Timothy Ferriss's Blog, page 66
June 30, 2018
Cal Fussman Corners Tim Ferriss (#324)
[image error]
“All the pieces are coming together here!” — Cal Fussman
I’ve interviewed legendary storyteller Cal Fussman (@calfussman) on this show before (here and here), but this time the roles are reversed, and he interviews me!
If you are not yet familiar with Cal, he is a New York Times bestselling author and a writer-at-large for Esquire magazine, where he is best known for being a primary writer of the “What I Learned” feature. And this interview originally aired on Cal’s podcast, “Big Questions with Cal Fussman.”
Cal has transformed oral history into an art form, conducting probing interviews with the icons who’ve shaped the last 50 years of world history: Mikhail Gorbachev, Jimmy Carter, Ted Kennedy, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, Jack Welch, Robert DeNiro, Clint Eastwood, Bruce Springsteen, Dr. Dre, Quincy Jones, Woody Allen, Barbara Walters, Pelé, Yao Ming, Serena Williams, John Wooden, Muhammad Ali, and countless others.
Enjoy!
[image error]
[image error]
Cal Fussman Corners Tim Ferrisshttps://rss.art19.com/episodes/197f9fe4-fade-4c43-b81c-47fb36c5fb7f.mp3Download
Listen to it on Apple Podcasts.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Want to hear another episode with someone who’s collected a lifetime of great stories? — Listen to my interview with Shep Gordon, the man behind some of the biggest names you’ve ever heard, including Alice Cooper, Wolfgang Puck, Anne Murray, and Teddy Pendergrass. (Stream below or right-click here to download):
Shep Gordon - The King Maker on His Best PR Stunts, Hugest Failures, and Practical Philosophieshttps://rss.art19.com/episodes/80256838-bfd9-4be0-8c2a-fda843026969.mp3Download
This podcast is brought to you by Four Sigmatic. While I often praise this company’s lion’s mane mushroom coffee for a minimal caffeine wakeup call that lasts, I asked the founders if they could help me—someone who’s struggled with insomnia for decades—sleep. Their answer: Reishi Mushroom Elixir. They made a special batch for me and my listeners that comes without sweetener; you can try it at bedtime with a little honey or nut milk, or you can just add hot water to your single-serving packet and embrace its bitterness like I do.
Try it right now by going to foursigmatic.com/ferriss and using the code Ferriss to get 20 percent off this rare, limited run of Reishi Mushroom Elixir. If you are in the experimental mindset, I do not think you’ll be disappointed.
This episode is brought to you by “5-Bullet Friday,” my very own email newsletter, which every Friday features five bullet points of cool things I’ve found that week, including apps, books, documentaries, gadgets, albums, articles, TV shows, new hacks or tricks, and — of course — all sorts of weird stuff I’ve dug up from around the world.
It’s free, it’s always going to be free, and you can subscribe now at tim.blog/friday.
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Connect with Cal Fussman:
Website | Podcast | Twitter | Kevin “The Manager”
Big Questions with Cal Fussman
The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening, The Tim Ferriss Show
Cal Fussman: The Master Storyteller Returns, The Tim Ferriss Show
What I’ve Learned: Ron Howard & Brian Grazer by Cal Fussman, Esquire
Are Saunas the Next Big Performance-Enhancing “Drug?” (a guest post on my blog by Rhonda Patrick prefaced by pictures of me being tortured by mad scientists at Stanford)
Cooling Glove Developed by Stanford Researchers Helps Athletes and Patients by Nathan Collins
Someone Added a Smiths Song to a Bunch of People Screwing Up in Infomercials, Creating the Best Music Video of the Year by Bob Powers, Someecards
Suzanne Somers: Thighmaster Commercial (1991)
Snowflake Ice Cream Shoppe
Black Belt Magazine
The Affair
The Lobster Roll
The Maidstone Hotel
What I Think: John McPhee by Jamie Saxon, Princeton University
A Sense of Where You Are: Bill Bradley at Princeton by John McPhee
Levels of the Game by John McPhee
Oranges by John McPhee
Annals of the Former World by John McPhee
The Survival of the Bark Canoe by John McPhee
Draft No. 4: On the Writing Process by John McPhee
Who is Keyser Soze? The Usual Suspects
Colour Symbolism: Red in The Sixth Sense by Cat Barnard, Screen Muse
The Meiji Restoration and Modernization, Asia for Educators, Columbia University
The Princeton Tiger
The Eating Clubs of Princeton University
High-Tech Entrepreneurship, Princeton University
Understanding Dysgraphia, International Dyslexia Association
Scientific Speed Reading: How to Read 300% Faster in 20 Minutes, Tim Ferriss Blog
Pixar Animation Studios
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss
BlueMountain.com
Fireside Chat with Tim Ferriss and Professor Ed Zschau
TrueSAN Networks
Fairtex Muay Thai Fitness
Welcome to Recoleta & Barrio Norte (Buenos Aires), Lonely Planet
Silicon Valley Association of Startup Entrepreneurs
Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Amy Newmark
Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World by Tim Ferriss
SHOW NOTES
How does Cal approach an interview with someone he knows pretty well — like me, for instance? [09:44]
A story about Brian Grazer and Ron Howard and how their teamwork reminds Cal of me. [11:09]
Is my origin story anything like “Iceman” Wim Hof’s? [12:58]
Childhood wrestling and adaptation to thermoregulation woes that led to lifelong self-experimentation. [14:58]
Why growing up when I did probably influenced my interest in nutrition. [20:53]
Contrasting the characteristics of the people who raised me and piecing together what I’ve inherited from them. [22:25]
How does my interest in persuasion and salesmanship tie in with my night owl tendencies? [24:43]
Even if Cal doesn’t think I have the mindset of an artist, I did grow up with serious artistic aspirations. [28:43]
What the “get the crowd first, then sell the product” approach gets you. [30:48]
Contrary to what seems to be popular opinion, I don’t consider myself a risk-taker. [31:47]
How did the way I think about money and efficiency get me fired from one of my first jobs in high school? [32:15]
Other high school jobs that were better suited to my efficiency-centered work ethic. [35:15]
On taking a class with John McPhee at Princeton, a writer who can mesmerize readers with entire books about seemingly mundane subjects like oranges, rocks, tennis, and the time-honored tradition of the bark canoe. [38:36]
How my love for minimalism and elegance relates to my love for Japan. [46:38]
What I learned from John McPhee’s class that translated into better grades in all my other classes. [47:46]
At what point did the ability to control my own journey come into play? [48:10]
My brief career as a safeguard (bouncer) at Princeton. [51:34]
High-tech entrepreneurship field studies on a Radio Shack budget. [59:38]
Learning to speed read through the coursework at Princeton — while coping with dysgraphia. [1:01:34]
What I learned by collecting and analyzing the advertising that caught my eye. [1:05:12]
My first taste of failure as an entrepreneur. [1:06:03]
In marketing, what is a dry test? [1:07:02]
My first taste of success as an entrepreneur. [1:07:52]
My first investment. [1:13:56]
When did the concept for The 4-Hour Workweek really start to formulate? [1:16:07]
Negotiating with Ed Zschau for a seat (or spot on the floor) in his class after I missed the registration deadline. [1:17:48]
Hustling for a job after college. [1:20:57]
Laying the groundwork for my next business venture. [1:27:26]
When success became a series of liabilities and the company I ran started running me. [1:31:41]
How a twice-a-year lecture for Ed Zschau and some time off the grid helped me begin to put what would become 4-Hour Workweek principles in effect. [1:32:14]
The exact moment when business scaling became lifestyle design. [1:33:57]
How insomnia, lack of a television set, and a snarky Princeton student’s feedback led to me writing my first book (in spite of an earlier vow to never write again). [1:34:51]
If you’re going to bother volunteering, make a point of being a good (and memorable) volunteer. [1:36:32]
How Chicken Soup for the Soul co-author Jack Canfield helped me begin the process of writing a book. [1:37:34]
The real reason I was annoyed at The 4-Hour Workweek being rejected over 25 times. [1:39:50]
What sealed the deal at my final pitch. [1:42:21]
How I upheld my part of the bargain and finalized the winning book title. [1:45:17]
Putting a cap on Chapter One: Tim Ferriss — The Early Years. [1:49:41]
Asking better questions and what you can expect if you haven’t had a chance to read Tribe of Mentors yet. [1:49:58]
PEOPLE MENTIONED
George Clooney
Mikhail Gorbachev
Ronald Reagan
Jamie Foxx
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Josh Waitzkin
Hunter S. Thompson
Kobe Bryant
Daymond John
Seth Godin
Simone Biles
Brian Grazer
Ron Howard
Wim Hof
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Sylvester Stallone
Ron Popeil
Tony Robbins
Jim Lee
Todd McFarlane
Erik Larsen
Simon Bisley
John McPhee
Bill Bradley
David Remnick
Keyser Soze
Kobayashi
Ed Zschau
Charles Darwin
Thomas Isakovich
Marc Birnkrant
Jack Canfield
Steve Hanselman
Heather Jackson
Steve Ross
Maria Sharapova
Kelly Slater
Dan Gable
Steven Pinker
Cal Fussman Corners Tim Ferriss
[image error]
“All the pieces are coming together here!” — Cal Fussman
I’ve interviewed legendary storyteller Cal Fussman (@calfussman) on this show before (here and here), but this time the roles are reversed, and he interviews me!
