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#860: Daredevil Michelle Khare — How to Become a YouTube Superstar, Open Impossible Doors (FBI, Secret Service, etc.), Craft Jedi-Level Cold Emails, and Use Fear-Setting to Change Your Life

Daredevil Michelle Khare lives life to the extreme in Challenge Accepted, amassing more than 6 million followers and more than 1 billion views. Across the show, you'll see Michelle attempt everything from Tom Cruise’s Deadliest stunt to Harry Houdini’s water torture cell to trying to earn a black belt in taekwondo in only 90 days.This episode is brought to you by:Fin powerful AI Agent for all your customer service: Fin.Ai/TimMonarch track, budget, plan, and do more with your money: Monarch.com/Tim Momentous Fiber+ 3-in-1 formula with soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, and Solnul® resistant starch: LiveMomentous.com/TimAG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: DrinkAG1.com/TimTIMESTAMPS:[00:00:00] Start.[00:00:24] Challenge Accepted: The logline and why breakdowns stay in the edit.[00:03:05] Growing up in Shreveport, LA: Friday night movies, the AFI Top 100, and interning on Snitch.[00:06:15] Podcasting: While “easier” than writing books, it’s a heck of a lot more work than meets the ear.[00:21:24] Quality over quantity: 8–10 episodes a year, scarcity as strategy, and building a defensible moat.[00:31:47] “Hard choices, easy life.” — Jerzy Gregorek, calling the FAA 300 times, and why no one copies you when the barrier is insanity.[00:35:32] Dartmouth to Google.org: the Fermi estimation faceplant and not getting the job.[00:37:10] BuzzFeed as graduate school of the internet.[00:40:37] Work for someone else first: My case against starting a company right out of school.[00:47:28] The stolen book: Michelle pulls out a battered 2016 copy of The 4-Hour Workweek and reads her fear-setting chart aloud.[00:51:10] “I’ve never designed my own rubric of success” — the nightmare, the repair plan, and what Michelle was putting off out of fear.[00:56:59] Practicing poverty: studio apartment, stripped-down life, moonlighting for a year, then the three-month-savings leap.[01:06:58] Kebab-shop destiny: meeting stunt coordinator Steve Brown in L.A. — now he does Avatar and straps Michelle to planes.[01:09:04] Surface area for luck: Bill Gurley, Kevin Kelly’s sleeping bag, and Seneca on voluntary discomfort.[01:12:44] Coach, mentor, cheerleader: the three-person Formula One team you actually need.[01:17:20] The art of the cold email — and cold-calling the FBI tip line to meet “The Hollywood Guy.”[01:21:55] Michelle’s three-paragraph, six-sentence formula for emails that open any door.[01:26:15] My cold email playbook: the “via” trick, include your damn cell number, and why “Yo, Ferriss” is an auto-archive.[01:36:24] The fake Tim Ferriss Podcast phishing scam: Zoom calls, screen access, and hijacked Facebook pages.[01:40:58] Emailing Hank Green, Brandon Sanderson’s unpublished novels, and why your first cold emails are just practice reps.[01:46:37] Michelle’s storytelling syllabus: Survivor, Snyder’s Save the Cat, and peer review of whatever went viral last week.[01:48:44] The magic of Jeff Probst, and dissecting the bones of storytelling.[01:53:12] John McPhee’s red-ink writing class at Princeton.[01:58:38] Six Thinking Hats broke Michelle’s pessimism; Radical Candor taught her how to give feedback.[02:07:20] The slinky org chart: Seven full-timers that balloon to 50 for a shoot, then compress right back.[02:21:21] Scope creep, saying no to big checks, and why Michelle has never hit creator burnout.[02:30:34] My No Book teaser: 850 pages on renegotiating commitments and getting back on the wagon.[02:33:31] The Mindy Kaling manifesto: @MindyKalingFan, The Office, and shattering expectations for Indian women in entertainment.[02:40:38] Wishlist shout-out: Norland College, where Mary Poppins meets Secret Service.[02:42:48] Episodes Michelle would pay to relive.[02:47:40] Episodes Michelle would pay to skip.[02:52:15] Seven marathons, seven continents, one week.[02:57:10] Free Solo, Alex Honnold in the creepy van, and things both of us would never do.[03:00:38] Books gifted most: Radical Candor, The Great CEO Within, and Adam Grant’s Originals.[03:01:21] Michelle’s billboard.[03:02:45] A primetime Emmy run and parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

4/7/26 • 190:28

#859: Q&A with Tim — The Upcoming AI Tsunami and Building Offline Advantage, Book Recommendations, Spotting Psychedelic Red Flags, Courage as a Learnable Skill, and More

Welcome back to another in-between-isode, with one of my favorite formats: the good old-fashioned Q&A.This episode is brought to you by:Our Place’s Titanium Always Pan® Pro using nonstick technology that’s coating-free and made without PFAS, otherwise known as “forever chemicals”: FromOurPlace.com/TimAG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: DrinkAG1.com/TimWealthfront high-yield cash account: Wealthfront.com/Tim (New clients get 3.30% base APY from program banks + additional 0.75% boost for 3 months on your uninvested cash (max $150k balance). Terms and conditions apply. )The Cash Account offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC (“WFB”) member FINRA/SIPC, not a bank. The base APY as of 1/30/26 is representative, can change, and requires no minimum. Tim Ferriss, a non-client, receives compensation from WFB for advertising and holds a non-controlling equity interest in the corporate parent of WFB, which creates a conflict of interest. Individual experiences and outcomes will differ. Instant withdrawals may be limited by your receiving firm and other factors. Investment advisory services provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, not bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value.TIMESTAMPS:[00:00:00] Start.[00:02:12] Why I tend to choose the dull edge over the bleeding edge of tech.[00:04:27] Leopold Aschenbrenner: The closest thing to an AI Nostradamus.[00:05:32] What humans still do better than AI.[00:07:55] The bull and bear case for Alphabet.[00:11:30] Three things for which you should never use AI.[00:16:05] Can AI be as creative as humans?[00:17:01] Rising above the AI content flood.[00:19:19] Chris Hutchins on optimizing workflow with OpenClaw and Claude Code.[00:22:02] AI under the hood at Team Ferriss[00:26:37] Making career jumps in the age of AI displacement.[00:30:20] Cultivating a respectful community of 1,000 True Fans[00:34:49] Dog training as community management.[00:36:03] My favorite color[00:36:21] Coyote’s steady state and the future of Cockpunch/Varlata.[00:38:03] Essential reading from my own bookshelf.[00:40:48] Most breathtaking places I’ve visited.[00:41:44] Optimizing time and networking effectively at conferences.[00:47:34] Choosing what not to do when your company’s growing quickly.[00:49:12] Psychedelic practitioner red flags (and why you should watch Kumaré).[00:52:35] The career I’m pursuing in an alternative universe.[00:53:29] Dog training the right way with Molly the rescue mutt and Susan Garrett.[00:55:28] Thoughts on Enneagram for matchmaking.[00:57:02] Quantum computing: Fascinating, terrifying, and probably not 30 years away anymore.[00:58:18] Maintaining friendships across ideological lines.[00:59:49] The compounding upsides to selective ignorance.[01:02:04] In-common humor: The glue that binds the most resilient relationships.[01:02:36] The inspiration behind my blog post about 20+ years of “optimizing.”[01:04:28] Simple ways to make the world shine brighter.[01:05:16] The No Book.[01:05:37] The 18th question: “What is the most generous interpretation of this?”[01:07:42] The best way I’ve found to experience a new city with limited time.[01:08:18] How “Ozymandias” informs the priority I place on wealth accumulation.[01:09:59] Relationships over riches.[01:11:16] What I consider the top three values for kids: Optimism, resourcefulness, physical activity.[01:13:04] Weirdness in the wilderness and succumbing to a shipwreck scam.[01:14:21] Ask your best friends when they’ve seen you at your best — and what superpower you’re blind to.[01:17:33] Is courage internal or external? Can it be learned?[01:19:27] Parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

3/26/26 • 83:49

#858: The Random Show, Couch Edition! — Supplements, Hummingbirds, Cock Rings, Optimizing Mitochondria, Breathing and Balance Training, Cool Grip Strength Tools, and More

Welcome to another wide-ranging "Random Show" episode that I recorded with my close friend Kevin Rose (digg.com)!This episode is brought to you by:Eight Sleep Pod Cover 5 sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating: EightSleep.com/TimAG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: DrinkAG1.com/TimCresset family office services for CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs: CressetCapital.com/TimTimestamps:[00:00:00] A meditative start.[00:02:19] Reflecting on our second Zen retreat in Santa Fe with Henry Shukman.[00:04:08] Ketone liver warnings and eggplant allergies: The perils of raiding Kevin’s fridge.[00:08:06] “Just be still” — three simple words that miraculously shut down my OCD.[00:13:54] Is meditation secretly vagus nerve stimulation?[00:20:17] DIY vagus nerve stim for $25 vs. Kevin’s $900 ear clip.[00:24:57] HeartMath and watching your HRV move in real time.[00:27:57] Marching toward 50: balance boards and the end of jiu-jitsu.[00:31:26] Tony Hawk snowboarding Hokkaido with screws in his hip.[00:33:01] Slacklining and why your nervous system needs sleep cycles.[00:35:19] Bertolotti’s Syndrome: My six-year back pain gets a name.[00:37:09] The nerve block test: everything wrong, zero pain.[00:44:10] Abrahangs tendon protocol: 10 seconds on, 50 off.[00:46:24] The NUG: a pocket hangboard for travelers.[00:48:31] Craig Mod’s Japanese toothbrush and Toaster’s cameo.[00:50:45] Kevin’s $92 vintage fire jacket: Blue Heritage Japan.[00:54:26] Podcast picks: The Power Broker and STEM Talk.[00:56:20] Alzheimer’s: A plaque or mitochondrial problem?[00:57:30] 10 grams of ketones turns one-word answers into sentences.[00:58:40] Methylene blue on Amazon: 120 years of research, zero guardrails.[01:02:36] Bredesen Protocol, APOE genotyping, and a cognitive comeback.[01:05:32] Photobiomodulation: $30k laser to the forehead.[01:07:55] Urolithin A and the high price of mitochondrial upkeep.[01:14:56] Recipe for disaster pants: espresso + creatine + MCT oil.[01:17:39] Norwegian 4×4 training and lactate as a brain lever.[01:23:15] Blood flow restriction bands and schwantz ring koans.[01:29:08] Hummingbirds named Sunset and squirrel obstacle courses.[01:32:06] Parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

