Timothy Ferriss's Blog, page 79

January 26, 2017

The Most Feared and Well-Liked Journalist in Silicon Valley – Kara Swisher

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“Smart people like to be challenged and they like smart people challenging them.”

– Kara Swisher

Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) has been called “Silicon Valley’s most feared and well-liked journalist” by New York Magazine. Here’s just one example: you can graph the impact on Yahoo’s stock price by various posts by Kara. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

She attended Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service prior to changing course to journalism. It turns out many of the skills that would make a good spy are those that make a good journalist: developing sources, asking good questions, scenario planning, and much more. She forged her reputation at the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal, and now she spends the majority of her time as Executive Editor of Recode and the host of the Recode Decode podcast.

Over the last 11 years and alongside Walt Mossberg, she has also co-produced D: All Things Digital, a major high-tech conference with interviewees such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and many other leading players in the tech and media industries.

In this podcast episode, she and I cover a lot of subjects, enjoy quite a few laughs, and dig into details you can readily apply and test yourself. Topics include:

The art and craft of good questions
Lessons learned and favorite moments from interviewing Steve Jobs
What separates good from great journalists
War stories, missed opportunities, and “optimistic pessimism”

I hope that you enjoy this episode with Kara Swisher!

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Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”

Want to hear a podcast with another influential journalist? — Listen to my conversation with Ezra Klein. In this episode, we discuss influencing the rules of the game by which this country is run (overall politics — not partisan), how Ezra lost 60 pounds, and his ascension into the ranks of the most respected media companies in the world (stream below or right-click here to download):

This podcast is brought to you by Athletic Greens. I get asked all the time, “If you could only use one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is, inevitably, Athletic Greens. It is my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body and did not get paid to do so. Listeners of The Tim Ferriss Show get $100 worth of travel packs for free when placing an order — that’s twenty free additional travel pouches — at AthleticGreens.com/Tim.

This podcast is also brought to you by MeUndies. Does this year’s Valentine’s Day have you stumped? Skip the cliches and give a gift that looks great, feels amazing, and makes everybody happy: MeUndies. MeUndies knows that your special someone deserves a special fabric, which is why their underwear is made exclusively out of MicroModal, a fabric three times softer than cotton.

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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 Kara Swisher:

Twitter | Recode | Recode Decode podcast | All podcasts under the Recode umbrella | Instagram

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT)
Aol.com: How Steve Case Beat Bill Gates, Nailed the Netheads, and Made Millions in the War for the Web by Kara Swisher
Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers by Timothy Ferriss
As Trumplethinskin lets down his hair for tech, shame on Silicon Valley for climbing the Tower in silence by Kara Swisher, Recode
Tip: don’t do downward-facing dog when you’re in the middle of a public conversation with Kara Swisher
Stanford Prison Experiment
Logan | Official Trailer
Kara Swisher Is Silicon Valley’s Most Feared and Well-Liked Journalist. How Does That Work? by Benjamin Wallace, New York Magazine
Stockholm syndrome
Yahoo has confirmed a data breach with 500 million accounts stolen, as questions about disclosure to Verizon and users grow by Kara Swisher and Kurt Wagner, Recode
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Peter Thiel defends Donald Trump, saying we should stop taking the GOP nominee so literally by Kara Swisher, Recode
Father-Son Struggle Splinters Dynasty by Kara Swisher, The Washington Post
King Lear by William Shakespeare
The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White
Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion
The White Album by Joan Didion
Kara loves almost all Broadway shows — like Angels in America and Hamilton.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs at D8: The Full, Uncut Interview, All Things D
Writer Has Mini Stroke on Long-Haul Flight, ABC News
How to Get Away with Murder
Mark Zuckerberg Reverses His Position on “Fake News” by Maya Kosoff, Vanity Fair
The Problem of God at Georgetown University
Markings by Dag Hammarskjold and Leif Sjoberg
The Trial by Franz Kafka
Memento mori: “Remember that you must die.”
The Life and Death of Richard the Second by William Shakespeare
La La Land Official Trailer — ‘Dreamers’
A Sound of Thunder and Other Stories by Ray Bradbury
Sliding Doors
Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Speech 2005
The Gettysburg Address, Virtual Gettysburg
The Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC
The Address — A Film by Ken Burns

Show Notes

What separates a good journalist from a great journalist? [05:46]
The skills someone should have if they’re striving to be a great journalist. [06:16]
Why didn’t Kara pursue her original ambition of being a spy? [07:37]
Kara is both offended and fascinated by propaganda. [08:44]
How does Kara discern fact from fiction and cultivate her sources? [10:10]
No matter who you are, Kara has no problem calling you out on what everyone else is afraid to tell you. [14:38]
How has Kara avoided the trap of worrying about what people think of her? [16:46]
On false dichotomies and not just accepting whatever’s being offered. [18:12]
Kara talks about epiphanies that led her to leave comfortable jobs in pursuit of something more. [19:55]
Can someone be taught not to care too much about what others think? [21:06]
Resist conformity — lessons from Cato to Philip Zimbardo to Kara Swisher to Wolverine. [23:26]
“Smart people like to be challenged, and they like smart people challenging them.” [27:10]
Who does Kara rely on to tell her when she’s wrong? [30:45]
A time when Kara regrets not challenging someone’s statement. [32:52]
Kara’s take on reality distortion fields and Steve Jobs’s “aggressive” charisma [34:27]
Has Kara ever regretted hitting someone too hard in print? [41:04]
When did Kara first believe she could make it as a journalist? [43:03]
Kara says she’s a terrible teacher, so she recommends these books to aspiring writers and journalists. [45:00]
What makes a great event? Kara relates it to her love of theater. [49:23]
An unsatisfying habit. [53:02]
How does Kara choose which projects to take on and which projects to reject? [54:57]
Kara says a lot of her high-functioning behavior probably stems from one tragedy in her early life. [57:45]
Kara talks about her stroke five years ago. [1:00:17]
How does Kara want to be remembered? [1:03:55]
The keys to good parenting. [1:07:14]
If Kara had to give a TED Talk about something for which she’s not well known, what would the topic be? [1:15:54]
Who comes to mind when Kara hears the word “successful?” [1:16:39]
What would Kara’s billboard say? [1:19:57]
Favorite failure? [1:24:05]
What advice would Kara give to a younger version of herself? [1:30:00]
In a world of chaos with cynicism seemingly on the upswing, Kara considers herself an optimistic pessimist. [1:35:12]
Kara talks about her patriotism and the famous speech she carries with her everywhere. [1:37:02]
These days, Kara enjoys baiting “sore winners.” [1:40:48]

