The Daily Stoic Podcast

Episode: Mel Robbins Reading List (From Ryan Holiday)
Date: January 4, 2026
Host: Ryan Holiday
Notable Guests: Mariah Carey, Julia Baird, Fantasy Author Guest

Overview

This episode centers on a lively, candid discussion about personal reading habits, book recommendations, and the stories behind meaningful books for each participant. Ryan Holiday, joined by Mariah Carey, Julia Baird, and a guest fantasy author, explores the joys of book collecting, the importance of reading routines, reflections on parenting and creativity, and the power of literature—especially fantasy and children's books—to shape perspective and relationships. The episode is infused with warmth, humor, and a love for both high and low literary culture, blending nostalgia, practical advice, and meaningful anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power of Books and Collecting (03:06–04:27)

• The group admires an eclectic bookshelf and jokes about the curation process:
  • Julia Baird explains: “The worst books are up top because, like, they give you lots of... that. There's some trash books that are up closer to the top.” (03:45)
  • Mariah Carey chimes in about her own podcast studio decor: “Because I wanted it all beige and white. Specially all Mariah Carey and Daniel Steel books... When intellectual people come in, you can…” (04:00)
• Lighthearted observations on the fate of once-popular books: “It's kind of humbling and inspiring to think whatever books were popular at a period... at some point they all end up at Goodwill.” (Julia Baird, 04:11)

Book Recommendations and Personal Stories

Animal-Themed Books and Spiritual Experiences (04:41–06:21)

• Mariah Carey shares a moving story:
  • On rescuing an injured owl on her 27th anniversary:
    • “I straddled it and went to scoop it up. And it turned its face around and looked me in the eyes. And the pouring rain was coming down.” (05:01)
    • “I feel like... there was a deeply spiritual thing that was happening around the owl that night.” (06:10)
• Julia shares her favorite irreverent bird book, highlighting the playful side of reading with kids: “My kids love it because... it's just got curse words in it.” (06:21)

Children’s Books and Generational Connections (07:27–10:37)

• The group discusses beloved children’s books:
  • Julia Baird: “Well, I love the Boy, the Fox, the Horse and the Mole. My son is obsessed with Greek history…” (08:04)
  • Discovery of BJ Novak's “The Book with No Pictures” and the laughter it brings:
    • “You have to read everything the book says, no matter what. So it gets crazier and crazier, and you have to say all this ridiculous shit.” (Julia Baird, 09:20)
    • Mariah Carey, reading from the book: “Yes. I am a monkey. My head is made of blueberry pizza.” (09:35)
    • “My only friend in the world is a hippo named Boo Boo Butt.” (Mariah Carey, 09:44)
• The appeal of silly humor in children's literature—Mariah: “I have a fourth grade boy’s sense of humor.” (06:30)

Fantasy & Romantasy Recommendations, and Audible Escapes (13:18–14:55)

• Mariah Carey reveals a passion for fantasy and “romantasy”:
  • “Court of Thorn and Roses, baby. Although I like the graphic audio.” (13:19)
  • Discussion around audio adaptations: “I’m addicted to it. I love it.” (Mariah Carey, 13:31)
  • She shares the aspiration to write a fantasy trilogy—motivated by admiration for world-building and the challenge it represents:
    • “I’m so impressed by world building... It’d be really fun to challenge myself to try to do that.” (Mariah Carey, 15:16)

Writing with Family—Healing and Collaboration (15:07–19:20)

• Mariah details co-authoring a book with her daughter and the unexpected healing that emerged:
  • “We argued over every word, and we are the exact opposite person. She’s a walking Excel spreadsheet. And I’m like, you know, if you take mice and put them in a cardboard box and tip it over, that is me.” (15:41)
  • Realization about her daughter’s self-criticism and talents:
    • “She is such a brain with horsepower that if it's not aimed at something, shames at herself.” (17:01)
  • The inception of “Let me” as an answer to the problems with the “Let them” philosophy:
    • “[Let them] makes people lonely... There has to be a second part.” (Mariah Carey via her daughter, 17:45–18:07)
  • Working together heals relationship wounds and models acceptance:
    • “It was incredible. It healed our relationship, honestly, because we were forced to be with each other all day and work through the emotions and judgments that we had with one another.” (Mariah Carey, 18:13)
    • “Let her have this experience and just be with her without trying to fix it. It was. It was unbelievable.” (Mariah Carey, 19:10)

Adult Fantasy Literature and Representation (19:39–20:04)

• Fantasy author guest notes the significance of adult female protagonists in fantasy:
  • “It’s really the one of the only series that I’ve read that is like... an adult woman who’s going through a midlife crisis.” (Guest Fantasy Author, 19:48)

The Craft of Writing: Tools and Process (21:09–23:08)

• Julia Baird describes her writing process using note cards to track ideas for multiple projects, including a biography on Admiral James Stockdale.
  • “I do all my stuff on note cards. Like all my books and then so each book... I would just circle...” (23:00)
• Stockdale’s legacy is discussed as a source of Stoic inspiration:
  • “He was... seven years in a prison camp... he’s the Stockdale paradox.” (Julia Baird, 22:17)

Reflections on Reading as a Writer (23:22–23:48)

• Julia Baird emphasizes the essential partnership between reading and writing:
  • “You can't write without reading.”
  • “Once a month I send out an email with my favorite book recommendations... Books that changed my life, that inspired me.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mariah Carey on spiritual encounters and loss:
  “It was on our 27th wedding anniversary... in the pouring rain... [The owl] turned its face around and looked me in the eyes.” (05:01)
• Julia Baird on the recycling of books through culture:
  “Whatever books were popular at a period... at some point they all end up at Goodwill.” (04:11)
• Mariah Carey on co-writing with her daughter:
  “She is such a brain with horsepower that if it’s not aimed at something, shames at herself.” (17:01)
  “Working on this together healed our relationship... create this space of acceptance and love.” (18:13)
• On creativity and differences within families:
  “She’s a walking Excel spreadsheet. And I’m like, you know, if you take mice and put them in a cardboard box and tip it over, that is me.” (15:41)
• The irreverent fun of children’s books:
  “My only friend in the whole world is a hippo named Boo Boo Butt.” (Mariah Carey, 09:44)

Memorable Timestamps

• 03:06–04:27: Lighthearted bookshelf curation & “trash books” up high
• 05:01–06:21: Mariah’s owl rescue story & its spiritual resonance
• 09:20–09:49: Group reading from “The Book with No Pictures” – pure laughter
• 13:19–13:31: Deep dive into fantasy audiobooks and “Court of Thorn and Roses”
• 15:07–18:36: Mariah’s journey co-writing with her daughter and lessons learned
• 22:17–23:08: Writing process, note cards, and biography work on Stockdale
• 23:22–23:48: Reading as inspiration and foundation for writing

Tone & Language

The tone is conversational, warm, humorous, and unguardedly personal. The participants express affection for books, family, and the process of storytelling, whether for children, personal growth, or pure escapism.

Summary

This episode of The Daily Stoic Podcast is a vibrant literary exploration—part book club, part memoir, part masterclass in parenting, writing, and self-acceptance. The lively interplay between Ryan Holiday, Mariah Carey, Julia Baird, and their guest moves seamlessly through topics like bookshelf aesthetics, the pleasures of reading with children, poignant stories of loss and connection, and unexpected emotional healing found in collaborative creativity. Fantasy fiction and “romantasy” take center stage, as does the enduring wisdom found in stories shared, books gifted, and the family bonds they foster. For anyone who loves books or wants a reminder of literature's power to connect, heal, and inspire, this episode delivers with wit, depth, and genuine joy.