#578: Tim Ferriss and Matt Mullenweg in Antarctica: Exploring Personal Fears, Bucket Lists, Facing Grief, Crafting Life Missions, and Tim’s Best Penguin Impressions

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Mar 9, 2022

In a captivating conversation, Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress, shares insights from his adventures in Antarctica. He discusses the importance of confronting personal fears and crafting meaningful life missions. Reflecting on grief and the impact of the digital world, they blend humor with deep introspection. The duo explores philosophical questions about existence and legacy while navigating extreme conditions. From humorous anecdotes to the significance of intentions, their dialogue is rich with warmth and profound reflection.

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ANECDOTE

Total Solar Eclipse Experience

Tim Ferriss and Matt Mullenweg witnessed a total solar eclipse in Antarctica.
They describe the experience as profound and awe-inspiring, emphasizing the difficulty of capturing its essence in words.

INSIGHT

Historical Impact of Eclipses

Matt Mullenweg points out the historical significance of eclipses, noting their impact on shaping history and national borders.
He highlights how eclipses have been interpreted differently across cultures, with examples like a dragon eating the sun in China.

ADVICE

Record Conversations with Loved Ones

Record conversations with loved ones to preserve memories and gain different perspectives on life events.
Matt Mullenweg suggests StoryCorps as a resource with helpful interview questions.

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Consciousness

Edward F. Edinger

40 Tales of Afterlives

Imagining the Afterlife

David Eagleman

David Eagleman's "40 Tales of Afterlives" presents a series of short, thought-provoking stories, each exploring a different hypothetical concept of the afterlife. The book uses creative storytelling to examine the possibilities of what might happen after death, ranging from humorous and absurd scenarios to more profound and philosophical ones. Eagleman's unique approach combines scientific curiosity with imaginative storytelling, prompting readers to question their own beliefs about life and death. The book's brevity and engaging style make it an accessible and enjoyable read, suitable for a wide audience. Through these diverse narratives, Eagleman encourages readers to contemplate the nature of consciousness, existence, and the human experience.

Of Wolves and Men

Barry López

Originally published in 1978, this book delves into the intricate and varied interactions between humans and wolves over centuries. Lopez uses a wide range of sources, including personal experiences with captive and free-ranging wolves, to create a compelling portrait of the wolf. The book celebrates scientific fieldwork, dispels folklore that has demonized wolves, explains myths, and honors indigenous traditions. It explores how wolves are perceived differently by various cultures, such as scientists, Eskimo hunters, and Native Americans, and argues for the wolf's preservation. The book also examines the historical and cultural significance of wolves in human imagination and society[1][3][4].

4000 Weeks

Oliver Burkeman

A book about time management and how to live a more fulfilling life.

On Grief and Grieving

Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

David Kessler

This book, written by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler, explores the process of grief through the lens of the five stages of loss. It delves into the inner and outer worlds of grief, covering topics such as sadness, hauntings, dreams, isolation, and healing. The authors provide practical advice and share personal stories, emphasizing that grief is highly individual and there is no fixed timeline for the grieving process. The book addresses specific circumstances like suicide, multiple losses, and sudden death, making it a valuable resource for those experiencing loss and those supporting them.

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Matt Mullenweg (@photomatt) is a co-founder of the open-source publishing platform WordPress, which now powers more than one-third of all sites on the web. He is the founder and CEO of Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Tumblr, WPVIP, Day One, and Pocket Casts. Additionally, Matt runs Audrey Capital, an investment and research company. He has been recognized for his leadership by Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, Inc., TechCrunch, Fortune, Fast Company, Wired, Vanity Fair, and the University Philosophical Society.

Matt is originally from Houston, Texas, where he attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and studied jazz saxophone. In his spare time, Matt is an avid photographer. He currently splits his time between Houston and Jackson Hole.

For my first interview with Matt, way back in 2015, go to tim.blog/matt.

Please enjoy!

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In Antarctica, even your neatest scotch is served on the rocks — and you have to take it with you when you’re finished. [06:12]

How we’re dealing with perpetual daylight and zero access to the internet. [08:26]

For anyone who hasn’t caught his past appearances and mentions on this show, who is Matt Mullenweg, and what keeps him busy when he’s not camping on Antarctican sea ice? [11:12]

What our morning immersed in the “patient” landscape of Antarctica has been like so far. [13:56]

Why a total solar eclipse needs to be experienced firsthand to understand why it’s such a big deal. [17:15]

Antarctican skin care and rollicking penguin imitations. [20:52]

What’s happened in Matt’s world since the last time we talked on this podcast? How does he keep each day interesting? [24:30]

What Matt has found most helpful for enduring the grieving process since his father passed away. [26:36]

You probably have a smartphone. Here’s why you should use it to record some of the time you spend with loved ones when you have the chance, and what you might talk to them about. [32:25]

Podcast tech spec updates since our last conversation that make recording possible at any temperature on Earth. [34:39]

As Matt says, “You can’t spell ‘Tim’ without ‘TMI.’” That’s why I’m going to talk about the time I sampled my own urine. [40:04]

We each answer the question posed by a card from the Holstee Reflection Deck: “What is one fear you would like to conquer?” [42:13]

Strange comfort I derived from a recent existential revelation, and where I found it. [50:48]

Next card: “If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about your life, the world, or anything else, what would you want to know?” [1:00:29]

Another card: “If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, what would you change about the way you’re living now? Why?” [1:08:35]

At the time of this conversation, what would I put on my billboard? [1:19:20]

New card: “What are two things still on your bucket list?” [1:19:38]

We need more billionaires exploring the oceans and the non-Western worlds of ritual and myth with the same exuberance as the ones currently exploring space. [1:26:39]

Would I clone my dog Molly? Matt shares his own experience with getting to know a cloned animal after its genetically identical predecessor passed away. [1:38:49]

More bucket list items. [1:43:12]

Why Matt doesn’t curse, and what he does when he gets really angry. [1:43:42]

The next card: “Do intentions matter more or less than actions?” [1:47:29]

The last card: “What are you grateful for right now?” [1:52:07]

Parting thoughts. [1:55:07]

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