Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions Ryan Holiday

What does it mean to live wisely in a loud, distracted, and often reactive world? Ryan Holiday— bestselling author and modern Stoic philosopher— returns to explore how wisdom actually works… not as a theory or a prize of age, but as a daily practice of reflection, humility, and courage. Ryan breaks down why wisdom takes work, how Stoic philosophy applies to modern parenting and leadership, and why the ability to think deeply and act deliberately might be the rarest skill in today’s world. This conversation goes beyond ideas — it’s about living wisely when life feels anything but quiet. You’ll learn: How to treat wisdom as a practice, not an identity Why wisdom demands both courage and humility The key to raising thoughtful kids in a noisy world How to find calm and clarity in times of distraction and division Why discernment is the superpower for the age of AI and misinformation __________________________________________________ Links & Resources

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Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions Ryan Holiday is an episode from Finding Mastery: Conversations with Michael Gervais by Finding Mastery.

This episode is 01:22:43 long.

This episode was published on Jan 28, 2026.

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