Philosophy

Chrystia Freeland

Chrystia Freeland, former Canadian deputy prime minister and lead trade negotiator with the first Trump administration, joins to discuss why Trump's coercive approach to Canada has failed. Polling shows 41 percent of Canadians now consider the United States an enemy country, and Prime Minister Mark Carney walked away from trade talks in August, moving to diversify trade toward China and Europe. Freeland's new book, 'Unreliable Boyfriend,' provides the framework: a chaotic superpower that can't be relied upon forces its partners to hedge. The core lesson is that Trump's theory of power assumed the weaker party would capitulate — but Canada chose to absorb economic pain rather than submit.

Ryan Holiday draws lessons from Seneca's life at the court of Nero, as detailed in James Romm's biography 'Dying Every Day.' Exploring how the Stoic philosopher navigated a dangerously unpredictable political environment, Holiday suggests that the practices and mindset that allowed Seneca to survive and even thrive can be applied to modern challenges, helping us build resilience and avoid self-destructive paths.

Ryan Holiday shares a curated list of essential business and leadership books that he argues can replace the time and expense of an MBA. The episode focuses on titles that cover strategy, startup culture, failure analysis, and classic management principles, encouraging listeners to use reading as a self-directed education.

Ryan Holiday reflects on the unmistakable signs of autumn: the changing leaves, the crisp air. The episode is a brief meditation on the seasonality of nature, encouraging awareness of the cycles that surround us. No deeper philosophical discussion is provided.

Jaimie Alexander

Ryan Holiday talks with actor Jaimie Alexander about her personal daily Stoic practice. The episode explores how she applies Stoic principles in her life and emphasizes that Stoicism survives through conversation — someone reads, thinks, shares, and helps another person see what they might have missed. The conversation is tied to the release of the 10th Anniversary Edition of The Daily Stoic.

Jaron Lanier

Sam Harris and Jaron Lanier survey a volatile 2026 news landscape. They discuss Alex Gibney's Elon Musk documentary, the Democrats' internal struggle over prominent left-wing media figures, and the Pentagon's unprecedented plan to livestream a military execution. The conversation also touches on tech leaders' political capitulation and a curious Trump campaign promise to pay voters $5,000.

Sean Carroll answers questions from his Patreon supporters in the October 2026 AMA episode. The episode covers a wide range of listener-submitted questions, but specific topics are not detailed in the available show notes.

Kristen Lippincott, Jim Bennett, Jonathan Betts

Misha Glenny presents an archive discussion on how humans have measured time across millennia, from ancient water clocks to modern atomic timekeeping. Guests Kristen Lippincott, Jim Bennett, and Jonathan Betts trace the evolution from celestial observation through medieval mechanical clocks — which served as prayer alarms rather than time-telling devices — to the railway-driven standardization of the 19th century. The conversation culminates with the establishment of Greenwich as the prime meridian in 1884 and the staggering precision of atomic clocks, which can keep time to within a second over 15 million years.

Janet Soskice, Martin Palmer, Graham Ward

In this episode selected from the In Our Time archive, host Misha Glenny and guests explore the doctrine of the Trinity—the Christian belief in one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The discussion traces the doctrine from its early controversies and the clarifying Council of Nicaea to later theological reflections by Augustine and Aquinas. The guests examine how the Trinity has shaped Christian thought and how it is interpreted differently across traditions.

John Kiriakou

Chris Williamson sits down with former CIA counterterrorism officer and whistleblower John Kiriakou to explore who truly controls the US government, the reality of psychological interrogation, domestic surveillance, leadership dynamics within intelligence, and legendary covert operations. The conversation spans coffee-fueled mornings, the ethics of espionage, and a surprising daily ritual.

Ryan Holiday marks the 10th anniversary of The Daily Stoic with a short episode reflecting on the milestone—522 weeks, over 3,600 days—and the enduring relevance of Stoic philosophy in a changing world.

Meghan O'Gieblyn

Author Meghan O'Gieblyn discusses her memoir Will and Attention with Russ Roberts, exploring why willpower alone often fails in the face of addiction and deeply ingrained behaviors. She draws on the ideas of Simone Weil, William James, and Iris Murdoch to argue that the will is powerless over our deepest desires, and that real change comes through redirecting attention rather than sheer effort. The conversation touches on how we rationalize destructive choices and why the small, barely noticed choices between our conscious decisions ultimately shape the course of our lives.

Debbie Millman

Ezra Klein talks with designer and educator Debbie Millman about the recurring worry that the modern world is becoming drabber and uglier. The conversation begins with the modern right's explicit theory of beauty — visible in President Trump's gilded Oval Office and an executive order requiring classical and traditional styles for certain federal buildings — and asks whether the left has any competing answer. Millman brings decades of experience from brand design, including redesigned logos for Burger King, 7 Up, and Häagen-Dazs, and from her podcast Design Matters. The episode explores the sameness of new cars, the drabness of apartment blocks, and the spread of "greige" in homes and fashion.