3/18/26 • 96:41

#857: How to Simplify Your Life in 2026 — New Tips from Maria Popova, Morgan Housel, Cal Newport, Craig Mod, and Debbie Millman

Many of us feel like we’re drowning in invisible complexity. So I wanted to hit pause and ask a simple question: What are 1-3 decisions that could dramatically simplify my life in 2026? To explore that, I invited five long-time listener favorites: Maria Popova, Morgan Housel, Cal Newport, Craig Mod, and Debbie Millman.This episode is brought to you by:Shopify global commerce platform, providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business: Shopify.com/timHelix Sleep premium mattresses: HelixSleep.com/TimTimestamps:[00:00:00] Start.[00:01:49] Maria Popova[00:02:04] The Cherish Quotient: Stop giving hours to people who rank as “fine.”[00:03:15] When you apologize for your priorities, you’re apologizing for your life. Stop![00:04:41] Morgan Housel[00:04:50] The do-nothing thesis: Be average long enough and you’ll end up in the top 1%.[00:08:42] Read more history, fewer forecasts — and watch the news lose its power over you.[00:09:32] How Stephen King’s 11/22/63 illustrates the futility of prediction.[00:12:21] Cal Newport[00:12:36] What deserves a “yes” when the default is “no?”[00:16:38] Deep Work sells two million copies and creates a schizophrenic double life.[00:19:07] The unifying insight: Both careers were always about technology and human flourishing.[00:24:07] Craig Mod[00:24:46] How quitting alcohol has been Craig’s highest-ROI decision.[00:27:13] Therapy after a decade of sobriety: The cliché that actually cleared the water.[00:30:27] The compounding interest that comes from committing to one craft.[00:33:09] Debbie Millman[00:34:30] How being offered the CEO seat at her company led to four months of paralysis.[00:36:10] The sentence that broke the spell: “If it takes four months, you probably don’t want it.”[00:37:38] Ambition changes shape: Validation isn’t fulfillment, and power isn’t purpose.More about today's guests:Maria Popova (@mariapopova) thinks and writes about our search for meaning, lensed sometimes through science and philosophy, sometimes through poetry and children's books, always through wonder. She is the creator of The Marginalian (born in 2006 under the name Brain Pickings), which is included in the Library of Congress permanent digital archive of culturally valuable materials. Her books and projects include Traversal, The Universe in Verse, Figuring, The Coziest Place on the Moon, and An Almanac of Birds: 100 Divinations for Uncertain Days.Morgan Housel (@morganhousel) is a partner at The Collaborative Fund. His book The Psychology of Money has sold more than three million copies and has been translated into 53 languages. Morgan is also the author of Same As Ever: A Guide to What Never Changes and The Art of Spending Money.Cal Newport is a professor of computer science at Georgetown University, where he is also a founding member of the Center for Digital Ethics. In addition to his academic work, Newport is a New York Times bestselling author who writes for a general audience about the intersection of technology, productivity, and culture. His books have sold millions of copies and been translated into over forty languages. He is also a contributor to The New Yorker and hosts the popular Deep Questions podcast. His latest book is Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout.Craig Mod (@craigmod) is a writer, photographer, and walker living in Tokyo and Kamakura, Japan. He is the author of Things Become Other Things and Kissa by Kissa. He also writes the newsletters Roden and Ridgeline and has contributed to The New York Times, The Atlantic, Wired, and more. Debbie Millman (@debbiemillman) has been named one of the most creative people in business by Fast Company and one of the most influential designers working today by Graphic Design USA. She is the host of Design Matters—a great show and one of the world’s longest-running podcasts. She is also chair of the Masters in Branding Program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, editorial director of Print magazine, a Harvard Business School Case Study, and a member of the board of directors at the Joyful Heart Foundation.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

3/10/26 • 42:54

#856: Jim Collins — What to Make of a Life and How to Maximize Your Return on Luck

Jim Collins has published multiple international bestsellers that have sold in total more than eleven million copies worldwide, including the perennial favorite Good to Great. His new book is What to Make of a Life: Cliffs, Fog, Fire, and the Self-Knowledge Imperative.This episode is brought to you by:AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: DrinkAG1.com/TimCresset family office services for CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs: CressetCapital.com/TimMomentous Fiber+ 3-in-1 formula with soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, and Solnul® resistant starch: LiveMomentous.com/TimGusto simple and easy payroll, HR, and benefits platform used by 400,000+ businesses: Gusto.com/TimTimestamps:[00:00:00] Start.[00:02:43] More energy at 68 than 37: Jim’s mysteriously expanding battery.[00:04:57] Two mornings a day.[00:08:24] How Marcelo Garcia avoids the “simmering six.”[00:10:24] The portable coffee ritual.[00:12:44] Side passions of high performers: Disco dancing, the occult, and Sunday school.[00:18:20] Genesis of “What to Make of a Life” and the sage down the hall: John W. Gardner.[00:20:51] Joanne’s IRONMAN triumph: winning by 90 seconds on a shattered hamstring — then the cliff.[00:26:01] Cliff events, matched pairs, and the bigger question that swallowed the smaller one.[00:31:35] The fog-clarity inversion: clear on life, foggy on projects.[00:34:56] Fog happens to everyone — don’t freak out about it.[00:40:38] Jim’s wife’s one-word review of life with him.[00:47:29] When the fire went from red molten rage to a green-yellow warming glow.[00:54:18] Encodings vs. strengths: The window frame metaphor and John Glenn’s click moment.[01:01:49] My encoding candidates.[01:08:07] 70 points on trust: Discovering your encodings matters, but trusting them matters more.[01:12:43] Enneagram as an acceptable horoscope for tech guys.[01:15:21] The 1,000 creative hours rule and Warren Buffett’s punch card: Life is the ultimate finite resource.[01:23:37] “The most wonderful, disappointing answer”: How Jim’s team says no with grace.[01:27:14] Right people, right seats, encoded edition: When management angst shrinks to almost nothing.[01:38:23] Return on luck deep dive: What luck, who luck, and zeit luck.[01:46:24] Natalie moments: Not all time in life is equal.[01:46:52] Maximizing surface area of luck, return on luck, and Jim’s chain of who luck.[02:04:47] Cardiss Collins and return on bad luck: Cliff events that expose encodings you never knew you had.[02:08:33] A warning for founders: Sell your company, lose a decade — the cliff nobody plans for.[02:11:23] “An option to come back has negative value”: Irv Grousbeck’s counterintuitive wisdom.[02:14:22] Signing the Declaration as a death warrant: When there’s no option, the mind focuses.[02:16:01] The hunt for Roger Sherman: Choosing matched pairs and the man who saved the Constitution twice.[02:20:48] The mythology of youthful creativity: Jim’s rebuttal — Toni Morrison wrote Beloved at 56.[02:34:35] Flipping the arrow of money: Is money fuel for your work, or is your work fuel for money?[02:38:42] Commonwealth Club event: Jim Collins live in San Francisco, April 9th.[02:39:44] The ultimate definition of success: “My spouse likes and respects me evermore as the years go by.”[02:43:08] A plus-two day and parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

3/5/26 • 169:18

#855: Tim Ferriss — How to Quiet the Ruminative Mind, Avoid Traps of Self-Help, and Focus in a World of Promiscuous Overcommitment

This episode is a bit different, and I am in the hot seat. Dan Harris (@danharris) interviewed me for his show, the 10% Happier with Dan Harris podcast, and I thought it was worth sharing here. Dan is a wonderful interviewer, and we got in the zone. He is also the bestselling author of 10% Happier and Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics: A 10% Happier How-To Book.This episode is brought to you by:Cresset family office services for CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs: CressetCapital.com/TimAG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: DrinkAG1.com/TimWealthfront high-yield cash account: Wealthfront.com/TimNew clients get 3.30% base APY from program banks + additional 0.75% boost for 3 months on your uninvested cash (max $150k balance). Terms and conditions apply. The Cash Account offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC (“WFB”) member FINRA/SIPC, not a bank. The base APY as of 1/30/26 is representative, can change, and requires no minimum. Tim Ferriss, a non-client, receives compensation from WFB for advertising and holds a non-controlling equity interest in the corporate parent of WFB, which creates a conflict of interest. Individual experiences and outcomes will differ. Instant withdrawals may be limited by your receiving firm and other factors. Investment advisory services provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, not bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value.Timestamps:[00:00:00] Start.[00:02:16] The simple social secret that has me feeling better than self-help and isolation ever did.[00:05:55] 70–80% depression remission with accelerated TMS and the SAINT Protocol.[00:10:14] One day of TMS + an old tuberculosis antibiotic flipped the OCD switch to near-zero.[00:14:10] The pros and cons of TMS accessibility for all.[00:18:09] Dan’s parallel confession: The “desertification” of social life under workaholism.[00:22:10] “It’s the relationships, stupid.” Evolutionary biology meets self-improvement.[00:26:51] What you’re optimizing for should come before how.[00:28:33] Health optimization made personal.[00:31:12] Intermittent fasting: Just changing when I eat has been the single biggest needle-mover for my bloodwork.[00:32:54] Working with your doctors: Replicate tests, respect diurnal cycles, and resist the four-drug opening salvo.[00:37:17] AI as health co-pilot: Use LLMs for medical literacy and contraindication checks — but always fact-check one tool with another.[00:41:48] Full-body MRIs: Over 40, you will find something. But Dan’s wife (a doctor) says skip ’em — and Rumi might have agreed with her.[00:45:22] How my actual daily life compares to a poorly programmed Roomba.[00:47:30] Jerry Seinfeld’s grand unified life theory: Lift weights and do TM. That’s pretty much it.[00:51:28] The No Book: 800 pages, six years deep, co-written with Neil Strauss — because even the most accomplished people can’t say no.[00:55:25] “I can’t do the life Tetris.” Martha Beck’s masterclass in declining without defending.[00:59:04] Rocks, gravel, and sand: How to protect your life-changing commitments from death by a thousand small distractions.[01:04:50] Three years without social media on my phone, fear-setting as clarity, and two hours of daily focus as the new top 1%.[01:08:46] Coyote: My card game with Exploding Kittens, and why I only choose projects that let me win even if they fail.[01:13:05] Parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2/24/26 • 78:21

