133: Author Neil Strauss

# Episode 133 **Summary:** In Episode #133 Ari speaks with [Neil Strauss](http://www.amazon.com/Neil-Strauss/e/B001H6NT1I/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&qid=1424998661&sr=1-2-ent&tag=tlp03-20&linkId=3FHLXVVZR4GVZR6W) , author of Ari’s favorite book, _[Emergency: This Book Will Save Your Life](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060898771/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0060898771&linkCode=as2&tag=tlp03-20&linkId=2DQR5QXMBWHO4WWD) _ . During their extensive conversation, Ari and Neil talk about everything from fatherhood and survival to writing and productivity. **Special Announcements:** # [Less Doing in Barcelona](https://www.gazelles.com/summits/EGS-2015/Barcelona/index.html) Watch Ari bring the lessons of Less Doing to Barcelona, Spain for the 2015 European Growth Summit. Ari will be joined by fellow masters of entrepreneurship Steve Martin, Director of _Influence at Work_ in the UK, and Verne Harnish, founder and CEO of Gazelles. ## [American Dream U](http://americandreamu.org/upcoming-events/) On March 13th and 14th, watch Ari Meisel bring his expertise to the stage in a setting unlike any other: Fort Benning, Georgia home of the United States Army’s Airborne and Ranger schools. Ari will be joining a collection of legendary business leaders and exciting entrepreneurs to help demonstrate the _right _way to start a business. ## [Less Doing Live Event](https://lessdoinglabs.businessresearchgroup.org/sales/live-event-optin) The **Less Doing LIVE Event** in NYC is _less than six months away_! The best minds in business and productivity are joining Ari in his hometown of New York City to share their tips, strategies and secrets for success. Visit [LessDoingLive.com](http://www.lessdoinglive.com/) to learn more about this fantastic opportunity running from **May 1st – 3rd**. ## [Mastermind Talks](http://www.mastermindtalks.com/) Looking for an opportunity to see Ari speak live somewhere on the west coast?—Look no further! On **April 29th and 30th** , Ari will be featured at the _Mastermind Talks_ event in **Napa, California**. To learn more about this opportunity to watch Ari “_Optimize, Outsource and Automate_” in wine country, click [here](http://www.mastermindtalks.com/). **Time Stamped Show Notes:** - 26:09 – Introduction of Neil Strauss - 28:14 – The “system” is fragile; don’t rely upon it…Take your life into your own hands - 28:50 – Crohn’s disease and how Neil’s book helped him - 31:35 – On Point Tactical - 31:45 – We don’t live in the wilderness anymore, urban survival is the future of survival skill - 35:00 – Ari defines the source of _his _motivation - 36:00 – Getting yourself out of your own way can actually be the _best _medicine for your life - 37:43 – Neil asks Ari to explain what is wrong with being out of control - 39:37 – Neil defines his writing style and process - 42:20 – Researching and writing about two different things (like Emergency and The Game) can make both products stronger - 45:27 – The moment of staring death in the face - 46:05 – When people die, the two things they think about most are friends and family - 46:45 – A lot of people are so overwhelmed, they can’t even figure out what it is they want - 47:35 – Work addition is a fascinating concept and frequently responsible for people feeling overwhelmed - 51:00 – Learning how to be a father is a skill Neil doesn’t currently have that he would like to learn - 51:45 – The learning of a father is never complete - 52:45 – Neil’s deepest motivation these days is to rediscover how to shed some of the excess baggage from his lifetime - 55:05 – Neil’s _Top 3 Tips for Being More Effective_: - 55:26 – Download the program _Freedom_ - 57:52 – _The Weekly Dinner Party_ - 60:1