Ryan Holiday argues that continuous study is non-negotiable for everyone—leaders, parents, citizens—and shares his personal reading system that turns words into works, helping him write his best-selling books and become a better professional and person.

James Marriott

Journalist James Marriott argues that society's abandonment of reading threatens democracy and reverses Enlightenment gains. He and host Russ Roberts trace the history of literacy from ancient Mesopotamia through the 18th-century Reading Revolution, debating whether reading underwrites rational politics. They also explore the Republic of Letters' role in the Industrial Revolution, compare the abilities of books and movies to convey complexity, and conclude with the analogy that informational junk food may spur intentional reading as a mental workout.

Tony Robbins, Christopher Zook

Tony Robbins returns to Modern Wisdom with co-author and investor Christopher Zook to share practical investment strategies for turbulent times. They challenge conventional advice, explain why the traditional 60/40 portfolio may be outdated, and reveal how everyday people can now access alternative investments once reserved for the ultra-wealthy. The conversation covers diversification, risk management, and psychological mindsets, with a focus on actionable steps to build lasting financial security.

Ryan Holiday takes listeners behind the scenes of his appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher, where he used five Stoic reminders to calm his nerves before the live broadcast. He also shares highlights from his conversation with Bill about why Stoicism is having a moment, reflecting on the philosophy's modern resurgence. The episode offers a practical look at how ancient wisdom can be applied in high-pressure situations.

William Costello

William Costello joins Chris to discuss the intense online backlash Sydney Sweeney has faced, particularly from women. They explore the evolutionary psychology behind female intrasexual competition, why women often denigrate overt sexual signaling, and the double standards around female versus male sexual display. Costello explains how phenomena like the 'guy's girl' and resentment of natural beauty fit into these evolutionary dynamics. The conversation also touches on the ineffectiveness of calling out hypocrisy as a persuasive strategy.

In the September 2026 Ask Me Anything episode, Sean Carroll answers questions from his Patreon supporters. He curates the submissions based on what he finds most interesting rather than question quality, and groups related topics together. The episode covers a wide range of subjects reflecting Carroll's personal interests and expertise.

Jon Brooks examines the spread of fabricated and misattributed Stoic quotes online, focusing on a famous Marcus Aurelius line that never appeared in the Meditations. He reflects on his own mistake of sharing such a quote. The episode argues that Stoicism—a philosophy built on checking impressions—must be taught with that same rigor.

Anton Jäger

Ezra Klein speaks with historian Anton Jäger about "hyperpolitics," the term from Jäger's book "Hyperpolitics: Extreme Politicization Without Political Consequences." Jäger argues that the last decade's political volatility — movements like Trumpism and wokeness saturating the culture and then evaporating or generating backlash — is best understood as extreme engagement disconnected from durable institutions. Even with high voter turnout and mass protests, institutional trust is low and institutional relationships have decayed. The conversation examines how this condition emerged and what it would take to create lasting political change.

Codie Sanchez

Entrepreneur and investor Codie Sanchez lays out how to build a business that can operate without you. She argues that the biggest lie about getting rich is that a high salary is the path to wealth; true wealth comes from owning assets and systems. The conversation covers the evolution every business owner must go through, why stepping back is more powerful than diving in more, how to relinquish control and trust staff, the realistic role of AI in small businesses, and practical strategies for finding and hiring great employees.

In this short Daily Stoic episode, Ryan Holiday argues that travel is essential rather than exotic or frivolous, and that Stoicism should not be used as an excuse to avoid it. He suggests that venturing out into the world, encountering new people and experiences, is a vital part of living a full and virtuous life. The episode challenges listeners to examine whether they’re twisting philosophy to justify staying in their comfort zone.

Yangwen Zheng, Rana Mitter, Ronald Po

Misha Glenny selects this 2024 episode from the In Our Time archive, in which Yangwen Zheng, Rana Mitter, and Ronald Po discuss Empress Dowager Cixi. Cixi rose from low-ranking concubine to the most powerful figure in the late Qing court, ruling for nearly fifty years first through her young son and then through another child emperor. Her reign coincided with repeated humiliations of China by Western powers and Japan, and she faced the challenge of modernizing the empire. While she had opportunities to drive reforms, Cixi often obstructed or delayed them when they threatened the Qing dynasty or her own interests. She has been personally blamed for many of China’s setbacks, though historians debate how much responsibility was truly hers.

Michael Moritz

Michael Moritz, former journalist and Sequoia partner, talks with Tyler about his varied life. They explore his childhood in Wales, his journey from history major to venture capitalist, and the role of unsatisfied curiosity in a life well-lived. Moritz reflects on exile, returning to Germany, and the dynamics of parenting and memory. He also shares lessons from supporting the Booker Prize, improving nonprofit governance, and controlling his own calendar after a cancer diagnosis. The conversation covers art, literature, and why broad curiosity may be undervalued.