If you are not yet familiar with Cal, he is a New York Times bestselling author and a writer-at-large for Esquire magazine, where he is best known for being a primary writer of the “What I Learned” feature. And this interview originally aired on Cal’s podcast, “Big Questions with Cal Fussman.”
Cal has transformed oral history into an art form, conducting probing interviews with the icons who’ve shaped the last 50 years of world history: Mikhail Gorbachev, Jimmy Carter, Ted Kennedy, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, Jack Welch, Robert DeNiro, Clint Eastwood, Bruce Springsteen, Dr. Dre, Quincy Jones, Woody Allen, Barbara Walters, Pelé, Yao Ming, Serena Williams, John Wooden, Muhammad Ali, and countless others.
Enjoy!
[image error]
[image error]
Cal Fussman Corners Tim Ferriss
https://rss.art19.com/episodes/197f9fe4-fade-4c43-b81c-47fb36c5fb7f.mp3Download
Listen to it on Apple Podcasts.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Want to hear another episode with someone who’s collected a lifetime of great stories? — Listen to my interview with Shep Gordon, the man behind some of the biggest names you’ve ever heard, including Alice Cooper, Wolfgang Puck, Anne Murray, and Teddy Pendergrass. (Stream below or right-click here to download):
Shep Gordon - The King Maker on His Best PR Stunts, Hugest Failures, and Practical Philosophieshttps://rss.art19.com/episodes/80256838-bfd9-4be0-8c2a-fda843026969.mp3Download
This podcast is brought to you by Four Sigmatic. While I often praise this company’s lion’s mane mushroom coffee for a minimal caffeine wakeup call that lasts, I asked the founders if they could help me—someone who’s struggled with insomnia for decades—sleep. Their answer: Reishi Mushroom Elixir. They made a special batch for me and my listeners that comes without sweetener; you can try it at bedtime with a little honey or nut milk, or you can just add hot water to your single-serving packet and embrace its bitterness like I do.
Try it right now by going to foursigmatic.com/ferriss and using the code Ferriss to get 20 percent off this rare, limited run of Reishi Mushroom Elixir. If you are in the experimental mindset, I do not think you’ll be disappointed.
This episode is brought to you by “5-Bullet Friday,” my very own email newsletter, which every Friday features five bullet points of cool things I’ve found that week, including apps, books, documentaries, gadgets, albums, articles, TV shows, new hacks or tricks, and — of course — all sorts of weird stuff I’ve dug up from around the world.
It’s free, it’s always going to be free, and you can subscribe now at tim.blog/friday.
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Connect with Cal Fussman:
Website | Podcast | Twitter | Kevin “The Manager”
Big Questions with Cal Fussman
The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening, The Tim Ferriss Show
Cal Fussman: The Master Storyteller Returns, The Tim Ferriss Show
What I’ve Learned: Ron Howard & Brian Grazer by Cal Fussman, Esquire
Are Saunas the Next Big Performance-Enhancing “Drug?” (a guest post on my blog by Rhonda Patrick prefaced by pictures of me being tortured by mad scientists at Stanford)
Cooling Glove Developed by Stanford Researchers Helps Athletes and Patients by Nathan Collins
Someone Added a Smiths Song to a Bunch of People Screwing Up in Infomercials, Creating the Best Music Video of the Year by Bob Powers, Someecards
Suzanne Somers: Thighmaster Commercial (1991)
Snowflake Ice Cream Shoppe
Black Belt Magazine
The Affair
The Lobster Roll
The Maidstone Hotel
What I Think: John McPhee by Jamie Saxon, Princeton University
A Sense of Where You Are: Bill Bradley at Princeton by John McPhee
Levels of the Game by John McPhee
Oranges by John McPhee
Annals of the Former World by John McPhee
The Survival of the Bark Canoe by John McPhee
Draft No. 4: On the Writing Process by John McPhee
Who is Keyser Soze? The Usual Suspects
Colour Symbolism: Red in The Sixth Sense by Cat Barnard, Screen Muse
The Meiji Restoration and Modernization, Asia for Educators, Columbia University
The Princeton Tiger
The Eating Clubs of Princeton University
High-Tech Entrepreneurship, Princeton University
Understanding Dysgraphia, International Dyslexia Association
Scientific Speed Reading: How to Read 300% Faster in 20 Minutes, Tim Ferriss Blog
Pixar Animation Studios
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss
BlueMountain.com
Fireside Chat with Tim Ferriss and Professor Ed Zschau
TrueSAN Networks
Fairtex Muay Thai Fitness
Welcome to Recoleta & Barrio Norte (Buenos Aires), Lonely Planet
Silicon Valley Association of Startup Entrepreneurs
Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Amy Newmark
Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World by Tim Ferriss
SHOW NOTES
How does Cal approach an interview with someone he knows pretty well — like me, for instance? [09:44]
A story about Brian Grazer and Ron Howard and how their teamwork reminds Cal of me. [11:09]
Is my origin story anything like “Iceman” Wim Hof’s? [12:58]
Childhood wrestling and adaptation to thermoregulation woes that led to lifelong self-experimentation. [14:58]
Why growing up when I did probably influenced my interest in nutrition. [20:53]
Contrasting the characteristics of the people who raised me and piecing together what I’ve inherited from them. [22:25]
How does my interest in persuasion and salesmanship tie in with my night owl tendencies? [24:43]
Even if Cal doesn’t think I have the mindset of an artist, I did grow up with serious artistic aspirations. [28:43]
What the “get the crowd first, then sell the product” approach gets you. [30:48]
Contrary to what seems to be popular opinion, I don’t consider myself a risk-taker. [31:47]
How did the way I think about money and efficiency get me fired from one of my first jobs in high school? [32:15]
Other high school jobs that were better suited to my efficiency-centered work ethic. [35:15]
On taking a class with John McPhee at Princeton, a writer who can mesmerize readers with entire books about seemingly mundane subjects like oranges, rocks, tennis, and the time-honored tradition of the bark canoe. [38:36]
How my love for minimalism and elegance relates to my love for Japan. [46:38]
What I learned from John McPhee’s class that translated into better grades in all my other classes. [47:46]
At what point did the ability to control my own journey come into play? [48:10]
My brief career as a safeguard (bouncer) at Princeton. [51:34]
High-tech entrepreneurship field studies on a Radio Shack budget. [59:38]
Learning to speed read through the coursework at Princeton — while coping with dysgraphia. [1:01:34]
What I learned by collecting and analyzing the advertising that caught my eye. [1:05:12]
My first taste of failure as an entrepreneur. [1:06:03]
In marketing, what is a dry test? [1:07:02]
My first taste of success as an entrepreneur. [1:07:52]
My first investment. [1:13:56]
When did the concept for The 4-Hour Workweek really start to formulate? [1:16:07]
Negotiating with Ed Zschau for a seat (or spot on the floor) in his class after I missed the registration deadline. [1:17:48]
Hustling for a job after college. [1:20:57]
Laying the groundwork for my next business venture. [1:27:26]
When success became a series of liabilities and the company I ran started running me. [1:31:41]
How a twice-a-year lecture for Ed Zschau and some time off the grid helped me begin to put what would become 4-Hour Workweek principles in effect. [1:32:14]
The exact moment when business scaling became lifestyle design. [1:33:57]
How insomnia, lack of a television set, and a snarky Princeton student’s feedback led to me writing my first book (in spite of an earlier vow to never write again). [1:34:51]
If you’re going to bother volunteering, make a point of being a good (and memorable) volunteer. [1:36:32]
How Chicken Soup for the Soul co-author Jack Canfield helped me begin the process of writing a book. [1:37:34]
The real reason I was annoyed at The 4-Hour Workweek being rejected over 25 times. [1:39:50]
What sealed the deal at my final pitch. [1:42:21]
How I upheld my part of the bargain and finalized the winning book title. [1:45:17]
Putting a cap on Chapter One: Tim Ferriss — The Early Years. [1:49:41]
Asking better questions and what you can expect if you haven’t had a chance to read Tribe of Mentors yet. [1:49:58]
PEOPLE MENTIONED
George Clooney
Mikhail Gorbachev
Ronald Reagan
Jamie Foxx
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Josh Waitzkin
Hunter S. Thompson
Kobe Bryant
Daymond John
Seth Godin
Simone Biles
Brian Grazer
Ron Howard
Wim Hof
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Sylvester Stallone
Ron Popeil
Tony Robbins
Jim Lee
Todd McFarlane
Erik Larsen
Simon Bisley
John McPhee
Bill Bradley
David Remnick
Keyser Soze
Kobayashi
Ed Zschau
Charles Darwin
Thomas Isakovich
Marc Birnkrant
Jack Canfield
Steve Hanselman
Heather Jackson
Steve Ross
Maria Sharapova
Kelly Slater
Dan Gable
Steven Pinker
June 25, 2018
Tim Ferriss Goes to Maximum Security Prison (#323)
Photo: Josh Estey
In this podcast, I had the rare opportunity to interview three men in Level 4 maximum security at Kern Valley State Prison. There was no time to do homework on any of them, so I crossed my fingers and jumped in. It was incredibly nerve-wracking and, ultimately, incredibly rewarding and fun. Any expectations I might have had going in were exceeded.
