspective on inner peace or a cope for unemployment.”

2. Quiz Segment: Stoic Philosopher or Kanye West?

(Starts: 04:47)

• Hasan quizzes Ryan on distinguishing Stoic quotes from Kanye’s.

• Demonstrates Stoicism’s public penetration and sometimes meme-like status.

  • Notable moment:
    Hasan reading a quote: “We suffer more in imagination than reality. Giving up is harder than trying.”
    Ryan: “That sounds like Kanye.”
    Hasan: “Kanye West.” (05:26)

3. Ryan’s Personal Journey to Stoicism

• Found Stoicism as a response to a lack of guidance around "how to be a man” and live well, which wasn’t addressed in school, church, or by elders.

• Noted overlap between Stoic and Catholic virtues: courage, discipline, justice, wisdom.

  • Quote (Ryan, 07:05):
    “I wasn't getting that sort of guidance about, like, this is how to be a man. This is how to be a person. This is like, this is what we do. This is what we don't do... you’ll pick it up as you go. You know, there isn't like a tradition.”

• Stoicism’s rational, real-world approach was compelling vs. religious doctrines based on afterlife consequences.

  • Quote (Ryan, 08:25):
    “They're making a rational argument. They're not saying, hey, do this or don't do this or you'll end up in hell. I think fundamentally Stoicism is saying, ‘don't do this because your life will be a form of hell.’"

4. Modern Stoicism’s Popularity, Esp. Among Elites and ‘Tech Bros’

• Stoicism has always been popular among elites, but its “resurgence” today among regular people may reflect widespread cultural anxiety.

  • Quote (Ryan, 11:00):
    “Stoicism is not resurgent and popular because everything's amazing and going super well... It's popular when shit feels like it's coming apart.”

• Emergence of "broicism” — Stoic ideas adopted by "manosphere" and tech types, sometimes stripped of empathy and justice, rendered as a "personal optimization tool" instead of a philosophy for the common good.

  • Marcus Aurelius in "Meditations" references the phrase "for the common good" more than any self-mastery trope, yet online Stoicism often omits this aspect.

  • Quote (Ryan, 13:12):
    “Broicism to me is stoicism when you remove any of the moral elements. So it's this recipe for being a better sociopath, and in some cases, I think being a better psychopath.”

5. Historical Shortcomings and Complexity

• Ancient Stoics, like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, often wrote eloquently about virtue but failed to live up to modern ethical standards (e.g., slavery, dictatorship).

• Importance of evaluating the good and bad, and not idolizing figures uncritically.

  • Quote (Ryan, 16:01):
    “I have no problem holding Seneca both up as an inspiring, heroic figure and a tragic, disgusting hypocrite. And I think that's perfectly acceptable to do.”

6. Stoicism: Feeling vs. Numbing Emotions

• Common stereotype: Stoics feel nothing. Reality: Stoicism is about feeling everything but not being governed by those feelings.

  • Quote (Ryan, 17:19):
    “Stoicism is about actually feeling everything... but not being controlled by it.”

7. Critiques of Stoicism: Radical Acceptance vs. Social Change

• Critique: Stoicism’s emphasis on acceptance could be used to promote complacency against injustice.

• Ryan’s Response: Stoics historically were activists—politically involved, military leaders, vocal about injustice, not retreating from the world like Epicureans.

• Stoicism today should be a call to action within recognition of real-world limits, not a license for inaction.

  • Quote (Ryan, 22:21):
    “I think historically, the example of the Stoics is to get involved, to be in the arena, literally and figuratively. And I think that is the tradition that the American founders were inspired by... It is a philosophy, ultimately of action.”

8. Media Manipulation & ‘Trust Me, I’m Lying’

• The blog era—Ryan’s early career as a marketing manipulator deconstructing and exploiting weaknesses in web media.

• Disillusionment with media and its self-reinforcing nature—fake news is a demand-side, not just a supply-side problem.

  • Quote (Ryan, 29:47):
    “We talk about fake news as something that's done to us as opposed to us creating the demand for fake news. Right, Right. Like we are the fake news we want.”