Mark Kelly

Ryan Holiday expands on the Stoic concept of taking a broader perspective, arguing that stepping back from immediate frustrations reveals how small and temporary most problems truly are, a view powerfully reinforced by astronauts who have seen Earth from orbit. The episode references a longer conversation with Senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly, who describes the perspective shift of viewing the planet from space. The core idea is that intentionally adopting a wider view—whether literal, temporal, or philosophical—can dissolve the emotional charge of daily conflicts and anxieties.

Rick Rubin

Ezra Klein revisits his 2023 conversation with legendary music producer Rick Rubin about his book "The Creative Act: A Way of Being." Rather than recounting studio stories, Rubin offers a spiritual guide to cultivating the receptive mind states that allow real creativity to emerge. The discussion explores how to open yourself to the world, learn to trust your own taste, and resist the forces that fragment attention—a message that feels even more urgent in an era of AI-generated content.

James Kirchick

Sam Harris speaks with journalist James Kirchick about the growing influence of the far left on Democratic Party politics. They discuss Kirchick's article 'The DSA Is a Parasite,' focusing on the Democratic Socialists of America's platform, foreign policy positions, and the strategy of entryism—running candidates as Democrats while holding fundamentally anti-Democratic views. The conversation covers the alliance between Islamists and the far left, the ideology of Third Worldism, and the candidacy of Zohran Mamdani, as well as broader issues of antisemitism on the left, polling on political violence, and Kirchick's departure from The New York Times.

Ryan Holiday shares seven books that help develop skills AI cannot easily replicate. Drawing from Stoic themes, he argues that reading widely across history, strategy, and philosophy builds uniquely human capabilities: judgment, strategic thinking, and critical reasoning. The episode frames reading as a form of mental training that sharpens the mind against automation.

Ryan Holiday reflects on how humanity, since Prometheus, has developed technology to free us from backbreaking labor, yet we often squander that freedom on trivial pursuits. He argues that a strong soul — cultivated through Stoic practice and virtuous action — is better than good luck, because external fortune is fleeting while inner character endures. The episode challenges listeners to use their freedom intentionally rather than wasting it on distractions.

Jim Al-Khalili

Jim Al-Khalili joins Sean Carroll to explore the nature of time, from its fundamental status in physics to its arrow pointing from past to future. They discuss how time connects to open questions in biology, cosmology, and quantum mechanics. Al-Khalili shares insights from his new book, "On Time: The Physics that Makes the Universe Tick," probing what time means at the most basic level.

Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib

Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Palestinian who lost family and his hearing to Israeli bombs, argues that Palestinians must take responsibility for their own suffering and for peace. He describes how many Gazans have turned against Hamas for its oppression and enrichment, and calls for a demilitarized Gaza governed by nonpartisan technocrats. Alkhatib urges a Palestinian identity rooted in aspiration rather than opposition, and proposes a 'Great Reset' of 100 days without violence to begin direct dialogue. Host Russ Roberts expresses skepticism about Hamas disarming but shares the hope for peaceful coexistence.

In this short compilation episode, Ryan Holiday shares 45 of his favorite quotes from Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, a classic Stoic text on self-discipline, personal ethics, humility, self-actualization, and strength. The episode serves as a concentrated introduction to the Roman emperor's private philosophical reflections.

Stephen West explores Kurt Vonnegut's novel Slaughterhouse-Five, focusing on its philosophical themes. The episode examines how war stories often distort the reality of war, how trauma can fracture a person's sense of time and identity, and why Billy Pilgrim becomes attracted to the fatalistic philosophy of the Tralfamadorians. It's a discussion about the ways we process horror and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.

Jimmy Carr, George Mack, Harry Dry

Chris Williamson is joined by Jimmy Carr, George Mack, and Harry Dry for the fifth Rabbit Hole experiment—a free‑ranging conversation that bounces from a real‑life Mexican Batman to the economics of the British pound, Victorian slang, the craft of comedy writing, the transactional nature of relationships, and whether smartphones have stolen our ability to be bored. The panel also ponders a Jimmy Carr prime‑ministerial run, the upside of being cancelled, why Americans are more optimistic than Brits, and how GLP‑1 drugs are rendering gastric band surgery obsolete.

Robin Wigglesworth

Ezra Klein talks with Robin Wigglesworth of the Financial Times about the recent rise in U.S. Treasury yields and its implications. Wigglesworth explains why yields have been climbing to levels not seen consistently since before the Great Recession, and why that matters, given the Treasury market's role as the bedrock of the global economy. The conversation covers the Trump administration's erratic and ultimately futile efforts to push yields down, and explores what continuing high yields would mean for mortgages, consumer credit, the stock market, and the broader economy.

