Podcast Summary: The Preamble

Host: Sharon McMahon
Episode: Government Shutdown, White House Renovations, and Stoic Virtues
Guest: Ryan Holiday
Date: October 27, 2025

Episode Overview

In this inaugural episode of The Preamble, Sharon McMahon blends urgent analysis of today’s political landscape with a deep, reflective conversation about ancient wisdom for modern challenges. After welcoming listeners to the new show, Sharon sits down with author Ryan Holiday to discuss his latest book, the enduring importance of stoic virtues—especially wisdom—and how these classical ideas remain relevant. The episode also tackles pressing listener questions about the ongoing government shutdown, White House renovations, and legal practices around federal law enforcement, with Sharon’s signature clarity and fact-based approach.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction to The Preamble (08:17)

• Sharon introduces the new podcast as a space to bring sense and hope to complex current events.
• Listeners are encouraged to submit questions via the website, aiming to fill the gap between overwhelming headlines and direct answers to public concerns.

2. Conversation with Ryan Holiday: Stoic Virtues and Wisdom (10:06–26:00)

What Are the Stoic Virtues? (10:07)

• Ryan Holiday: The cardinal virtues—courage, self-discipline (temperance), justice, and wisdom—are the “hinges” of a good life and society. They are mutually reinforcing and all are necessary.
  • “It’s impossible to remove one without rendering some problem with the others.” (10:14)

Why Study and Write About Stoicism? (11:24)

• Ryan describes his personal journey into Stoicism, emphasizing its relevance as a “toolkit for living a very good life” with practical advice, not dry theory.
  • “Here you have, again, the most powerful man in the world referring to the idea of the common good…there is this sort of toolkit for living a very good life.” (11:26)
• He expresses excitement in making ancient wisdom accessible to a modern audience.

Responding to Criticisms—Is Stoicism Relevant Today? (13:01)

• Ryan rebutts the idea that Stoicism is just “old white guy philosophy,” explaining its diversity of voices and calling books a “way to have conversations with the dead.”
  • “To not read about what was happening in the past seems to me to be sort of neglecting this superpower.” (15:04)

The Nature of Wisdom (15:19)

• Wisdom is elusive and cumulative, not innate or guaranteed by age. It is developed through practices—"a method, not an accident."
  • “There are a lot of very foolish old people as well, right? It is not for certain that if you live a long time, you will acquire a lot of wisdom.” (15:19)
  • Wisdom directs how other virtues are applied: “Wisdom has to be this sort of moderating, informing force...” (17:09)

Exemplars of Wisdom in History (17:22)

• Abraham Lincoln: Noted for self-education, moral wisdom, and political acumen—a model blending curiosity and practical action.
  • “Lincoln as this penultimate figure, someone who is both smart and ambitious, but also just and right and then strong and determined.” (19:13)
• George Washington: Famously bought a “how-to” book on being a general when tapped for leadership.
• Harry Truman: Drew lessons from history (“there’s nothing new in the world but the history you do not yet know”) (19:55) and relied on Plutarch’s Lives for perspective.

Challenges to Practicing Wisdom Today (21:15)

• Societal focus on speed over reflection leads to “chasing breaking news” instead of cultivating context and discernment.
  • “We honor speed but not reflection.” (21:31)
  • Wisdom is not just information but understanding meaning and context.

The Stakes of Failing to Cultivate Wisdom (23:16)

• Quoting Epictetus, Ryan warns that without wisdom, people are not truly free – they’re more easily misled, manipulated, or distracted.
  • “Only the educated are free.” (23:34)

How Can Listeners Become Wiser? (24:44)

• Ask better questions and don’t fear admitting ignorance. Most importantly: read more books and engage directly with enduring wisdom.
  • “There is just no form of wisdom or information more distilled down or valuable than what goes into a book.” (24:50)

3. Government Shutdown: Causes and Consequences (27:48–33:39)

Current Situation

• Ongoing shutdown with no resolution in sight; both political parties have entrenched positions.
  • Democrats are focused on protecting Medicaid funding and insurance subsidies.
  • Republicans insist the budget must pass first; Democrats use the shutdown as their only bargaining lever.