People Mentioned

Walt Mossberg
Bill Gates
Steve Jobs
Carrie Mathison
Donald Trump
Steve Case
Chris Sacca
Matt Mullenweg
Philip Zimbardo
Cato the Younger
Wolverine
Hugh Jackman
Marc Andreessen
Marissa Mayer
Sheryl Sandberg
Peter Thiel
Nick Denton
Megan Smith
Larry Ellison
Ben Bradlee
John Hendricks
John C. Malone
Gregg Pascal Zachary
Jerry Yang
Joe Kraus
Oprah Winfrey
Heather Locklear
Michelangelo
Viola Davis
Laurence Olivier
Pierre Omidyar
Mark Zuckerberg
Owen Van Natta
Jean-Paul Sartre
Albert Camus
Franz Kafka
Paul Cioffi
William Shakespeare
Thomas Edison
Nikola Tesla
Abraham Lincoln
Cheryl Strayed
Ray Bradbury
Gwyneth Paltrow
W. H. Auden
Ken Burns
James Corden

View more on Timothy Ferriss's website »

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Published on January 26, 2017 17:29

January 25, 2017

Tools of Titans — Full, Comprehensive Index!

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You asked for it, so here it is…

A comprehensive index for the #1 New York Times bestseller, Tools of Titans!

We didn’t have room when it was first published, but I went back to the publisher and they burned the midnight oil to get it done (thanks, HMH!).

Give it a quick glance. I found it oddly fun to read by itself, and it can help you find nearly any type of advice imaginable, all by theme, category, and name. This index will be added to the ebook and print editions soon.

In the meantime, anyone who would like a PDF (and printable) version of the index can view it below or download it by clicking the Scribd link.

Hope you enjoy, and thanks for reading!

Tools of Titans Index — Tim Ferriss by tferriss on Scribd

View more on Timothy Ferriss's website »

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Published on January 25, 2017 17:22

January 23, 2017

The One-Minute Workout Designed by Scientists — Dr. Martin Gibala

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“Life is an interval workout.” – Dr. Martin Gibala

Martin Gibala, Ph.D. (@gibalam) is a professor and chair of the kinesiology department at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. His research on the physiological and health benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has attracted immense scientific attention and worldwide media coverage.

Martin has published more than a hundred peer-reviewed articles, is frequently invited to speak at international scientific meetings, and has received multiple awards for teaching excellence. He is also the co-author of the brand-new book The One-Minute Workout: Science Shows a Way to Get Fit That’s Smarter, Faster, Shorter.

Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Martin Gibala!

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Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”

Want to hear another episode with one of the world’s top fitness experts? — Listen to this episode with strength coach Charles Poliquin. In this episode, we discuss, muscle-building techniques, how to become stronger, warmup routines, why people struggle to lose fat, and more (stream below or right-click here to download):

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. When 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 4-Hour Body, 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, which is non-spec. 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. Give it a test run…

This podcast is also brought to you by Audible. I have used Audible for years, and I love audiobooks. I have two to recommend:

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Vagabonding by Rolf Potts

All you need to do to get your free 30-day Audible trial is go to Audible.com/Tim. Choose one of the above books, or choose any of the endless options they offer. That could be a book, a newspaper, a magazine, or even a class. It’s that easy. Go to Audible.com/Tim and get started today. Enjoy.

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 Dr. Martin Gibala:

Twitter | McMaster University

The One-Minute Workout: Science Shows a Way to Get Fit That’s Smarter, Faster, Shorter by Martin Gibala and Christopher Shulgan
McMaster University’s Department of Kinesiology
Martin’s course: Integrative Physiology of Human Performance
What is VO2 max?
Metabolic equivalent (MET)
Importance of Assessing Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Clinical Practice: A Case for Fitness as a Clinical Vital Sign by Robert Ross, et al., Circulation
One example of an online VO2 max calculator
Physiological Adaptations to Low-Volume, High-Intensity Interval Training in Health and Disease by Martin J. Gibala, Jonathan P. Little, Maureen J. MacDonald, and John A. Hawley, The Journal of Physiology
Are Saunas the Next Big Performance-Enhancing “Drug?”
Mitochondria and citrate synthase
Life Fitness 95c, Lode Excalibur Sport, RacerMate, and Kettler are some of the bikes Martin uses for research and personal fitness.
What is peak power output (PPO)?
What is phosphocreatine?
What’s the Single Best Exercise? by Gretchen Reynolds, The New York Times
The Craft of Scientific Writing by Michael Alley
The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande
The First 20 Minutes: Surprising Science Reveals How We Can Exercise Better, Train Smarter, Live Longer by Gretchen Reynolds
Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights?: Fitness Myths, Training Truths, and Other Surprising Discoveries from the Science of Exercise by Alex Hutchinson

Show Notes

Setting the scene and learning how to pronounce “Gibala.” [05:11]
What falls under the purview of physiology? [06:19]
Martin talks about teaching integrative physiology at a college level and what his students find most fascinating (and confounding) about the curriculum. [06:48]
What is VO2 max? [08:46]
Is the link between high VO2 max and greater longevity a matter of causation or correlation? [11:48]
Should cardiorespiratory fitness be considered a clinical vital sign? [13:47]
Can VO2 max accurately be calculated online? [14:23]
When did Martin begin researching interval training, and what was the catalyst? [17:28]
Where Tabata training fits into the history behind the one-minute workout. [19:13]
What is the Tabata protocol? Is it especially efficacious, or has the data been overinterpreted? [21:25]
Why is most scientific interval training testing done on bikes? [25:12]
What was the first interval training study that surprised Martin? [27:44]
How is fatigue defined in lab tests on humans? [32:56]
What are mitochondria and why are they important? [36:08]
What minimal regimen would Martin recommend for a former competitive athlete with a history of minor injuries? [44:09]
Warmup and cooldown recommendations. [47:15]
How would Martin determine ideal starting wattage for testing? [52:09]
Comparing the 10×1 protocol with other protocols, and determining which is right for you. [54:27]
Does recovery time between intervals consist of pure rest or just less strenuous activity? [57:10]
Why are some people prone to fainting after a vigorous bout of exercise? [58:08]
Comparing the wattage of a warmup to the wattage of active recovery. [59:22]
How is optimal rest period determined? [1:00:30]
How many times per week would Martin recommend the 3×5 effort workout? [1:03:39]
How do other interval protocols differ from Martin’s one-minute workout namesake? [1:04:31]
What type of rest intervals does Martin recommend between twenty-second efforts? [1:06:07]
What improvements would Martin expect to see with people who don’t regularly work out? [1:07:35]
How would Martin recommend someone begin a program like this? [1:11:29]
Does Martin believe there’s still a place for traditional steady state exercise? [1:14:36]
What does Martin consider the single best exercise — and why? [1:16:13]
What’s the best way to instill long-term adherence to interval training? [1:20:36]
On stealth interval workouts and “exercise snacking.” [1:23:22]
Most gifted books and writing he admires. [1:24:20]
What would Martin’s billboard say? [1:27:26]
Parting thoughts. [1:31:25]

People Mentioned

Peter Diamandis
Ray Kurzweil
Roger Bannister
Izumi Tabata
Richard Metcalfe
Mark Hargreaves
Homer Simpson
Joshua Spodek
Christopher Shulgan
Atul Gawande
Gretchen Reynolds
Alex Hutchinson

View more on Timothy Ferriss's website »

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Published on January 23, 2017 11:28

January 18, 2017

Arnold Schwarzenegger Part 2! Bodybuilding, Investing, and Online Battles

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“Part of being successful is to give something back.”

– Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger (@Schwarzenegger) told you he’d be back.

In our first conversation (Episode 60), the former Mr. Olympia, Terminator, and Governator shared daily routines, psychological warfare tactics, favorite books, early entrepreneurial ventures (and tips), and many stories no one had heard before. This time around, the new host of The Celebrity Apprentice answered your most popular and upvoted questions, including some controversial ones. He does not shy away from anything, and this is no exception.

In this episode, Arnold talks about his recent Twitter battle with President-elect Donald Trump, his investment strategies, politics, the state of bodybuilding, his sleep schedule, and much more. [Special thanks to Daniel Ketchell for pitching the questions here.]

He forgot to plug his latest project, however, so I will do it here: tune into The New Celebrity Apprentice Mondays at 8 p.m., or watch it on the NBC app.

I hope you enjoy this incredible round two with Arnold Schwarzenegger! It doesn’t disappoint.

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Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”

Want to hear another episode with Arnold Schwarzenegger? — Listen to his first appearance on the podcast. In this episode, we discuss the art of psychological warfare, how Twins became his most lucrative movie, mailing cow balls to politicians, how Arnold made millions before his acting career took off, and much, much more (stream below or right-click here to download):

This podcast is brought to you by Wealthfront. Wealthfront is a massively disruptive (in a good way) set-it-and-forget-it investing service, led by technologists from places like Apple and world-famous investors. It has exploded in popularity in the last two years and now has more than $4B under management. In fact, some of my good investor friends in Silicon Valley have millions of their own money in Wealthfront. Why? Because you can get services previously limited to the ultra-wealthy and only pay pennies on the dollar for them, and it’s all through smarter software instead of retail locations and bloated sales teams.

Check out wealthfront.com/tim, take their risk assessment quiz, which only takes 2-5 minutes, and they’ll show you — for free — exactly the portfolio they’d put you in. If you want to just take their advice and do it yourself, you can. Or, as I would, you can set it and forget it. Well worth a few minutes: wealthfront.com/tim.

This podcast is also brought to you by Athletic Greens. I get asked all the time, “If you could only use one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is, inevitably, Athletic Greens. It is my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body and did not get paid to do so. Listeners of The Tim Ferriss Show get $100 worth of travel packs for free when placing an order — that’s twenty free additional travel pouches. Just visit AthleticGreens.com/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 Arnold Schwarzenegger:

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Tim Ferriss Interviews Arnold Schwarzenegger on Psychological Warfare (And Much More)
The New Celebrity Apprentice
Arnold Schwarzenegger Takes The High Road After Trump’s Twitter Diss by Tod Perry, Good
Conan the Barbarian
Arnold Schwarzenegger for Governor of California — 2003 Commercial
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
2016 Arnold Classic Women’s Physique International Highlights
Ms. Olympia
I Don’t Give a **** If We Agree about Climate Change by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Facebook
Prop 23: Schwarzenegger, Van Jones Say No by Siel Ju, 89.3 KPCC Pacific Swell
USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy
The Surprisingly Lucrative Pre-Fame Career of Arnold Schwarzenegger by Karl Smallwood, Today I Found Out
No, Arnold Schwarzenegger Can’t Be President — and This Is Dumb by Ian Millhiser, ThinkProgress
Sylmar-San Fernando Earthquake: 45 Years Ago Tuesday, 64 Killed by Dana Bartholomew, Los Angeles Daily News

Show Notes

Arnold sets the scene and talks about his mic-drop response to a tweet from President-elect and former Celebrity Apprentice host Donald Trump. [05:56]
What’s been the hardest choice in Arnold’s life, and the biggest sacrifice he’s made while climbing the ladder of success? [08:34]
What is the most important thing a woman needs to know if she wants to lead both men and women effectively? [10:55]
On women in bodybuilding (or anything else, for that matter). [13:07]
Arnold talks sleep habits and time management. [14:32]
Going green and having a strong economy aren’t mutually exclusive. [18:38]
Arnold’s tips on preparing mentally for competition. [20:52]
How does aging affect diet and fitness? [23:10]
How can environmentalists better communicate the urgency of tackling climate change now rather than later? [26:06]
On learning from failures. [31:51]
What wisdom does Arnold know today that he could have used in his twenties? [34:40]
Has pursuit of success ever made Arnold blind to other parts of life? [37:48]
What circumstances led to Arnold befriending Warren Buffett? [42:20]
What’s Arnold’s take on modern bodybuilding and steroid use? What’s changed in the sport — on a professional and personal level — since he began? [45:02]
How does Arnold approach risk? Is it possible to train yourself to take better risks? [51:01]
How does Arnold stay motivated? [55:14]
What specific things did Arnold look for in his real estate investments? [57:20]
Arnold’s worst real estate investment is still growing in value. [1:01:46]
What law would Arnold pass, remove, or amend if given the power? [1:03:07]
How did Arnold and his partner Franco Columbu drum up business when they owned a construction company? [1:07:37]
Who would win in a fight between Arnold and me? [1:10:44]
Closing thoughts. [1:11:28]

People Mentioned

Donald Trump
Daniel Ketchell
Maria Shriver
Indira Gandhi
Margaret Thatcher
Golda Meir
Angela Merkel
Catherine the Great

Michael Jordan
Ted Williams
Reg Park
Warren Buffett
George Shultz
Steve Reeves
John Grimek
Clint Eastwood
Charles Bronson
Warren Beatty
Joe Weider
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Franco Columbu

View more on Timothy Ferriss's website »

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Published on January 18, 2017 21:42

January 16, 2017

The Return of the Money Shot

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“In order for art to imitate life, you have to have a life.”

– Whitney Cummings

Whitney Cummings (@whitneycummings) is a Los Angeles-based comedian, actor, writer, and producer.