Richard Corfield, Joe Cann, Lynne Frostick

In this archive edition of In Our Time, Misha Glenny revisits a January 2008 discussion on plate tectonics, the revolutionary theory that the Earth's outer shell is divided into moving plates. Richard Corfield, Joe Cann, and Lynne Frostick explain how this idea solved long-standing geological puzzles—from the matching shapes of Africa and South America to the distribution of fossils across oceans—and revealed a planet in constant, slow motion where continents drift, mountains rise, and ocean basins widen. The conversation highlights how plate tectonics reshaped our understanding of earthquakes, volcanoes, and the dynamic relationship between the Earth's interior and its surface.

David Heinemeier Hansson

DHH returns to the Lex Fridman Podcast to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of software development in the age of AI. The conversation covers the distinction between 'vibe coding' and 'agentic engineering,' the potential end of manual programming, and the impact AI will have on open source. DHH also shares his journey building the Omarchy Linux distribution, offers advice for programmers, and reflects on the future of the desktop, internet hate, fatherhood, and the philosophical implications of eternal recurrence.

In this episode, Ryan Holiday emphasizes that wisdom is not intuitive and requires hard work and a skilled guide to grasp. He argues that having a teacher helps accelerate the learning process and avoid misinterpretation. The episode then explores nine foundational Stoic principles, providing listeners with a clear framework for applying Stoicism to daily life.

Rich Roll & Ryan Holiday

This episode of The Daily Stoic features a conversation between Rich Roll and Ryan Holiday about the moral questions at the heart of The Odyssey. They explore what makes a good leader, when deception is justified, and what happens when ego takes over. The discussion draws on a poem that has posed these questions for thousands of years. The conversation originally aired on The Rich Roll Podcast.

Hunter Biden, Matt McCusker, Duncan Trussell

The second Mostly Wise episode brings Hunter Biden together with comedians Matt McCusker and Duncan Trussell for a wide-ranging conversation that mixes politics, conspiracy theories, and personal disclosure. Hunter Biden gives his account of the leaked laptop story and discusses addiction, shame, and what has helped him stay sober. The group also explores presidential power, Joe Biden's fitness for office, the Democratic Party's next two years, and various strange scenarios involving the White House and the Trump family. The tone moves between absurd hypotheticals, speculative conspiracy talk, and candid recovery material.

Judith Hawley, Markman Ellis, Jonathan Morris

Misha Glenny revisits an In Our Time programme first released in December 2019 on the history and social impact of coffee. With Judith Hawley, Markman Ellis, and Jonathan Morris, the discussion traces coffee from its origins in Ethiopia through the Ottoman Empire to Western Europe. It examines how 17th-century coffee houses kept patrons awake and animated, helped spread ideas and influenced culture, and how coffee became a colonial product grown by slaves or indentured labour. The programme also covers the shift from arabica to robusta, Dutch and French trade, and Brazil's rise as a major producer serving the United States in the 19th century.

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov, one of the greatest fighters of all time, retired from the UFC undefeated with a perfect 29-0 record. The conversation was conducted entirely in Russian and is presented in English through a carefully dubbed translation using voice-cloning. It spans Dagestan, MMA, UFC, Islam, Conor, Fedor, and football, beginning with a discussion of why Dagestan produces so many great fighters.

Julia Ioffe

Julia Ioffe discusses her National Book Award finalist *Motherland*, which reconstructs modern Russian history through the lives of its women. She explores how Soviet policies pushed women into the workforce, medicine, and combat while demanding so little of men that low expectations became self-fulfilling—a dynamic Russia still grapples with. The conversation ranges from Bolshevik feminism and the Soviet turn to prudery to the post-Soviet mating market, the cultural significance of flowers, and why many Russian women see Western feminism as misguided. Ioffe also examines how gender attitudes and autocracy reinforce each other, and why a few Russian names still dominate the country.

A short Daily Stoic episode exploring key habits that shaped Marcus Aurelius and the Stoic reminder that certain things don't change.

Neal Brennan

In a rare role reversal, Sam Harris is the one answering questions as Neal Brennan interviews him about the experiences that shaped his life and work. The conversation ranges from Harris's childhood—his mother's television career and absent father—to college-era experimentation with MDMA, dropping out of Stanford, and the decade of meditation retreats that followed. Later turns touch on the illusion of self, the limits of pacifism, the pull of spiritual charisma, and Harris's decision to delete Twitter, all woven into a broader reflection on politics, hypocrisy, and the future of American democracy.

In this bonus episode, Ryan Holiday explores the strangest reasons books have been banned throughout history. He discusses how censorship often arises from misunderstanding, fear, or attempts to suppress ideas, and why the effort usually backfires. The episode encourages listeners to consider what banned books they might have at home and to share them with the show.

Jasmine Sun

Jasmine Sun, who covers AI's internal culture and its growing public opposition, joins Ezra Klein after a reporting trip through the Midwest. They discuss the emerging bipartisan backlash against AI data centers—exemplified by New York's statewide moratorium and over 100 local proposals—and what it signals about AI's real-world political friction. The conversation explores whether the resistance is driven by the physical infrastructure itself or a broader unease with AI, and what tech companies must learn if they hope to maintain their momentum.