I owe special thanks to Cat Hoke, all the men who participate in Defy (the program Cat started), and all the staff and officers at Kern, including Chief Deputy Warden Goss who made it possible for me to bring recording equipment. Thank you for the help, sir!
If you’re interested in a similar prison visit after listening to this episode, Cat now has five more trips lined up. Simply email admin@cathoke.com for more details. If this episode moves you in any way, make sure to check out Defy and other groups doing this work and making an impact, like the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC).
Enjoy!
[image error]
[image error]
Tim Ferriss Goes to Maximum Security Prisonhttps://rss.art19.com/episodes/07fc8674-4f90-49c4-babc-b27bb50a2841.mp3Download
Listen to it on Apple Podcasts.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Want to hear another inspiring conversation? — Check out my interview with Catherine Hoke, the founder of Defy Ventures and author of A Second Chance. Stream below or right-click here to download.
Catherine Hoke — The Master of Second Chanceshttps://rss.art19.com/episodes/da5e12e0-b238-46fe-b407-7a75de5b1853.mp3Download
This podcast is brought to you by Helix Sleep. I recently moved into a new home and needed new beds, and I purchased mattresses from Helix Sleep.
It offers mattresses personalized to your preferences and sleeping style — without costing thousands of dollars. Visit Helixsleep.com/TIM and take the simple 2-3 minute sleep quiz to get started, and the team there will build a mattress you’ll love.
Its customer service makes all the difference. The mattress arrives within a week, and the shipping is completely free. You can try the mattress for 100 nights, and if you’re not happy, they’ll pick it up and offer a full refund. To personalize your sleep experience, visit Helixsleep.com/TIM and you’ll receive up to $125 off your custom mattress. Enjoy!
This podcast is also brought to you by the Wondery network’s Business Wars. Hosted by David D. Brown, former anchor of the Peabody award-winning public radio business program Marketplace, Business Wars shares the untold and very real stories of what goes on behind the scenes with the leaders, investors, and executives that take businesses either to new heights or utter ruin.
I recommend starting with the first one, Sudden Death, which is the first of an eight-part series that chronicles the brutal business battle between Netflix and Blockbuster, and later HBO. Other episodes dig into epic face-offs that have shaped the landscape of what we buy and how we live, such as Marvel vs. DC, Nike vs. Adidas, Nintendo vs. Sony, and Hearst vs. Pulitzer. You can search for Business Wars on iTunes or your favorite podcast provider, or you can just go directly to wondery.fm/tim to start listening right now.
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Defy Ventures
Anti-Recidivism Coalition
Catherine Hoke — The Master of Second Chances
Kern Valley State Prison
Step to the Line: How Prison Is Helping Oculus Expand VR’s Horizons
CDCR: Two Correctional Officers Attacked by about 12 Inmates at Kern Valley State Prison, ABC News, Bakersfield
Coroner: Kern Valley State Prison Inmate Was Stabbed, The Bakersfield Californian
Peek inside The SHU: What It’s like for California Inmates in Solitary Confinement by James Queally, Los Angeles Times
California’s Prison Education System Is Yielding Impressive Results by Ben Paynter, Fast Company
Sensitive Needs Yards (SNY) Gangs by Richard Valdemar, Police
Aristotle on Teleology
Moral Relativism, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
San Quentin State Prison
Ear Hustle
Kern Valley 180 Podcast — not yet available, but look for it on iTunes soon!
SHOW NOTES
A lengthier introduction than most, establishing how this unique episode came together, and why I think it’s an important listen for all of us. [04:34]
On a societal level, what’s more likely to reduce recidivism among those convicted of serious crimes: punishment or rehabilitation? [07:42]
Why getting permission to bring recording equipment into a maximum security prison is problematic. [09:23]
Don’t empathize with people in prison? Try the “step to the line” exercise. [10:22]
How you can experience a prison visit like this one. [14:18]
If you’re ashamed of backsliding in your goals, here’s a helpful follow up from Jason, one of the men you’ll meet in this episode. [14:40]
Setting the scene: visitation center. [17:15]
Meet Jason. [17:40]
Meet Ian. [18:09]
Meet Brandon. [18:57]
What catalyzed the choice these men made to change their trajectory? [19:38]
Jason’s story. [20:24]
Ian’s story. [22:54]
Brandon’s story. [26:54]
New beliefs a chaplain instilled in once-atheist Brandon. [29:42]
What new beliefs have helped Jason stay on his path? [30:49]
Good influences and beliefs that have helped Ian. [31:41]
How do these men try to influence others to course correct? Who do they choose to approach, and why? [33:34]
What have been the most effective approaches for guiding others toward redirection? [35:26]
Creating change from the inside out. [38:23]
Are there patterns that lead to people straying from their path? What can be done to help them back once such a pattern has been identified? [39:48]
Did anything from Jason’s gang experience translate into something he can use in a positive way today? [42:35]
The others weigh in on Jason’s skills, reputation, and values. [44:11]
Where would these men like to be in three years, and what are they doing to pave the way there? [45:49]
Ian’s answer. [45:54]
Jason’s answer. [47:34]
What keeps them going? What would make them look back on their time here with pride? [47:59]
Tools helpful for nudging others toward a better path. [49:09]
Practical and purpose-driven questions that lead to problem solving. [50:27]
How does Ian look back on the crimes that got him sentenced to prison? [52:59]
Resisting temptation or recovering from a relapse. [54:40]
Ian tries to lead by example, but even he loses his cool sometimes. He shares one incident and how he managed to de-escalate it. [55:51]
Jason tries to foresee possible outcomes and avoid escalation from the get-go, but understands that variables can throw a wrench in any plan. [1:00:00]
Brandon admits he loses his cool and snaps fairly regularly. He tries to run through a mental checklist to take a breath before saying something regrettable and leans on the other two for help on this front. Here’s one story where he overcame these urges and did the right thing. [1:01:16]
Where would Brandon like to be three years from now? [1:06:26]
These three produce the Kern Valley 180 Podcast. How did this come about, and what are the logistics? Is it available to people outside the system? [1:07:13]
Ian asks what compelled me to come to a level four maximum security prison and sit down with them. [1:10:13]
Ian explains one of the podcast’s main goals. [1:12:39]
Jason asks how I come up with questions for understanding what makes people tick. [1:15:59]
Ian’s parting thoughts. [1:22:58]
Brandon’s parting thoughts. [1:23:51]
Jason’s parting thoughts. [1:24:44]
My parting thoughts. [1:25:29]
PEOPLE MENTIONED
Catherine Hoke
Peter Attia
Sebastian Junger
Richard Branson
Tim Kennedy
Brené Brown
Tim Ferriss Goes to Maximum Security Prison
Photo: Josh Estey
In this podcast, I had the rare opportunity to interview three men in Level 4 maximum security at Kern Valley State Prison. There was no time to do homework on any of them, so I crossed my fingers and jumped in. It was incredibly nerve-wracking and, ultimately, incredibly rewarding and fun. Any expectations I might have had going in were exceeded.
I owe special thanks to Cat Hoke, all the men who participate in Defy (the program Cat started), and all the staff and officers at Kern, including Chief Deputy Warden Goss who made it possible for me to bring recording equipment. Thank you for the help, sir!
If you’re interested in a similar prison visit after listening to this episode, Cat now has five more trips lined up. Simply email admin@cathoke.com for more details. If this episode moves you in any way, make sure to check out Defy and other groups doing this work and making an impact, like the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC).
Enjoy!
[image error]
[image error]
Tim Ferriss Goes to Maximum Security Prison
https://rss.art19.com/episodes/07fc8674-4f90-49c4-babc-b27bb50a2841.mp3Download
Listen to it on Apple Podcasts.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Want to hear another inspiring conversation? — Check out my interview with Catherine Hoke, the founder of Defy Ventures and author of A Second Chance. Stream below or right-click here to download.
Catherine Hoke — The Master of Second Chanceshttps://rss.art19.com/episodes/da5e12e0-b238-46fe-b407-7a75de5b1853.mp3Download
This podcast is brought to you by Helix Sleep. I recently moved into a new home and needed new beds, and I purchased mattresses from Helix Sleep.
It offers mattresses personalized to your preferences and sleeping style — without costing thousands of dollars. Visit Helixsleep.com/TIM and take the simple 2-3 minute sleep quiz to get started, and the team there will build a mattress you’ll love.
