RYAN HOLIDAY: Why wisdom takes work (and smart people still do stupid things)

RYAN HOLIDAY: Why wisdom takes work (and smart people still do stupid things)

From Crisis What Crisis with Andy Coulson by Andy Coulson

March 17, 2026 · 38 min · Season 7 · Episode 187

About this episode

Ryan Holiday joins Andy Coulson to discuss the relationship between intelligence and stupidity, the impact of modern life, and insights from Stoic philosophy.

Why do genius-level intellects fall for conspiracy theories? How does someone who taught himself rocket science from Soviet manuals end up believing nonsense on social media? Ryan Holiday – bestselling author of The Daily Stoic , Ego is the Enemy , and The Obstacle is the Way – joins me on Crisis What Crisis to explore why intelligence doesn't protect you from stupidity, why modern life's frictionlessness is making us weaker, and what ancient Stoic philosophy can teach us about navigating today's world. In this conversation, we discuss Elon Musk's descent into conspiracy theories, why judging young men from reading philosophy is dangerous, what Marcus Aurelius would make of AI, and why Victor Frankl warned in 1979 that our "too soft" world would lead to emptiness. POWERED BY KINGSLEY NAPLEY: I know what it is to have the right legal support around you when facing crisis. Kingsley Napley are the kind of lawyers I wish more people knew about – there to help you make the right decisions, protect what matters and build real resilience when the pressure is on. This episode is powered by Kingsley Napley, visit www.kingsleynapley.co.uk for more details. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR: Why "making a…

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