Peter Santenello

Independent journalist Peter Santenello shares what he learned about America from traveling to 85 different countries, revealing the unseen struggles of forgotten rural communities. He explores the realities of the drug crisis, the overlooked lessons from Amish life, and the most misunderstood communities in the country. The conversation examines how physical and cultural distance fuels division, and what stories emerge when you actually spend time in these places.

Hussein Aboubakr Mansour

Egyptian-born analyst Hussein Aboubakr Mansour argues that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a self-sustaining system in which various groups benefit from Palestinian suffering. Drawing on his childhood in an Egypt centered on Palestinian liberation, he explains how Arab regimes, NGOs, Western academics, and Gulf states convert victimhood into political and economic capital. He suggests that breaking this cycle requires more than policy — it demands addressing the human need for meaning that the conflict currently fulfills. Mansour reflects on how identity and narrative lock the conflict in place, and why purely rational solutions fall short.

Sean Carroll (host)

In the August 2026 Ask Me Anything episode, Sean Carroll fields questions from Mindscape's Patreon supporters. The conversation spans a variety of topics—as always in these AMAs—touching on physics, philosophy, personal reflections, and the pursuit of understanding the universe.

Suzanne Williams, Liz Harper, Helen Scales

In this episode of In Our Time, Melvyn Bragg and guests Suzanne Williams, Liz Harper, and Helen Scales explore the world of seashells, from their evolution and ecology to their cultural significance. They discuss how the astonishing shapes of shells reveal the history of Earth's oceans, and how humans have treasured them as art, currency, and instruments across millennia.

Gary Gallagher

Historian Gary Gallagher joins Lex Fridman for a sweeping discussion on the American Civil War. The conversation covers the war's fundamental causes, the institution of slavery, the leadership of Abraham Lincoln, the contrasting generalship of Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, the persistent myth of the Lost Cause, and whether the conflict could have been avoided.

Sahil Bloom

In this bonus episode, Ryan Holiday sits down with Sahil Bloom, author of The 5 Types of Wealth, to discuss the paradox of success. Bloom explains how achieving everything you once wanted can distort your sense of enough, making you feel like you're still losing. They explore why the easiest things to track—money, status—often matter least, while the hardest-to-measure aspects of life bring true fulfillment. Eventually, the life you once dreamed about can start to feel empty unless you intentionally appreciate what you have.

Ryan Holiday

A brief meditation on the Stoic principle that humans have a fundamental obligation to each other, not to gods or external forces. Ryan Holiday explores what it means to be made for working together as a core Stoic value.

Morris Katz

Morris Katz, senior adviser to failed Senate candidate Graham Platner and strategist behind several populist political upsets, discusses what went wrong in Platner's campaign against Maine Governor Janet Mills—and what his string of victories and defeats reveals about the current political moment. Katz's track record includes Zohran Mamdani's NYC mayoral victory and John Fetterman's 2022 Senate win, but also Platner's implosion and its consequences for Democratic Senate control.

Rosalind Polly Blakesley, Robert Wenley, Francesca Whitlum-Cooper

Misha Glenny and three art historians examine the life and work of Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun (1755–1842), one of the most successful portrait painters of the 18th century. A prodigy who became Marie Antoinette's favored portraitist, Vigée Le Brun faced relentless sexism from critics who refused to believe a woman could paint so skillfully. When the French Revolution forced her to flee France, she rebuilt her career across Europe—Naples, Vienna, St. Petersburg, London—before eventually returning home. Her legacy spans royal courts and major galleries worldwide.

Annie Jacobsen

Annie Jacobsen argues that while nuclear war has long been the ultimate existential threat, a biological attack could be far more insidious, spreading silently and causing chaos without a single explosion. Drawing on declassified intelligence, Soviet bioweapon history, and COVID-19 lessons, she maps the likely first 24 hours of a leak and the rapid descent into anarchy within six days. The conversation examines why bioweapons remain a blind spot for governments and what makes the perfect biological agent. Jacobsen also reveals the Soviet attempt to create a euphoric plague, underscoring the dark creativity of state-run programs.

Ryan Holiday reflects on how Stoic philosophy acted as a crucial check on Marcus Aurelius's immense power, preventing him from descending into tyranny. Without that ethical framework, the emperor could have become another Nero or Caligula. The episode also notes that the American Founders understood the importance of such internal and external limits.

Peter Sloterdijk (discussed, not interviewed)

Stephen West explores the first half of Peter Sloterdijk's "You Must Change Your Life," examining Sloterdijk's critique of belief-centered and morality-based views of human change. The episode reframes human nature through anthropology, examining how religious practice and cultural systems function as monastic rules that shape behavior and identity rather than relying on individual moral strength or belief.