She is the executive producer and, along with Michael Patrick King, co-creator of the Emmy-nominated CBS comedy 2 Broke Girls. She has headlined with comics including Sarah Silverman, Louis C.K., Amy Schumer, Aziz Ansari, and others.

Her first one-hour stand-up special, Money Shot, premiered on Comedy Central in 2010 and was nominated for an American Comedy Award. Her second stand-up special,

I Love You, debuted on Comedy Central in 2014, and her latest special, I’m Your Girlfriend, premiered on HBO in 2016.

Whitney will be publishing her first book later this year, titled I’m Fine… And Other Lies.

In this episode, Whitney answers questions submitted by listeners, including:

How to overcome codependency
Her updated thoughts on marriage
The art and luck of creating something funny
The benefits of having dogs (or pets in general)
How to maximize your creative energy
Tips for more effective writing
And much, much more.

Please enjoy this Q&A with Whitney Cummings!

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Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”

Want to hear another episode with Whitney Cummings? — Listen to her first appearance on the podcast. In this episode, we discuss emotional intelligence, how to overcome workaholic tendencies, managing instant gratification and much, much more (stream below or right-click here to download):

This podcast is brought to you by Athletic Greens. I get asked all the time, “If you could only use one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is, inevitably, Athletic Greens. It is my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body and did not get paid to do so. Listeners of The Tim Ferriss Show get $100 worth of travel packs for free when placing an order — that’s twenty free additional travel pouches. Just visit AthleticGreens.com/Tim.

This podcast is also brought to you by Varidesk. You’ve probably heard of research concluding that sitting all day is terrible for you (“Sitting is the new smoking” is a phrase I hear a lot.). But standing all day isn’t an option for everyone, either.

My assistant and I have been enjoying the use of Varidesk, the middle ground that effortlessly converts your standard desk to a standing desk (and back again) in seconds. It comes fully assembled — just take it out of the box, put it on your desktop, and go. Models start at just $175. Check out Varidesk.com to see which one might be the right fit for you. It even comes with a 30-day, hassle-free return policy if you decide it’s not your style. That’s Varidesk.com.

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 Whitney Cummings:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Whitney Cummings on Turning Pain Into Creativity (her first appearance on this show)
Whitney’s stand-up comedy specials: Money Shot, I Love You, and I’m Your Girlfriend
2 Broke Girls
What is codependency?
The Female Brain by Louann Brizendine
Whitney Cummings to Direct ‘The Female Brain’ Movie Comedy by Dave McNary, Variety
Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself by Melody Beattie
Whitney Cummings: Rough Sex, Frozen Eggs, and What Chris Rock Said about Her Hair on Howard Stern
The 4 Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat Loss, Incredible Sex and Becoming Superhuman by Timothy Ferriss
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss
Susan Garrett — Master Dog (and Human) Trainer
Learn about a real-life horse whisperer in the documentary Buck
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Adult Children of Alcoholics Fellowship Text
Whitney copes with writer’s block through Bambi, adult coloring books, and Marina Abramovic’s documentary and autobiography.
Black Mirror — Series 1-2 and Special
The Shining
Against The Stream Buddhist Meditation Society
The Magic Ingredient That Brings Pixar Movies to Life TED Talk by Pixar’s Danielle Feinberg
Whitney calls The Comeback “one of the top three greatest comedy shows of all time.”
Miraval Resort & Spa in Arizona
The Larry Sanders Show
The Reflective Horse
How ‘2 Broke Girls’ Star Beth Behrs Is Using Equine Therapy to Help Sexual Assault Victims by Tracy Ross, The Hollywood Reporter
Learn more about Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprogramming (EMDR)
The Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True Self by Alice Miller
The Tools: 5 Tools to Help You Find Courage, Creativity, and Willpower — and Inspire You to Live Life in Forward Motion by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels
Phil Stutz on WTF with Marc Maron
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
The Male Brain: A Breakthrough Understanding of How Men and Boys Think by Louann Brizendine
Laird Hamilton, The King of Big Wave Surfing (Plus: Gabrielle Reece and Brian MacKenzie)
Friday Night Lights

Show Notes

On being expeditious. [05:14]
Defining codependence, getting to the root of its origins, and ways Whitney works to overcome its pervasive influence. [06:10]
“Perfectionism leads to procrastination, which leads to paralysis.” [16:35]
The fabric of humor: can Whitney deconstruct what makes something funny? [20:55]
Has Whitney’s view on relationships changed since her interview with Howard Stern last year? [27:51]
Would there be a market for The 4-Hour Marriage? [36:19]
Whitney’s advice on introducing dogs when upgrading to a multiple-canine household. [37:28]
Ways to maintain creative energy during overwhelming workloads. [44:50]
How Whitney nurtures her inner child. [45:43]
Why rituals are important (especially if you work from home). [51:59]
The surprising efficacy of color therapy. [54:16]
On developing a healthier attitude about working in a male-dominated industry — even among other women. [56:15]
How Whitney would approach show business if she were just getting started today. [1:01:07]
Challenges the codependent faces when hiring and firing people. [1:03:47]
What’s been the most challenging thing that equine therapy has prompted Whitney to accept and overcome about herself? [1:08:50]
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprogramming), hypnosis, and therapeutic book recommendations. [1:16:14]
Want a low-risk place to test your jokes? Start a funny Twitter feed. [1:26:32]
Worrying about being perceived as a hack might be a sign of codependent tendencies. [1:27:15]
Out of writing, acting, stand-up, and other projects in which she’s involved, what is Whitney’s favorite creative outlet? [1:35:35]
Why Whitney thinks everyone should try stand-up comedy at least once. [1:38:19]
How do you get your TV script or screenplay read by the right people in Hollywood (especially when you don’t live in Hollywood)? [1:40:42]
Where does Whitney get ideas for jokes? [1:43:27]
Whitney wants to redo her billboard answer. [1:45:37]
Wisdom from Vince Lombardi and other closing thoughts. [1:48:40]

People Mentioned

Michael Patrick King
Sarah Silverman
Louis C.K.
Amy Schumer
Aziz Ansari
George Carlin
Sebastian Maniscalco
Josh Fadem
Howard Stern
Buck Brannaman
Ramona
Julie Iles
Marina Abramovic
George Haas
John Bowlby
Lisa Kudrow
Neal Brennan
Garry Shandling
Cassandra Ogier
Beth Behrs
Chief Raincloud
Phil Stutz
Marc Maron
Gabrielle Reece
Laird Hamilton
Bill Burr
Dave Attell
Marianne Williamson
Oprah Winfrey
Byron Allen
Beyoncé
George Foreman
Gregg “Opie” Hughes
Anthony Cumia
Chris Rock
Peter Berg
Vince Lombardi

View more on Timothy Ferriss's website »

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Published on January 16, 2017 06:59

January 12, 2017

How to Design a Life – Debbie Millman

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“Hard decisions are only hard when you’re in the process of making them.”