#854: Tish Rabe — 200+ Children's Books, Getting Picked for Dr. Seuss, Lessons from Early Sesame Street, How to Write 300+ Songs, and More

Tish Rabe (@tishrabebooks) is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 children's books with more than 11 million copies sold. She has written for Sesame Street, Disney, PBS Kids, Curious George, Clifford, and many more. She now heads her own children's book publishing company, Tish Rabe Books.This episode is brought to you by:Circle complete community platform for your community, events, and courses — all under your own brand: Circle.so/Tim AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: DrinkAG1.com/TimHelix Sleep premium mattresses: HelixSleep.com/Tim*Timestamps[00:00:00] Who is Tish Rabe?[00:00:24] How an opera major became a bestselling children’s author and songwriter.[00:03:12] Tish’s trashy debut on television treasure Sesame Street.[00:03:36] Pitching a childhood memory to dead silence — and landing book number one.[00:07:27] The value of writing a story’s ending first.[00:09:42] Jim Henson: The kind, gentle giant with a mind of steel.[00:10:58] Keeping kids and their parents entertained with double-level humor.[00:11:38] How Tish put her music training to work with Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch.[00:18:56] From nine-note auditions to signing on with Sesame Street‘s mission to level the kindergarten playing field.[00:22:48] Churning out children’s books and writing bangers about animal gestation periods and lumber measurement for 3-2-1 Contact.[00:26:56] The zero-rhyming genius of Joe Raposo’s “Bein’ Green” and why it works.[00:29:59] Curriculum is king: Focus groups, orange Oscar, and making sure the kids aren’t lost.[00:32:16] Random House rejected her book, but the late Dr. Seuss took a second look.[00:37:17] Accepting the Widow Seuss’s challenge to write a book for babies in utero and ending up with a bestseller.[00:40:39] The secret to perfect rhyme in Dr. Seuss’s paradigm.[00:44:14] Is rhyming a part of Tish’s DNA, or did she learn it along the way?[00:48:12] The time Tish transformed a planet from pizza into nickels to make her deadline.[00:49:45] Has music as a mission preserved Tish’s cognition?[00:55:10] What does Tish aim to do with the company she started in her 70s?[01:01:18] Sometimes Apart, Always in My Heart: A military kid’s book born from a POW father’s legacy and a high-five traced on paper.[01:05:30] Alaska the stuffed dog, financial literacy bunnies, hallucinated seagulls, and 843 acres of Central Park in 24 pages.[01:12:54] Tish’s campaign to get free books to kids in underserved neighborhoods.[01:14:02] Advice for aspiring children’s book authors.[01:15:42] Tish doesn’t get derailed by writer’s block — she prepares for it.[01:17:24] When Michelle Obama added 16 pages to a book Tish thought would be boring.[01:19:37] Big Bird in China, 1982: One hand-painted costume, 13 days of rain, zero coffee, and a five-year-old who memorized the wrong script.[01:23:41] Tish’s billboard.[01:24:38] Kindness is Caring, Friendship is Sharing and other parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2/18/26 • 87:22

#853: Jordan Jonas, Champion of Alone — The Art of Survival, Lessons from Nomadic Tribes, Hardship as the Path to Peace, How to Handle Rogue Wolverines, and Why Not to Photograph Attacking Bears

Jordan Jonas (@hobojordo) grew up on a farm in Idaho, rode freight trains across the US, spent time in remote Russian villages, fur trapped and travelled for several years with nomads in Siberia, and won Alone Season 6, after being the first contestant to truly thrive in the wilderness and harvest big game. You can learn more about Jordan's axes at JordanJonas.com/Axe.This episode is brought to you by:Momentous high-quality creatine for cognitive and muscular support: LiveMomentous.com/TimMonarch track, budget, plan, and do more with your money: Monarch.com/TimEight Sleep Pod Cover 5 sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating: EightSleep.com/TimCresset family office services for CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs: CressetCapital.com/Tim*TIMESTAMPS:[00:00:00] Who is Jordan Jonas?[00:02:20] The Siberian axe gospel: Single bevel, wide eye, and why your Lowe's hatchet is basically a butter knife.[00:07:16] A Montana downpour baptism.[00:08:04] Feather sticks and ferro rods.[00:12:36] A gnarly axe-ident, a quest for an abandoned boot, and frontier convalescense in a tipi.[00:19:59] First Russian word learned, courtesy of a Moscow airport officer with zero chill.[00:21:18] Jordan's youthful faith crisis and a Trans-Siberian prayer.[00:29:16] From building an orphanage to living with the Evenki.[00:31:29] Experiencing tug-of-war hospitality between ex-con Siberian families.[00:39:34] Reindeer vs caribou.[00:45:42] The Gulag Archipelago at 17.[00:49:36] The homeschooling advantage: Finishing academics by noon, then deep-diving history for fun.[00:53:50] Campfire psychology for gentlemen.[00:56:00] Why llamas are more practical than reindeer on Jordan's expeditions in the northern United States.[01:01:37] How Jordan's grandparents found purpose and built a joyful family after surviving Assyrian genocide.[01:11:18] Dad's 12-year health collapse and facing death with radical joy.[01:18:49] Freight train philosophy and evolutionary dopamine alignment.[01:30:03] Grandma moose rodeo.[01:33:07] Alone Season 6: The "Super Bowl of survival" just south of the Arctic Circle.[01:40:38] How Jordan survived 77 days in the woods barely breaking a sweat.[01:48:21] Harvesting a moose at day 20 via Russian fence-funneling tactics.[01:56:21] Wolverine vs. man with axe, a tin can alarm, and a wife who likes rustic jewelry.[02:03:05] The crappy fate of less-than-lucky rabbit feet.[02:04:59] Fat as a survival bottleneck, and how to experience the wild with Jordan.[02:09:31] Jordan hopes his upcoming book will help readers build reservoirs of resilience before they're needed.[02:12:27] The most overlooked part of the Serenity Prayer: "Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace."[02:14:48] The wilderness as political neutral ground and other parting thoughts.For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2/11/26 • 146:06

#852: Tim McGraw — Starting Late with a $20 Guitar, Selling 100M+ Records, and 30+ Years of Creative Longevity

Tim McGraw (@thetimmcgraw) is a Grammy Award-winning entertainer, author, and actor who has sold more than 106 million records worldwide, with 49 number-one singles and 19 number-one albums. He is one of the most-played country artists since his debut in 1992, has four New York Times bestselling books, and has acted for both film and television, including the movies Friday Night Lights and The Blind Side and Paramount Network’s Yellowstone. He recently starred alongside his wife Faith Hill and Sam Elliott in Yellowstone’s prequel—the three-time-Emmy-nominated 1883. You can find tickets for his upcoming Pawn Shop Guitar Tour at TimMcGraw.com. This episode is brought to you by:Circle complete community platform for your community, events, and courses — all under your own brand: Circle.so/Tim Shopify global commerce platform, providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business: Shopify.com/timAG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: DrinkAG1.com/TimTIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] Who is Tim McGraw?[00:01:51] Two Tims walk into a podcast.[00:02:56] “The song always has to win.”[00:05:02] Recording “Live Like You Were Dying” at 2 a.m. with Uncle Hank in a puddle in the corner.[00:09:22] Sensing when the moment is right.[00:10:29] The song Nashville hated that Tim heard his first night off the Greyhound.[00:13:18] The one-two punch that saved Tim from novelty-act purgatory.[00:15:22] Turning down the CMAs because the song wouldn’t fit the time slot.[00:20:11] Why you can’t let the audience steer the ship when testing material live.[00:25:51] Coping with the physical toll of performing for three decades.[00:34:04] The Four Christmases wake-up call that changed everything.[00:37:42] What training smarter looks like for Tim.[00:41:22] When Tim found out his dad was a baseball legend whose picture was already on his wall.[00:54:53] Important advice for aspiring parents.[00:55:41] When Tim pawned his high school ring for a $20 guitar.[00:58:27] Learning guitar from CMT videos and fret diagrams.[00:59:37] The morning Tim tore up his Marines paperwork and bought a Greyhound ticket to Nashville.[01:07:20] Nashville as creative accelerant: Tracy Lawrence, Kenny Chesney, and $50 singing competitions.[01:12:45] Po’boy Don’s crawfish shack: The demo that launched Tim’s career.[01:15:39] How Faith Hill saved Tim’s life.[01:18:33] The 7 a.m. bottle of whiskey cry for help.[01:20:27] Parenthood as selfishness-removal surgery.[01:24:28] Tim’s “Glory Days” disaster with Bruce Springsteen.[01:28:30] When Tim’s first album “went wood” — the failure that taught him everything.[01:33:29] A rodeo monkey no longer: When Tim kicked his record company to the curb.[01:37:35] Tim’s most important advice for artists.[01:43:41] Announcing the summer 2026 Pawn Shop Guitar tour with The Chicks.[01:46:28] If it’s so grueling, why does Tim still tour?[01:49:50] Tim’s “Humble and Kind” billboard.[01:50:50] Parting thoughts and a parting gift: “Different” — the new song only on social media.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2/4/26 • 117:40