Kevin Rudd

Kevin Rudd, former Australian prime minister and author of "On Xi Jinping," discusses Xi Jinping's ideology, consolidation of power, and vision for China's role in the world. Drawing from decades of personal interaction with Xi and doctoral research on Marxist nationalism, Rudd explains how Xi's background shaped his ambitions for China's industrial dominance and strategic posture toward the United States.

Sean Carroll

Sean Carroll answers Patreon-submitted questions in this July 2026 Ask Me Anything episode. The conversation spans philosophy, physics, ethics, and practical life questions—covering topics like the nature of consciousness, decision-making under uncertainty, the relationship between science and meaning, and advice for navigating complexity in modern life. Carroll's responses emphasize intellectual humility and the importance of rigorous thinking applied to everyday problems.

Elana Miller

Elana Miller, a psychiatrist and writer, reflects on compassionate encounters during a frightening night in her life, exploring how strangers' acts of kindness revealed the power of human connection. She argues that love—not fear or hate—is the organizing principle of human experience, and that recognizing our interconnection fundamentally changes how we see ourselves and others.

Joel Mokyr

Nobel laureate Joel Mokyr joins Tyler to explore how sustained economic growth became normal after millennia of stagnation. Mokyr argues that two conditions made the difference: a scientific understanding of why things work, allowing innovations to compound, and a culture willing to accept the disruptions that progress brings. He contrasts the European model—where guilds, universities, and cities encouraged cooperation among unrelated people—with China's clan-based organization, which provided stability but limited the reach of disruptive innovation. The conversation ranges from the Catholic Church's campaign against cousin-marriage to geography's role in keeping Europe fragmented, and from the rise of German science to why British soldiers were taller than the French.

Ryan Holiday shares a central Epictetus quote — 'First tell yourself what kind of person you want to be, then do what you have to do' — and promotes the Habits for Success, Habits for Happiness course. The episode asks whether Stoicism is compatible with Christianity, but the discussion is not included in the provided show notes.

Vittorio Angelone

Vittorio Angelone, an Irish comedian and podcaster, discusses how his late autism diagnosis shaped his understanding of himself and his comedy. The conversation spans his experience of being diagnosed with autism as an adult, the challenge of authentic communication, cultural differences in humor between the UK and US, and why male-dominated comedy podcasts appeal to women. Angelone explores the intersection of neurodivergence, Irish identity, and being an only child as sources of his comedic voice.

Bryan Stevenson

On America's 250th anniversary, Bryan Stevenson, civil rights lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, discusses how to love a country amid its profound failures and imperfections. The conversation examines how Americans who were systemically failed still fought to move the country closer to its founding promises, and what it means to hold both America's horror and beauty in tension. Stevenson's museums in Montgomery, Alabama, document the country's history of enslavement, racial violence, and segregation while honoring those who endured and resisted.

In this Daily Stoic episode, Ryan Holiday opens with a reminder that belief in our capacity for change is essential for growth, using the Stoic insight that we are not fixed beings. He challenges listeners to examine self-limiting beliefs and cultivate a practical belief in their potential. The remainder of the episode is dedicated to promoting Holiday's six-week Habits for Success course and his upcoming live tour.

Jenny McElwain, Christopher Berry, Bill Baker

Misha Glenny and three botanists and paleobotanists explore the deep history of trees, from their emergence around 400 million years ago when low-lying plants developed stronger stems and grew upright. The discussion covers how trees transformed the planet by creating ecosystems, altering atmospheric composition, and reshaping the conditions for all life that followed. The episode reveals that even modern plants we cultivate as vegetables or houseplants can evolve into trees under the right conditions.

Ryan Holiday delivers a Daily Stoic meditation on the power of habit. Excellence isn't a single act but a pattern built over time. The episode challenges listeners to see their daily choices as the building blocks of identity.

In this short Daily Stoic episode, Ryan Holiday reflects on how people throughout history, even in modern times, fall into the same timeless psychological traps that Stoic philosophers identified. He also addresses two listener questions: 'Would it really be different?' and 'How do I know if ego is winning?'

Chris Rufo

Christopher Rufo, the influential New Right activist and author, discusses his strategy of using 'agitprop' and emotional resonance to drive political change. Ezra Klein presses him on the risks: Rufo now expresses concern that the movement he helped build is drifting into conspiracy theories, racialist thinking, and internal fractures. The conversation turns on whether short-term policy victories against D.E.I. and the administrative state may seed long-term institutional decay.

Sean Carroll examines why the cosmological constant is a perfectly good explanation for the accelerating universe, but may not be the right one. He explores what it would take to invent a plausible theory of dynamical dark energy, including hurdles from particle physics. The episode covers possible experimental tests that could distinguish a true constant from evolving dark energy, and the alternative approach of modifying gravity instead of adding a new energy source.

Ryan Holiday examines Elon Musk through the four Stoic virtues of courage, discipline, justice, and wisdom. He explores how Musk's life reveals the critical difference between worldly success and genuine moral character. Drawing on the ancient Stoic practice of studying the powerful to learn rather than worship, the episode asks whether Musk measures up to the virtues that matter most. It's a short, philosophical reflection on leadership, wealth, and the true meaning of a good life.