Its customer service makes all the difference. The mattress arrives within a week, and the shipping is completely free. You can try the mattress for 100 nights, and if you’re not happy, they’ll pick it up and offer a full refund. To personalize your sleep experience, visit Helixsleep.com/TIM and you’ll receive up to $125 off your custom mattress. Enjoy!
This podcast is also brought to you by the Wondery network’s Business Wars. Hosted by David D. Brown, former anchor of the Peabody award-winning public radio business program Marketplace, Business Wars shares the untold and very real stories of what goes on behind the scenes with the leaders, investors, and executives that take businesses either to new heights or utter ruin.
I recommend starting with the first one, Sudden Death, which is the first of an eight-part series that chronicles the brutal business battle between Netflix and Blockbuster, and later HBO. Other episodes dig into epic face-offs that have shaped the landscape of what we buy and how we live, such as Marvel vs. DC, Nike vs. Adidas, Nintendo vs. Sony, and Hearst vs. Pulitzer. You can search for Business Wars on iTunes or your favorite podcast provider, or you can just go directly to wondery.fm/tim to start listening right now.
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Defy Ventures
Anti-Recidivism Coalition
Catherine Hoke — The Master of Second Chances
Kern Valley State Prison
Step to the Line: How Prison Is Helping Oculus Expand VR’s Horizons
CDCR: Two Correctional Officers Attacked by about 12 Inmates at Kern Valley State Prison, ABC News, Bakersfield
Coroner: Kern Valley State Prison Inmate Was Stabbed, The Bakersfield Californian
Peek inside The SHU: What It’s like for California Inmates in Solitary Confinement by James Queally, Los Angeles Times
California’s Prison Education System Is Yielding Impressive Results by Ben Paynter, Fast Company
Sensitive Needs Yards (SNY) Gangs by Richard Valdemar, Police
Aristotle on Teleology
Moral Relativism, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
San Quentin State Prison
Ear Hustle
Kern Valley 180 Podcast — not yet available, but look for it on iTunes soon!
SHOW NOTES
A lengthier introduction than most, establishing how this unique episode came together, and why I think it’s an important listen for all of us. [04:34]
On a societal level, what’s more likely to reduce recidivism among those convicted of serious crimes: punishment or rehabilitation? [07:42]
Why getting permission to bring recording equipment into a maximum security prison is problematic. [09:23]
Don’t empathize with people in prison? Try the “step to the line” exercise. [10:22]
How you can experience a prison visit like this one. [14:18]
If you’re ashamed of backsliding in your goals, here’s a helpful follow up from Jason, one of the men you’ll meet in this episode. [14:40]
Setting the scene: visitation center. [17:15]
Meet Jason. [17:40]
Meet Ian. [18:09]
Meet Brandon. [18:57]
What catalyzed the choice these men made to change their trajectory? [19:38]
Jason’s story. [20:24]
Ian’s story. [22:54]
Brandon’s story. [26:54]
New beliefs a chaplain instilled in once-atheist Brandon. [29:42]
What new beliefs have helped Jason stay on his path? [30:49]
Good influences and beliefs that have helped Ian. [31:41]
How do these men try to influence others to course correct? Who do they choose to approach, and why? [33:34]
What have been the most effective approaches for guiding others toward redirection? [35:26]
Creating change from the inside out. [38:23]
Are there patterns that lead to people straying from their path? What can be done to help them back once such a pattern has been identified? [39:48]
Did anything from Jason’s gang experience translate into something he can use in a positive way today? [42:35]
The others weigh in on Jason’s skills, reputation, and values. [44:11]
Where would these men like to be in three years, and what are they doing to pave the way there? [45:49]
Ian’s answer. [45:54]
Jason’s answer. [47:34]
What keeps them going? What would make them look back on their time here with pride? [47:59]
Tools helpful for nudging others toward a better path. [49:09]
Practical and purpose-driven questions that lead to problem solving. [50:27]
How does Ian look back on the crimes that got him sentenced to prison? [52:59]
Resisting temptation or recovering from a relapse. [54:40]
Ian tries to lead by example, but even he loses his cool sometimes. He shares one incident and how he managed to de-escalate it. [55:51]
Jason tries to foresee possible outcomes and avoid escalation from the get-go, but understands that variables can throw a wrench in any plan. [1:00:00]
Brandon admits he loses his cool and snaps fairly regularly. He tries to run through a mental checklist to take a breath before saying something regrettable and leans on the other two for help on this front. Here’s one story where he overcame these urges and did the right thing. [1:01:16]
Where would Brandon like to be three years from now? [1:06:26]
These three produce the Kern Valley 180 Podcast. How did this come about, and what are the logistics? Is it available to people outside the system? [1:07:13]
Ian asks what compelled me to come to a level four maximum security prison and sit down with them. [1:10:13]
Ian explains one of the podcast’s main goals. [1:12:39]
Jason asks how I come up with questions for understanding what makes people tick. [1:15:59]
Ian’s parting thoughts. [1:22:58]
Brandon’s parting thoughts. [1:23:51]
Jason’s parting thoughts. [1:24:44]
My parting thoughts. [1:25:29]
PEOPLE MENTIONED
Catherine Hoke
Peter Attia
Sebastian Junger
Richard Branson
Tim Kennedy
Brené Brown
June 21, 2018
Adam Robinson — Outflanking and Outsmarting the Competition (#322)
[image error]
“If I realize my focus is off, and certainly when I’m experiencing any negative emotions, I ask myself, ‘Where should my attention be right now?’ Almost always, the answer is ‘my mission,’ which is like a beacon that always beckons.” — Adam Robinson
Welcome to another episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, where I share the habits, tools and patterns of world-class performers. This special short episode features insights from Adam Robinson (@IAmAdamRobinson). His answers to my questions were highlighted in my most recent book, Tribe of Mentors.
For those of you not familiar with Adam, he has made a lifelong study of outflanking and outsmarting the competition. He is a rated chess master who was awarded a Life Title by the United States Chess Federation. As a teenager, he was personally mentored by Bobby Fischer in the 18 months leading up to his winning the world championship.
Then, in his first career, he developed a revolutionary approach to taking standardized tests as one of the two original co-founders of The Princeton Review. His paradigm-breaking — or “category killing,” as they say in publishing — test-prep book, The SAT: Cracking the System, is the only test-prep book ever to have become a New York Times bestseller. After selling his interest in The Princeton Review, Adam turned his attention in the early ’90s to the then-emerging field of artificial intelligence, developing a program that could analyze text and provide human-like commentary. He was later invited to join a well-known quant fund to develop statistical trading models, and since, he has established himself as an independent global macro advisor to the chief investment officers of a select group of the world’s most successful hedge funds and family offices.
Adam has also been one of this show’s most popular guests, and you can check out his first appearance here, and his second here.
Enjoy!
[image error]
[image error]
Adam Robinson — Outflanking and Outsmarting the Competitionhttps://rss.art19.com/episodes/214637f0-d9f6-4dee-8176-647817e58622.mp3Download
Listen to it on Apple Podcasts.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Want to hear another conversation with an investor who has his mind on more than money? — Check out my interview with Steve Jurvetson, an early VC investor in SpaceX, Tesla, Planet, Memphis Meats, and Hotmail. Stream below or right-click here to download.
Steve Jurvetson — The Midas Touch and Mind-Bending Futureshttps://rss.art19.com/episodes/66c69066-e7a1-4f69-9313-f6c89b6a443e.mp3Download
This podcast is brought to you by 99designs, the world’s largest marketplace of graphic designers. I have used them for years to create some amazing designs. Whether your business needs a logo, website design, business card, or anything you can imagine, check out 99designs.
I used them to rapid prototype the cover for The Tao of Seneca, and I’ve also had them help with display advertising and illustrations. If you want a more personalized approach, I recommend their 1-on-1 service. You get original designs from designers around the world. The best part? You provide your feedback, and then you end up with a product that you’re happy with or your money back. Click this link and get a free $99 upgrade.
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Connect with Adam:
Adam’s past appearances on this show: Becoming the Best Version of You and Lessons from Warren Buffett, Bobby Fischer, and Other Outliers
Judgment Under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases by Daniel Kahneman, Paul Slovic, and Amos Tversky
Adam’s method of meditation is heart rate variability training (HRV).
A book on HRV: The HeartMath Solution: The Institute of HeartMath’s Revolutionary Program for Engaging the Power of the Heart’s Intelligence by Doc Lew Childre and Howard Martin
Adam’s recommendation for tracking HRV.