#851: Dr. Tommy Wood — How to Future-Proof Your Brain from Dementia

Dr. Tommy Wood (@DrRagnar) is an associate professor of pediatrics and neuroscience at the University of Washington, where his research focuses on brain health across the lifespan. This includes therapies for brain injury in newborns, prevention and treatment of adult brain trauma, and the factors that contribute to long-term cognitive function and cognitive decline. He is the author of the forthcoming book The Stimulated Mind.This episode is brought to you by:Circle complete community platform for your community, events, and courses — all under your own brand: https://circle.so/tim ($1,000 off when you demo Circle Plus)Monarch track, budget, plan, and do more with your money: Monarch.com/Tim (50% off your first year at monarchmoney.com with code TIM)Eight Sleep Pod Cover 5 sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating: EightSleep.com/Tim (use code TIM to get $350 off your very own Pod 5 Ultra.)Cresset family office services for CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs: CressetCapital.com/Tim*TIMESTAMPS:[00:00:00] Start[00:02:30] The cognition conversation commences.[00:03:11] Why human babies are chubby little brain-fuel tanks.[00:05:16] Brain injury in newborns: Cooling, caffeine, and coming home.[00:09:07] Adult concussion protocol: Fever management, ketones, and why you shouldn’t chug Powerade.[00:18:59] Washington’s 2nd Strongest Man talks omega-3s, methylation, and why your brain needs the whole orchestra.[00:29:34] Auguste Deter, Alzheimer’s mystery patient, and the 45-70% dementia prevention sweet spot.[00:39:22] From CGM monitoring to the “use it or lose it” glucose paradox.[00:55:54] VO2 max training as cardio insurance against dementia.[01:01:32] Jiu-jitsu, sleds, and the Norwegian torture method (4×4 intervals).[01:03:37] Lactate training: Forget the finger prick, embrace the misery.[01:06:40] Announcing The Stimulated Mind: Tommy’s brain-saving book.[01:07:35] Foundation supplements: Omega-3s, B vitamins, vitamin D, iron, and magnesium.[01:08:58] Polyphenols, choline, and the case for eating more liver.[01:10:40] Creatine: Tommy’s 10-gram cognitive stimulant ritual.[01:11:58] Cheap creatine temptation leads to lavatory lamentation.[01:14:16] Blood flow restriction training: High lactate, low load, maximum travel convenience.[01:21:45] Language learning, music, StarCraft, and why your brain needs to fail.[01:38:04] Sleep anxiety, air pollution, and gum disease: the overlooked dementia risk factors.[01:45:32] Air purifiers, CO2 levels, and sleep optimization hacks.[01:51:52] DORAs for sleep quality: when cognitive stimulation isn’t enough.[01:54:55] The thesis behind The Stimulated Mind: Practical, referenced, and sustainable.[01:56:32] Kelly and Juliet Starrett’s stamp of approval.[01:57:44] The beautiful compounding effect of fixing just one thing.[01:58:59] Who is Dr. Ragnar, and does he make housecalls to Valhalla?[02:01:06] Tommy’s open invitation for complaints and scientific debates.[02:02:21] Parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1/28/26 • 127:49

#850: The Peace That's Always Within You — Guided Meditation by Zen Master Henry Shukman

This episode is part of a series called Meditation Monday. The teacher, Henry Shukman, has been on my podcast twice before. He is one of only a few dozen masters in the world authorized to teach Sanbo Zen, and now, he’ll be your teacher.In addition to my long-form interviews each week, every Monday I’ll bring you a short 10-minute or so meditation, which will help you for the rest of the week.Over this four-episode series, you’ll develop a Zen toolkit to help you find greater calm, peace, and effectiveness in your daily life.Henry’s app, The Way, has changed my life since I first started using it. Unlike other meditation apps, where you’re overwhelmed with a thousand choices, The Way is a clear step-by-step training program guided entirely by Henry. Through a logical progression, you’ll develop real skills that stick with you.I’ve been using it daily, often twice a day, and it’s lowered my anxiety more than I thought possible.As a listener of my podcast, you can get 30 free sessions by visiting https://thewayapp.com/tim and downloading the app.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1/26/26 • 12:10

#849: Dr. Michael Levin — Reprogramming Bioelectricity, Updating "Software" for Anti-Aging, Treating Cancer Without Drugs, Cognition of Cells, and Much More

Dr. Michael Levin (@drmichaellevin) is the Vannevar Bush Distinguished Professor of Biology at Tufts University and director of the Allen Discovery Center. He is primarily interested in how intelligence self-organizes in a diverse range of natural, engineered, and hybrid embodiments. Applied to the collective intelligence of cell groups undergoing morphogenesis, these ideas have allowed the Levin Lab to develop new applications in birth defects, organ regeneration, and cancer suppression.This episode is brought to you by:ShipStation shipping software: ShipStation.com/TimAG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: DrinkAG1.com/TimOur Place’s Titanium Always Pan® Pro using nonstick technology that’s coating-free and made without PFAS, otherwise known as “forever chemicals”: FromOurPlace.com/TimTIMESTAMPS:[00:00:00] Start[00:03:18] The Body Electric: A Vancouver bookstore discovery that launched a career.[00:04:19] Bioelectricity 101: Your brain uses it to think; your body used it before you had a brain.[00:06:05] The lesson learned by scrambled tadpole faces that rearrange themselves.[00:08:51] Software vs. hardware: The genome is your factory settings, not your destiny.[00:11:43] Two-headed flatworms: Rewriting biological memory without touching DNA.[00:16:20] Seeing memories: Voltage-sensitive dyes reveal the body’s hidden blueprints.[00:20:12] Three killer apps for humans: Birth defects, regeneration, and cancer.[00:24:27] Cancer as identity crisis: Cells forgetting they’re part of a team.[00:25:40] The boredom theory of aging: Goal-seeking systems with nothing left to do.[00:30:09] Planaria’s immortality hack: Rip yourself in half every two weeks.[00:31:27] Manhattan Project for aging: Crack cellular cognition, everything else falls into place.[00:33:47] Giving cells new goals: Convince a gut to become an eye.[00:37:42] Must mammalian mortality be mandatory?[00:40:25] Cross-pollination: Why biologists would benefit from programming courses.[00:47:15] Does acupuncture actually do anything?[00:50:57] Placebo as feature, not bug: Words and drugs share the same mechanism.[00:55:06] The frame problem: Why robots explode and rats intuit what matters.[00:59:41] Binary thinking is a trap: “Is it intelligent?” is the wrong question.[01:07:46] Minimal brain, normal IQ: Clinical cases that break neuroscience.[01:08:45] Super panpsychism: Your liver might have opinions.[01:13:48] The Platonic space: Bodies as thin clients for patterns from elsewhere.[01:15:24] Keep asking “why” and you end up in the math department.[01:23:07] Polycomputing: Sorting algorithms secretly doing side quests.[01:28:24] Power scaling for the future and avoiding red herrings for understanding machine minds.[01:34:06] Sci-fi recommendations.[01:37:24] Cliff Tabin’s toast and Dan Dennett’s steel manning.[01:41:21] Parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1/21/26 • 107:02

#848: From Stress to Stillness — Guided Meditation with Zen Master Henry Shukman

1/19/26 • 11:22

#847: Steve Young, from Super Bowl MVP to Managing Billions – Hall of Fame 49ers Quarterback on High Performance, Reinvention, Faith, and How to Blend Dreams and Plans

Steve Young (@steveyoung) is a Hall of Fame NFL quarterback who played more than 15 seasons, primarily with the San Francisco 49ers. Steve co-founded HGGC, which manages more than $6.9B in capital commitments. He’s also the founder and current chair of the Forever Young Foundation, which supports children’s charities globally. He is the author of QB: My Life Behind the Spiral and The Law of Love.This episode is brought to you by:Cresset family office services for CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs: CressetCapital.com/TimAG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: DrinkAG1.com/TimWealthfront high-yield cash account: Wealthfront.com/TimNew clients get 3.30% base APY from program banks + additional 0.65% boost for 3 months on your uninvested cash (max $150k balance). Terms and conditions apply. The Cash Account offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC (“WFB”) member FINRA/SIPC, not a bank. The base APY as of 1/30/2026 is representative, can change, and requires no minimum. Tim Ferriss, a non-client, receives compensation from WFB for advertising and holds a non-controlling equity interest in the corporate parent of WFB, which creates a conflict of interest. Experiences will vary. Outcomes not guaranteed. Instant withdrawals may be limited by your receiving firm and other factors. Investment advisory services provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, not bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value.TIMESTAMPS:[00:00:00] Start.[00:02:34] The full circle of Josh Waitzkin.[00:05:47] The Stephen Covey plane ride that changed everything.[00:11:38] Overcoming victimization: The hole you dig, then jump into.[00:14:16] How taking ownership led Steve from rock bottom to NFL MVP in one season.[00:21:50] Interceptions and the truest truth about accountability.[00:26:09] What separates good from great quarterbacks: Adrenaline alchemy.[00:31:21] Alex Honnold and the genetics of not panicking.[00:32:14] Learning to actually throw a football at BYU.[00:35:01] Recovering from the offensive coordinator who wouldn’t coach southpaws.[00:37:00] The vulnerability prerequisite.[00:42:45] Separation anxiety: Thriving by day, terrified by night.[00:48:29] Tears in the Candlestick Park training room.[00:52:37] The diagnosis that made the puzzle pieces fit.[00:58:32] Dad’s philosophy: Dream (1%) and Plan (80%).[01:01:14] Law school between Super Bowl parades.[01:02:33] Trading locker room access for venture capital deals.[01:08:45] Mourning old identities and heeding Roger Staubach’s transition advice: “Run.”[01:11:49] Rich Lawson walks out of Morgan Stanley: “I’ll be the CEO.”[01:19:05] 30 years of partnership: Yin, yang, and existential crises.[01:23:01] HGGC: The name nobody can pronounce (and why).[01:25:19] Faith evolution: From Boy Scout theology to something deeper.[01:29:41] The Law of Love: Bill Walsh’s secret weapon.[01:32:53] Divine humanity and the irony of losing self-interest.[01:43:52] Parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1/14/26 • 109:28