Stephen West discusses Peter Sloterdijk's 'Critique of Cynical Reason,' exploring how modern cynicism functions as a psychological defense mechanism rather than a genuine philosophical stance. The episode examines why cynical individuals are not irrational but reflect a logical adaptation to systemic failures. It also traces how cynicism becomes embedded in institutional language and bureaucratic doublespeak. Finally, it contrasts this passive cynicism with the ancient Cynicism of Diogenes, who actively rejected societal norms through his way of life.

Ezra Klein

Ezra Klein joins Ryan Holiday to discuss the role of virtue, responsibility, and character in democracy. They examine why liberalism has struggled to articulate a language of duty and obligation, and why institutions require honest, self-critical individuals to function. The conversation also turns to Stoicism—what Klein admires, where he thinks it falls short, and why he insists that any philosophy must be tested in the real world.

Ryan Holiday

Ryan Holiday offers a personal tour of his office, showcasing the books, objects, and written reminders that shape his daily work and Stoic practice. The episode is a visual walk-through of a carefully curated physical space designed to support focus, creativity, and philosophical reflection. Rather than an interview, it’s an intimate look at how environment and ritual can reinforce values.

A short guided morning practice built around eight lines from Marcus Aurelius's Meditations. The host presents each line in modern English, with pauses for reflection or repetition. The exercise is designed to be spoken aloud or repeated mentally, embedding Stoic wisdom into the start of each day. This episode functions as a practical tool rather than a lecture, suitable for daily use.

Chris Hayes

Chris Hayes joins Ezra to examine how political attention is working in radically new ways during the 2026 election cycle. They discuss how unknowns like Graham Platner and James Talarico dominated major races, why Jon Ossoff's viral videos made him a 2028 frontrunner, and how Spencer Pratt's X presence failed to translate into electoral success. The episode explores what these cases reveal about attention, virality, and the fracturing of political visibility in the age of social media.

George Mack

Chris Williamson is joined by writer and entrepreneur George Mack to explore the hidden costs of overthinking. They discuss how excessive analysis can lead to inaction and missed opportunities, the cognitive traps that especially afflict smart people, and the quirks of British versus American culture. The conversation touches on music's effect on personality, why humans need stories, and how to recognize when you're living in an empire's decline.

Jeff Coller

Jeff Coller, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins and director of the RNA Innovation Center, explains how messenger RNA works at the molecular level and how scientists are harnessing it to develop vaccines and gene therapies. The conversation covers mRNA's central role in protein synthesis, its potential origins in early life, and the revolutionary medical applications emerging from our newfound ability to manipulate genetic instructions.

A short reflection from The Daily Stoic on integrity and the good life, drawing on Epicurus' philosophy. The episode warns against compromising your moral character for external gains, emphasizing that a soul lost cannot be recovered.

Liam Donovan

Republican strategist Liam Donovan discusses why President Trump appears indifferent to Republican midterm prospects despite historically poor approval ratings. Rather than pivoting toward swing voters or supporting the strongest GOP candidates, Trump has announced a $1.8 billion 'lawfare victims' fund, threatened to escalate the Iran war, and intervened in primaries in ways that benefit Democrats—such as endorsing scandal-plagued Ken Paxton over incumbent John Cornyn in Texas. The episode explores Trump's apparent lack of concern for GOP electoral success and the political dynamics reshaping the Republican party.

Don Lincoln

Don Lincoln, a particle physicist at Fermilab, discusses the deepest unsolved mysteries in physics: antimatter, dark energy, and the quest for a theory of everything. The conversation spans from Einstein's relativity to the Higgs boson discovery, exploring how physicists unify the fundamental forces and what remains unknown at the edges of human understanding.

Toby Wilkinson

Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson discusses the Ptolemaic period (300 years after Alexander the Great), exploring how this era transformed Egypt from a divine kingship centered on monuments into a cosmopolitan, commerce-driven empire. Alexandria became the ancient world's intellectual and economic powerhouse, home to unprecedented scientific achievement. The conversation ranges from why the Ptolemaic model failed to match Rome's durability, to Cleopatra's actual historical significance, to what made Ptolemaic Egypt feel oddly modern compared to pharaonic Egypt.

Christian List

Philosopher Christian List argues that free will is real and entirely compatible with a deterministic physical world. By distinguishing between the level of fundamental particles—where laws are mechanistic—and the level of rational human agents—where genuine choices occur—he shows how higher-level emergence resolves a centuries‑old debate. The key is redefining free will as the capacity for intentional, rational action rather than a metaphysical ability to defy physics.

Michael Pollan

Michael Pollan discusses his new book *A World Appears* in a live conversation with Krista Tippett at the W Hotel Union Square, hosted by the Perfect Earth Project. He explores what consciousness might be, drawing from plants, psychedelic research, emerging AI, and spiritual traditions. The conversation considers whether sentience, feeling, thought, or selfhood define consciousness, or if mind is a more fundamental force we participate in. Krista brings her own recent exchanges with Anthropic's Claude into the discussion, probing the boundaries between human and machine awareness.