An Invitation to the Great Game: A Parable of Love, Magic, and Everyday Miracles by Adam Robinson
Candid Camera
Punk’d
SHOW NOTES
What would Adam’s gigantic billboard say, and why? [04:18]
How do you change what you’re doing if you’re not getting the results you want? [05:29]
When self-confidence is almost as bad as self-doubt. [06:05]
Bad recommendations Adam hears often in the field of global finance. [07:02]
One of Adam’s most worthwhile investments — in spite of initial reluctance. [12:51]
A recent purchase of less than $200 that has had the most positive impact on Adam’s life. [16:50]
What new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved Adam’s life in the past five years? [17:21]
What advice would Adam give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the real world? [20:54]
What does Adam do when he feels overwhelmed or unfocused? [26:45]
What has Adam become better at saying “no” to in the last five years? [29:45]
An unusual habit or absurd thing Adam loves. [31:29]
PEOPLE MENTIONED
Bobby Fischer
Rudyard Kipling
Amelia Earhart
Daniel Kahneman
Paul Slovic
Michael Jordan
Josh Waitzkin
Benjamin Disraeli
Mark Twain
Ashton Kutcher
Adam Robinson — Outflanking and Outsmarting the Competition
[image error]
“If I realize my focus is off, and certainly when I’m experiencing any negative emotions, I ask myself, ‘Where should my attention be right now?’ Almost always, the answer is ‘my mission,’ which is like a beacon that always beckons.” — Adam Robinson
Welcome to another episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, where I share the habits, tools and patterns of world-class performers. This special short episode features insights from Adam Robinson (@IAmAdamRobinson). His answers to my questions were highlighted in my most recent book, Tribe of Mentors.
For those of you not familiar with Adam, he has made a lifelong study of outflanking and outsmarting the competition. He is a rated chess master who was awarded a Life Title by the United States Chess Federation. As a teenager, he was personally mentored by Bobby Fischer in the 18 months leading up to his winning the world championship.
Then, in his first career, he developed a revolutionary approach to taking standardized tests as one of the two original co-founders of The Princeton Review. His paradigm-breaking — or “category killing,” as they say in publishing — test-prep book, The SAT: Cracking the System, is the only test-prep book ever to have become a New York Times bestseller. After selling his interest in The Princeton Review, Adam turned his attention in the early ’90s to the then-emerging field of artificial intelligence, developing a program that could analyze text and provide human-like commentary. He was later invited to join a well-known quant fund to develop statistical trading models, and since, he has established himself as an independent global macro advisor to the chief investment officers of a select group of the world’s most successful hedge funds and family offices.
Adam has also been one of this show’s most popular guests, and you can check out his first appearance here, and his second here.
Enjoy!
[image error]
[image error]
Adam Robinson — Outflanking and Outsmarting the Competition
https://rss.art19.com/episodes/214637f0-d9f6-4dee-8176-647817e58622.mp3Download
Listen to it on Apple Podcasts.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Want to hear another conversation with an investor who has his mind on more than money? — Check out my interview with Steve Jurvetson, an early VC investor in SpaceX, Tesla, Planet, Memphis Meats, and Hotmail. Stream below or right-click here to download.
Steve Jurvetson — The Midas Touch and Mind-Bending Futureshttps://rss.art19.com/episodes/66c69066-e7a1-4f69-9313-f6c89b6a443e.mp3Download
This podcast is brought to you by 99designs, the world’s largest marketplace of graphic designers. I have used them for years to create some amazing designs. Whether your business needs a logo, website design, business card, or anything you can imagine, check out 99designs.
I used them to rapid prototype the cover for The Tao of Seneca, and I’ve also had them help with display advertising and illustrations. If you want a more personalized approach, I recommend their 1-on-1 service. You get original designs from designers around the world. The best part? You provide your feedback, and then you end up with a product that you’re happy with or your money back. Click this link and get a free $99 upgrade.
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Connect with Adam:
Adam’s past appearances on this show: Becoming the Best Version of You and Lessons from Warren Buffett, Bobby Fischer, and Other Outliers
Judgment Under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases by Daniel Kahneman, Paul Slovic, and Amos Tversky
Adam’s method of meditation is heart rate variability training (HRV).
A book on HRV: The HeartMath Solution: The Institute of HeartMath’s Revolutionary Program for Engaging the Power of the Heart’s Intelligence by Doc Lew Childre and Howard Martin
Adam’s recommendation for tracking HRV.
An Invitation to the Great Game: A Parable of Love, Magic, and Everyday Miracles by Adam Robinson
Candid Camera
Punk’d
SHOW NOTES
What would Adam’s gigantic billboard say, and why? [04:18]
How do you change what you’re doing if you’re not getting the results you want? [05:29]
When self-confidence is almost as bad as self-doubt. [06:05]
Bad recommendations Adam hears often in the field of global finance. [07:02]
One of Adam’s most worthwhile investments — in spite of initial reluctance. [12:51]
A recent purchase of less than $200 that has had the most positive impact on Adam’s life. [16:50]
What new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved Adam’s life in the past five years? [17:21]
What advice would Adam give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the real world? [20:54]
What does Adam do when he feels overwhelmed or unfocused? [26:45]
What has Adam become better at saying “no” to in the last five years? [29:45]
An unusual habit or absurd thing Adam loves. [31:29]
PEOPLE MENTIONED
Bobby Fischer
Rudyard Kipling
Amelia Earhart
Daniel Kahneman
Paul Slovic
Michael Jordan
Josh Waitzkin
Benjamin Disraeli
Mark Twain
Ashton Kutcher
June 18, 2018
Brandon Stanton – The Story of Humans of New York and 25M+ Fans (#321)
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“Doing anything less than something amazing is squandering this whole reason that you’re here.” – Brandon Stanton
Brandon Stanton (@humansofny) is the photographer behind Humans of New York. He attended the University of Georgia and worked as a bond trader in Chicago before moving to New York to pursue photography. Followed by over 25 million people on social media, Humans of New York features daily glimpses into the lives of strangers on the streets of New York City. It has been turned into two #1 New York Times bestselling books: Humans of New York and Humans of New York: Stories. In recent years, Brandon has expanded the blog to include stories from over thirty different countries, and was invited in 2015 to interview Barack Obama in the oval office. In 2017, Humans of New York was turned into a television series that is now available on Facebook Watch.
Enjoy!
[image error]
[image error]
Brandon Stanton - The Story of Humans of New York and 25M+ Fanshttps://rss.art19.com/episodes/3fd5315a-966f-4a6c-82a8-0303a51e1b26.mp3Download
Listen to it on Apple Podcasts.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Want to hear another podcast with an innovative artist? — Listen to my conversation with Soman Chainani, author of The School for Good and Evil series, in which we discuss publishing stories, personal discipline, and remaining true to an artistic vision when money’s on the table. (Stream below or right-click here to download):
Soman Chainani — The School for Good and Evilhttps://rss.art19.com/episodes/97f49b4c-91a4-44e6-a4e4-67e6745e5486.mp3Download
This podcast is brought to you by WordPress, my go-to platform for 24/7-supported, zero downtime blogging, writing online, creating websites — everything! I love it to bits, and the lead developer, Matt Mullenweg, has appeared on this podcast many times.
Whether for personal use or business, you’re in good company with WordPress, which is used by The New Yorker, Jay Z, Beyoncé, FiveThirtyEight, TechCrunch, TED, CNN, and Time, just to name a few. A source at Google told me that WordPress offers “the best out-of-the-box SEO imaginable,” which is probably why it runs nearly 30% of the Internet. Go to WordPress.com/Tim to get 15% off your website today!
This podcast is also brought to you by Four Sigmatic. While I often praise this company’s lion’s mane mushroom coffee for a minimal caffeine wakeup call that lasts, I asked the founders if they could help me—someone who’s struggled with insomnia for decades—sleep. Their answer: Reishi Mushroom Elixir. They made a special batch for me and my listeners that comes without sweetener; you can try it at bedtime with a little honey or nut milk, or you can just add hot water to your single-serving packet and embrace its bitterness like I do.
Try it right now by going to foursigmatic.com/ferriss and using the code Ferriss to get 20 percent off this rare, limited run of Reishi Mushroom Elixir. If you are in the experimental mindset, I do not think you’ll be disappointed.
