Author Adam Rubin on Embracing Childhood and Pursuing Passion

6 snips

Oct 9, 2021

Adam Rubin, a New York Times best-selling author known for hits like "Dragons Love Tacos," shares his journey from advertising to children's literature. He discusses the importance of maintaining a playful and imaginative mindset, urging parents to embrace silliness. Rubin reveals how parenthood reshaped his creative views and highlights the challenges of writing compelling children's stories. The conversation dives into the need for authenticity and the joy found in pursuing passion, all while celebrating the magic of childhood.

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ANECDOTE

Meeting at Nets Game

Ryan Holiday and Adam Rubin reminisce about meeting at a Nets game.
They discuss their shared connection through advertising and writing.

INSIGHT

Day Job vs. Identity

Adam Rubin viewed advertising as a means to support his creative pursuits, not a lifestyle.
He prioritized comedy and writing, treating advertising as a temporary job.

INSIGHT

Creative Tension

The "starving artist" approach isn't ideal for creativity because financial worries hinder decision-making.
Conversely, a secure job can create a "velvet rut," discouraging risk-taking.

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Secret pizza party

Adam Rubin

Daniel Salmieri

In 'Secret Pizza Party', a raccoon's love for pizza is thwarted by humans with brooms, prompting him to plan an elaborate secret pizza party. The story, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri, combines humor and absurdity, highlighting the lengths one will go for their favorite food. The book is a fun tale for primary-grade kids, featuring a diverse cast of characters and witty illustrations.

Courage Is Calling

Ryan Holiday

In 'Courage Is Calling', Ryan Holiday explores the virtue of courage through engaging stories about historic and contemporary leaders such as Florence Nightingale, Ulysses S. Grant, Abraham Lincoln, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The book breaks down the elements of fear, cowardice, bravery, and heroism, and shows how to conquer fear and practice courage in daily life. Holiday also shares personal anecdotes, including his own experiences with courage and cowardice, to emphasize the importance of choosing to act courageously despite the presence of fear.

No book found

Dov Charney

Dov Charney is a prominent figure in the fashion industry, having founded American Apparel and later Los Angeles Apparel. However, there is no record of him publishing a book titled 'Dove Charney's Works'.

Magic

The Life of Earvin 'Magic' Johnson

Roland Lazenby

This biography by Roland Lazenby is a comprehensive and definitive study of Earvin 'Magic' Johnson's life. It spans his early years, his iconic basketball career with the Los Angeles Lakers, his HIV diagnosis and its impact, and his subsequent rise as a successful entrepreneur. The book is based on hundreds of interviews with Johnson’s coaches, teammates, opponents, friends, and loved ones, as well as key conversations with Johnson himself. It portrays Johnson’s tale as a generational saga that reveals much about his unique basketball journey and America itself.

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

Jon Scieszka

In this book, Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith offer a series of irreverent and comedic reinterpretations of traditional fairy tales. The stories are presented in a way that is both entertaining and subversive, challenging the conventional narratives of these well-known tales. The book features characters like the Stinky Cheese Man, Little Red Running Shorts, and the Really Ugly Duckling, among others, all presented with Scieszka's signature wit and Smith's distinctive illustrations.

Robo-Sauce

Adam Rubin

Daniel Salmieri

In 'Robo-Sauce', Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri tell the story of a boy who concocts a magical sauce to transform himself into a robot. The book features an innovative fold-out design that allows readers to transform it into a 'robo-book', complete with a shiny metal cover. This interactive element adds to the book's playful exploration of imagination and technology.

Those Darn Squirrels!

Adam Rubin

In 'Those Darn Squirrels!', Old Man Fookwire tries to keep his beloved birds from migrating by filling bird feeders with seeds and berries. However, his plans are foiled by a group of clever squirrels who consistently outsmart him. The story is a comedic exploration of the ongoing battle between Fookwire and the squirrels, with delightful illustrations by Daniel Salmieri.