The host reflects on the enduring strength of Stoicism, asserting that it is more widely and deeply practiced today than in ancient times. Modern Stoics—parents, athletes, entrepreneurs, soldiers, and artists—actively apply its principles rather than merely studying them. The episode also alludes to a Stoic protocol for video calls but does not elaborate.

Bob Spitz

Bob Spitz, biographer of the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, and now the Rolling Stones, joins Tyler to discuss his unconventional path into rock biography and his surprising books on Reagan and Julia Child. The conversation covers how the Stones rose so fast, the band’s chemistry, underrated songs, the enigma of Charlie Watts, and the fate of Brian Jones. They also touch on Mick Jagger’s LSE training, why popular music lost its cultural dominance, what remains to ask Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the Beatles’ breakup, Reagan’s senility and communist flirtation, Julia Child’s cooking skills, and Spitz’s next project on John Lennon.

The host emphasizes that the four Stoic virtues — wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice — are never meant to be pursued in isolation. Instead, they converge under the single concept of virtue itself. A truly good life requires practicing all of them together as an integrated whole, not as separate moral checkboxes.

Alvin Roth

Nobel laureate Alvin Roth discusses his new book 'Moral Economics' and the concept of morally contested markets—transactions that some people find acceptable and others condemn. He explores how societies should reason about markets for sex work, drugs, organs, and adoption, where simple economic arguments for efficiency are insufficient and moral considerations must be weighed.

Julia Belluz

Julia Belluz, a health and science journalist, explores the explosion of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound, which one in eight American adults now use. The episode examines what we know and don't know about these medications, their unexpected uses beyond diabetes, how they're reshaping conversations about beauty standards and wellness, and whether these drugs represent genuine medical progress or a new frontier for pharmaceutical-driven culture.

Donald Burrows, Ruth Smith, Larry Zazzo

Misha Glenny explores George Frideric Handel's Messiah with three leading scholars. The discussion traces the oratorio's creation in 1742, Charles Jennens's libretto drawn from Old and New Testament prophecies about Christ's coming and redemption, and how Handel continuously adapted the work for different choirs and singers. Messiah became one of Handel's most enduring works, eventually adopted by massed choirs worldwide far beyond Handel's original conception.

Michelle Alexander, Lucas Johnson

Krista Tippett reflects on the 59th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Beyond Vietnam" speech at Riverside Church, exploring the moral and spiritual foundations of Dr. King's call for a "revolution of values" beyond civil rights. The episode examines how Dr. King's vision connected war, poverty, and national soul-searching—and what that demand for moral imagination means for us now. Guests Michelle Alexander and Lucas Johnson discuss the enduring work of addressing systemic injustice and the urgent call to broaden our moral imagination beyond the crises that transfix us moment to moment.

In this solo episode, the host of The Stoic Handbook shares a personal breakthrough with chronic anxiety. After years of trying to control a background hum of hypervigilance, they discovered that fighting it only made it worse. The key was a Stoic-Nietzschean reframe: amor fati, the love of fate. By welcoming anxiety instead of resisting it, the grip loosened.

Helena Rosenblatt

Ezra Klein talks to historian Helena Rosenblatt about her book “The Lost History of Liberalism.” Klein argues that liberalism needs a positive, inspiring vision beyond simply opposing Donald Trump. Rosenblatt explains how recovering the lost values and moral commitments at the heart of the liberal tradition — values she uncovered in her research — can provide that vision. Drawing on her deep historical research, she shows that 19th-century liberals were concerned with community, virtue, and the common good, and that remembering this history is essential for liberalism’s revival.

Gary Belsky

Gary Belsky and host Russ Roberts discuss how golfing alone transforms the game into a unique experience. Unlike playing with others, solo golf can induce flow, foster physical mastery, and deepen self-awareness. They explore what golf reveals about character and why even non-golfers might appreciate its solo version for the life lessons it offers.

The May 2026 Ask Me Anything episode of Mindscape, where host Sean Carroll answers questions submitted by Patreon supporters. The questions were curated based on whether Carroll had something interesting to say about them, and sometimes grouped by topic.

Kate Hendry, Andrea Sella, Monica Grady

Misha Glenny and three expert guests explore silicon—the element at the heart of modern electronics, glass, and life itself. The episode traces silicon's cosmic origins in dying stars billions of years ago, its role in human technology from ancient glass-making to contemporary semiconductors, and its often-overlooked but critical function in Earth's biogeochemistry, atmospheric regulation, and the cycling of elements that sustains all life.

The Ezra Klein Show

Klein explores the psychological and political barriers to climate action. The technology exists. The economics work. The science is settled. So why can't we act? The answer lies in psychology, politics, and temporal discounting.