#846: Permission to Do Nothing — Guided Meditation with Zen Master Henry Shukman

1/12/26 • 09:20

#845: How to Use Ketosis for Enhanced Mood, Cognition, and Long-Term Brain Protection — A Practical and Tactical Guide with Dr. Dominic D'Agostino (Plus: Deconstructing Tim’s Latest Keto Experiment)

Dr. Dominic D’Agostino (@DominicDAgosti2) is a tenured associate professor in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and a Visiting Senior Research Scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition.This episode is brought to you by:Gusto simple and easy payroll, HR, and benefits platform used by 400,000+ businesses: https://gusto.com/tim Seed's DS-01® Daily Synbiotic broad spectrum 24-strain probiotic + prebiotic: https://Seed.com/Tim David Protein Bars 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar: https://davidprotein.com/tim Coyote the card game, which I co-created with Exploding Kittens: https://coyotegame.com*Timestamps:[00:00:00] Who is Dominic D'Agostino? [00:04:37] Ketosis benefits: Quieting the mind, GABA elevation, metabolic psychiatry.[00:09:24] My Lyme disease story: Pseudo-dementia reversed in 3-4 days of ketosis.[00:13:50] Spirochetes are glycolytic: Starve the bug, boost the immune response.[00:19:20] Ketosis and cancer: Slowing glycolytic tumors, enhancing standard care.[00:20:50] My 18-day keto experiment: Mood stabilization, Alzheimer’s prevention hopes.[00:23:19] Metabolic memory: Carryover effects and Valter Longo’s fasting mimicking research.[00:27:11] Intermittent fasting as keto on-ramp: My 2-8 p.m. eating window.[00:29:15] Dom’s budget keto meal: Canned mackerel, MCT oil, apple cider vinegar.[00:33:28] My ketone measurement paradox: Feeling sharp at 0.2 mM readings.[00:36:56] The carburetor analogy: Ketone production vs. utilization explained.[00:38:43] Breath ketones vs. blood ketones: Better indicator in caloric deficit.[00:39:47] Gluconeogenesis fears: Fat, fiber, and salt to slow protein absorption.[00:45:25] The bunless double cheeseburger question: 80 grams of protein in one sitting.[00:49:03] Post-meal walking and GLUT4 activation: Timing your glucose disposal.[00:51:02] CGM and ketone monitor limitations: When your devices gaslight you.[00:58:05] Rabbit starvation and protein-veggie days: Why your body won’t bankroll its own ketosis.[01:05:44] Alzheimer’s prevention: Biomarkers, B12, hsCRP, and metabolic health.[01:09:40] My family history: Letrozole, metabolic dysfunction, and rapid cognitive decline.[01:13:17] Minimum effective dose: 80% of benefits from low-carb Mediterranean.[01:18:56] One week per month protocol: Aggressive calorie cut to ramp ketones.[01:23:12] GKI sweet spot: Target 1-4, aim for 1-2 during intensive weeks.[01:36:22] Exogenous ketones 101: Palatability, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, toxicity.[01:39:21] 1,3-Butanediol warnings: Liver toxicity, NAD depletion, dependency risk.[01:54:22] Intermittent fasting vs. ketogenic breakfast.[01:59:09] My accidental intoxication story.[02:03:23] Dr. Veech tribute: Student of Hans Krebs, ketone ester pioneer.[02:05:08] Fiber on keto: Wild blueberries, broccoli, apples, walnuts.[02:09:58] The tainted gummies incident: Dom’s forensic investigation underway.[02:13:08] Thanks to Dr. Boz and Medifoodz.[02:16:19] Parting thoughts.For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1/7/26 • 141:47

#844: Be Still — Guided Meditation with Zen Master Henry Shukman

1/5/26 • 08:31

#843: Tactics and Strategies for a 2026 Reboot — Essentialism and Greg McKeown (Repost)

Greg McKeown is the author of two New York Times bestsellers, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less and Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most. 200,000 people receive his weekly 1-Minute Wednesday newsletter, and he recently released The Essentialism Planner: A 90-Day Guide to Accomplishing More by Doing Less. Sponsors:Momentous high-quality creatine for cognitive and muscular support: https://livemomentous.com/Tim (Code TIM for 35% off your first subscription.)Shopify global commerce platform, providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business: https://shopify.com/timHelix Sleep premium mattresses: https://helixsleep.com/timCoyote the card game, which I co-created with Exploding Kittens: https://coyotegame.com*Show notes: https://tim.blog/2025/01/09/personal-reboot-greg-mckeown/*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, Margaret Atwood, Mark Zuckerberg, Peter Thiel, Dr. Gabor Maté, Anne Lamott, Sarah Silverman, Dr. Andrew Huberman, and many more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1/1/26 • 107:11

#842: The Story Behind EpiPen, The Rise of Food Allergies, and What Doctors Got Wrong

This time around, we have an experimental format, featuring the first episode of a brand-new podcast launching next week, Drug Story. I rarely feature episodes from other shows, but I think this one is well worth your time. It changed how I think about allergies, especially as someone who carries an EpiPen and has wondered: why on earth have food allergies seemed to skyrocket in the last few decades?Drug Story is a podcast that tells the story of the disease business, one drug at a time. Each episode explores one disease and one drug, and it kicks off with EpiPen and food allergies. A quick teaser: What if I told you that a well-meaning medical recommendation may have caused millions of kids to develop food allergies?Make sure to subscribe to Drug Story on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also simply go to DrugStory.co and learn more.The host is Thomas Goetz. He is a senior impact fellow at the University of California Berkeley School of Public Health, and much earlier, Thomas was the executive editor at WIRED, which he led to a dozen National Magazine Awards from 2001 to 2013. His writing has been repeatedly selected for the Best American Science Writing and Best Technology Writing anthologies.P.S. To help you kick off 2026, I recommend checking out Henry Shukman, a past podcast guest and one of the few in the world authorized to teach Sanbo Zen. Henry’s app, The Way, has changed my life. I’ve been using it daily, often twice a day, and it’s lowered my anxiety more than I thought possible. For 30 free sessions, just visit thewayapp.com/tim No credit card required.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12/30/25 • 58:41

#841: Arthur Brooks — Finding The Meaning of Your Life, The Poet's Protocol, The Holy Half-Hour, and Why Your Suffering is Sacred

Arthur C. Brooks is a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Harvard Business School, where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness. His next book, The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness, will be released on March 31, 2026.This episode is brought to you by:Humann’s SuperBeets Sport for endurance and recovery: https://humann.com/timMonarch track, budget, plan, and do more with your money: https://www.monarch.com/timAG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: https://drinkag1.com/timCoyote the card game, which I co-created with Exploding Kittens: https://coyotegame.comTimestamps:[00:00:00] Start.[00:02:33] The vascular Arthur Brooks returns.[00:03:07] Brahmamuhurta and why Arthur studies happiness.[00:06:20] Arthur’s morning workout protocol.[00:09:58] Why Arthur does Zone 2 cardio without headphones.[00:10:38] Quantifying progress as the secret to happiness.[00:20:50] Post-workout holy half-hour.[00:22:25] Creatine, caffeine strategy, and 60-70 grams of protein for breakfast.[00:29:50] Four hours of distraction-free deep work and Hemingway’s protocol.[00:32:21] Alcohol kills sleep to borrow happiness from tomorrow.[00:34:36] My ketosis, intermittent fasting, and morning protocol.[00:39:34] Experimentation is king.[00:46:29] David Baszucki, metabolic psychiatry, and ketosis: the poet’s protocol.[00:48:20] Four affect profiles: mad scientists, cheerleaders, judges, and poets.[00:54:13] Why Arthur was moved to write The Meaning of Your Life.[00:55:52] Psychogenic epidemic: technology isn’t the problem, it’s what we’re not getting.[00:59:33] Macronutrients of meaning: coherence, purpose, significance.[01:03:38] Search vs. presence and the trap for seekers.[01:07:53] Marine rule: get to 80 percent and choose.[01:12:07] Significance at micro, not macro level; cult of activism as substitute religion.[01:17:22] Transcendence: from me self to I self; Harvard’s Astronomy 101.[01:19:35] Two dimensions of transcendence: upward (worship) and outward (service).[01:21:48] Maslow revised: training awareness so the mundane becomes miraculous.[01:28:45] Flow state as self-forgetting; beauty as transcendence.[01:32:12] Living in the simulation: complicated vs. complex problems.[01:37:55] Left hemisphere vs. right hemisphere.[01:42:18] Your suffering is sacred: pain times resistance.[01:46:30] Pilgrimage as metaphor.[01:55:42] AI as left-brain adjunct.[01:57:18] Arthur’s evening protocol: Psalms and Neruda.[02:00:13] The oxytocin protocol for marriage, break glass plan.[02:04:31] Happiness is love and other parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12/23/25 • 130:02

#840: Bill Gurley — Investing in The AI Era, 10 Days in China, and Important Life Lessons from Bob Dylan, Jerry Seinfeld, MrBeast, and More

