The Daily Stoic Podcast

Episode: What Would a Year of This Look Like?
Host: Ryan Holiday
Date: December 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ryan Holiday explores the practical meaning of virtue from the Stoic perspective, offering listeners a reflection on how to make virtue a daily habit rather than a lofty abstraction. Framing the conversation around the New Year's tradition of self-improvement, Ryan unveils the "2026 Daily Stoic New Year, New You Challenge," which is designed to encourage consistent, actionable steps towards living a life guided by courage, discipline, justice, and wisdom. The episode is an inspiring call to turn Stoic philosophy into a lived, daily experience throughout the coming year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Stoic View of Virtue: Action over Abstraction

[01:53]

• Ryan opens by questioning, “What would a year of this look like?”—referencing the Stoic commitment to virtue.
• He emphasizes that for Stoics, virtue isn’t an abstract ideal:

  "Virtue was a way of life, not something we are, but something we do.” — Ryan Holiday (02:30)

• Citing Aristotle, Ryan explains that virtues are developed through practice:

  “We become builders by building...we become harpists by playing the harp. Similarly, then we become just by doing just actions, temperate by doing temperate actions, brave by doing brave actions.” — Ryan Holiday summarizing Aristotle (02:45)

Imagining a Virtuous Year

[03:05]

• Ryan invites listeners to visualize 2026 as a year not just of ambition or vague resolutions, but as a deliberate practice of daily virtue.

• He breaks down what it would look like to wake up and actively pursue:

  • Bravery
  • Self-command
  • Doing the right thing
  • Doing good for others
  • Continual learning and better thinking

  “Not in some grand heroic way, but in the small consistent choices we make that actually shape a good life.” — Ryan Holiday (03:40)

The Daily Stoic 2026 “New Year, New You” Challenge

[04:10]

• The challenge is centered around the word of the year: “Virtue.”
• Consists of 21 actionable challenges over the first 21 days of 2026.
• Each day’s challenge applies a core lesson from Stoic philosophy in a practical, accessible way.
• The aim is not just a better year but a fundamentally more virtuous one:

  “We're going to tell you exactly what to do, how to do it, why it works, and we'll give you strategies for maintaining these habits...not just for the rest of the year, but for your whole life.” — Ryan Holiday (04:40)

• Ryan shares that some of his enduring practices started with past challenges, emphasizing that excellence is cultivated through “day-to-day choices,” not inherent talent or luck.

The Importance of Commitment and Non-Procrastination

[05:00]

• Ryan urges listeners not to put off joining, pointing out that procrastination is itself a failure of discipline:

  “Don't procrastinate. Don't start the year by already failing at one of the virtues...That's a lack of self-discipline, right?” — Ryan Holiday (05:21)

• He encourages people to secure their participation so they can start strong on January 1st.

Invitation and Community

[05:33]

• The challenge is open to all—Ryan describes a global community of “thousands of Stoics...my family and my friends, all the people here at Daily Stoic.”
• For ongoing guidance, he recommends joining “Daily Stoic Life” for access to all challenges.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Virtue was a way of life, not something we are, but something we do." — Ryan Holiday (02:30)
• “Not in some grand heroic way, but in the small consistent choices we make that actually shape a good life.” — Ryan Holiday (03:40)
• “Excellence isn't this thing that you're born with or you stumble into. It's cultivated. It's about these day to day choices and it's a challenge and it's not easy.” — Ryan Holiday (04:55)
• "Don't procrastinate. Don't start the year by already failing at one of the virtues, which is to say procrastination. That's a lack of self-discipline, right?" — Ryan Holiday (05:21)

Segment Timestamps

• [01:53] – Introduction to the concept of virtue in daily life
• [02:45] – Aristotle’s analogy: virtue as a craft, habits formed through action
• [03:05] – Vision for a year shaped by intentional virtue
• [04:10] – Details of the 2026 New Year, New You Challenge
• [04:55] – The role of daily decisions in cultivating excellence
• [05:21] – Warning against procrastination; importance of discipline
• [05:33] – Encouragement to join the Stoic community and sign up

Conclusion

This episode is a motivational reflection, urging listeners to see virtue as a tangible, daily pursuit rather than a distant ideal. Through clear examples, actionable guidance, and a communal challenge for the new year, Ryan Holiday brings Stoic philosophy down to earth, making it both approachable and immediately applicable. Listeners are left energized and equipped to begin 2026 with purpose, courage, and discipline—one day, and one virtuous action, at a time.