Welcome to the Daily Dad podcast, where we provide one lesson every single day to help you with your most important job, being a parent.

I'm Ryan Holiday, and I draw these lessons from ancient philosophy, modern psychology, practical wisdom, and insights from

parents just like you all over the world. Thank you for listening, and we hope this helps.

Give them something to believe in. The world is a dark place. Our politicians are liars. The climate is

imperiled. Nobody stays married anymore. Social media has turned millions of people into self-absorbed

morons. This religious teacher turns out to be an abuser. That historical figure is a hypocrite.

This civic leader is a private monster. It seems that everything is falling apart. Everything is

broken and no one can be trusted. What do we do? There is no one sure answer, but as parents,

we must do something. You don't have to take your kids to

church. They don't have to believe in God, but you're doing your kids a massive disservice

if you don't give them something to believe in. What will that be? You have to figure that out.

Find a cause, find a philosophy, find a mission, find a way of living that instills hope and purpose in them.

Because life is impossible and childhood unbearable without it.

We must look for the good.

We must find the green sprouts.

We must, as we've said before, point out the good bones.

And if we can't find them, we must make them. We must

build them because that's what's holding this shaky thing up. That's what's keeping it going.

Most of all, you must try to be someone and something that your kids can believe in, something

that's sturdy enough to bear weight and protect them until they are strong enough to protect

themselves.

Hey, thanks for listening to the Daily Dad podcast.

...