Bill Gurley (@bgurley) is a general partner at Benchmark, a leading venture capital firm in Silicon Valley. His new book is Runnin’ Down a Dream: How to Thrive in a Career You Actually Love.This episode is brought to you by:Momentous high-quality creatine for cognitive and muscular supportOur Place’s Titanium Always Pan® Pro using nonstick technology that’s coating-free and made without PFAS, otherwise known as “Forever Chemicals”Shopify global commerce platform, providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail businessCoyote the card game, which I co-created with Exploding Kittens*Timestamps:[00:00:00] Start.[00:01:43] The book that gave Jerry Seinfeld permission to pursue comedy and inspired Runnin’ Down a Dream.[00:03:59] AI bubble or not?[00:06:33] Circular deals and SPV chaos.[00:12:01] Angel investing in the AI era.[00:14:32] Why you should be the most AI-enabled version of yourself, regardless of field.[00:20:47] China deep dive: Ten days, six cities, high-speed trains, and a Xiaomi SU7 factory tour.[00:22:43] Communism misconceptions.[00:25:40] Lei Jun: The Steve Jobs of China.[00:29:17] Jack Ma, ByteDance’s invisible CEO, and the risks of prominence in China.[00:32:11] America vs. China (Lawyers vs. engineers).[00:41:01] Keys for US competitiveness.[00:43:47] Bill is bullish on these countries.[00:47:30] Matthew McConaughey’s “Don’t half ass it” moment.[00:49:45] Runnin’ Down a Dream thesis: Helping people pursue X instead of A, B, or C.[00:51:03] The 80,000-hour question.[00:52:47] The self-learning test.[00:56:58] Bob Dylan as music expeditionary.[01:00:27] Go to the epicenter where the action is.[01:10:56] Danny Meyer’s pivot.[01:13:30] Working for free.[01:19:37] Never too late: Tito Beveridge started Tito’s Vodka at 40.[01:21:51] AI sanity checks.[01:25:59] AI-proof bets.[01:29:13] Sam Hinkie’s Moneyball moment.[01:32:37] Competitive strategy, avoiding false failures, and regret minimalization.[01:43:46] Purpose, Progress, and Prosperity — the P3 Policy Institute.[01:47:18] Regulatory capture explained.[01:51:55] Why the IPO market is broken.[02:01:52] Stablecoins putting Visa and Mastercard on notice.[02:03:40] Hopes for Runnin’ Down a Dream and parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12/17/25 • 130:09

#839: Dr. Fei-Fei Li, The Godmother of AI — Asking Audacious Questions, Civilizational Technology, and Finding Your North Star

Dr. Fei-Fei Li (@drfeifei) is the inaugural Sequoia Professor in the Computer Science Department at Stanford University, a founding co-director of Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute, and the co-founder and CEO of World Labs, a generative AI company focusing on Spatial Intelligence. She is the author of The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI, her memoir and one of Barack Obama’s recommended books on AI and a Financial Times best book of 2023.This episode is brought to you by:Seed’s DS-01® Daily Synbiotic broad spectrum 24-strain probiotic + prebiotic: https://seed.com/timHelix Sleep premium mattresses: https://helixsleep.com/timCoyote the card game, which I co-created with Exploding Kittens: https://coyotegame.com/Wealthfront high-yield cash account: https://wealthfront.com/timNew clients get 3.30% base APY from program banks + additional 0.65% boost for 3 months on your uninvested cash (max $150k balance). Terms and conditions apply. The Cash Account offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC (“WFB”) member FINRA/SIPC, not a bank. The base APY as of 1/30/2026 is representative, can change, and requires no minimum. Tim Ferriss, a non-client, receives compensation from WFB for advertising and holds a non-controlling equity interest in the corporate parent of WFB, which creates a conflict of interest. Experiences will vary. Outcomes not guaranteed. Instant withdrawals may be limited by your receiving firm and other factors. Investment advisory services provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, not bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value.*TIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] Start.[00:01:22] Why it’s so remarkable this is our first time meeting.[00:03:21] From a childhood in Chengdu to New Jersey[00:04:51] Being raised by the opposite of tiger parenting.[00:07:53] Why Dr. Li’s brave parents left everything behind.[00:11:17] Bob Sabella: The math teacher who sacrificed lunch hours for an immigrant kid.[00:19:37] Seven years running a dry cleaning shop through Princeton.[00:20:50] How ImageNet birthed modern AI.[00:23:21] From fighter jets to physics to the audacious question: What is intelligence?[00:27:24] The epiphany everyone missed: Big data as the hidden hypothesis.[00:28:49] Against the single-genius myth: Science as non-linear lineage.[00:32:18] Amazon Mechanical Turk: When desperation breeds innovation.[00:39:03] Quality control puzzles: How do you stop people from seeing pandas everywhere?[00:41:36] The “Godmother of AI” on what everyone’s missing: People.[00:42:31] Civilizational technology: AI’s fingerprints on GDP, culture, and Japanese taxi screens.[00:47:45] Pragmatic optimist: Why neither utopians nor doomsayers have it right.[00:51:30] Why World Labs: Spatial intelligence as the next frontier beyond language.[00:53:17] Packing sandwiches and painting bedrooms: Breaking down spatial reasoning.[00:55:16] Medieval French towns on a budget: How World Labs serves high school theater.[00:59:08] Flight simulators for robots and strawberry field therapy for OCD.[01:01:42] The scientists who don’t make headlines: Spelke, Gopnik, Brooks, and the cognitive giants.[01:03:16] What’s underappreciated: Spatial intelligence, AI in education, and the messy middle of labor.[01:06:21] Hiring at World Labs: Why tool embrace matters more than degrees.[01:08:50] Rethinking evaluation: Show students AI’s B-minus, then challenge them to beat it.[01:11:24] Dr. Li’s Billboard.[01:13:13] The fortuitous naming of Fei-Fei.[01:14:46] Parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12/9/25 • 78:29

#838: The Random Show — The 2–2–2 Rule, The Future of AI, Bioelectric Medicine, Surviving Modern Dating, The Promises of DORAs for Alzheimer’s, and Wisdom from Anthony de Mello

Welcome to another wide-ranging "Random Show" episode that I recorded with my close friend Kevin Rose (digg.com)!This episode is brought to you by:Qlosi prescription eye drop used to treat age-related blurry near vision (presbyopia) in adults: https://Qlosi.com/TimDavid Protein Bars with 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar: https://davidprotein.com/Tim (Buy 4 cartons, get the 5th free.)Eight Sleep Pod Cover 5 sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating: EightSleep.com/Tim (use code TIM to get $400 off your very own Pod 5 Ultra)Coyote the card game, which I co-created with Exploding Kittens: https://coyotegame.comTimestamps:[00:00:00] Start.[00:00:52] Why Kevin concluded nearly seven months of sobriety, and the 2-2-2 Rule he now follows for alcohol consumption.[00:07:12] My recent adventures in accelerated TMS and bioelectric medicine.[00:21:09] The tragic death of Nolan Williams and funding future research through the Saisei Foundation.[00:24:23] Aphantasia vs. hyperphantasia, and Joshua Waitzkin's ability to "feel" chess.[00:33:12] DORAs for sleep and Alzheimer's prevention: Matt Walker, Belsomra, and the terrifying p-tau blood test.[00:41:21] Dale Bredesen's kitchen-sink approach to dementia and the ketogenic connection.[00:46:22] The rapid pace of AI development: Why your opinion from three months ago is already obsolete.[00:49:40] Google's full-stack advantage: TPUs, Gemini 3, and why they were built for this moment.[00:52:50] The future of venture capital: Seed rounds shift later as entrepreneurs gain leverage.[00:58:05] Kevin's three AI investment buckets: Power, data centers, and bloated companies ripe for automation.[01:02:05] Holiday gift ideas and recommended reading.[01:17:41] The Way App and meditation with Zen master Henry Shukman.[01:21:44] Kevin's AI stack: Nothing earbuds, Sandbar ring, Notion AI, and the NotebookLM podcast hack.[01:26:58] Oboe.fyi: The AI learning platform and my investment philosophy.[01:32:09] My new girlfriend, the perils of modern dating apps, and building a communication toolkit.[01:38:17] Terry Real's relationship wisdom: Why objective reality has no place in an argument.[01:47:18] Dog updates: Molly, a new puppy, and Toaster on rapamycin.[01:47:58] Parting thoughts and happy holidays.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12/3/25 • 111:56

#837: How to Simplify Your Life in 2026 — New Tips from Derek Sivers, Seth Godin, and Martha Beck

As we head into the new year, many of us feel like we’re drowning in invisible complexity. So I wanted to hit pause and ask a simple question: What are 1-3 decisions that could dramatically simplify my life in 2026? To explore that, I invited three close friends and long-time listener favorites—Derek Sivers, Seth Godin, and Martha Beck.This episode is brought to you by: Incogni, which automatically removes your personal data from the web, helping shield you from fraud, scams, and identity theft: https://incogni.com/tim (use code TIM at checkout and get 60% off an annual plan)Eight Sleep Pod Cover 5 sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating: EightSleep.com/Tim (use code TIM to get $700 off your very own Pod 5 Ultra.)More about today's guests:Derek Sivers is an author of philosophy and entrepreneurship, known for his surprising, quotable insights and pithy, succinct writing style. Derek’s books (How to Live, Hell Yeah or No, Your Music and People, Anything You Want) and newest projects are at his website: sive.rs. His new book is Useful Not True.Seth Godin is the author of 21 internationally bestselling books, translated into more than 35 languages, including Linchpin, Tribes, The Dip, and Purple Cow. His latest book, This Is Strategy, offers a fresh lens on how we can make bold decisions, embrace change, and navigate a complex, rapidly evolving world. Dr. Martha Beck has been called “the best-known life coach in America” by NPR and USA Today. She holds three Harvard degrees in social science and has published nine non-fiction books, one novel, and more than 200 magazine articles. The Guardian and other media have described her as “Oprah’s life coach.” Her latest book is Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life’s Purpose. TIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] Start.[00:00:20] Advice I’ve used to simplify my own life.[00:04:02] Enter Derek Sivers.[00:04:17] Simple is the opposite of complex — not just a synonym for “easy.”[00:07:19] Simplification #1: No subscriptions, contracts, or people depending on him.[00:07:40] Simplification #2: Programming with no external libraries or dependencies.[00:08:30] Simplification #3: Building a house from scratch in New Zealand.[00:09:26] Complex is a long-term trap. Simple is long-term freedom..[00:10:32] Enter Seth Godin.[00:10:48] Simplifying is hard work — if it were easy, you’d have already done it.[00:11:17] Clarity on “who it’s for”: Ignore everyone else, including one-star reviews.[00:12:46] Eliminate gray areas: Never miss a deadline, never go over budget. Stand by your commitments.[00:14:53] Reclaim time with personal boundaries: No meetings, no social media, no TV.[00:16:57] Simplifying one thing puts you on the hook to go deeper elsewhere.[00:22:23] Enter Martha Beck.[00:22:29] One decision that radically simplified her life.[00:22:44] At 29, chose to follow true joy — not dopamine hits, but deep peace.[00:24:15] The simple rule: Go toward joy, away from misery — no matter what.[00:28:20] How a near-death experience sparked this commitment.[00:30:02] Payoff: Autoimmune remission, purpose, wonderful relationships, home inside herself.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11/26/25 • 32:18

