#425: Books I've Loved — Cindy Eckert and Alexis Ohanian

Apr 27, 2020

Cindy Eckert, a billion-dollar dealmaker and founder of Sprout Pharmaceuticals, joins Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit. They discuss the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship and the importance of standing out in business. Eckert reflects on the influence of David Kushner’s 'Masters of Doom' as a turning point, while Ohanian shares insights from personal struggles and influential reads like 'Why We Sleep.' Together, they highlight how curiosity, creativity, and prioritizing sleep can lead to remarkable success.

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ADVICE

Be a Purple Cow

Build a business that stands out, like a "purple cow," to grab attention.
Embrace uniqueness and avoid blending in with the crowd.

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ANECDOTE

Purple Cow in Practice

Cindy Eckert used the "purple cow" philosophy at her company Slate.
Employees even signed off emails with "moo" to reinforce this concept.

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ADVICE

Embrace Your Pink

Show up authentically and embrace your individuality, even if it's unconventional.
Cindy Eckert uses the color pink to stand out and represent her mission.

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Embracing Uniqueness in Entrepreneurship

04:09 • 12min

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Finding Inspiration in Gaming History

15:47 • 3min

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From Failed Ventures to Influential Reads

18:28 • 2min

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The Crucial Role of Sleep in Achieving Success

20:45 • 6min

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Purple Cow

Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable

Seth Godin

In 'Purple Cow,' Seth Godin argues that traditional marketing strategies no longer work in today's saturated market. He advocates for the creation of 'Purple Cows' – products or services that are so remarkable they naturally generate buzz and attract attention. Godin uses the metaphor of a purple cow to illustrate how being ordinary is no longer sufficient; businesses must be bold, innovative, and willing to take risks to stand out. The book is filled with examples from successful companies like Apple, Starbucks, and JetBlue, and it challenges readers to rethink their marketing strategies to focus on creating truly remarkable offerings.

The Graveyard Book

Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book tells the story of Nobody 'Bod' Owens, a young boy who escapes his family's murderer, known as the man Jack, and finds refuge in a graveyard. There, he is adopted and raised by the ghostly residents, Mr. and Mrs. Owens, and protected by the mysterious caretaker Silas. As Bod grows up, he learns supernatural abilities and faces various dangers both within and outside the graveyard. The book follows Bod's adventures and his eventual transition into the world of the living, exploring themes of identity, family, and the intersection of life and death.

Masters of Doom

David Kushner

Masters of Doom tells the story of John Carmack and John Romero, often referred to as the 'Lennon and McCartney of video games. ' The book details their rags-to-riches journey, from their troubled childhoods to the creation of iconic game franchises such as Doom and Quake. It explores their unique personalities, their contributions to gaming culture, and the eventual rift that drove them apart. Kushner's narrative delves into the broader impact of their games on society, from MTV to the Internet, and the controversies they provoked.

A curious mind

Brian Grazer

Brian Grazer's "A Curious Mind" details his approach to life and work, emphasizing the power of curiosity. He shares anecdotes from his career in Hollywood, highlighting how his relentless pursuit of knowledge and diverse connections has fueled his success. The book encourages readers to embrace a mindset of continuous learning and exploration, fostering creativity and innovation. Grazer's unique method of meeting a new person each week, from various fields, demonstrates his commitment to expanding his horizons. Ultimately, it's a testament to the transformative power of curiosity and its impact on personal and professional growth.

Essentialism

The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

Greg McKeown

In 'Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less,' Greg McKeown argues that by applying a more selective criteria for what is essential, individuals can regain control of their time and energy. The book is divided into sections such as Explore, Eliminate, and Execute, providing practical advice on distinguishing the vital few from the trivial many and eliminating non-essential activities. McKeown emphasizes the importance of clarity of focus, the ability to say 'no,' and living 'by design, not by default. ' This approach helps readers achieve more by doing less and making the highest possible contribution in their personal and professional lives.

The Tao of Seneca

Practical Letters from a Stoic Master

Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca)

This book is a compilation of Seneca's letters, known as the *Epistulae Morales* (Moral Epistles), which provide practical advice on Stoic principles. It covers topics such as the importance of living in accordance with nature, the dangers of external influences on happiness, the value of self-control, and the pursuit of virtue. Seneca's writings emphasize the need to focus on inner strength, endurance, and the cultivation of a sound mind, rather than seeking happiness through external goods like fame and riches.

Why We Sleep

Matthew Walker

This book delves into the purpose and power of sleep, explaining how it affects every aspect of our physical and mental well-being. Walker discusses how sleep enriches our ability to learn, memorize, and make logical decisions, recalibrates our emotions, restocks our immune system, fine-tunes our metabolism, and regulates our appetite. He also explores the consequences of sleep deprivation and provides actionable steps to improve sleep quality, including ways to prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes, slow the effects of aging, and increase longevity.

#425: Books I've Loved — Cindy Eckert and Alexis Ohanian | Brought to you by Audible.

Welcome to another episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, where it is my job to sit down with world-class performers of all different types—from startup founders and investors to chess champions to Olympic athletes. This episode, however, is an experiment and part of a shorter series I’m doing called “Books I’ve Loved.” I’ve invited some amazing past guests, close friends, and new faces to share their favorite books—the books that have influenced them, changed them, and transformed them for the better. I hope you pick up one or two new mentors—in the form of books—from this new series and apply the lessons in your own life.

Cindy Eckert (@cindypinkceo) is a billion-dollar dealmaker, self-made entrepreneur, and tireless force of nature if you're asking Fortune magazine. Prior to forming The Pink Ceiling (affectionately known as the Pinkbuator) to fund and foster female-led disruption in healthcare, Cindy built two pharmaceutical companies from scratch. As Founder and CEO of Sprout Pharmaceuticals, she created a new category of sexual wellness for women by taking on the FDA and winning the approval of the first and only pill for women's libido, Addyi. Cindy sold that company for $1B and now invests in game-changing ideas that support her mission to put women on top.

Alexis Ohanian (@alexisohanian) is the co-founder of Reddit and Initialized Capital and the author of the bestselling book, Without Their Permission. Alexis has long advocated for the open internet, STEM education, and paid family leave. Alongside Garry Tan, he co-founded Initialized Capital—a seed-stage venture fund with over $500M under management and a portfolio with $36B in market value so far. After selling Reddit to Conde Nast, Alexis returned in 2014 as executive chairman to help lead the turnaround of the now independent company, which was last valued at $3B.

You can find all books from this episode in the show notes.

“Books I’ve Loved” on The Tim Ferriss Show is brought to you by Audible! I have used Audible for many years now. I love it. Audible has the largest selection of audiobooks on the planet. I listen when I’m taking walks, I listen while I’m cooking… I listen whenever I can. Audible is offering Tim Ferriss Show listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership. Just go to Audible.com/tim and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs. Then, download your free title and start listening! It’s that easy. Simply go to Audible.com/tim or text TIM to 500500 to get started today.

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