Podcast Summary: The Daily Stoic – "It Doesn’t Take Long to Do This | Mark Manson's Reading List (From Ryan Holiday)"

Date: December 26, 2025
Host: Ryan Holiday (Daily Stoic)
Guest/Co-host: (Not directly named but referred to as someone interviewing Noah Kagan, possibly Mark Manson per episode title)

Episode Overview

This episode explores two primary threads:

1. Stoic Reflections on Change: Ryan Holiday opens with a meditation on how quickly one can turn their life around, inspired by Marcus Aurelius and the annual Daily Stoic “New Year, New You” challenge.
2. Books, Ideas, and Wisdom: The latter half features a lively exchange between Ryan and a guest centered on what they've been reading recently, highlighting works that offer insight on productivity, management, leadership, and life.

The discussion is informal, bookish, and packed with personal recommendations, notable insights, and candid takes on renowned writers and ideas.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power & Speed of Self-Change (00:20 – 03:25)

• Ryan reflects on how it's easy to let a year slide, lose good habits, and pick up bad ones, but emphasizes, with inspiration from Marcus Aurelius, that:

  “A week is all it takes to turn it around. Maybe it's more, maybe it's less. But the point is it doesn't take long to get going in the right direction again.” (01:02)

• He connects this philosophy to the Daily Stoic's "New Year, New You" 21-day challenge, underscoring that meaningful change can start swiftly with intentional action.
• Memorable advice:

  “To recommit to your principles and begin acting like the person you know you can be.” (01:43)

2. On Reading & How Podcasts Shape Reading Habits (05:31 – 06:07)

• The guest shares that most of their reading now centers on upcoming podcast guests, which broadens their exposure:

  “Most of my reading is just whoever's coming up next.” – Guest (05:36)

• Ryan agrees, noting the value of reading books one might otherwise ignore for too long.

3. Recent & Noteworthy Reads (06:08 – 10:44)

• "Die With Zero" by Bill Perkins
  • Currently being read by the guest’s wife: “It's blowing her mind.” (06:08)
• Pre-Pandemic Writing Group:
  • Ryan reminisces about a group including Shane Parrish, James Clear, Tim Urban, Near Eyal, Steve Kamb, David Epstein—remarking on how these friendships shaped their work and book choices (06:15 – 07:00).
• "Going Infinite" by Michael Lewis
  • Ryan defends the book:

    “He comes off as a complete... really? Yeah, totally... He comes off as someone who's very smart but also a moron.” (07:53)

  • Notes the paradoxes of brilliant yet socially inept figures (Sam Bankman-Fried, Elon Musk).
• Examples of “Smart Stupid People”:

  “I'm gonna use him in the wisdom book as, like, an example of a smart, stupid person. Musk being another great example of that.” – Ryan (09:14)

4. Unique and Underappreciated Book Recommendations (09:31 – 13:16)

• Biography of Pontius Pilate by "obituaries editor for The Economist"
  • Ryan describes it as:

    “One of the greatest biographies I've ever read in my life. Really? So good, huh?... A good example, like, multiple times, he tries to do the right thing, but it would have required just, like, 10% more spine.” (10:06)

  • Highlights the tension of historical inevitability vs. leadership choices.
• Jan Morris’ Memoir
  • Praised for its nuanced, apolitical take on trans identity:

    “It's a memoir of what it’s like to be trans, but from... before any of the things that have now made that discussion toxic... It was incredible. One of the best books I read last year.” – Ryan (12:03, 13:16)

5. Business and Management Wisdom (13:16 – 14:33)

• "The Hard Thing About Hard Things" by Ben Horowitz
  • Both hosts concur it's a valuable, down-to-earth management resource.
• On Peter Drucker and the "Daily Drucker":
  • Ryan explains its direct inspiration for "The Daily Stoic":

    “There isn’t one [definitive] book for Peter Drucker... Steve did that book because... one page a day of the best stuff... That’s the model he was using because he had done it as a publisher.” (13:57)

6. Ryan’s Bookstore and Philosophy on Curation (14:33 – 15:07)

• Ryan elaborates on the philosophy behind his bookstore:

  “The whole point of the bookstore is like, I love all these books... Like, a bookstore this size should have 15,000 books in it... So it's mostly, like, I just. I love all the books, so... I tell you why. It's amazing.” (14:43)

• Lighthearted moment on not “tricking” guests into buying books during podcast recordings.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Swift Change:

  “A week is all it takes to turn it around. Maybe it's more, maybe it's less. But the point is it doesn't take long to get going in the right direction again.” – Ryan Holiday (01:02)

• On “Smart-Stupid” People:

  “He comes off as a great example of a person who’s very smart but also a moron... Musk being another great example of that.” – Ryan (07:53 & 09:14)

• On Book Selection:

  “The best way to understand the present is to read from a long time ago.” – Ryan (11:54)

• On Pontius Pilate’s Biography:

  “Multiple times he tries to do the right thing, but it would have required just, like, 10% more spine.” – Ryan (10:06)

• On Bookstore Curation:

  "The whole point of the bookstore is, like, I love all these books." – Ryan (14:43)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Stoic wisdom on changing course: 00:20 – 03:25
• Reading habits and recent reads: 05:31 – 08:31
• Michael Lewis & “Going Infinite” discussion: 07:03 – 09:20
• On biographies and history books: 09:31 – 11:51
• Jan Morris and reading outside culture wars: 11:54 – 13:16
• Business/management book recs: 13:16 – 14:33
• Ryan’s bookstore philosophy: 14:33 – 15:07

Tone & Style

The episode strikes a friendly, candid tone, balancing philosophical introspection with bookish banter and a genuine enthusiasm for sharing wisdom. Ryan’s delivery is warm, direct, and occasionally self-deprecating, making this episode both practical and thought-provoking for listeners seeking both Stoic advice and great reading recommendations.

In summary:
This episode is as much about the ease of personal renewal—a core Stoic principle—as it is a treasury of smart, eclectic book recommendations, each unpacked with stories and insights that encourage listeners to pursue wisdom from both ancient and unexpected sources.