Real-World Impacts

• Millions affected: federal workers, military members missing paychecks, essential staff like TSA working unpaid.
  • “Most Americans cannot afford to just skip paychecks.” (29:20)

Practical Advice for Those Impacted

• Banks may offer mortgage/car loan deferrals; request student loan forbearance; check with lenders.
• Contact credit bureaus to flag accounts; check credit reports; look into unemployment eligibility.

4. Congressional Controversy: Refusal to Swear in Adelita Grijalva (33:39–34:12)

• Situation: Speaker Mike Johnson refuses to seat the newly elected Representative Adelita Grijalva until the Senate reopens the government, which is not procedurally required.
• Consequences: Legal challenge from Arizona’s Attorney General; broader concerns about undermining democratic norms if Congressional leadership can choose who to seat.
  • Sharon: “That is a backsliding away from Democratic norms.” (34:12)

5. White House Renovations and Public Outrage (34:12–43:10)

Historic Context

• Large-scale White House refurbishments are not new (e.g., Truman-era gut renovation).
• The East Wing, added in 1902, now the target of a controversial $300M ballroom project funded privately (including corporate donors and prominent individuals).

Key Issues

• The President does not own the White House—it belongs to the people.
• Lack of congressional approval and transparency in the new project.
• Administration claims broad authority to demolish the East Wing with minimal oversight, which is historically inconsistent.
• Widespread bipartisan discomfort about bypassing preservation norms and historical responsibility.
  • Sharon: “To be able to destroy a portion of a historic building that does not belong to them really rubs a lot of Americans the wrong way.” (37:34)

6. Federal Law Enforcement Practices: ICE and Identification (43:10–45:21)

• Question: Can ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents use unmarked vehicles and wear masks without identifying themselves?
  • Legal for agents to use unmarked cars.
  • Required to identify as immigration officers only when “practical and safe”—a flexible standard.
  • Not required to give names; state-level laws (like in California) are being challenged by federal directives.
• Privacy/Safety Concerns: The ambiguity around “practical and safe” creates risk of impersonation and challenges to civil norms.
  • Sharon: “This is definitely one of those. Stay tuned and I'll keep you updated. Situations.” (45:00)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Ryan Holiday, on reading history:
  “There’s nothing new in the world but the history you do not yet know.” (Citing Truman, 19:55)

• On the nature of wisdom:
  “You’re not born with it… Wisdom, I think, is a result of something quite different.” (15:19)

• On freedom and education:
  “Only the educated are free.” (Epictetus, cited by Ryan, 23:34)

• On cultivating wisdom:
  “There is just no form of wisdom or information more distilled down or valuable than what goes into a book.” (Ryan, 24:50)

• Sharon McMahon, on democratic norms:
  “If leadership gets to say, we are not going to swear you in for no reason other than we don’t wish to, that puts us in a sticky situation.” (34:12)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Stoic Virtues & Wisdom (with Ryan Holiday): 10:06–26:00
• Government Shutdown Analysis & Advice: 27:48–33:39
• Congress/Adelita Grijalva Swearing-In Controversy: 33:39–34:12
• White House Renovations: 34:12–43:10
• ICE Identification & Legal Limits: 43:10–45:21

Episode Tone and Language

Sharon maintains her signature approachable, fact-rich style, blending empathy with precise, non-alarmist explanations. Ryan Holiday contributes an accessible, story-driven perspective, translating ancient philosophy into practical, modern insights. Throughout, the conversation is candid, informed, and welcoming to listeners regardless of prior political or philosophical knowledge.

Final Takeaways

• Ancient wisdom, especially the virtue of wisdom, is more essential than ever in an overwhelming information landscape.
• Ongoing political events—government shutdown, congressional procedure, White House renovations—are not just procedural but have real-life impacts and democratic significance.
• Practical advice is offered for those affected and engaged listeners are encouraged to ask questions and keep informed—to “cultivate wisdom” in daily life.

For more information, to ask questions, or to become a subscriber, visit thepreamble.com.