– Debbie Millman

For some of you, this may be most important podcast episode you ever listen to. I don’t say that lightly.

It has nothing to do with me and everything to do with my guest, who walks us through gripping stories, tactical details, humor, pain, and emotional redemption. We cover some sensitive and extremely important ground. Thank you, Debbie.

Graphic Design USA has named Debbie Millman (@debbiemillman) “one of the most influential designers working today.” She is also the founder and host of Design Matters, the world’s first and longest-running podcast about design, where she’s interviewed nearly 300 design luminaries and cultural commentators including Massimo Vignelli and Milton Glaser.

Debbie’s done it all. Her artwork has been exhibited around the world. She’s designed everything from wrapping paper to beach towels, greeting cards to playing cards, notebooks to t-shirts, and Star Wars merchandise to global Burger King rebrands.

Debbie is the President Emeritus of AIGA (one of only five women to hold the position in the organization’s one-hundred-year history), the editorial and creative director of Print magazine, and the author of six books. In 2009, Debbie co-founded (with Steven Heller) the world’s first masters program in branding at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, which has received international acclaim.

We cover a lot in this discussion: how to recover from rejection, how to overcome personal crises of faith, class exercises from her most impactful mentors, and much more.

Please enjoy (and reflect on) this wide-ranging conversation with Debbie Millman…

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Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”

Want to hear another episode with an influential podcaster? — Listen to my interview with Stephen J. Dubner. In this episode, we discuss how to grow a podcast, the President’s actual influence over the economy, how virtual reality might affect education, and much, much more (stream below or right-click here to download):

This podcast is brought to you by FreshBooks. FreshBooks is the #1 cloud bookkeeping software, which is used by a ton of the start-ups I advise and many of the contractors I work with. It is the easiest way to send invoices, get paid, track your time, and track your clients.

FreshBooks tells you when your clients have viewed your invoices, helps you customize your invoices, track your hours, automatically organize your receipts, have late payment reminders sent automatically and much more.

Right now you can get a free month of complete and unrestricted use. You do not need a credit card for the trial. To claim your free month and see how the brand new Freshbooks can change your business, go to FreshBooks.com/Tim and enter “Tim” in the “how did you hear about us” section.

This podcast is also brought to you by Wealthfront. Wealthfront is a massively disruptive (in a good way) set-it-and-forget-it investing service, led by technologists from places like Apple and world-famous investors. It has exploded in popularity in the last two years and now has more than $2.5B under management. In fact, some of my good investor friends in Silicon Valley have millions of their own money in Wealthfront. Why? Because you can get services previously limited to the ultra-wealthy and only pay pennies on the dollar for them, and it’s all through smarter software instead of retail locations and bloated sales teams.

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 Debbie Millman:

Twitter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Design Matters Podcast

AIGA (Founded in 1914 as the American Institute of Graphic Arts)
The Masters in Branding program at the School of Visual Arts
Print magazine
Books by Debbie Millman
See Debbie’s childhood drawing that predicted her future in this interview with The Great Discontent.
The Complete Gidget Collection
Working on the UAlbany student newspaper is where Debbie was bitten by the design bug.
Hanlon’s razor: “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.”
Nantucket Nectars
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss
NO MORE | Joyful Heart Foundation
HOT 97 | Where Hip Hop Lives
Sterling Brands
Eleven Madison Park Restaurant
365 | Design Effectiveness Competition
AIGA: Sold Out — the Speak Up open letter by Felix Sockwell and its follow up, Is the Dark Side Prevailing?
Landor
Stop Being Sheep (PDF)
Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works by Erik Spiekermann and E.M. Ginger
Debbie in Ironic Chef garb
How to Think Like a Great Graphic Designer by Debbie Millman
Wally Olins: The Brand Handbook
This is Historic Times by M. Kingsley & Debbie Millman, Speak Up
VoiceAmerica
Design Observer
Al Pacino in The Godfather: Part III
Don’t know a lot about design? Debbie recommends checking out her interviews with Chris Ware, Amanda Palmer, Alain de Botton, Krista Tippett, Nico Muhly, and…Tim Ferriss. (Thanks!)

Show Notes

As someone who has such a diverse tapestry of backgrounds, how does Debbie describe what she does to someone she meets for the first time? [07:14]
How a rediscovered childhood drawing predicted Debbie’s future. [09:13]
Debbie never set out to become a designer. [14:47]
On being thwarted by (and recovering from) initial rejection. [21:59]
What would Debbie say to her college self after her first big rejection? [26:38]
Empathy for those who reject us vs. feeling slighted by them. [30:53]
How did a lifelong desire to live in Manhattan figure into Debbie’s pursuit of happiness and influence what she does today? [36:54]
Debbie talks frankly about a history of abuse, and how it guided her desire for self-sufficiency and her work with NO MORE and the Joyful Heart Foundation. [44:34]
On coping with the aftermath of abuse and feeling profoundly alone because the ordeal seems “so surreal, and unnatural, and punishing.” [51:18]
Debbie tells us what it was like to be called a “corporate clown” and a “she-devil.” [57:57]
The lowest point becomes the catalyst: the journey from she-devil to godmother. [1:14:21]
Brochures can change the world. [1:18:07]
The origins of Debbie’s Design Matters podcast, and how it’s changed over the course of twelve years. [1:24:08]
Debbie explains the impact of Milton Glaser on the world of design and her life. [1:28:03]
Debbie shares “Your Ten-Year Plan for a Remarkable Life” exercise she modified from Milton Glaser and teaches in her classes. [1:33:51]
“Hard decisions are only hard when you’re in the process of making them.” [1:40:00]
Design Matters episodes Debbie recommends for people who might not know much about design. [1:49:50]

People Mentioned

Massimo Vignelli
Milton Glaser
Steven Heller
Chris Sacca
David Bowie
Rosalind Russell
Robert Edelstein
Scarlett O’Hara
Mariska Hargitay
Maile Zambuto
Joe Biden
Felix Sockwell
Dave Weinberger
Walter Landor
Armin Vit
Erik Spiekermann
Bryony Gomez-Palacio
Michael Bierut
Paul Archer
Joyce Rutter Kaye
Mark Kingsley
Bill Drenttel
Molly
Simon Williams
Austin McGhie
Al Pacino
Dani Shapiro
Naval Ravikant
Chris Ware
Amanda Palmer
Alain de Botton
Krista Tippett
Nico Muhly

View more on Timothy Ferriss's website »

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Published on January 12, 2017 15:35

January 9, 2017

Cribs for Gyms — Rust and Iron, Episode 1

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After visiting dozens, maybe hundreds, of gyms all over the world, I decided to create a show that showcases some of my favorites. From home gyms to the training meccas of the world, welcome to the Rust and Iron® TV mini-series!