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Connect with Brandon Stanton:
Humans of New York | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton
Humans of New York: Stories by Brandon Stanton
Little Humans by Brandon Stanton
Humans of New York: The Series
The Magna Carta
Georgia State University Perimeter College
Michael Pollan — Exploring The New Science of Psychedelics, The Tim Ferriss Show
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin
Poor Richard’s Almanac by Benjamin Franklin
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., Edited by Clayborne Carson
The Years of Lyndon Johnson Set by Robert A. Caro
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson
An Autobiography by Theodore Roosevelt by Theodore Roosevelt
Hitler: A Biography by Ian Kershaw
Stalin: New Biography of a Dictator by Oleg V. Khlevniuk
Liar’s Poker by Michael Lewis
Understanding 6 Point Perspective by Dick Termes, Termesphere Online Gallery
Rule of Thirds by Darren Rowse, Digital Photography Studio
Introduction to White Balance by Darren Rowse, Digital Photography Studio
The Green Lady, Humans of New York
The Green Lady of Brooklyn by Corey Kilgannon, The New York Times
Macmillan Publishers
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
SHOW NOTES
A notable time in Brandon’s youth when he got in trouble. [07:54]
What led to Brandon’s exit from college and the journey toward what would become Humans of New York? [09:25]
Where did Brandon’s preoccupation with purpose originate? [12:25]
What was it like growing up in Marietta, Georgia? [14:49]
Why Brandon majored in history. [17:00]
What catalyzed Brandon’s committment to reading 100 pages per day? [18:17]
Why Brandon considers biographies “the best form of history.” [21:54]
What biographies might Brandon recommend? [23:04]
What the study of history’s most persuasive villains really teaches us. [25:50]
How betting on Obama got Brandon into bond trading in Chicago as his first real job. [28:27]
A history major’s philosophical take on the stock market — what Brandon learned as a trader and why he stopped after two years. [32:20]
How having an obsessive streak can be an asset in some fields and a liability in others. [39:06]
In spite of the fear leading up to it, Brandon found the loss of his trading job curiously liberating. [44:30]
The real genesis of Humans of New York. [46:30]
How did Brandon cover his expenses in the time between losing his trading job and Humans of New York becoming profitable? [48:31]
Why did Brandon make New York his base of operations? [51:30]
When Brandon was a newcomer to photography, what did he do to improve his craft? To him, what makes a good photograph? [56:06]
How has Humans of New York changed over time to become what it is today? [1:01:30]
Who is The Green Lady, and how did Brandon’s encounter with her become a turning point for Humans of New York? [1:03:37]
Brandon isn’t used to being the subject. [1:08:50]
How does Brandon approach and open conversation with potential subjects, and how has the process changed over the past eight years? [1:09:54]
How did Brandon handle early days when rejection came in waves and self-confidence was low? [1:13:14]
Humans of New York often proves therapeutic to the people on both sides of the lens. [1:18:50]
Introductory questions as a springboard into real conversation, and how Brandon becomes 100 percent present in the presence of someone he’s just met. [1:25:09]
One recent example of how a conversation got from that springboard to a place of depth. [1:29:05]
How often do subjects ask that their stories not be made public? What’s the disclosure process? [1:33:16]
Generating compensation to afford more than peanut butter and jelly sandwiches without losing integrity. [1:36:25]
Was it easy for Brandon to find a publisher for his first book? [1:40:36]
Reasons publishers gave for passing on Brandon’s first book. [1:43:08]
The paradox of being derivative. [1:43:51]
What’s next for Brandon? [1:46:17]
My book recommendation for Brandon before he starts his next adventure. [1:50:30]
Final thoughts. [1:51:53]
PEOPLE MENTIONED
Joe Gebbia
Ben Franklin
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Lyndon B. Johnson
Robert Caro
Walter Isaacson
Theodore Roosevelt
Adolf Hitler
Joseph Stalin
Barack Obama
Hillary Clinton
Studs Turkel
Elizabeth Sweetheart (The Green Lady)
Neal Stephenson
Brandon Stanton – The Story of Humans of New York and 25M+ Fans
[image error]
“Doing anything less than something amazing is squandering this whole reason that you’re here.” – Brandon Stanton
Brandon Stanton (@humansofny) is the photographer behind Humans of New York. He attended the University of Georgia and worked as a bond trader in Chicago before moving to New York to pursue photography. Followed by over 25 million people on social media, Humans of New York features daily glimpses into the lives of strangers on the streets of New York City. It has been turned into two #1 New York Times bestselling books: Humans of New York and Humans of New York: Stories. In recent years, Brandon has expanded the blog to include stories from over thirty different countries, and was invited in 2015 to interview Barack Obama in the oval office. In 2017, Humans of New York was turned into a television series that is now available on Facebook Watch.
Enjoy!
[image error]
[image error]
Brandon Stanton - The Story of Humans of New York and 25M+ Fans
https://rss.art19.com/episodes/3fd5315a-966f-4a6c-82a8-0303a51e1b26.mp3Download
Listen to it on Apple Podcasts.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Want to hear another podcast with an innovative artist? — Listen to my conversation with Soman Chainani, author of The School for Good and Evil series, in which we discuss publishing stories, personal discipline, and remaining true to an artistic vision when money’s on the table. (Stream below or right-click here to download):
Soman Chainani — The School for Good and Evilhttps://rss.art19.com/episodes/97f49b4c-91a4-44e6-a4e4-67e6745e5486.mp3Download
This podcast is brought to you by WordPress, my go-to platform for 24/7-supported, zero downtime blogging, writing online, creating websites — everything! I love it to bits, and the lead developer, Matt Mullenweg, has appeared on this podcast many times.
Whether for personal use or business, you’re in good company with WordPress, which is used by The New Yorker, Jay Z, Beyoncé, FiveThirtyEight, TechCrunch, TED, CNN, and Time, just to name a few. A source at Google told me that WordPress offers “the best out-of-the-box SEO imaginable,” which is probably why it runs nearly 30% of the Internet. Go to WordPress.com/Tim to get 15% off your website today!
This podcast is also brought to you by Four Sigmatic. While I often praise this company’s lion’s mane mushroom coffee for a minimal caffeine wakeup call that lasts, I asked the founders if they could help me—someone who’s struggled with insomnia for decades—sleep. Their answer: Reishi Mushroom Elixir. They made a special batch for me and my listeners that comes without sweetener; you can try it at bedtime with a little honey or nut milk, or you can just add hot water to your single-serving packet and embrace its bitterness like I do.
Try it right now by going to foursigmatic.com/ferriss and using the code Ferriss to get 20 percent off this rare, limited run of Reishi Mushroom Elixir. If you are in the experimental mindset, I do not think you’ll be disappointed.
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Connect with Brandon Stanton:
Humans of New York | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton
Humans of New York: Stories by Brandon Stanton
Little Humans by Brandon Stanton
Humans of New York: The Series
The Magna Carta
Georgia State University Perimeter College
Michael Pollan — Exploring The New Science of Psychedelics, The Tim Ferriss Show
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin
Poor Richard’s Almanac by Benjamin Franklin
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., Edited by Clayborne Carson
The Years of Lyndon Johnson Set by Robert A. Caro
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson
An Autobiography by Theodore Roosevelt by Theodore Roosevelt
Hitler: A Biography by Ian Kershaw
Stalin: New Biography of a Dictator by Oleg V. Khlevniuk
Liar’s Poker by Michael Lewis
Understanding 6 Point Perspective by Dick Termes, Termesphere Online Gallery
Rule of Thirds by Darren Rowse, Digital Photography Studio
Introduction to White Balance by Darren Rowse, Digital Photography Studio
The Green Lady, Humans of New York
The Green Lady of Brooklyn by Corey Kilgannon, The New York Times
Macmillan Publishers
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
SHOW NOTES
A notable time in Brandon’s youth when he got in trouble. [07:54]
What led to Brandon’s exit from college and the journey toward what would become Humans of New York? [09:25]
Where did Brandon’s preoccupation with purpose originate? [12:25]
What was it like growing up in Marietta, Georgia? [14:49]
Why Brandon majored in history. [17:00]
What catalyzed Brandon’s committment to reading 100 pages per day? [18:17]
Why Brandon considers biographies “the best form of history.” [21:54]
What biographies might Brandon recommend? [23:04]
What the study of history’s most persuasive villains really teaches us. [25:50]
How betting on Obama got Brandon into bond trading in Chicago as his first real job. [28:27]
A history major’s philosophical take on the stock market — what Brandon learned as a trader and why he stopped after two years. [32:20]
How having an obsessive streak can be an asset in some fields and a liability in others. [39:06]
In spite of the fear leading up to it, Brandon found the loss of his trading job curiously liberating. [44:30]
The real genesis of Humans of New York. [46:30]
How did Brandon cover his expenses in the time between losing his trading job and Humans of New York becoming profitable? [48:31]
Why did Brandon make New York his base of operations? [51:30]
When Brandon was a newcomer to photography, what did he do to improve his craft? To him, what makes a good photograph? [56:06]
How has Humans of New York changed over time to become what it is today? [1:01:30]
Who is The Green Lady, and how did Brandon’s encounter with her become a turning point for Humans of New York? [1:03:37]
Brandon isn’t used to being the subject. [1:08:50]
How does Brandon approach and open conversation with potential subjects, and how has the process changed over the past eight years? [1:09:54]
How did Brandon handle early days when rejection came in waves and self-confidence was low? [1:13:14]
Humans of New York often proves therapeutic to the people on both sides of the lens. [1:18:50]
Introductory questions as a springboard into real conversation, and how Brandon becomes 100 percent present in the presence of someone he’s just met. [1:25:09]
One recent example of how a conversation got from that springboard to a place of depth. [1:29:05]
How often do subjects ask that their stories not be made public? What’s the disclosure process? [1:33:16]
Generating compensation to afford more than peanut butter and jelly sandwiches without losing integrity. [1:36:25]
Was it easy for Brandon to find a publisher for his first book? [1:40:36]
Reasons publishers gave for passing on Brandon’s first book. [1:43:08]
The paradox of being derivative. [1:43:51]
What’s next for Brandon? [1:46:17]
My book recommendation for Brandon before he starts his next adventure. [1:50:30]
Final thoughts. [1:51:53]
PEOPLE MENTIONED
Joe Gebbia
Ben Franklin
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Lyndon B. Johnson
Robert Caro
Walter Isaacson
Theodore Roosevelt
Adolf Hitler
Joseph Stalin
Barack Obama
Hillary Clinton
Studs Turkel
Elizabeth Sweetheart (The Green Lady)
Neal Stephenson
June 14, 2018
The Art of Hospitality: An Interview With Entrepreneur and Hotelier Liz Lambert (#320)
Credits: Pia Riverola
“There’s something so awesome about where elegance meets rock and roll.”
