The Daily Stoic Podcast

Episode: This is the Day You Start | What Does Living A Virtuous Life Look Like?
Date: January 29, 2026
Host: Ryan Holiday
Guest: Stephanie Rule

Overview

This episode of The Daily Stoic Podcast, hosted by author and speaker Ryan Holiday, centers on the timeless question: What does it mean to live a virtuous life, particularly in today's complex world? The conversation, featuring journalist Stephanie Rule, explores how Stoic principles—courage, discipline, justice, and wisdom—can be actively practiced rather than merely studied. Through reflection on historical and modern examples, the episode encourages listeners not to delay living virtuously and to become proactive participants in their personal and societal spheres.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Best Time to Begin Is Now

• Starting Where You Are (00:00–01:30)
  • Ryan discusses the proverb: "The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The next best time is now."
  • He urges listeners not to wait for ‘the perfect moment’ but to seize the opportunity to become the person they want to be today.
  • Marcus Aurelius is quoted:

    “You could be good today, but instead you choose tomorrow. But no, don't choose tomorrow. Choose to be good today.” (00:55, Marcus Aurelius via Ryan Holiday)

  • The episode ties in the “New Year, New You Challenge,” inviting people to take action now, regardless of past delays.

2. Virtue Is Active, Not Passive

• Stoicism’s Engagement with the World (04:00–06:09)
  • Stephanie asks, "What does living a virtuous life look like? Because again, I think the idea of it is different from the reality, especially in 2025." (04:00)
  • Ryan distinguishes Stoics from other philosophies:
    • Stoics are not 'pen and ink' philosophers; they believe in engagement, not just contemplation.
    • Unlike the Epicureans, Stoics feel compelled to participate in public life unless something prevents them.
    • Accepting injustice is antithetical to the Stoic commitment to justice.
  • Historical point: Stoics were so engaged and outspoken that Emperor Domitian banned all philosophers from Rome.

3. Stoicism, Faith, and Hopefulness

• Room for Faith and Taking Action (06:31–08:13)
  • Stephanie: "Is there faith and is there hopefulness?" (06:31)
  • Ryan responds that Stoicism allows space for faith, but its focus is on practical hope—acting on what is within our personal control.
  • He references Marcus Aurelius:

    “Good fortune is something you make for yourself with good actions, good intentions, and good deeds.” (07:00, Marcus Aurelius via Ryan Holiday)

  • Rather than magical thinking, Stoics emphasize that positive change results from one's own actions.

4. Why Is Stoicism Popular Now?

• Stoicism as an Antidote to the Times (08:13–11:08)
  • Stephanie observes Marcus Aurelius’s modern popularity:

    “What is it about this moment in time...why are people caring about Marcus Aurelius?” (08:13)

  • Ryan: The resurgence of Stoicism indicates social and political instability—people seek frameworks for resilience.
  • He shares the philosophy's “battle-tested” history, from Zeno’s shipwreck to modern figures like James Stockdale.
  • Stoic virtues have historically helped individuals endure and rise through difficult times.

5. Inspiration through Stoic Action

• Opportunity in Adversity (11:42–14:01)
  • Stephanie: "Is it naive to believe...there’s greatness in this moment?" (11:42)
  • Ryan: Stoicism means accepting circumstances outside our control, but also choosing, every day, to be different and better—to be "the exception".

    “Every moment, especially the moments you don’t like...is an opportunity for you to be great, to be the exception, to be different, and to maybe, quite possibly, lead people.” (12:49, Ryan Holiday)

  • The concept "the obstacle is the way" is unpacked as a call to turn adversity into growth and virtue.

6. Leadership, Agency, and Building, Not Just Resisting

• From Passive Acceptance to Proactive Change (13:02–16:09)
  • Stephanie questions if Stoicism can help people “be the change you want to see.” (13:02)
  • Ryan describes how Stacey Abrams, after losing the Georgia gubernatorial race, didn't simply accept defeat but built a powerful voter outreach organization—embodying Stoic response.

    “What is in my control is my response to that, what I do next, what choices I make about who I’m going to be in this moment.” (14:01, Ryan Holiday)

  • Stephanie: On Abrams’ approach—"She said, brick by brick, educate people, connect people...I just lost a battle. The answer isn't continue to battle, it's build." (15:08)
  • Ryan affirms Stoicism encourages us to be “builders more than fighters” and not to abandon public engagement to the less virtuous.

7. Wisdom, Learning, and Intellectual Humility

• Fostering the Desire to Learn (16:54–17:21)
  • Stephanie: “How do we create in people the desire to learn?” (16:54)
  • Ryan shares a favorite quote from Epictetus:

    “Remember, it’s impossible to learn that which you think you already know.” (17:20, Epictetus via Ryan Holiday)

  • The segment closes with an emphasis on remaining curious and humble as essential facets of a Stoic and virtuous life.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You could be good today, but instead you choose tomorrow. But no, don't choose tomorrow. Choose to be good today.”
  — Ryan Holiday quoting Marcus Aurelius (00:55)

• “Being centered around this notion of justice, the idea of not being involved, means you are accepting the injustices of the world.”
  — Ryan Holiday (05:10)

• "Good fortune is something you make for yourself with good actions, good intentions, and good deeds.”
  — Ryan Holiday quoting Marcus Aurelius (07:00)

• "Every moment, especially the moments that you don't like...is an opportunity for you to be great, to be the exception, to be different."
  — Ryan Holiday (12:49)

• “It’s impossible to learn that which you think you already know.”
  — Epictetus quoted by Ryan Holiday (17:20)

• “She said, brick by brick, educate people, connect people...I just lost a battle. The answer isn't continue to battle, it's build.”
  — Stephanie Rule on Stacey Abrams (15:08)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00-01:30 – The importance of starting today: the tree metaphor and Marcus Aurelius challenge.
• 04:00-06:09 – What virtue is in Stoicism: action vs. contemplation, public engagement.
• 06:31-08:13 – Stoicism, hope, and agency: Marcus Aurelius on good fortune.
• 08:13-11:08 – Stoic resurgence: relevance in times of crisis, resilience through history.
• 11:42-14:01 – Stoicism as inspiration for positive action.
• 13:02-16:09 – Choice, leadership, and the virtue of building in the face of adversity.
• 16:54-17:21 – Intellectual humility and the desire to learn.

Conclusion

The episode makes a powerful case that living a virtuous life isn’t about retreating from the world or passively accepting it, but about daily, deliberate action—starting now. Stoicism offers a framework not just for personal resilience, but for meaningful engagement and leadership, especially in challenging times. The true Stoic, as embodied by both ancient sages and contemporary figures, isn't simply a survivor, but an active builder of a better world.