Thinks of it as Cribs for gyms.

The first episode of Rust and Iron® features the home gym of Kelly Starrett (@mobilityWOD), one of the top Crossfit coaches in the world, and one of my favorite PTs and performance trainers.

Links to nearly everything Kelly shows, plus some bonuses, can be found in the show notes below. His expanded bio is also included.

Please let me know what you think in the comments!

I’m not married to the idea of this series; this is just an experimental episode. Should I do more or focus elsewhere? Whose gyms or which gyms should I feature? What would you like more of, less of, etc.? All feedback is welcome and encouraged.

Enjoy!

Selected Links from the Episode

Connect with Kelly Starrett

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Start Here: The Foundation

Rogue Folding Back Squat Rack: After your workout, you have the ability to quickly remove the pull-up bar and fold the sides of the rack back against the wall.

Rogue Garage Pull Up Bar: Standard pull up bar that can be mounted to both a concrete wall or garage support beams.

Rogue Parallettes: Meant for gymnastics training such as handstand pushups, planches, or L-sits.

Rogue Bumper Plates: Standard training plates with a rubber exterior to cut down on noise and damage to floors.

Rogue Barbells: The Rogue Beater Bar is a budget-priced barbell made to handle regular high-rep abuse. Kelly only uses basic barbells and does not use any of the $1000+ barbells, but any serious Olympic weightlifter should consider one.

Rogue Fat Bells: Just like a regular kettlebell, but with the handle on the inside. With this change, it allows you to use it like both a kettlebell as well as a dumbbell. It reduces the shearing force on your joints since the grip is centered around the weight.

Rogue Kettlebells

Rogue Collars

Rogue Jump Ropes: Great for warming up or conditioning. Beginners often prefer heavier ropes, but as they progress, athletes often opt for lighter ropes so they can move at faster speeds.

If You Have Extra Budget…

Rogue Log Bar: Initially used as a strongman tool, it’s effective for any weightlifter looking to gain strength. The neutral grip handles are easier on your wrists and shoulders, and the thickness of the bar forces you to stay over the weight longer to maintain power during your initial pull.

Rogue Thompson Fat Pad: Thicker and wider than a regular bench, the Thompson Fat Pad is Kelly’s preferred training pad for benching. It promotes proper scapular movement and eliminates shoulder hangover.

Rogue Multi-Grip Bench Bar: Kelly has wrist issues from 30 decades of paddling, so this is his preferred bar to bench with. It has multiple handles, all in a neutral grip. This makes it easier to pin your shoulders back, thus putting you into a more stable and safer position.

Rogue Bandbell Earthquake Bar: A unique bar made with bamboo, meant to hold tons of weight attached with bands. Benching/squatting/pressing/overhead walking are all made extremely difficult due to the constantly moving weight. Just put some kettlebells on the end with some bands and wait to feel the burn.

Rogue Farmer’s Walk Handles: Simple but sinister tool to work your grip, shoulders, traps, posterior chain, etc.

Rogue Slam Balls: Ideal balls for overhead ball slams, as they are much sturdier than medicine balls.

Dynamax Medicine Balls: Good grip and durability, they are most often used for wall balls, but can be used for a variety of different exercises.

MobilityWOD Tools

Rogue Supernova: An alternative to foam rollers, the Supernova’s grooved design and firmness allow athletes to get deep into their larger muscles.

Voodoo Floss Bands : Kelly calls this his most versatile piece of equipment. Compression flossing (aka Voodoo flossing) works on so many levels to break apart adhesions and flush out swollen tissues and joints. Plus it’s easy to travel with.

Rogue Mobility Stick and Cradle: A short metal bar for mobilizing your janky tissues. Same look and feel as a barbell, but hand-held and easier to transport.

Rogue Battlestar Kits

Other Mobility Tools

Raw Roller Foam Roller Kelly’s preferred roller. A thin layer of foam over a pipe that is stronger and thicker than most rollers.

Lacrosse Balls Any brand will work, perfect for rolling out your feet or very specific areas of your body.

Rogue Monster Bands The go-to bands for mobility, specifically banded distraction to help joint mobility.

Geisha Body Tempering Roller (Thompson X-Wife)

Endurance Training

Watt Bike: This is a perfect indoor bike for any serious cyclists. The data it delivers is vast and extremely accurate.

Concept 2 Rower: The best selling indoor rower in the world, and for good reason. Great for cardiovascular training that taxes both your upper and lower body.

Concept 2 SkiErg: Think of it as a rower turned on its end. Fantastic aerobic trainer and especially ideal for anyone looking to maintain their aerobic training through a lower body injury.

Assault Bike: The resistance ramps up automatically as you push, pull and pedal with greater speed and force.

Onnit Mace Kelly loves to use this to hit a tractor tire. It’s an effective way to mimic real world movement and gives you a total body workout.

Tractor Tire: You could buy one online, but the easiest way to get one is to contact your local tire supplier as they most likely have some old, used ones lying around that will be perfect for your needs.

Armor Plyo Boxes: Kelly’s preferred boxes for box jumps or step ups. Lifetime guarantee.

Inflatable Tub: Kelly (and his wife Juliet) use this for their cold baths, alternating between a few minutes in their hot tub, and then jumping into this for 10-30 slow, controlled breaths.

About The Host: Kelly Starrett

Kelly Starrett (@mobilityWOD) is a coach, physical therapist, author, speaker, and creator of MobilityWOD, which has revolutionized how athletes think about human movement and athletic performance.

His 2013 release, Becoming a Supple Leopard, was a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. He teaches the wildly popular Crossfit Movement & Mobility Trainer course and has been a guest lecturer at the American Physical Therapy Association annual convention, Google, Perform Better Summit, Special Operations Medical Association annual conference, and elite military groups nationwide.

Kelly Starrett received his Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2007 from Samuel Merritt College in Oakland, California. Kelly’s clients have included Olympic gold-medalists, Tour de France cyclists, world and national record-holding Olympic Lifting and Power athletes, Crossfit Games medalists, ballet dancers, military personnel, and competitive age-division athletes.

View more on Timothy Ferriss's website »

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Published on January 09, 2017 16:28

January 4, 2017

Fasting vs. Slow-Carb Diet, Top $150 Purchases, Balancing Productivity and Relaxation, and More

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“People tend to abandon the good system they’ll follow in search of the perfect system that they will quit.”

