Billy Oppenheimer

Billy Oppenheimer, a researcher and writer collaborating with Ryan Holiday and Rick Rubin, shares insights into his creative process inspired by the concept of 'looking for clues.' He discusses building an external brain for ideas instead of relying solely on memory and emphasizes the significance of inputs over outputs. Oppenheimer dives into cultivating patience, navigating mainstream influences while maintaining authenticity, and valuing the creative journey over immediate success. This conversation offers valuable lessons on perseverance, creativity, and embracing the mundane.

Billy Oppenheimer, a research assistant and writer for Ryan Holiday, dives deep into the pitfalls of unchecked genius. They analyze how success can blind even the smartest minds, using Elon Musk as a cautionary tale for those seduced by solitude and echo chambers. The conversation explores the thin line between intelligence and wisdom, the importance of trusted advisors, and how overconfidence can derail clear thinking. Tune in for insights on maintaining humility and the dangers of dismissing traditional knowledge.

Billy Oppenheimer, Ryan Holiday's research assistant and writer of Six at 6 on Sunday, joins the conversation to explore the Stoic virtue of justice. They discuss the downfall of American Apparel and the personal responsibility tied to it. Highlights include the cycle of success and self-destruction, and the profound narratives from 'Right Thing, Right Now.' The discussion emphasizes the significance of individual choices and the moral weight of inaction, urging listeners to take courageous steps toward justice in their own lives.

Join Ryan Holiday and his research assistant, Billy Oppenheimer, as they dive deep into the journey of the Stoic Virtues Series. Billy, a talented newsletter writer, shares insights on how the project evolved over six years. They explore the importance of wisdom, the rigorous process behind publishing, and how personal experiences shaped their writing. Discover how Seneca's teachings on knowledge, the role of bibliographies in learning, and the joy of storytelling remain essential to their craft. It's a fascinating look at growth through Stoicism!

Billy Oppenheimer, a researcher and writer for Ryan Holiday and Rick Rubin, dives into the intersection of creativity and AI. He shares his unique note-card research system, emphasizing how to capture ideas for future clarity. Oppenheimer discusses the unpredictable nature of taste and why AI should serve as a tutor rather than a crutch. With insights on cultivating deep knowledge and finding inspiration outside AI’s reach, he argues that the joy of creative synthesis comes from personal engagement and diligent reading.

Billy Oppenheimer is a researcher for Ryan Holiday. He is also known for his viral long-form tweets and Six at 6 on Sunday newsletter. Billy is insatiably curious. He is a master at drawing lessons from anecdotes from the worlds of sports, music, comedy, business, and more. He joins the show to discuss how to cultivate good taste, whether everything is a remix, why he learns through introjection, and a whole lot more. Important Links: Six at 6 on Sunday Billy's Twitter Billy's website Our episodes with David Senra (1, 2) 'A Bicycle of the Mind' - Steve Jobs on the Computer Our episode with Edward Rooster To His Coy Mistress; by Andrew Marvell Kubla Khan; by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Show Notes: Focus on doing the thing SIX at 6's origin story Learning through introjection Developing taste & cultivating curiosity "People don't have ideas, ideas have people" How Billy practices his scales Fiction vs non-fiction Repetition, repetition, repetition Should we study more failures? Process compounds "Care, but don't care too much" Has anyone succeeded without persistence? Conceptual ancestors Everything's a remix Taste, tools, markets & feedback Finding your pain points MUCH more! Books Mentioned: Trust Me, I'm Lying; by Ryan Holiday Psychology of Money; by Morgan Housel Atomic Habits; by James Clear The Immortality Key : The Secret History of the Religion with No Name; by Brian C. Muraresku Reality Hunger; by David Shields The Power of Myth; by Joseph Campbell & Bill Moyers Cloud Atlas; by David Mitchell The Great Gatsby; by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Da Vinci Code; by Dan Brown

In this conversation, Billy Oppenheimer, Ryan Holiday's research assistant and newsletter writer, dives deep into Ryan's writing journey. They discuss Robert Greene's pivotal advice to reject an early book offer and how Stoic philosophy has shaped Ryan's evolving style. Ryan shares insights on mentorship, the balance between personal creativity and audience expectations, and his favorite aspects of the creative process. Through their dialogue, the importance of nuance and authenticity in storytelling takes center stage, inspiring listeners to explore their own writing paths.

Billy used to be an avid skier, working odd jobs and traveling between the northern and southern hemispheres trying to catch the best skiing. In 2018 he e-mailed Ryan Holiday and pitched him on doing some work for him for free. In a couple of months, he was hired as Ryan's research assistant.  Billy is one of the most curious people I know and we dive into his journey. 🎥🍿 YOUTUBE: WATCH HERELinks:Twitter: @bpoppenheimerWebsite: billyoppenheimer.comBilly's Newsletter⌛TIMESTAMPS(00:56) - The scripts Billy grew up with (14:05) - Reaching out to Ryan Holiday (18:12) - The research process and learning from Ryan (25:41) - Skiing, Australia and finding his own voice (40:43) - Animal courtship (44:02) - How Ryan Holiday manages his team (52:02) - Ambition and learning from past models (01:03:30) - Downsides to fame (01:04:21) - Where can we find Biilly? NEW: The Pathless Path Hardcover Premium Edition📘 My 2nd Book Good Work: Learn More📕 Buy My First Book, The Pathless Path (65k+ Sold): The Pathless Path😁 Join 500+ In My Cozy Community: Pathless Path Community📲Connect + Follow PaulX: @p_millerdInstagram: @pathlesspaulPaul’s Newsletter: Subscribe to Pathless (26k+ People)Paul’s YouTube: Subscribe🙏Further Ways To Support The Podcast:Accounting, Taxes, and Payroll for Your S-Corp (Ideal for $60k+ income): CollectiveLooking for alternatives to traditional health insurance in the US? Check out CrowdhealthI use Transistor to host this podcast. It rocks. Launch Yours HereI record high-quality videos using Riverside: Sign Up HereI use and love the Readwise reader for notes and highlights: Join Here for a 2 month trial

In this conversation, Billie Oppenheimer, the mastermind researcher behind Ryan Holiday’s bestsellers, reveals that the key to creativity often lies in the mundane. She emphasizes how consistency in tasks like fact-checking and digging through archives can spark major breakthroughs. Billie discusses the value of embracing repetition, finding joy in routine, and the surprising power of boredom for idea generation. She also shares insights on how hyperfocus can be both a blessing and a curse in creative endeavors.

Billy Oppenheimer, writing/research assistant to Ryan Holiday and author of the weekly newsletter, The Six at Six on Sunday, joins Joe for a discussion about the power of reading. They share lessons from books about Disney Pixar, Bob Dylan, General Patton, Dr. Seuss, The Lumineers, George Lucas, and more. They emphasize the importance of writing, reflection, and finding connections through reading for personal growth.