— Liz Lambert
Liz Lambert (@thelizlambert) first purchased a seedy motel on South Congress Avenue 23 years ago, and transformed it into Hotel San José, which has become known today as the quintessential “Austin” hotel. The success of Hotel San José, which sparked a revitalization in the city’s now thriving South Congress district, led her to launch Bunkhouse Group, a hospitality company founded on the pillars of design, music, and community-driven experiences.
In the course of chronicling her experiences with the residents of Hotel San José on video camera, she ended up making the Last Days of the San José, a documentary that casts a fascinating light on human relationships in gentrification and urban renewal. You can check out the trailer here, click here to be notified when streaming becomes available, or get a copy of the DVD here.
Enjoy!
[image error]
[image error]
Liz Lambert — The Unstoppable Hotelier https://rss.art19.com/episodes/85a66b23-4f0c-4531-9816-758b62d6b57c.mp3Download
Listen to it on Apple Podcasts.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Want to hear another episode with someone who takes design seriously? — Listen to my interview with Debbie Millman in which we discuss catalyzing low points, a ten-year plan for a remarkable life, and much more. (Stream below or right-click here to download):
How to Design a Life - Debbie Millmanhttps://rss.art19.com/episodes/a125690b-22e8-4d37-ae6a-f136c1df2cc0.mp3Download
This podcast is brought to you by Soothe.com, the world’s largest on-demand massage service. Because I’ve been broken so many times, I have body work done at least twice a week, and I have a high bar for this stuff. I do not accept mediocrity, and I wouldn’t expect you to, either.
After much personal testing, I can affirm that Soothe delivers a hand-selected, licensed, and experienced massage therapist to you in the comfort of your own home, hotel, or office in as little as an hour. I was amazed at the quality of service and convenience. Think of it as Uber for massages, available in fifty cities worldwide. Download the app at Soothe.com and use code TIM25 to get $25 off your first massage.
This podcast is also brought to you by Peloton, which has become a staple of my daily routine. I picked up this bike after seeing the success of my friend Kevin Rose, and I’ve been enjoying it more than I ever imagined. Peloton is an indoor cycling bike that brings live studio classes right to your home. No worrying about fitting classes into your busy schedule or making it to a studio with a crazy commute.
New classes are added every day, and this includes options led by elite NYC instructors in your own living room. You can even live stream studio classes taught by the world’s best instructors, or find your favorite class on demand.
Peloton is offering listeners to this show a special offer. Visit onepeloton.com and enter the code TIM at checkout to receive $100 off accessories with your Peloton bike purchase. This is a great way to get in your workouts, or an incredible gift. Again, that’s onepeloton.com and enter the code TIM.
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Connect with Liz Lambert:
Bunkhouse Group | Twitter | Instagram
Trailer for the Last Days of The San José
Hotel San José
South Congress, Visit Austin, TX
American Film Institute
Texas Christian University
Stanford University
The University of Texas at Austin
Texas Monthly
Manhattan District Attorney’s Office
7 Things to Know about Mid-Century Design Pioneer Florence Knoll by Aileen Kwun, Artsy
The Visitor by Carolyn Forché
A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction by Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa, Murray Silverstein, Max Jacobson, Ingrid Fiksdahl-King, and Shlomo Angel
Lake Flato
The Continental Club
Jo’s Coffee
The Timeless Way of Building by Christopher Alexander
Tuscan Village
El Cosmico
Lone Star Bohemia: The Renaissance of Marfa, the West Texas Playground of the Arts by Sean Wilsey and Daphne Beal, Vanity Fair
Thunderbird Marfa
Behind the Design: Liz Lambert, Bunkhouse Hotels by Natalie Marchbanks Dolling, Block Print Social
Bunkhouse Group Playlists on Spotify
Hotel Saint Cecilia
Satya Sai Baba Nag Champa
The Rolling Stones Recall the Decadent Splendour of Exile On Main St. by Paul Sexton, uDiscoverMusic.com
Bob Dylan Taking Tea
Saint Cecilia, Franciscan Media
Pinus Taeda (Loblolly Pine), Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
SXSW Conference & Festivals
Joie de Vivre
The Phoenix Hotel
Chip Conley: Should I Take My Burning Man Pics off Facebook? by Paul Sloan, CBS News Moneywatch
PEAK: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow Revised and Updated by Chip Conley
Emotional Equations: Simple Steps for Creating Happiness + Success in Business + Life by Chip Conley
How to Become an Effective CEO: Chief Emotions Officer by Chip Conley, Tim.blog
Measuring What Makes Life Worthwhile by Chip Conley, TED 2010
Hotel San Cristóbal Baja
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs by Saul McLeod, Simply Psychology
Maslowtopia, Burners.me
McGuire Moorman Hospitality
Biography of the Dollar: How the Mighty Buck Conquered the World and Why It’s Under Siege by Craig Karmin
The Dream of a Common Language: Poems 1974-1977 by Adrienne Rich
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion
When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron
The Second Coming by William Butler Yeats
YMCA Texas Youth and Government
SHOW NOTES
Some background on the documentary that chronicles Liz Lambert’s transformation of a vintage motel from transient crash pad to boutique hotel: Last Days of The San José. [08:24]
What prompted this transformation? [13:51]
How the documentary came about. [15:39]
After a particularly bad week, this documentary reminded me to be grateful for everything I have. [17:49]
Why did Liz go to three schools as an undergrad to pursue humanities? [21:34]
What does it mean to be “a Texan, through and through,” and why do Texans tend to specify a region when discussing the state? [23:36]
How did Liz make the decision to study law after focusing on poetry? [25:05]
Does Liz regret the time she spent as a lawyer? [26:33]
How did Liz go from practicing law to owning a seedy motel to scratching her itch to design? [27:42]
As a lawyer with liberal politics, what made Liz choose to be a prosecutor rather than a defender? [30:39]
On moving back to Texas after becoming the first openly gay person hired at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. [33:48]
The death of a friend and a re-evaluation of priorities. [34:58]
How did Liz find her footing and approach to doing what she now does? [36:28]
Persuading investors to throw money at an expensive hotel overhaul is a skill set well-suited to a lawyer, but having an experienced business partner, taking a few math classes, and spending long hours behind the front desk can help. [40:55]
Is there anything about The San José renovation Liz would do differently now as a more experienced hotelier? [47:41]
On restoring the hotel’s traditional role as a hub that serves the community. [50:03]
Taking inspiration from architect and design theorist Christopher Alexander. [52:53]
What is “the quality without a name?” [54:05]
At 1171 pages, A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction is simultaneously intimidating and fascinating — but highly recommended. [55:26]
What’s so special about El Cosmico in Marfa? [56:58]
What makes each Bunkhouse property a unique experience? [1:02:54]
What is Hotel Saint Cecilia’s story? [1:04:25]
“Let people be the color in the room.” [1:07:05]
The “Mexico meets Japan” style of The San José explained, the chaos of a soft open during SXSW, and first impressions. [1:09:22]
Who is Chip Conley, what has Liz learned from him, and where did Liz and I unknowingly cross paths thanks to him? [1:16:42]
How Chip ties into Bunkhouse’s recent international expansion. [1:22:04]
The importance of operational rigor to the success of a business. [1:22:38]
How does Liz balance the desire to be an artist with the desire to be a business tycoon? [1:24:22]
Does Liz have an idea of what she’d like her hotel empire to look like in the next few years? [1:27:36]
What famous hotel wrecker Keith Moon and Liz might have agreed upon regarding the homogenization of chain hotels. [1:30:14]
Liz’s vision for the future isn’t just about what’s good for her. [1:32:37]
On work-life balance, a growing family, and the realization of mortality. [1:34:25]
Books gifted and reread most often. [1:37:07]
A time when Liz learned more from something going wrong than she would have had it gone right. [1:43:00]
What would Liz’s billboard say? [1:48:29]
Parting thoughts. [1:50:42]
PEOPLE MENTIONED
Jennifer Lane
Uta Briesewitz
Tina Gazzerro Clapp
Jeff Bezos
Florence Knoll
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Carolyn Forché
Christopher Alexander
Eddie Safady
Donald Judd
Bob Dylan
The Rolling Stones
Lyndon Lambert
Rudolph Michael Schindler
Chip Conley
Christian Strobel
Abraham Maslow
Larry McGuire
Keith Moon
Erin Lee Smith
Adrienne Rich
Cheryl Strayed
Joan Didion
John Wayne
Pema Chodron
Seth Godin
W.B. Yeats
Ryan Holiday
Gautama Buddha
Jack Kerouac
The Art of Hospitality: An Interview With Entrepreneur and Hotelier Liz Lambert
Credits: Pia Riverola
“There’s something so awesome about where elegance meets rock and roll.”