We’re going to kick off the year with an in-betweenisode where I answer the most popular questions you’ve submitted.

If you’re wondering what you can do to ask a question that gets answered in the future, these are good criteria to follow:

I can answer it in a few minutes or less.
It will help more than the one person asking.
It will not immediately be irrelevant.

In contrast, here are some examples of questions that don’t generally get answered:

“If you had $100 and six months, how would you turn it into $10,000 or $100,000, etc.?”
“If there were one particular home business opportunity where I could make $2,000 additional per month, what would you suggest?”

If I had the magical answer to either of these, I’d use it for myself! And if there were an answer to share with one of you, I’d share it with my whole audience — which diminishes its usefulness as a competitive edge considerably.

Without further ado, here are the questions I’m answering this time around. Happy New Year!

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Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”

Want to hear another podcast where I answer questions? — Listen to “17 Questions That Changed My Life.” In this episode, I share how reality is largely negotiable. If you stress-test the boundaries and experiment with the “impossibles,” you’ll quickly discover that most limitations are a fragile collection of socially reinforced rules you can choose to break at any time. What follows are 17 questions that have dramatically changed my life (stream below or right-click here to download):

This podcast is brought to you by TrunkClub. I hate shopping with a passion. And honestly, I’m not good at it, which means I end up looking like I’m colorblind or homeless. Enter TrunkClub, which provides you with your own personal stylist and makes it easier than ever to shop for clothes that look great on your body. Just go to trunkclub.com/tim and answer a few questions, and then you’ll be sent a trunk full of awesome clothes. They base this on your sizes, preferences, etc. The trunk is then delivered free of charge both ways, so you only pay for clothes that you keep. If you keep none, it costs you nothing. To get started, check it out at trunkclub.com/tim.

This podcast is also brought to you by 99Designs, the world’s largest marketplace of graphic designers. I have used them for years to create some amazing designs. When your business needs a logo, website design, business card, or anything you can imagine, check out 99Designs.

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

Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers by Timothy Ferriss
Dom D’Agostino on Disease Prevention, Cancer, and Living Longer
Real Life Extension: Caloric Restriction or Intermittent Fasting? Part 1 and Part 2
Beating the Morning Rush: The 3-Minute “Slow-Carb” Breakfast
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Stoicism Resources and Recommendations
Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss
Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending by Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton
What I Learned in 2016
Smash Fear, Learn Anything
Goals vs. Systems, Scott Adams’ Blog
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life by Scott Adams
The Perfect Posterior: Kettlebell Swings and Cheap Alternatives
Here’s the video where I show you how to build your own kettlebell with $10 worth of plumbing supplies.
I recommend coach.me, Stickk or DietBet if you’re looking to make behavior changes and need an extra incentive
Abbott Precision Xtra Glucose Monitor
Dom D’Agostino — The Power of the Ketogenic Diet
Bad Science: Quacks, Hacks, and Big Pharma Flacks by Ben Goldacre
The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat Loss, Incredible Sex and Becoming Superhuman by Timothy Ferriss
The Five Minute Journal: A Happier You in 5 Minutes a Day
I talk about The Jar of Awesome and Celebrating Small Wins with CreativeLive
Security Analysis: Sixth Edition, Foreword by Warren Buffett by Benjamin Graham and David Dodd
The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. A Book of Practical Counsel by Benjamin Graham and Jason Zweig
Berkshire Hathaway Letters to Shareholders by Warren Buffett
The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville — Warren Buffett’s 1984 speech at Columbia University
The PayPal Mafia
How to 10X Your Results, One Tiny Tweak at a Time
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
My Life Extension Pilgrimage to Easter Island
Coach Sommer episodes: The Secrets of Gymnastic Strength Training and The Secrets of Gymnastic Strength Training, Part Two — Home Equipment, Weighted Stretches, and Muscle-Ups
Pavel Tsatsouline episodes: 80/20 Powerlifting and How to Add 110+ Pounds to Your Lifts and Pavel Tsatsouline on the Science of Strength and the Art of Physical Performance
The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done by Peter F. Drucker
True Rest Floatation Labs
Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis
Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang
1,000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly
Seth Godin episodes: How Seth Godin Manages His Life — Rules, Principles, and Obsessions and Seth Godin on How to Think Small to Go Big
The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing: Violate Them at Your Own Risk! by Al Ries and Jack Trout
Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne
Jack Welch & The G.E. Way: Management Insights and Leadership Secrets of the Legendary CEO by Robert Slater

Show Notes

Slow-Carb Diet vs. Intermittent Fasting (IF). Is it okay to skip breakfast and get 30 grams of protein at lunch instead of within 30 minutes of waking? [05:11]
Are Stoicism and compassion mutually exclusive concepts? [09:21]
How do I deal with disappointment when reaching goals? [12:21]
I’ve talked a lot about success, but how about rebounding from failure? [15:08]
My top purchases for health, knowledge, and behavioral change. [18:26]
When does experience trump scientific explanation, if ever? [22:41]
Do high performers find intimacy and appreciation of small wins difficult? [27:11]
How do I distinguish “lucky” top performers from the truly good worth studying? [28:33]
How can someone use The 4-Hour Workweek principles when employed full time or actively serving in the military? [37:20]
How to think about balancing longevity with muscle gain and physical performance. [41:14]
On blending productivity with “relaxation” (or recovery) as a high performer. [47:06]
How to “break through the noise” — my three rules for branding and marketing. [52:38]

People Mentioned

Dom D’Agostino
Seneca
Marcus Aurelius
Matt Mullenweg
Neil Strauss
Scott Adams
Derek Sivers
BJ Fogg
Warren Buffett
Mark Bell
Barry Ross
Allyson Felix
Jocko Willink
David M. Sabatini
Christopher Sommer
Pavel Tsatsouline
Dan Engle
Joe Rogan
Kevin Kelly
Seth Godin
Jack Welch

View more on Timothy Ferriss's website »

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Published on January 04, 2017 18:30

December 29, 2016

What I Learned in 2016

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“If you’re having trouble thinking bigger, just think stranger.”

This episode is a review of the past year, as well as a look at how I plan for new years.

I haven’t written New Year’s resolutions for roughly six years. Instead, I do a post-game analysis with a series of exercises and odd questions. This episode describes that, as well as a few lessons I’ve learned.

All of the links and resources I mention in the audio can be found below.

Thank you for listening, and wishing you and yours all the best in 2017!

