Ryan Holiday is an American author, media strategist, and entrepreneur recognized for his leadership in modern Stoic philosophy. He has authored multiple #1 New York Times bestsellers, including The Obstacle Is the Way and Stillness Is the Key, and founded the creative advisory firm Brass Check.
Ryan Holiday is a prominent American author, media strategist, and entrepreneur recognized for his leadership in modern Stoic philosophy. [5] He began his career as an apprentice to strategist Robert Greene before serving as the director of marketing for American Apparel. [5] Holiday later founded Brass Check, a creative advisory firm that has consulted for major organizations such as Google and TASER. He is the creator of The Daily Stoic, a popular platform and podcast that provides daily insights into ancient wisdom for a global audience. His extensive body of work includes bestsellers such as The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, and Stillness Is the Key. [6][7] In 2025, he completed his Stoic Virtues series with the release of Wisdom Takes Work. [8][9] Holiday's teachings have influenced a diverse range of leaders, including professional athletes, executives, and policymakers. He also owns and operates The Painted Porch Bookshop in Bastrop, Texas, where he continues to advocate for self-education and resilience.
Ryan Clark Holiday is an American author, media strategist, and entrepreneur known for his work in marketing and modern Stoic philosophy. [10] Born on June 16, 1987, in Sacramento, California, he began his professional path by dropping out of the University of California, Riverside, at the age of 19. He moved to Los Angeles to apprentice under Robert Greene, the author of The 48 Laws of Power. This early experience in research and strategy led to a career in the marketing industry. Holiday eventually served as the director of marketing for American Apparel until 2014. During his tenure, he became recognized for non-traditional and viral advertising campaigns that were later used as case studies by major technology companies.
In 2012, Holiday published his first book, Trust Me, I'm Lying, which examined the mechanics of online media and public relations. He subsequently founded Brass Check, a creative agency that has provided strategic counsel to clients such as Google, TASER, and Complex. The firm also advised high-profile authors including Tim Ferriss and Tony Robbins. Holiday transitioned his focus toward ancient philosophy with the 2014 release of The Obstacle Is the Way. This work established him as a leading voice in the popularization of Stoicism for contemporary audiences. His subsequent titles, including Ego Is the Enemy and Stillness Is the Key, became international bestsellers. By 2026, his books had sold more than 10 million copies and were translated into over 40 languages.
Holiday expanded his influence through the Daily Stoic platform, which includes a popular podcast and a daily newsletter with over one million subscribers. In 2021, he and his wife, Samantha, opened The Painted Porch Bookshop in Bastrop, Texas. The store is located in a historic building and features a curated selection of books personally recommended by Holiday. In October 2025, he released Wisdom Takes Work, the final installment in his four-part Stoic Virtues series. [11] This series also includes Courage Is Calling, Discipline Is Destiny, and Right Thing, Right Now. Holiday currently resides on a ranch outside Austin, Texas, where he continues to write and host philosophical discussions. He was recognized as one of the top keynote speakers in the world by Real Leaders in 2022.
Holiday aims to restore Stoicism as a practical tool for self-mastery and perseverance in modern life. He focuses on constants like character and discipline rather than fleeting trends. [1][2][3][4][12][13] His strategic mission involves making ancient wisdom accessible to help individuals navigate chaos and crisis. He prioritizes the common good and views success as a means to create more impactful work. [3] For 2026, he emphasizes critical thinking and a disciplined information diet to counter digital noise. [14] He advocates for seeking difficult challenges to discover personal capability. His long-term goal is to build perennial value through his writing and creative agency.
Ryan Holiday is a widely recognized author and media strategist whose work has achieved extensive commercial and institutional acclaim. [15] His books have sold over 10 million copies and have been translated into more than 30 languages. Holiday has authored several number one New York Times bestsellers, including Stillness Is the Key and Right Thing, Right Now. [15] His other major works, such as The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, and Discipline Is Destiny, have consistently appeared on the bestseller lists of the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. His debut book, Trust Me, I'm Lying, was selected as an Amazon Editor's Best Book of the Month and is now a staple in business school and marketing curricula worldwide. Inc. Magazine named Growth Hacker Marketing one of the top ten marketing books of 2014. [16] Holiday also hosts The Daily Stoic, a top-ranked podcast that has garnered over 150 million downloads. [17] His expertise has led to invitations to speak at the headquarters of the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. He has been profiled by prominent publications such as The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN. [15]
3. What You Should Actually Focus On In 2026 (Everything Else Is Noise) | Ryanholiday
4. The Secret To Better Habits In 2026 | Ryanholiday
5. Wisdom Takes Work: Learn. Apply. Repeat. by Ryan Holiday | Goodreads
6. Ryan Holiday | Penguinrandomhouseretail
7. Wisdom Takes Work by Ryan Holiday: 9780593191736 | Penguinrandomhouse
8. Everything (And I Really Mean Everything) Is A Chance To Do This | Ryanholiday
9. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wisdom-takes-work-ryan-holiday/1147080596 | Barnesandnoble
10. Ryan Holiday - keynote speaker | Gspeakers
11. Without This, You’ll Never Reach Your Potential | Ryanholiday
12. Ryan Holiday Net Worth and Stoic Business Philosophy (2026) | Businessology
13. Daily Stoic Life | Dailystoic
14. 26 Rules to Be a Better Thinker in 2026 | Ryanholiday
15. A Conversation w/ Ryan Holiday & Chancellor Kim Wilcox | Ucr
16. Ryan Holiday Speaker Agent | Champions-speakers
17. Daily Stoic Podcast | Dailystoic
18. https://www.youtube.com/@RyanHolidayOfficial/playlists | Youtube