El chupacabra

Adam Rubin

In this lighthearted tale, Adam Rubin reimagines the chupacabra as a tiny gentleman who helps save the day. The story is told in a unique bilingual style, with each sentence split between English and Spanish, followed by its reverse translation. Illustrated by Crash McCreery, the book offers a fun way to learn about the chupacabra legend while exploring themes of understanding and compassion.

Gladys the Magic Chicken

Adam Rubin

Gladys the Magic Chicken follows the adventures of a dancing chicken who is believed to grant wishes to those she encounters. As she travels through Ancient Times, various characters' wishes seem to come true, but the question remains whether Gladys is truly magical or if it's just coincidence. The story blends classic storytelling with modern humor, making it a delightful read-aloud experience.

The Boy Who Would Be King

Ryan Holiday

Victor Juhasz

The big short

Inside the Doomsday Machine

Michael Lewis

The Big Short tells the story of the 2007-08 financial crisis through the lens of several key players who predicted and profited from the collapse of the housing market. The book focuses on characters such as Steve Eisman, Mike Burry, Greg Lippmann, and the founders of Cornwall Capital, who saw the impending disaster and made significant gains by shorting the market. Lewis explains the complex financial instruments and the systemic failures that led to the crisis, making the narrative both accessible and engaging.

The obstacle is the way

Ryan Holiday

In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes. Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will. He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs. The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges. Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.

Slaughterhouse-five

Kurt Vonnegut

This novel follows the life of Billy Pilgrim, a chaplain's assistant in the U.S. Army during World War II. Billy becomes 'unstuck in time' and experiences his life out of order, including his time as a prisoner of war in Dresden during the Allied firebombing. The book is a powerful anti-war statement, blending Vonnegut's own experiences with science fiction elements, such as Billy's abduction by aliens from Tralfamadore. It explores themes of post-traumatic stress, the absurdity of war, and the human condition, using Vonnegut's characteristic black humor and fatalistic tone.

Cat's cradle

Kurt Vonnegut

The Daily Stoic

366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

Ryan Holiday

Stephen Hanselman

This book provides 366 meditations on Stoic wisdom, featuring new translations of passages from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and other Stoic philosophers. Each day, readers are presented with a Stoic lesson explained in modern language, along with advice on how to apply these lessons in everyday life. The book is organized temporally and thematically across the twelve months of the year, making it a daily resource for practicing Stoicism[4][5][6].

The War of Art

Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

Steven Pressfield

In 'The War of Art', Steven Pressfield identifies the internal force of 'Resistance' that hinders creative endeavors. The book is divided into three sections: 'Resistance: Defining the Enemy', 'Combating Resistance: Turning Pro', and a final section that discusses the role of the muses and the battle between the Self and the Ego. Pressfield provides practical advice on recognizing and overcoming resistance, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, discipline, and continuous work in achieving creative success.

Stillness is the Key

Ryan Holiday

In 'Stillness is the Key', Ryan Holiday explores the concept of inner stillness as a universal principle across different philosophical and religious traditions, including Stoicism, Buddhism, Epicureanism, and more. The book is divided into three sections: stillness of the mind, stillness of the spirit, and stillness of the body. Holiday argues that cultivating stillness allows for better decision-making, increased focus, and a more fulfilling life. He uses anecdotes from historical figures and contemporary examples to illustrate the importance of moderation, patience, and self-awareness in achieving this state of stillness[2][3][5].

Improvise

Mick Napier

Dragons love tacos

Adam Rubin

HIGH FIVE

Die 5 Säulen einer gesunden und glücklichen Kindheit

Florian Barbor

Nibras Nami

On today’s podcast, Ryan talks to Adam Rubin about his newest book High Five, the childlike mindset, the importance of putting yourself in the shoes of your children, what it means to be fun and silly, and more.

Adam Rubin is a #1 New York Times best selling author of children's books. His books have sold over one million copies. Rubin graduated from Washington University in St. Louis where he studied advertising and worked as an advertising creative director for ten years before leaving his day job to focus on writing books. His new book Gladys the Magic Chicken comes out on October 26th, 2021.

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