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Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”

Want to hear another podcast with an end-of-year review? — Listen to my last podcast of 2015. In this episode, I share 25 of my favorite learnings from 2015: tips, gadgets, and quotes from podcast guests that I’ve incorporated into my own life. (stream below or right-click here to download):

This podcast is brought to you by Four Sigmatic. I reached out to these Finnish entrepreneurs after a very talented acrobat introduced me to one of their products, which blew my mind (in the best way possible). It is mushroom coffee featuring chaga. It tastes like coffee, but there are only 40 milligrams of caffeine, so it has less than half of what you would find in a regular cup of coffee. I do not get any jitters, acid reflux, or any type of stomach burn. It put me on fire for an entire day, and I only had half of the packet.

People are always asking me what I use for cognitive enhancement right now — this is the answer. You can try it right now by going to foursigmatic.com/tim and using the code Tim to get 20 percent off your first order. If you are in the experimental mindset, I do not think you’ll be disappointed.

This podcast is also brought to you by Wealthfront. Wealthfront is a massively disruptive (in a good way) set-it-and-forget-it investing service, led by technologists from places like Apple and world-famous investors. It has exploded in popularity in the last 2 years and now has more than $2.5B under management. In fact, some of my good investor friends in Silicon Valley have millions of their own money in Wealthfront. Why? Because you can get services previously limited to the ultra-wealthy and only pay pennies on the dollar for them, and it’s all through smarter software instead of retail locations and bloated sales teams.

Check out wealthfront.com/tim, take their risk assessment quiz, which only takes 2-5 minutes, and they’ll show you for free exactly the portfolio they’d put you in. If you want to just take their advice and do it yourself, you can. Or, as I would, you can set it and forget it. Well worth a few minutes: wealthfront.com/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

Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers by Timothy Ferriss
Making Oprah from WBEZ
How a Gang of Skinheads Forever Changed the Course, The Oprah Winfrey Show
Shopify’s Build a Business Competition
The Culting of Brands: Turn Your Customers into True Believers by Douglas Atkin
Debt by David Graeber (Get it on Audio)
The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World and Trickster Makes This World: Mischief, Myth and Art by Lewis Hyde
Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud
Seth Godin likes Cramer knives
Mystery Show Case #3: Belt Buckle
1,000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly, The Technium
Testing The “Impossible”: 17 Questions That Changed My Life
My Life Extension Pilgrimage to Easter Island
How to Say “No” When It Matters Most (or “Why I’m Taking a Long ‘Startup Vacation'”)
DonorsChoose, QuestBridge, and BUILD are education-oriented nonprofits I enjoy working with.
Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending by Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton
The Five Minute Journal: A Happier You in 5 Minutes a Day
The Secrets of Gymnastic Strength Training, Part Two — Home Equipment, Weighted Stretches, and Muscle-Ups
Jason Nemer — Inside the Magic of AcroYoga
Wired Business Conference
How to 10X Your Results, One Tiny Tweak at a Time
The 30-Day Challenge: No Booze, No Masturbating (NOBNOM)

Show Notes

What I took away from a documentary about Oprah Winfrey. [07:29]
There are only two emotions: love and fear. [08:18]
Are you attempting to be a force of good in the world, or are you representing darkness? [09:44]
Book, podcast, and knife recommendations from Seth Godin. [10:36]
“If you delight them, you’ll never lose them.” [11:39]
If I had to charge two times more for my product or service and couldn’t do any paid advertising, what would I do instead? [12:50]
80/20 analysis: 20 percent of activities, experiences, or people who produced 80 percent or more of my most positive emotions and outcomes. [14:21]
Should I go on a podcast tour? [19:14]
I need to see more sunrises and spend fewer days in big cities. [20:34]
If it is not on the calendar, it is not real. [21:12]
Can money buy happiness? [22:20]
Using my journal to spot patterns. [24:14]
Thinking in threes: three things to add and three things to remove from life. [26:57]
Matchmaking? [27:21]
The solution to cleaning up dog hair without anyone moving my stuff. [27:50]
Can I pay for every possible VR demonstration? [28:38]
Coming up with absurd ideas for experiments. [30:17]
10x vs. 10% [33:16]
The importance of scheduling the fun stuff. [34:54]
I’m taking suggestions for potential 30-day challenges and experiments (remember NOBNOM?). [36:59]
A virtual hug and legitimate gratitude to all of you and best wishes for the new year! [38:58]

People Mentioned

Oprah Winfrey
Tony Robbins
Seth Godin
Lewis Hyde
Kevin Kelly
Peter Attia
David M. Sabatini
Navdeep S. Chandel
Derek Sivers
Dan Sullivan
Molly
Jocko Willink
Sarah Silverman
Jerrod Carmichael
Shay Carl

View more on Timothy Ferriss's website »

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Published on December 29, 2016 13:20

December 26, 2016

A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire

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“Calling it an experiment gives you permission to fail.”

– A.J. Jacobs

A.J. Jacobs (@ajjacobs) is a kindred guinea pig of self-experimentation who chronicles his shenanigans in books that seem to keep winding up as New York Times best sellers. The Know-It-All was about his quest to learn everything in the world. In The Year of Living Biblically, he tried to follow all the rules of the Bible as literally as possible. Drop Dead Healthy followed his well- (and ill-) advised experiments to become the healthiest person alive. My Life as an Experiment is about exactly what it sounds like, and It’s All Relative — which will be out in 2017 — will aim to connect all of humanity in one family tree.

A.J. is also the host of the new podcast Twice Removed, which takes a celebrity guest and introduces them to a surprise cousin they didn’t know they had. It could be one of their heroes, an old friend, a teacher, etc.

In this episode, we talk about:

What A.J.’s learned from his experiments
His creative process
Tipping points in his life
How he learned to love marketing
And much, much more.

I think you’ll have a blast with this one — I know I did. Please enjoy!

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Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”

Want to hear another podcast with a human guinea pig? — Listen to my conversation with Morgan Spurlock. In this episode, we discuss how Morgan made his own luck, builds rapport with people and gets them to open up, gets people to care about important issues, and much more (stream below or right-click here to download):

This podcast is brought to you by Wealthfront. Wealthfront is a massively disruptive (in a good way) set-it-and-forget-it investing service, led by technologists from places like Apple and world-famous investors. It has exploded in popularity in the last 2 years and now has more than $2.5B under management. In fact, some of my good investor friends in Silicon Valley have millions of their own money in Wealthfront. Why? Because you can get services previously limited to the ultra-wealthy and only pay pennies on the dollar for them, and it’s all through smarter software instead of retail locations and bloated sales teams.

I used them to rapid prototype the cover for The 4-Hour Body, 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. Give it a test run.

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 A.J. Jacobs:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Twice Removed