#836: The 4-Hour Workweek Principles — 13 Mistakes to Avoid, The Art of Mini-Retirements, and Navigating the Dizziness of Freedom

This time around, we have a bit of a different format, featuring the book that started it all for me, The 4-Hour Workweek. Readers and listeners often ask me what I would change or update, but an equally interesting question is: what wouldn’t I change? What stands the test of time and hasn’t lost any potency? This episode features three of the most important chapters from the audiobook of The 4-Hour Workweek. The audiobook, produced and copyrighted by Blackstone Publishing, is available wherever audiobooks are sold. You can find it on Audible, Apple, Google, Spotify, Downpour.com, or wherever you get your favorite audiobooks.This episode is brought to you by:Gusto simple and easy payroll, HR, and benefits platform used by 400,000+ businesses: https://gusto.com/timMomentous high-quality creatine for cognitive and muscular support: https://livemomentous.com/Tim Shopify global commerce platform, providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business: https://shopify.com/tim Coyote the card game, which I co-created with Exploding Kittens: https://coyotegame.comTIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] Start.[00:02:31] Mini-retirements: embracing the mobile lifestyle.[00:09:22] The birth of mini-retirements and the death of vacations.[00:11:03] The alternative to binge traveling.[00:16:14] Purging the demons: emotional freedom.[00:18:43] The financial realities: it just gets better.[00:24:24] Fear factors: overcoming excuses not to travel.[00:30:08] When more is less: cutting the clutter.[00:39:29] The Bora-Bora dealmaker.[00:43:11] Questions and actions.[00:44:22] Take an asset and cash-flow snapshot.[00:45:02] Fear-set a one-year mini-retirement in a dream location in Europe.[00:48:38] Prepare for your trip.[00:59:42] Adding life after subtracting work.[01:01:51] Depression and boredom: it's normal.[01:05:31] Frustrations and doubts: you're not alone.[01:12:01] The point of it all.[01:13:37] Learning unlimited: sharpening the saw.[01:17:24] Service for the right reasons.[01:20:05] Questions and actions.[01:22:46] Make an anonymous donation to the service organization of your choice.[01:24:05] Take a learning mini-retirement in combination with local volunteering.[01:28:42] The top 13 new rich mistakes.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11/19/25 • 97:45

#835: Ben Patrick (KneesOverToesGuy) — 20-Minute Workouts That Produce Wild Results, From Chronic Knee Pain to Dunking Basketballs, Lessons from Charles Poliquin, Bulletproofing the Lower Body, and Mo

Ben Patrick, better known as “Kneesovertoesguy” (@kneesovertoesguy), is the founder of Athletic Truth Group (ATG), an online and brick-and-mortar training system rooted in rehabilitative strength and joint health. After years of debilitating knee and shin pain (including multiple surgeries), he rebuilt his body and performance, going from a sub-20″ vertical to a documented 42″ leap.This episode is brought to you by:Momentous high-quality creatine for cognitive and muscular support: https://livemomentous.com/Tim (Code TIM for 35% off your first subscription.)Monarch track, budget, plan, and do more with your money: Monarch.com/Tim (50% off your first year at monarchmoney.com with code TIM)David Protein Bars 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar: https://davidprotein.com/tim (Buy 4 cartons, get the 5th free.)My workout with Ben: https://youtu.be/xpM4V6O9f6wTimestamps:[00:00:00] Who is Ben Patrick? [00:02:32] How Ben went from Old Man Patrick to Knees Over Toes Guy.[00:06:37] Backward sled dragging for safe strength building and rehab.[00:13:14] Full range of motion squatting (deep squats vs. 90-degree limitation).[00:16:30] “Strength is gained in the range it is trained.” — Charles Poliquin[00:18:50] ATG split squat (front foot elevated split squat).[00:19:53] Heel elevation and counterbalancing techniques.[00:24:26] Ben’s mother’s transformation — from hip deterioration to sprinting at age 71.[00:27:36] Ben’s vertical jump progression — unable to grab rim in high school to dunking at 34.[00:28:14] Most effective exercises Ben’s mom might recommend.[00:29:54] Ben and I reflect on what Charles Poliquin (RIP) gave to us.[00:36:36] How backwards sled pulling became a revered exercise.[00:39:12] Mr. Universe Bob Gajda’s contributions to Ben’s regimen.[00:42:16] ATG prioritizes offering American-made products when possible.[00:43:14] Tibialis raises without equipment.[00:45:37] Why I included the ATG wrist bar in a recent 5-Bullet Friday.[00:48:32] Ben’s videos he most recommends.[00:54:48] Applying the minimum effective dose (MED) for maximum results in any endeavor.[00:59:55] What I would include in The 4-Hour Body if it were written or revised today.[01:01:13] A space-saving alternative for people who want to enjoy the benefits of sled work.[01:01:57] Real examples of high-yield workouts that require a low investment of time.[01:05:59] Ben’s basketball warmup protocols.[01:06:59] Regularly skip leg day? Try Arnold Schwarzenegger’s one simple trick.[01:08:49] Maintaining integrity in the ever-fickle world of content creation.[01:32:18] Parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11/12/25 • 97:03

#834: David Baszucki, Co-Founder of Roblox — The Path to 150M+ Daily Users, Critical Business Decisions, Ketogenic Therapy for Brain Health, Daily Routines, The Roblox Economy, and More

David Baszucki is the founder and CEO of Roblox. TIME named Roblox one of the “100 Most Influential Companies,” and it has been recognized by Fast Company for innovation on their “Most Innovative Companies” and “Most Innovative Companies in Gaming” lists.This episode is brought to you by:Qlosi prescription eye drop used to treat age-related blurry near vision (presbyopia) in adults: https://Qlosi.com/TimAG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: https://DrinkAG1.com/TimWealthfront high-yield cash account: https://Wealthfront.com/TimNew clients get 3.30% base APY from program banks + additional 0.65% boost for 3 months on your uninvested cash (max $150k balance). Terms and conditions apply. The Cash Account offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC (“WFB”) member FINRA/SIPC, not a bank. The base APY as of 1/30/2026 is representative, can change, and requires no minimum. Tim Ferriss, a non-client, receives compensation from WFB for advertising and holds a non-controlling equity interest in the corporate parent of WFB, which creates a conflict of interest. Experiences will vary. Outcomes not guaranteed. Instant withdrawals may be limited by your receiving firm and other factors. Investment advisory services provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, not bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value.Timestamps:[00:00:00] Start.[00:01:48] Kicking off with custom kettlebells.[00:03:00] How David and I connected through Dominic D’Agostino and metabolic health research.[00:04:30] Matthew Baszucki’s eight-year journey with bipolar disorder before keto breakthrough.[00:08:14] Rescuing Matthew from the streets with a strategic hospital admission.[00:18:18] Matthew’s disappearance from his mother’s perspective.[00:19:37] Understanding how the ketogenic diet helps people with bipolar disorder.[00:24:21] Meeting the challenges of ketogenic diet compliance.[00:30:06] Measuring ketone levels.[00:32:17] The clandestine Canadian CKM smuggling ring.[00:33:07] The calm optimism, mental clarity, and reduced sleep requirements of ketosis.[00:35:19] Breath hold experiments.[00:37:44] Optimizing my sleep and minimizing my OCD on ketosis.[00:40:18] How exogenous ketones improve verbal acuity of relatives with Alzheimer’s[00:41:49] Lyme disease and ketosis.[00:44:37] Talk therapy vs. mechanical therapy: Fixing the machinery first.[00:45:47] Dangers of talk therapy without physiological foundation: Learned helplessness.[00:46:49] Atmospheric Calm playlist: Ambient music for focus and productivity.[00:49:16] How Roblox fits in with human connection evolution to the tune of 120 million daily users.[00:52:50] Emergent games within the Roblox ecosystem.[00:54:32] Roblox’s safety infrastructure: Built for all ages from day one.[00:55:24] Future of 3D work: Virtual meetings replacing video calls, concerts, and political rallies.[00:56:57] The inevitability of innovation.[00:58:07] From early revenue challenges to a creator community earning over $1 billion a year.[01:02:52] Taking economic inspiration from Adam Smith.[01:03:54] Building the successful Robux system with a 20-person team in three months.[01:10:17] How does Roblox guard against IP theft among its digital creators?[01:14:32] Best company decisions made at Roblox thus far.[01:19:35] Missteps and mistakes.[01:21:07] When intuitive tech predictions pay off.[01:25:49] David’s favorite niche Roblox games.[01:28:41] Roblox kid safety: Filtered communication, parental controls, future AI age estimation, and clustering.[01:32:02] Roblox AI infrastructure: Hundreds of models for safety, translation, 3D creation, and procedurally generated dreaming.[01:33:33] Predictions: Sci-fi becoming reality, holodeck timeline, AI movies in 3-5 years, photorealistic virtual concerts.[01:37:24] Product development and challenges of being a public company CEO.[01:41:35] David’s self-care routine.[01:45:20] Roblox wellness: CGMs for all employees, snack labeling system, employee transformations.[01:47:11] Exploratory reading.[01:49:32] “Feed Your Head”: David’s Jefferson Airplane-inspired billboard.[01:50:24] Whole cream vs. half-and-half for coffee and other parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11/5/25 • 115:56

#833: Jack Canfield — Selling 600+ Million Books, Success Principles, and How He Made The 4-Hour Workweek Happen

