Episode · The Daily Stoic · 2026-04-22
Ryan Holiday & Maria Semple: books mentioned on The Daily Stoic
The 5-Step Stoic Routine For Thinking Clearly | Maria Semple on the Daily Stoic Podcast
Ryan Holiday recommended Go Gentle by Maria Semple and The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse Fifth Anniversary Limited Edition by Charlie Mackesy, and discussed Meditations by Aurelius Marcus, Enchiridion, and A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion. Maria Semple discussed A Guide to the Good Life by William B Irvine and The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and others.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Go Gentle
Go Gentle by Maria Semple is a contemporary novel heavily inspired by the practical philosophy of Stoicism.
Recommended“She has a new book called Go Gentle.”
Where to get it
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Meditations
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is a collection of personal journals and philosophical notes written by the Roman emperor during his military campaigns, offering profound insights into Stoic philosophy, self-discipline, and personal endurance.
Discussed“And that's actually one of my favorite passages in Meditations where Marcus Aurelius is sort of like observing all these beautiful things in nature that actually aren't that beautiful.”
Where to get it
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A Guide to the Good Life
A Guide to the Good Life by William B.
Discussed“I read I think William Irvine, that book, that was like the first book that I read and it was really about just intense the good life? The guy to the good life...”
Where to get it
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Enchiridion
Enchiridion by Epictetus is a concise handbook of Stoic ethical advice compiled by his disciple Arrian, offering timeless guidance on how to achieve tranquility by focusing exclusively on what is within one's control.
Discussed“The Enchiridion of Epictetus I like better than the Discourses of Epictetus because it is filtered down and and and and edited in a way that you're you're getting to the core of it.”
Where to get it
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A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion
A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion collects the profound teachings of the former Greek slave and Stoic philosopher, focusing heavily on personal agency, resilience, and emotional self-control.
Discussed“The Enchiridion of Epictetus I like better than the Discourses of Epictetus because it is filtered down and and and and edited in a way that you're you're getting to the core of it.”
Where to get it
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The Daily Stoic
The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman is a popular daily devotional offering 365 days of ancient Stoic wisdom, practical reflections, and actionable insights.
Discussed“And so so what I did was I and then of course like I got your book The Daily Stoic which I just loved and I have my copy here.”
Where to get it
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The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse Fifth Anniversary Limited Edition
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy is a beautifully illustrated fable offering gentle wisdom and comfort for readers of all ages.
Recommended“Have you read uh The Boy, the Fox, the Horse, and the Mole? It's this little children's fable.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (4) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“Oprah had read The Obstacle Is the Way.”
“You may have heard of her other book, Where'd You Go, Bernadette, which was a huge seller a few years back.”
“No, which is kind of wild that that and in fact to my book go gentle not to pivot to my book but but it but my I do it is that I make I've interviewed Yes, so I make her a philosopher...”
“And I write that every day. And it used to be and I write about this in in Go Gentle, but it it for for 10 years it was virtue equals happiness.”