You could be doing anything with your life…so why are you choosing this? Historian and bestselling author Rutger Bregman joins Ryan to question everything we tend to believe about success, work, and impact. They discuss why many “prestigious” careers might actually be pointless, how a few regular people pulled off one of the biggest moral wins in history, and why meaningful work rarely looks like what society celebrates.

Rutger Bregman is a Dutch historian and author. His latest book Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference was released in April 2025.

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In 2024, Rutger co-founded The School for Moral Ambition, a non-profit organization inspired by his latest book, Moral Ambition. The initiative helps people to take the step toward an impactful career.

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You’re Not Wasting Time, You’re Wasting Your Life | Rutger Bregman (PT. 1)

The Daily Stoic