— Liz Lambert
Liz Lambert (@thelizlambert) first purchased a seedy motel on South Congress Avenue 23 years ago, and transformed it into Hotel San José, which has become known today as the quintessential “Austin” hotel. The success of Hotel San José, which sparked a revitalization in the city’s now thriving South Congress district, led her to launch Bunkhouse Group, a hospitality company founded on the pillars of design, music, and community-driven experiences.
In the course of chronicling her experiences with the residents of Hotel San José on video camera, she ended up making the Last Days of the San José, a documentary that casts a fascinating light on human relationships in gentrification and urban renewal. You can check out the trailer here, click here to be notified when streaming becomes available, or get a copy of the DVD here.
Enjoy!
[image error]
[image error]
Liz Lambert — The Unstoppable Hotelier https://rss.art19.com/episodes/85a66b23-4f0c-4531-9816-758b62d6b57c.mp3Download
Listen to it on Apple Podcasts.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Want to hear another episode with someone who takes design seriously? — Listen to my interview with Debbie Millman in which we discuss catalyzing low points, a ten-year plan for a remarkable life, and much more. (Stream below or right-click here to download):
How to Design a Life - Debbie Millmanhttps://rss.art19.com/episodes/a125690b-22e8-4d37-ae6a-f136c1df2cc0.mp3Download
This podcast is brought to you by Soothe.com, the world’s largest on-demand massage service. Because I’ve been broken so many times, I have body work done at least twice a week, and I have a high bar for this stuff. I do not accept mediocrity, and I wouldn’t expect you to, either.
After much personal testing, I can affirm that Soothe delivers a hand-selected, licensed, and experienced massage therapist to you in the comfort of your own home, hotel, or office in as little as an hour. I was amazed at the quality of service and convenience. Think of it as Uber for massages, available in fifty cities worldwide. Download the app at Soothe.com and use code TIM25 to get $25 off your first massage.
This podcast is also brought to you by Peloton, which has become a staple of my daily routine. I picked up this bike after seeing the success of my friend Kevin Rose, and I’ve been enjoying it more than I ever imagined. Peloton is an indoor cycling bike that brings live studio classes right to your home. No worrying about fitting classes into your busy schedule or making it to a studio with a crazy commute.
New classes are added every day, and this includes options led by elite NYC instructors in your own living room. You can even live stream studio classes taught by the world’s best instructors, or find your favorite class on demand.
Peloton is offering listeners to this show a special offer. Visit onepeloton.com and enter the code TIM at checkout to receive $100 off accessories with your Peloton bike purchase. This is a great way to get in your workouts, or an incredible gift. Again, that’s onepeloton.com and enter the code TIM.
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Connect with Liz Lambert:
Bunkhouse Group | Twitter | Instagram
Trailer for the Last Days of The San José
Hotel San José
South Congress, Visit Austin, TX
American Film Institute
Texas Christian University
Stanford University
The University of Texas at Austin
Texas Monthly
Manhattan District Attorney’s Office
7 Things to Know about Mid-Century Design Pioneer Florence Knoll by Aileen Kwun, Artsy
The Visitor by Carolyn Forché
A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction by Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa, Murray Silverstein, Max Jacobson, Ingrid Fiksdahl-King, and Shlomo Angel
Lake Flato
The Continental Club
Jo’s Coffee
The Timeless Way of Building by Christopher Alexander
Tuscan Village
El Cosmico
Lone Star Bohemia: The Renaissance of Marfa, the West Texas Playground of the Arts by Sean Wilsey and Daphne Beal, Vanity Fair
Thunderbird Marfa
Behind the Design: Liz Lambert, Bunkhouse Hotels by Natalie Marchbanks Dolling, Block Print Social
Bunkhouse Group Playlists on Spotify
Hotel Saint Cecilia
Satya Sai Baba Nag Champa
The Rolling Stones Recall the Decadent Splendour of Exile On Main St. by Paul Sexton, uDiscoverMusic.com
Bob Dylan Taking Tea
Saint Cecilia, Franciscan Media
Pinus Taeda (Loblolly Pine), Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
SXSW Conference & Festivals
Joie de Vivre
The Phoenix Hotel
Chip Conley: Should I Take My Burning Man Pics off Facebook? by Paul Sloan, CBS News Moneywatch
PEAK: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow Revised and Updated by Chip Conley
Emotional Equations: Simple Steps for Creating Happiness + Success in Business + Life by Chip Conley
How to Become an Effective CEO: Chief Emotions Officer by Chip Conley, Tim.blog
Measuring What Makes Life Worthwhile by Chip Conley, TED 2010
Hotel San Cristóbal Baja
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs by Saul McLeod, Simply Psychology
Maslowtopia, Burners.me
McGuire Moorman Hospitality
Biography of the Dollar: How the Mighty Buck Conquered the World and Why It’s Under Siege by Craig Karmin
The Dream of a Common Language: Poems 1974-1977 by Adrienne Rich
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion
When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron
The Second Coming by William Butler Yeats
YMCA Texas Youth and Government
SHOW NOTES
Some background on the documentary that chronicles Liz Lambert’s transformation of a vintage motel from transient crash pad to boutique hotel: Last Days of The San José. [08:24]
What prompted this transformation? [13:51]
How the documentary came about. [15:39]
After a particularly bad week, this documentary reminded me to be grateful for everything I have. [17:49]
Why did Liz go to three schools as an undergrad to pursue humanities? [21:34]
What does it mean to be “a Texan, through and through,” and why do Texans tend to specify a region when discussing the state? [23:36]
How did Liz make the decision to study law after focusing on poetry? [25:05]
Does Liz regret the time she spent as a lawyer? [26:33]
How did Liz go from practicing law to owning a seedy motel to scratching her itch to design? [27:42]
As a lawyer with liberal politics, what made Liz choose to be a prosecutor rather than a defender? [30:39]
On moving back to Texas after becoming the first openly gay person hired at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. [33:48]
The death of a friend and a re-evaluation of priorities. [34:58]
How did Liz find her footing and approach to doing what she now does? [36:28]
Persuading investors to throw money at an expensive hotel overhaul is a skill set well-suited to a lawyer, but having an experienced business partner, taking a few math classes, and spending long hours behind the front desk can help. [40:55]
Is there anything about The San José renovation Liz would do differently now as a more experienced hotelier? [47:41]
On restoring the hotel’s traditional role as a hub that serves the community. [50:03]
Taking inspiration from architect and design theorist Christopher Alexander. [52:53]
What is “the quality without a name?” [54:05]
At 1171 pages, A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction is simultaneously intimidating and fascinating — but highly recommended. [55:26]
What’s so special about El Cosmico in Marfa? [56:58]
What makes each Bunkhouse property a unique experience? [1:02:54]
What is Hotel Saint Cecilia’s story? [1:04:25]
“Let people be the color in the room.” [1:07:05]
The “Mexico meets Japan” style of The San José explained, the chaos of a soft open during SXSW, and first impressions. [1:09:22]
Who is Chip Conley, what has Liz learned from him, and where did Liz and I unknowingly cross paths thanks to him? [1:16:42]
How Chip ties into Bunkhouse’s recent international expansion. [1:22:04]
The importance of operational rigor to the success of a business. [1:22:38]
How does Liz balance the desire to be an artist with the desire to be a business tycoon? [1:24:22]
Does Liz have an idea of what she’d like her hotel empire to look like in the next few years? [1:27:36]
What famous hotel wrecker Keith Moon and Liz might have agreed upon regarding the homogenization of chain hotels. [1:30:14]
Liz’s vision for the future isn’t just about what’s good for her. [1:32:37]
On work-life balance, a growing family, and the realization of mortality. [1:34:25]
Books gifted and reread most often. [1:37:07]
A time when Liz learned more from something going wrong than she would have had it gone right. [1:43:00]
What would Liz’s billboard say? [1:48:29]
Parting thoughts. [1:50:42]
PEOPLE MENTIONED
Jennifer Lane
Uta Briesewitz
Tina Gazzerro Clapp
Jeff Bezos
Florence Knoll
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Carolyn Forché
Christopher Alexander
Eddie Safady
Donald Judd
Bob Dylan
The Rolling Stones
Lyndon Lambert
Rudolph Michael Schindler
Chip Conley
Christian Strobel
Abraham Maslow
Larry McGuire
Keith Moon
Erin Lee Smith
Adrienne Rich
Cheryl Strayed
Joan Didion
John Wayne
Pema Chodron
Seth Godin
W.B. Yeats
Ryan Holiday
Gautama Buddha
Jack Kerouac