Jack Canfield is the coauthor of more than two hundred books, including, The Success Principles™: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be and the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, which includes forty New York Times bestsellers and which has sold more than 600 million copies in 50-plus languages around the world.This episode is brought to you by:Monarch track, budget, plan, and do more with your money: https://www.monarch.com/timAG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: https://drinkag1.com/timHelix Sleep premium mattresses: https://helixsleep.com/timTimestamps:[00:00:00] Who is Jack?[00:01:57] How a single “yes” from Jack shaped my career.[00:04:55] A contract lesson: How Chicken Soup for the Soul sold millions in China with zero royalties.[00:06:45] Jack’s background: From poverty to Harvard.[00:09:43] Discovering Chinese history and the “easy A” that changed everything.[00:11:07] Winning “Teacher of the Year” teaching Black history.[00:14:35] High praise from Sammy Davis Jr.[00:17:37] W. Clement Stone: The $600 million mentor who turned motivation into a science (and insurance).[00:21:35] Stone’s challenge: Take 100% responsibility and stop watching TV (a 14-month year hack).[00:22:40] From visualizing $100,000 to a million.[00:25:42] Chicken Soup origins.[00:27:35] Mark Victor Hansen joins.[00:29:15] 144 rejections later.[00:31:28] The ABA miracle.[00:34:05] The Rule of Five.[00:36:05] Selling The Soul and splurging on sweaters.[00:37:27] The Soup sourced from the universe.[00:39:33] The big break.[00:41:22] Word-of-mouth magic.[00:45:37] Lessons from live feedback.[00:47:27] The burnout years.[00:49:25] Life after Chicken Soup.[00:51:05] Late-night typing marathons and pun-laden chapter transitions that led to The Success Principles.[00:54:02] How Jack’s love of transformation beats any royalty check.[00:55:07] Retirement reflections.[00:59:32] Jack’s longevity formula: Laughter, organic food, love, and letting go.[01:02:10] An ayahuasca awakening.[01:03:39] The story of Rythmia Life Advancement Center and how it’s affected Jack.[01:06:43] Breaking belief loops and understanding community as medicine.[01:10:06] E + R = O and strategies for taking 100% responsibility of one’s life.[01:22:27] Why “clean up your messes” is first in Jack’s list of productivity tips.[01:29:27] Where to begin if you’re unfamiliar with Jack’s work.[01:31:08] Ken Blanchard: “Feedback is the breakfast of champions.”[01:32:13] Parting thoughts.Show notes for this episode: https://tim.blog/2025/10/29/jack-canfield/*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

10/29/25 • 97:36

#832: The Return of The Lion Tracker — Boyd Varty on The Wild Man Within, Nature’s Hidden Wisdom, and How to Feel Fully Alive

Boyd Varty is the founder of Track Your Life, which offers a limited number of premium retreats in South Africa’s bushveld, and author of one of my favorite books, The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life. As a fourth-generation custodian of Londolozi Game Reserve, Boyd grew up with lions, leopards, snakes, and elephants and has spent his life in apprenticeship to the natural world. He is also the host of the Track Your Life podcast.This episode is brought to you by:Our Place’s Titanium Always Pan® Pro using nonstick technology that’s coating-free and made without PFAS, otherwise known as “Forever Chemicals”: https://fromourplace.com/tim (Use code TIM at checkout.) Gusto simple and easy payroll, HR, and benefits platform used by 400,000+ businesses: https://gusto.com/tim (Three months free.)Wealthfront high-yield cash account: https://Wealthfront.com/Tim New clients get 3.30% base APY from program banks + additional 0.65% boost for 3 months on your uninvested cash (max $150k balance). Terms and conditions apply. The Cash Account offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC (“WFB”) member FINRA/SIPC, not a bank. The base APY as of 1/30/2026 is representative, can change, and requires no minimum. Tim Ferriss, a non-client, receives compensation from WFB for advertising and holds a non-controlling equity interest in the corporate parent of WFB, which creates a conflict of interest. Experiences will vary. Outcomes not guaranteed. Instant withdrawals may be limited by your receiving firm and other factors. Investment advisory services provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, not bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value.*Timestamps:[00:00:00] Start.[00:01:59] Boyd returns.[00:03:14] Elite firefighting unit: Boyd’s French Foreign Legionnaire predecessor.[00:04:27] The paper mache lion incident and Lucky’s dramatic exit.[00:08:07] Firefighting drill disaster: When 50/50 failed spectacularly.[00:09:58] Leadership lesson: Bringing energy down when chaos climbs.[00:11:52] Story hunting and the natural world as meaning machine.[00:17:16] Uncle JV: Wildlife filmmaker with a dangerous drama meter.[00:19:10] Camera bearing adventures: Elephants, hyenas, and the red mist.[00:22:30] Zambia expeditions: Crocodiles, dead elephants, and shovel oars.[00:25:48] Orienting toward safety: Building capability versus childhood overwhelm.[00:29:11] Wilderness retreat lessons: Wordlessness and natural state.[00:31:40] The Londolozi time war: Tech detox and parasympathetic shifts.[00:39:49] Mystical animal encounters: Lions, southern boubous, and synchronicity.[00:43:11] Re-enchantment: Nature’s desire to help us heal.[00:45:25] Following non-rational energy and forays into wordlessness.[00:52:31] Diana Chapman’s Whole-Body Yes and avoiding the simmering six.[00:58:04] Toby Pheasant and the great black mamba escape.[01:06:09] Training for persistence hunting using Bushman Great Dance wisdom.[01:09:23] The desert as storehouse: Abundance psychology in action.[01:11:23] Persistence hunt mechanics: Heat, time, and the animal’s energy transfer.[01:15:04] Running into ceremony: 47 degrees and letting the body know.[01:21:31] The kudu gives itself: Profound respect at the edge of survival.[01:27:22] Seeking the wild man: Access to the full spectrum of presence.[01:29:20] Context and discernment: Armor in cities, openness in wild spaces.[01:34:55] Men need men: Collective exploration around the fire.[01:37:40] Relationship as practice: Moving from romantic myth to active work.[01:40:15] Dick jokes and raft building: The indirect work that does heavy lifting.[01:45:43] Lunch the baboon: Hand lotion, bloody handprints, and royal delays.[01:55:43] Living amongst the animals: Warthog intelligence and leopard relationships.[01:57:27] Parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

10/22/25 • 122:31

#831: Frank Miller, Comic Book Legend — Creative Process, The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City, 300, and Much More

Frank Miller is regarded as one of the most influential and awarded creators. He began his career in comics in the late 1970s, first gaining notoriety as the artist, and later writer, of Daredevil for Marvel Comics. Next, came the science-fiction samurai drama Ronin, followed by the groundbreaking Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One with artist David Mazzuchelli. Following these seminal works, Miller fulfilled a lifelong dream by doing an all-out crime series, Sin City, which spawned two blockbuster films that he co-directed with Robert Rodriguez. Miller’s multi-award-winning graphic novel 300 was also adapted into a highly successful film by Zack Snyder. His upcoming memoir, Push the Wall: My Life, Writing, Drawing, and the Art of Storytelling, is now available for pre-order.This episode is brought to you by: Eight Sleep Pod Cover 5 sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating: EightSleep.com/Tim (use code TIM to get $350 off your very own Pod 5 Ultra.)Shopify global commerce platform, providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business: https://shopify.com/tim (one-dollar-per-month trial period)AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: DrinkAG1.com/Tim (1-year supply of Vitamin D (and 5 free AG1 travel packs) with your first subscription purchase.)Timestamps:[00:00:00] Start.[00:02:14] Aristotle’s definition of happiness: Devotion to excellence.[00:03:02] Tools of the trade: Blackwing pencils, India ink, liquid frisket.[00:04:45] Sin City‘s physical creation at “twice up” size.[00:08:06] The toothbrush spatter technique.[00:09:24] Channeling impatience, anger, and violence into dramatic creative work.[00:10:33] What Jack Kirby knew about making comics competitive with cinema’s spectacle.[00:11:56] Will Eisner and The Spirit‘s influence on the US market where writer-artist duality is rare.[00:13:33] How Jack Kirby blasted apart the panel grid (and a young Frank’s mind).[00:15:49] Push the wall and defy the code.[00:19:54] The ruthless mentorship of Neal Adams.[00:24:57] The genesis of the Elektra amd Daredevil “soap opera.”[00:27:56] Story structure: Start late, end early.[00:29:10] Trusting the muse over rigid methodology.[00:31:15] European invasion: Moebius and Forbidden Planet.[00:32:52] Japanese influence: Lone Wolf and Cub‘s impact.[00:34:30] Cultural differences in depicting violence and motion.[00:36:38] Ronin: Shameless imitation and rebirth.[00:37:28] How does Frank know if something is working (or not working)?[00:39:27] The critical reception of Ronin as a “broken nose.”[00:42:37] The ruthless structure of The Dark Knight Returns.[00:43:40] Mutual elevation with “smartest fan” Alan Moore.[00:48:26] Robert Rodriguez: Angel of goodwill and generosity.[00:49:28] Sin City film: Co-directing and the Director’s Guild sacrifice.[00:50:31] Working as a “two-headed beast” with Rodriguez.[00:55:27] Favorite films.[00:58:19] Books and ancient history inspiring 300.[00:59:00] Hollywood lessons: The importance of working with the right people.[01:01:13] The partnership and guidance of Silenn Thomas.[01:02:01] The clarity and creative rejuvenation of getting sober from alcohol.[01:04:48] Advice for aspiring comic artists: Story, story, story.[01:06:20] Learning to draw: Bridgman and Loomis books.[01:08:07] Perspective as a mathematical trick and lie.[01:11:00] Dick Giordano’s advice: Lay in blacks first.[01:13:52] Sin City workflow innovation: Batch processing stages.[01:15:48] Dark Horse Comics and creative freedom.[01:17:29] Economy of line work and elegant minimalism.[01:20:46] On collaborating with Bill Sienkiewicz on Elektra.[01:25:20] Billboard wisdom: “Ask every question,” and “Why?”[01:27:08] Challenging pathological conformity.[01:27:39] Parting thoughts and where to find Frank’s work.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

10/20/25 • 92:12

The Tim Ferriss Show

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