David Duchovny, the Golden Globe-winning star of The X-Files and Californication, shares his insights on failure, drawing from his unique path as a PhD dropout turned multifaceted artist. He explores the value of falling short, emphasizing how failures can foster resilience and personal growth. David discusses the subjective nature of success and how embracing our missteps can foster deeper empathy and connection. Their conversation reveals the transformative power of storytelling and the importance of authenticity in navigating both career challenges and creative expression.
Embracing failure can lead to personal growth and resilience, challenging traditional notions of success.
Authenticity is key in navigating failures, as staying true to one's vision can transform setbacks into personal lessons.
Deep dives
David Duchovny's Mission with the Podcast 'Fail Better'
David Duchovny's podcast 'Fail Better' takes a unique approach to discussing failures, aiming to release shame around failure and talk about resilience. Unlike other podcasts focused on business success, Duchovny's podcast delves into personal failures and the lessons gained from navigating them. By sharing stories of failure and discussing resilience, the podcast offers a fresh perspective on embracing and learning from setbacks.
The Role of Failure in David Duchovny's Career
David Duchovny reflects on a personal failure in his career, citing the movie 'House of D' as a significant disappointment. Despite the film not being well-received, Duchovny remained authentic to his vision, which made the failure more personal. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from a globally successful television show like 'The X-Files' to a more intimate project, highlighting the complexities of authenticity in the face of failure.
Reframing Failure and Success
David Duchovny and Adam Grant explore the subjective nature of failure and success, emphasizing the importance of setting realistic expectations and redefining success based on personal authenticity. They discuss the value of failure as a motivator and teacher, contrasting it with the isolation that success can bring. By encouraging empathy and acceptance of failure, they challenge cultural norms that often lead to mockery rather than understanding.
David Duchovny knows a lot about success — he’s a Golden Globe-winning actor who has had iconic roles from The X-Files to Californication. But as a literature PhD dropout turned director turned songwriter and novelist, David is more interested in failure and what it can teach us. Adam and David discuss the value of falling short of our goals, the perils of success, and whether nice people really finish last. David’s new podcast Fail Better is out now. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts