Crisis What Crisis with Andy Coulson

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.
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.
IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro – Ryan Holiday’s Crisis Compass
00:18 Who Guides You in Crisis? (Marcus Aurelius)
00:58 The Power of Role Models in Stoicism
01:08 Daily Habit: Why Journaling Matters
01:24 Finding Calm: The Simple Power of Walking
01:46 One Rule to Live By (Epictetus’ Advice)
02:03 What Stoicism Really Teaches About Control
02:15 More Stoicism Episodes
BUY RYAN'S BOOK:
Wisdom Takes Work – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wisdom-Takes-Work-Important-Journey/dp/1788166299
FOLLOW RYAN:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanholiday/?hl=en
X/Twitter: https://x.com/RyanHoliday
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryan_holiday
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYmBIKsrzIjdHRuqs2I8nHA
FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?
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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 massive contrarian bet that works" can be brain-destroying
The Stoic POW who tapped Epictetus through prison walls in Vietnam
Why young men desperately need philosophy (not less of it)
How to guard against your own stupidity while pursuing wisdom
What Marcus Aurelius would say about your Instagram habits

LESSONS YOU'LL LEARN:
Intelligence DOES NOT EQUAL wisdom – being brilliant at one thing doesn't protect you from being an idiot about others
Stay a student forever – Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-king, made a point of always staying a student
Friction builds resilience – a frictionless life leaves you vulnerable when reality intervenes
You don't control what happens, only how you respond
Wisdom takes work – it's not something you're born with; it's the result of hard work, experience, and time

CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Introduction: The Modern Day Philosopher King
02:37 – What is Stoicism? (Explained for people in crisis)
07:58 – Why Ryan turned to ancient philosophy at 19
10:11 – The marketing career he walked away from
13:25 – What if Ryan never discovered Stoicism?
15:02 – Does Stoicism have a "toxic masculinity" problem?
19:16 – Why choose Stoicism over Instagram wealth?
22:07 – What is wisdom and how do you get it?
24:53 – Elon Musk: A cautionary tale of genius + stupidity
27:42 – Will we ever have philosophical leaders again?
30:11 – Victor Frankl's 1979 warning: Life is too soft
33:05 – What would Marcus Aurelius make of AI?
36:22 – Where Ryan goes next?
BUY RYAN'S BOOK:
Wisdom Takes Work – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wisdom-Takes-Work-Important-Journey/dp/1788166299
FOLLOW RYAN:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanholiday/?hl=en
X/Twitter: https://x.com/RyanHoliday
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryan_holiday
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYmBIKsrzIjdHRuqs2I8nHA
FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?
Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast
TikTok – www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

After building MTV and rising to the very top of the global media industry, Tom Freston experienced dramatic setbacks that forced him to rebuild - not for the first time.
In this Crisis Compass segment, the co-founder of MTV and former CEO of Viacom reveals the personal habits, relationships and mindset that helped him navigate the highs and lows of an extraordinary life.
Tom shares the quiet routines and pieces of advice that keep him grounded today.
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.
IN THIS EPISODE:
01:10 – The people Tom relies on for advice and perspective
02:25 – The daily habit that keeps Tom grounded
04:05 – The moment that changed how Tom sees business problems
05:30 – Finding comfort in nature and music
TOM’S BOOK:
Read Tom’s book: Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu Follow Tom Freston:
https://www.amazon.com/Unplugged-Adventures-Timbuktu-Tom-Freston/dp/1668089793
FOLLOW TOM:
Instagram – www.instagram.com/tomfrestonunplugged/?hl=en
FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?
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TikTok – www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

From building a multimillion-dollar clothing business in India only to be wiped out by a global trade embargo, to redefining pop culture for a generation at MTV and Nickelodeon, Tom Freston’s career is a masterclass for any aspiring entrepreneur.
In this episode, Tom joins me to discuss the resilience required to reach the top and the sheer guts needed to start over when it's all taken away. He shares his "decidedly non-traditional" path to the C-suite and why humility, earnestness, and curiosity are the ultimate defining traits for success.
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.
IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE:
Building the MTV empire: The legendary "I Want My MTV" campaign and the David Bowie sauna story.
The reality of being fired as the boss at Viacom by Sumner Redstone and receiving a hero’s send-off from 1,000 employees.
Returning to Afghanistan to help launch the country’s first television network.
Why stepping off the "conveyor belt of conformity" is the best classroom for a young person today.

LESSONS YOU’LL LEARN
Skills are transferable: It’s never too late to change careers.
Optimism is a competitive advantage: back yourself when no one else will
The most successful careers are rarely the most conventional
Know when to disappear: recovery needs space, don't rush the next move
Hire people smarter than you: it's your best protection against your worst instincts

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro
04:44 - Stepping off the conveyor belt of conformity
12:30 - Where does confidence come from?
17:23 - Becoming a millionaire in your 20s
22:11 - The sudden collapse of Hindu Kush
31:06 - The ground floor of MTV
36:44 - The "I Want My MTV" Hail Mary pass
45:28 - Being fired as CEO of Viacom
53:30 - Reassessing life and finding Phil Stutz
56:28 - The "perfect circle" back to Afghanistan
1:00:26 - The Tom Freston manual for young people
TOM’S BOOK:
Read Tom’s book: Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu Follow Tom Freston:
https://www.amazon.com/Unplugged-Adventures-Timbuktu-Tom-Freston/dp/1668089793
FOLLOW TOM:
Instagram – www.instagram.com/tomfrestonunplugged/?hl=en
FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?
Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast
TikTok – www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

Following the loss of his daughter Sushila to anorexia, broadcaster Sir Trevor Phillips reveals the daily habits, personal anchors, and life advice that keep him grounded.
In this "Crisis Compass" segment, we move away from the headlines to look at the personal resilience required to survive a 22-year battle with mental illness.
THE COMPASS QUESTIONS:
In this episode, Andy Coulson asks Trevor to reveal:
The person who shaped his perspective during his darkest hours.
The daily habit he refuses to give up (even in crisis).
The piece of advice he returns to when uncertainty takes over.
His ultimate source of comfort.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW:
This is a bonus segment. Listen to the full, wide-ranging conversation with Sir Trevor Phillips here:
https://player.captivate.fm/episode/8be66777-24c2-42ee-9d97-c59f4996be30/
IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 – Sir Trevor Phillips: A life forged in crisis
01:06 – The people he turns to for strength
02:32 – The daily habit for mental clarity
04:00 – Life-changing advice for hard times
05:26 – Finding comfort after loss
FOLLOW TREVOR:
X – https://x.com/TrevorPTweets
FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod