A.J. Jacobs

A.J. Jacobs, a bestselling author known for his adventurous experiments, discusses how to cultivate curiosity over fury. He shares transformative insights from his latest book about tackling life’s puzzles, emphasizing the power of collaboration and creative problem-solving. The conversation touches on the intricate beauty of puzzles, including innovative concepts like the mRNA vaccine derived from puzzle-solving strategies. Jacobs also highlights how adopting a curious mindset can enhance mental well-being, especially during challenging times.

Terry Crews opens up about masculinity, mental health, and his personal battles, highlighting the importance of therapy. Kevin Rose dives into the significance of emotional connection and vulnerability in men's groups, while A.J. Jacobs shares insights from his unique self-help experiments. Bo Shao discusses the intersection of venture capital and philanthropy, showcasing his entrepreneurial journey. This lively compilation spotlights personal growth, the value of relationships, and unexpected insights from the world of jigsaw puzzle competitions.

A.J. Jacobs shares his gratitude journey in exploring the complex operations behind his cup of coffee. Steven Sloman discusses the illusion of explanatory depth and how it affects our understanding. The podcast emphasizes the importance of explaining complex concepts to uncover misunderstandings in decision-making.

Resolutions are easy to make, even easier to break. But what if a story or idea can motivate us in a whole new way? This hour, TED speakers offer different perspectives on our most common resolutions. Guests include neuroscientists Wendy Suzuki and Sandra Aamodt, science journalist Catherine Price, behavioral scientist Wendy De La Rosa, and authors Pico Iyer and A.J. Jacobs.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A.J. Jacobs (@ajjacobs) takes over the show for a special episode. A.J. is a kindred guinea pig of self-experimentation who chronicles his shenanigans in books that seem to keep winding up as New York Times best sellers. The Know-It-All was about his quest to learn everything in the world. In The Year of Living Biblically, he tried to follow all the rules of the Bible as literally as possible. Drop Dead Healthy followed his well- (and ill-) advised experiments to become the healthiest person alive. My Life as an Experiment is about exactly what it sounds like, and It's All Relative aimed to connect all of humanity in one family tree.His latest book, Thanks a Thousand: A Gratitude Journey, chronicles his journey around the world to personally thank everyone along the supply chain who makes his morning cup of coffee a possibility: the farmer of the coffee beans, the barista, the designer of the logo for the coffee, the truck driver who transported the coffee beans, the guy who painted the yellow lines on the road so the truck wouldn't veer into traffic, the inventor of the cardboard sleeve that goes around the coffee cup (aka the paper zarf) so you don't burn your fingers, and on and on.In this episode, A.J. will be taking us through 10 strategies for being happier through gratitude in these stressful times and his agreement to do so just builds upon the gratitude I already have for this man. I hope you enjoy, and if you benefit in some way from these strategies, please feel free to reach out and thank him.Bonus: if you pre-order his latest book or let him know how much you've appreciated his earlier work, he may even personally thank you back with a handwritten card (details found here)!This episode is brought to you by Charlotte's Web, which makes a CBD oil, a hemp extract, that has become one of my go-to tools. Charlotte's Web won't get you high, but it does have some pretty powerful benefits, and it works with your body's existing endocannabinoid system. Some of the most common uses are for relief from everyday stressors, help in supporting restful sleep, and to bring about a sense of calm and focus.Visit cwhemp.com/tim to take a quick quiz, which will determine the best product for your lifestyle. Charlotte's Web is also offering listeners of this podcast 10% off with discount code TIM.This podcast is also brought to you by Peloton, which has become a staple of my daily routine. I picked up this bike after seeing the success of my friend Kevin Rose, and I've been enjoying it more than I ever imagined. Peloton is an indoor cycling bike that brings live studio classes right to your home. No worrying about fitting classes into your busy schedule or making it to a studio with a crazy commute.New classes are added every day, and this includes options led by elite NYC instructors in your own living room. You can even live stream studio classes taught by the world's best instructors, or find your favorite class on demand.Peloton is offering listeners to this show a special offer. Visit onepeloton.com and enter the code TIM at checkout to receive $100 off accessories with your Peloton bike purchase. This is a great way to get in your workouts, or an incredible gift. Again, that's onepeloton.com and enter the code TIM.***If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading the reviews!For show notes and past guests, please visit tim.blog/podcast.Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (“5-Bullet Friday”) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Please fill out the form at tim.blog/sponsor.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss YouTube: youtube.com/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, and many more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A.J. Jacobs, author known for his immersive experiments, shares his insights on living by the U.S. Constitution in today's world. He humorously recounts his year-long endeavor of writing with a quill and reflects on the evolving nature of constitutional principles. Jacobs discusses the significance of the Supreme Court's legacy and explores the whimsical idea of creating a family constitution. He also highlights how historical voting practices inspired community-building projects and emphasizes the balance between tradition and modernity in democracy.

A.J. Jacobs, a journalist and author known for his quirky lifestyle experiments, dives into the paradoxes of living constitutionalism. He hilariously recounts his year of following the Constitution's original meanings, leading to some absurd encounters in modern-day Manhattan. Jacobs discusses the challenges of interpreting historical texts and explores the tensions between originalism and evolving societal values. He reflects on the parallels between biblical literalism and strict constitutionalism, advocating for adaptability in understanding democracy and rights.

A.J. Jacobs, an author and experimenter, shares his year-long journey living according to the U.S. Constitution. He reveals how the founding fathers feared mob rule and balanced democracy with elitism. Exploring the original meanings of the Second Amendment and free speech, Jacobs highlights how perceptions have shifted. He reflects on the fragility of American democracy, advocating for fun ways to engage citizens, like baking 'election cakes.' With humor and insight, he emphasizes the importance of open-mindedness and the need for citizens to actively shape their government.

A.J. Jacobs, a bestselling author known for his quirky social experiments, dives into the essence of gratitude. He explains the key distinction between genuine gratitude and mere positive thinking. A.J. also shares how acknowledging luck fosters empathy and compassion. Discover why expressing thanks, especially to parents on birthdays, can enhance happiness. With anecdotes and insights, he illustrates gratitude's transformative powers in daily life and relationships, making a compelling case for appreciating even the smallest contributions.

A.J. Jacobs, a renowned writer and TED speaker known for his unique self-experimental approach, shares his journey of gratitude in the podcast. He recounts his quest to thank everyone involved in the making of his morning coffee, revealing an endless gratitude chain. Jacobs emphasizes how recognizing small acts of kindness can enhance emotional well-being and foster community. He highlights the link between gratitude, storytelling, and happiness, advocating for daily practices that shift our focus from what we lack to appreciating life's gifts.