BONUS | Charles Duhigg's Reading List (From Ryan Holiday) - The Daily Stoic Recap

Podcast: The Daily Stoic

Published: 2026-03-22

Guests: Charles Duhigg

What Happened

Ryan Holiday discusses his routine of grocery shopping at Whole Foods, emphasizing the unique regional flavors available at different locations. He also mentions his frequent use of the Shopify app to check on the performance of his businesses, The Painted Porch and Daily Stoic, highlighting Shopify's customer service and its role in managing e-commerce for millions of businesses worldwide.

Holiday shares an intriguing story about a former assistant who invested his life savings in a ghost town above a lake from Chinatown, which has become a popular YouTube channel. They also converse about movies like 'Chinatown' and 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit,' noting how these films have underlying themes linked to historical events, such as water theft and the construction of highways.

Charles Duhigg and Ryan Holiday discuss various books, including John Fonte's 'Ask the Dust,' which became popular after being rediscovered by Charles Bukowski. Holiday recounts the history of the book's publication and its connection to an unauthorized edition of 'Mein Kampf.' He also mentions his admiration for the book, highlighting its place in his reading list.

Holiday talks about his process for writing books, particularly focusing on structuring content around themes and characters. He uses physical note cards to organize his thoughts, drawing inspiration from historical figures to illustrate virtues in his works. This method contrasts with Duhigg's approach, which involves finding anchor stories to guide his writing.

The conversation shifts to book recommendations, where Holiday expresses interest in Cal Newport's new book 'Slow Productivity.' He appreciates Newport's approach to productivity and mentions other influential books like Tolstoy's page-a-day book of quotes, which was suppressed by the Soviets and later rediscovered.

Holiday reveals his method of writing long letters to his editor to clarify chapter structures, a strategy he finds effective in translating his research into cohesive narratives. He emphasizes the importance of sharing book recommendations through his reading list, which he sends out monthly to his audience.

The episode concludes with a discussion about the significance of creating a distinct and memorable space, both in physical locations like Holiday's bookstore and in digital content shared on social media. Holiday notes the value of unique features that draw people's interest and encourage sharing.

Key Insights

• Ryan Holiday uses Shopify to manage his businesses, The Painted Porch and Daily Stoic, benefiting from its comprehensive platform and customer support. Shopify facilitates 10% of U.S. e-commerce, serving a wide range of businesses.
• John Fonte's 'Ask the Dust' was lost to history after its publisher went bankrupt due to a lawsuit over an unauthorized edition of 'Mein Kampf.' It was rediscovered by Charles Bukowski and later gained attention from Robert Towne.
• Ryan Holiday uses physical note cards to structure his writing, organizing ideas by themes and characters. This method helps him manage complex topics, such as the cardinal virtues, and develop books centered on historical figures.
• Cal Newport's 'Slow Productivity' is anticipated by Ryan Holiday, who values Newport's insights on productivity. Holiday's interest reflects a broader appreciation for books offering fresh perspectives on personal and professional efficiency.