William Bridges, a renowned American literature professor and consultant, teams up with Arthur Brooks, a Harvard leadership expert, and former President Jimmy Carter. They discuss the tough decision of when to step down from leadership roles. Key topics include the emotional challenges of retirement, the impact of aging on identity, and redefining legacy—highlighting personal anecdotes from public figures. The conversation emphasizes the transition from self to community, urging listeners to embrace new roles for meaningful contributions.

I’ve interviewed legendary storyteller Cal Fussman (@calfussman) on this show before (here and here), but this time, the roles are reversed, and he interviews me!If you are not yet familiar with him, Cal is a New York Times bestselling author and a writer-at-large for Esquire magazine, where he is best known for being a primary writer of the “What I Learned” feature. And this interview originally aired on Cal’s podcast, “Big Questions with Cal Fussman.”Cal has transformed oral history into an art form, conducting probing interviews with the icons who’ve shaped the last 50 years of world history: Mikhail Gorbachev, Jimmy Carter, Ted Kennedy, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, Jack Welch, Robert DeNiro, Clint Eastwood, Bruce Springsteen, Dr. Dre, Quincy Jones, Woody Allen, Barbara Walters, Pelé, Yao Ming, Serena Williams, John Wooden, Muhammad Ali, and countless others.Enjoy!This podcast is brought to you by Four Sigmatic. While I often praise this company’s lion’s mane mushroom coffee for a minimal caffeine wakeup call that lasts, I asked the founders if they could help me—someone who’s struggled with insomnia for decades—sleep. Their answer: Reishi Mushroom Elixir. They made a special batch for me and my listeners that comes without sweetener; you can try it at bedtime with a little honey or nut milk, or you can just add hot water to your single-serving packet and embrace its bitterness like I do.Try it right now by going to foursigmatic.com/ferriss and using the code Ferriss to get 20 percent off this rare, limited run of Reishi Mushroom Elixir. If you are in the experimental mindset, I do not think you’ll be disappointed.This episode is also brought to you by “5-Bullet Friday,” my very own email newsletter, which every Friday features five bullet points of cool things I’ve found that week, including apps, books, documentaries, gadgets, albums, articles, TV shows, new hacks or tricks, and — of course — all sorts of weird stuff I’ve dug up from around the world. It’s free, it’s always going to be free, and you can subscribe now at tim.blog/friday.***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.

In an intimate reflection on his life, Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States and renowned humanitarian, shares stories of his upbringing on a Georgia farm and his transition into politics. He discusses his impactful work in human rights and mediating conflicts globally. Carter also opens up about the complexities of electoral integrity and the emotional challenges he faced post-presidency, including navigating his relationship with Rosalind and reflections on mortality and legacy.

Ryan Holiday, a Stoicism advocate, speaks to Naval Academy cadets about the essence of justice, drawing parallels to former President Jimmy Carter's impactful legacy. He shares personal anecdotes that underline the significance of leadership rooted in integrity and service. The discussion explores how Carter's unwavering commitment to moral principles and compassion has shaped a just society. Holiday emphasizes the importance of maintaining high ethical standards in today's world, reflecting on the balance between personal accountability and selfless service.

JD Vance, a provocative political commentator, sparks outrage with his candid remarks on Trump's safety and the looming potential of a Trump-Kamala debate. Meanwhile, former President Jimmy Carter weighs in, hinting at his last hope for liberal leadership. They dive into the effects of political rhetoric on safety, and the evolving dynamics of the Democratic Party. There’s even a discussion on the implications of proposed plea deals for terrorists, raising questions about justice in today’s political environment.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, is renowned for his dedication to human rights and peace. In this engaging conversation, he shares his journey into poetry, offering a glimpse into the emotional depths of love and loss. Reflecting on family life in the White House, Carter reveals the unique dynamics with his daughter, Amy. He also discusses the troubling intertwining of religion and politics in America, advocating for the coexistence of faith and science. Carter’s passion for storytelling shines through, emphasizing the importance of community and family.

Former President Jimmy Carter, renowned for his commitment to human rights, shares profound insights on women's rights and the role of religion in perpetuating inequality. He discusses how misinterpretations of religious texts contribute to gender-based violence and cultural practices like child marriage. Reflecting on democracy, he critiques the growing influence of corporations in politics. Carter also emphasizes the urgent need for reforms in combating human trafficking, while passionately advocating for ongoing efforts towards gender equality.

In this engaging discussion, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who recently turned 100, shares reflections on his remarkable life filled with humor and warmth. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz dives into his campaign struggles, even humorously pleading for financial help. The duo tackles the alarming Iran-Israel missile tensions and critiques recent media narratives surrounding Netflix’s subscription losses. Along the way, Taco Bell's latest menu innovations add a light-hearted twist to the political conversation, making for a thought-provoking and entertaining exchange.

Former President Jimmy Carter celebrates a monumental 100th birthday, reflecting on his remarkable legacy of diplomacy and humanitarian work. He discusses his underrated presidency, highlighting significant achievements like the Camp David Accords and global health initiatives. Carter shares personal anecdotes of humility and service, emphasizing the importance of integrity in leadership. The conversation also delves into his efforts in renewable energy and his commitments to human rights, showcasing a life dedicated to peace and community service.

Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's first female president, discusses her plans to tackle cartel violence and maintain her predecessor's legacy. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, celebrating his 100th birthday, reflects on his humanitarian efforts and the qualities needed in future leaders. The conversation also covers Israel's ground operations in Lebanon amidst geopolitical tensions and the impacts of a chemical fire in Georgia, emphasizing the complexities of international responses to these crises.