The Daily Stoic – “This is The Math That Losers Do | What Virtue Is This Moment Asking of You?”

Date: February 24, 2026
Host: Ryan Holiday
Guest Segment: Zain Asher, CNN anchor (from "One World" on CNN)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ryan Holiday explores the idea of “the math that losers do”—the trap of obsessing over blame and fairness instead of focusing on proactive, virtuous responses to life’s obstacles. Drawing from Stoic principles, especially as articulated by Marcus Aurelius, Ryan discusses the importance of agency in the present and how we can use adversity as an opportunity to practice virtue. The episode features a substantive interview segment with Zain Asher from CNN’s "One World," where they delve into Stoicism’s application amid injustice, emotional turmoil, and everyday challenges.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Futility of Blame and Retrospection (00:00–01:45)

• Ryan’s Opening Reflection:
  • Many people, when wronged or faced with setbacks, engage in endless “math”—calculating blame, replaying mistakes—which ultimately serves no purpose.
  • This kind of thinking only keeps us stuck in the past and avoids our responsibility to respond.
  • Key Insight:
    • “Nothing is more pathetic, Marcus Aurelius writes in meditations, than people who run around in circles, delving into the things that lie beneath…” (01:00)
  • The essential question: Not “who’s to blame?” but, “what good is focusing on blame going to do you?”
  • Agency exists only in the present moment; we have the choice, right now, to let go, move on, and respond virtuously.

2. What Makes Stoicism Pragmatic in Modern Life? (05:27–06:28)

• Zain Asher Introduction:
  • Highlights how Stoicism has inspired leaders for centuries to find peace in an uncontrollable world.
  • Asks: What does Stoicism teach about responding to relentless, emotionally charged news cycles and to injustice?

Stoic View on Injustice (Ryan’s Response):

• Stoicism is about acceptance of what’s outside your control—but with a crucial exception: Injustice.
• “The one area that the Stoics are quite clear [on], that we don’t accept, that we do respond [to] is in the case of injustice…To not pay attention because it’s upsetting to you is obviously wrong.” (06:28)
• He references Marcus Aurelius: Even inaction in the face of injustice is a form of injustice.
• Justice and Courage:
  • Stoics advocate for active engagement with the world, but with self-command and virtue.

3. Stoicism Versus Apathy – The Role of Anger (07:21–08:43)

• Zain’s Question:
  • Common misconception: Is Stoicism similar to apathy or disengagement? Is there a role for anger?

Ryan’s Reply:

• Being upset by outrageous things is normal and human.
• But when stakes are high, acting out of outrage isn’t constructive or Stoic.
• “Pausing and reflecting before taking action is a big part of what Stoicism teaches us. It’s not that you don’t take action, it’s that you don’t want to take it while you’re angry…” (08:13)
• Recounts Athena Doris’ advice to Augustus: “Count all the letters of the alphabet before you respond” (an early version of ‘count to ten’).

4. Responding to Life’s Hardships: Resilience & Opportunity (08:43–10:26)

• Zain’s Question:
  • Why do some individuals adapt to hardship, while others collapse?

Ryan’s Reply:

• Admits: “That’s one of the great mysteries of life.” (09:20)
• Even the same person may handle different adversities with different strengths.
• The Stoic practice:
  • “When we are challenged by life, the point is to rise and to meet that challenge...What virtue is being asked of me here?” (09:57)
• Difficulties are opportunities for growth and to be of service to others.
• In retrospect, we realize how adversity shaped our best selves.

5. Taking Stoicism Into Real Life, Especially in Crisis (10:26–12:15)

• Zain’s Question:
  • How can people ensure they apply Stoic lessons when times get tough, not just when life is smooth?

Ryan’s Reply:

• It’s easy to be “stoic” when untested; true test comes during success and, more so, adversity.
• “If it was easy, everyone would do it…It’s work and we should be getting better at it as we go.” (11:18)
• Each challenge is practice (“getting reps”) for greater obstacles down the line.
• Emphasizes practical, continuous work to prepare for difficulty.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Blame:

  • “We can keep running the numbers, replaying the mistakes, assigning fault, but the total never changes. That type of math keeps us stuck in the past. The past is gone and no amount of calculation will bring it back or make it fair. What we have is agency right now.”
    — Ryan Holiday (01:14)

• On Injustice:

  • “Injustices is not just something you do. You can also commit an injustice…by doing nothing, by saying 'that’s not my problem.'”
    — Ryan Holiday (06:56)

• On Action and Anger:

  • “It’s not that you don’t take action, it’s that you don’t want to take it while you’re angry, while you’re blinded by fear or jealousy or whatever strong emotion is coming up, that’s not what you want informing what you do.”
    — Ryan Holiday (08:23)

• On Practicing Stoic Virtue Amid Hardship:

  • “What can I learn from this? How can I be of service to others through this? What virtue is being asked of me here? And in this way, even the most difficult and unfair…circumstances presents us an opportunity to be better for it.”
    — Ryan Holiday (09:54)

• On Stoic Practice:

  • “If this was just something you were born with, it wouldn’t be that impressive either. So it’s important that we see that, that this is work, it’s hard work…that is how we turn obstacles into opportunities.”
    — Ryan Holiday (11:20)

• Zain’s Reflection:

  • “Just in terms of really sort of teaching me how to respond to the challenges that we all experience in life… what you have taught me about how to react and how to respond rather than react has been life changing.”
    — Zain Asher (12:33)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–01:45 — Opening thoughts: The math that losers do, the danger of focusing on blame and the past.
• 05:27–06:28 — Zain Asher introduces Stoicism’s relevance to world events and injustice.
• 06:28–07:21 — Stoicism’s stance on acceptance versus responding to injustice.
• 07:21–08:43 — Misconceptions about Stoicism, the place of anger, and pausing before reaction.
• 08:43–10:26 — Coping with personal hardship; differentiating responses and finding virtue in suffering.
• 10:26–12:15 — Turning Stoic philosophy into lived practice during crisis, not just comfort.
• 12:33–12:44 — Zain’s gratitude and testimonial to Stoic lessons.

Takeaways

• Let go of blame; focus on present agency.
• Injustice demands response, but with courage, justice, and self-discipline.
• Don’t act in anger—pause, reflect, then act.
• Hardship is universal; our response is where virtue and growth happen.
• Stoicism is a daily practice, not a one-off insight—true value appears most when we’re truly tested.

End of summary.