Episode 83: Courage, Leadership, and the Wisdom of the Stoics with Ryan Holiday

The 18th Airborne Corps Podcast

In this episode of the podcast, bestselling author Ryan Holiday joins host Joe Buccino to talk about Stoicism and the virtue of courage.

Ryan is the author of "Trust Me, I'm Lying," "The Obstacle is the Way," "Ego is the Enemy," and other books about marketing, culture, and the human condition. His works have been translated into more than 30 languages and have made the New York Times Bestsellers list.

His most recent book, "Courage is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave," released earlier this year, explores the essential elements of the foundational Stoic virtue of Courage and its application to military leadership. And, don't worry, if you don't remember Stoicism from your high school philosophy class, host Joe Buccino presents a brief primer during the introduction.

Every person on Earth grapples with fear. In fact, Ryan explains, the most repeated phrase in the Bible is “Be not afraid.” The Stoics believed it is natural to feel fear, but it cannot rule you. Courage, as Ryan describes, is the ability to rise above fear, to do what is right, what is needed, and what is true.

In this episode, Ryan explains why it's always remember that your time on Earth is short. He also offers advice on how to conquer fear and act with moral courage while leading Soldiers.

In addition to writing all these bestselling books, Ryan also runs DailyStoic.com, a website that offers practical advice on implementing Stoicism into daily life. Further, he runs the company Brass Check, which advises companies such as Google, TASER, and Complex, as well as multiplatinum musicians and some of the biggest authors in the world.

This is a great discussion, rich with insights for anyone serving in the military today.

The 18th Airborne Corps podcast is the official podcast of the US Department of Defense. Recorded on Fort Bragg, North Carolina with host Joe Buccino, the program features discussions with historians, Soldiers, and leaders, with insight on critical moments in history, life in the military, the latest Department of Defense initiatives, and current events.

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