Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Ep. 75: JOSHUA FIELDS MILBURN on Saying "No" to Almost Everything

Mar 1, 2021

Joshua Fields Milburn, one half of the Minimalists, shares insights on saying 'no' to almost everything for a more intentional life. He discusses the journey from a simple blog to widespread recognition and the power of minimalism in building a values-driven brand. The conversation touches on the challenges of navigating uncertainty during the pandemic and the importance of authenticity in writing and creative pursuits. Milburn emphasizes prioritizing personal values over financial gain, redefining success in a consumer-driven world.

01:36:52

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Episode guests

Joshua Fields Millburn

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Episode notes

Intro

4min

The Evolution of a Minimalist Movement: Crafting a Meaningful Brand

4min

Minimalism and Intentional Living

6min

Navigating Uncertainty: A Minimalist Journey

29min

Embracing Minimalism and Authenticity in Writing

18min

Balancing Minimalism with New Opportunities

2min

Navigating Commitment in Podcasting

7min

Financial Independence in Podcasting: Balancing Income Streams

3min

Redefining Success: Values Over Income

7min

10.

Exploring the Pros and Cons of Podcast Subscription Models

2min

11.

Navigating Podcast Creation and Film Production

15min

In today's episode, I talk with Joshua Fields Milburn, who along with Ryan Nicodemus make up the powerhouse duo known simply as the Minimalists. You probably know Joshua from the wildly successful Netflix documentaries, MINIMALISM and LESS IS NOW, or the popular podcast he co-hosts with Ryan.

The story of how the Minimalists got started is well-told, so I thought I would focus on a natural follow question: what happened next? Starting with when I first met him in 2012, I ask Joshua to walk us through the building of the Minimalist brand -- how they went from an amateur blog to being recognized on the street a dozen times a day. In doing so, we learn a lot about the inspiring, value-driven approach that Joshua and Ryan have taken in their careers, in which living right is more important than making the most money or accusing the most likes.

Thanks to Jay Kerstens for the intro music.