The Greg McKeown Podcast 251. Clear Thinking with Shane Parrish (Part 1)
34 snips
Nov 30, 2023 
Shane Parrish, creator of Farnam Street and author of "Clear Thinking", shares his journey from a challenging childhood to a career in espionage akin to the NSA. He discusses the importance of clear thinking, confronting biases, and the complexity of decision-making. Parrish reflects on the intense experiences in intelligence work, emphasizing the significance of positioning in relationships. His insights inspire curiosity and resilience, motivating listeners to embrace continuous learning and actionable change in their lives.
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The Stopwatch Gang
- Shane Parrish frequently skipped school and engaged in petty mischief due to boredom.
- A true crime book, "The Stopwatch Gang," inadvertently changed his trajectory after his friends were caught burglarizing a cop's house.
The Importance of Mentorship
- Shane's friend's father encouraged him to pursue university, changing his perspective on academics.
- He worked full-time during high school to fund his university education.
Thinking Outside the Box
- Shane, unable to afford tutors, wrote a program to guess answers on a physics assignment.
- Although initially penalized, his problem-solving approach impressed intelligence agencies during job interviews.