  • Notable moment (41:02):
    “I read this book by Bud Shulberg ... and at the end of it ... he says, ‘I realized you can't deal in filth and not become the thing you touch.’ … And I go, ugh. ... when people would ask me, you know, why’d you write, Trust Me, I’m Lying? ... I'd go, well, I read this book, and it changed my life.”

9. Paradoxes and Contradictions in Modern Life

• Navigating a world that is simultaneously meaningful and meaningless (e.g., presidential tweets about major policy and celebrity feuds).

• Teaching kids both the complexity and absurdity of grown-up life.

  • Quote (Ryan, 54:49):
    “Part of wisdom to me is dealing with complexity and contradiction and paradox, tension like that. Ideas are in tension with each other.”

10. Profiting from Anti-Materialist Philosophy

• Tension between making a living from Stoic ideas about detachment from wealth and the realities of being a successful author.

  • Quote (Ryan, 56:19):
    “I don't see myself as a preacher. I identify as a writer. ... as long as it's an honest exchange of value, I don't have a problem with it. ... I don't see any benefit to being underpaid for my work. That doesn't feel like it's proving any philosophical point.”

11. Wisdom & Character in Practice

• Wisdom is not innate, quick, or easily defined, but a gradual acquisition through effort and experience—a theme from Ryan’s new book, "Wisdom Takes Work."

• True character appears not when lacking temptation, but when one has leverage and chooses the ethical path regardless.

  • Quote (Hasan, 51:19):
    “I believe character is revealed when you have the leverage and you still move ethically and decently.”

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Ryan Holiday, on “broicism” and removing justice:
  “Broicism to me is stoicism when you remove any of the moral elements. So it's this recipe for being a better sociopath, and in some cases, I think being a better psychopath.” (13:12)

• Hasan, on redemption and age:
  “You're nice because you don't have energy to be an asshole ... I'm like, you're nice because you don't have energy to be an asshole.” (49:13)

• Ryan, on media manipulation:
  “We talk about fake news as something that's done to us as opposed to us creating the demand for fake news.” (29:47)

• Ryan, on living Stoic values:
  “Your obligation is to be an informed citizen. … people wrongly assume that watching daily news or consuming daily news is the best way to be an informed citizen.” (39:16)

• Ryan, on wisdom:
  “You're not born with it and it doesn't occur easily. It's something that takes a long time to acquire, and that there is also effectively an infinite amount of it.” (52:41)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Stoicism & Kanye Quiz: 04:47–05:51
• Ryan’s Journey to Stoicism / Modern Male Crisis: 05:56–07:44
• Overlap: Stoicism & Religion: 07:44–08:25
• Stoicism Among Tech Bros & the Manosphere: 11:00–15:26
• Compassion, Justice, and Issues with Modern Stoicism: 13:12–17:19
• Critique: Radical Acceptance vs. Social Change: 19:24–23:46
• Media Manipulation & Personal Reckoning: 27:13–42:14
• Stoicism & Family / Trump Letters: 42:58–47:29
• Role Models in Stoicism, Character, and Ethics: 48:16–52:39
• Wisdom Takes Work—New Book Discussion: 52:39–53:48
• Stoicism, Paradox, and Life Advice for Kids: 53:48–56:02
• Profiting from Stoicism: 56:02–57:34
• Ego & Staying Grounded: 57:34–58:13

Tone & Style

The episode is both thoughtful and irreverent, mixing philosophical depth with sharp-witted banter. Hasan’s comedic edge and curiosity keep the conversation grounded, while Ryan’s serious engagement with Stoic principles adds heft. The mood remains lively and accessible, with candid admissions about personal failures, blind spots, and ongoing struggles with living the philosophy.

Final Thoughts

This episode provides a nuanced, sometimes critical, but overall appreciative look at why Stoicism resonates for today’s movers, shakers, and everyday people. Ryan and Hasan deconstruct the tension between Stoicism’s high-minded ideals and contemporary self-help adaptations—offering listeners historical context, hard truths, and practical wisdom, served with humor and humility.