Episode · The Daily Stoic · 2026-09-14

Books mentioned on We All Need To Be Constrained

3 books · With David Epstein · Listen

We should not get to do everything we want. We should not be surrounded by “yes” men and women.

Ryan Holiday recommended Inside the Box by David Epstein, and discussed Meditations by Aurelius Marcus. David Epstein discussed Range by David J. Epstein.

Books mentioned, in the order they came up

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1. 

   Meditations

   Aurelius Marcus · at 1:37

   Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is a profound collection of personal reflections and Stoic philosophy written by the Roman emperor.

   Discussed

   “It changed Marcus Aurelius too, or he wouldn't have needed to write in meditations about his struggle to resist being Caesar-ified or stained purple.”

   Ryan Holiday We All Need To Be Constrained 2026-09-14 ▶ Play 1:37

   Where to get it

   AmazonListen on Audible
2. 

   Inside the Box

   David Epstein · at 2:39

   Inside the Box by David Epstein explores how constraints can foster creativity and make individuals better at what they do.

   Recommended

   “It's actually one of the themes in David Epstein's new book, Inside of the Box, How Constraints Make Us Better. We actually had them on the podcast recently, and after the conversation, I was so inspired, I went back and wrote this email today.”

   Ryan Holiday We All Need To Be Constrained 2026-09-14 ▶ Play 2:39

   Where to get it

   AmazonListen on Audible
3. 

   Range

   David J. Epstein · at 6:13

   Range by David J.

   Discussed

   “So I'd been so bad, even with range, which worked well, I was terrible at like drawing boundaries around my project, which was bad for my personal life, first of all.”

   David Epstein We All Need To Be Constrained 2026-09-14 ▶ Play 6:13

   Where to get it

   AmazonListen on Audible