Stoicism is having a resurgence, and Ryan Holiday is one of the most influential voices of its modern form.  

He’s a best-selling author, and his books on the subject, including ‘Ego is the Enemy’ and ‘The Obstacle is the Way’, have been read by millions of people. 

And now he’s bringing those ideas to a Kiwi audience with a one-off show at Auckland’s Bruce Mason Arena. 

‘An Evening with Ryan Holiday’ will explore how the ancient philosophy can help navigate pressure, setbacks and uncertainty in the modern world. 

Stoicism is a philosophical movement and practical guide to living that originated in the Hellenistic period of ancient Greece and continued well into the Roman Imperial period. 

It’s comprised of logic, physics, and ethics, and the core idea is that in order to live a good life, one must develop a character shaped by wisdom, moderation, courage, and justice.  

But what is it about this philosophy that makes it resonate so strongly in the modern world? 

“The modern world is not that different than the ancient world,” Holiday told Matt Heath and Tyler Adams. 

“It’s uncertain, it’s crazy, institutions feel like they’re falling apart. You've got pandemics and plagues, corruption, dysfunction, tyranny, all the things that we worry about today, they worried about in the ancient world, only more so.” 

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