The Tim Ferriss Show

Kevin Systrom, co-founder and former CEO of Instagram, shares insights from his journey building the platform to over a billion users. He emphasizes the importance of simplicity in decision-making and how focusing on core user needs can transform experiences. Reflecting on his Odeo internship, Systrom highlights vital lessons on timing and innovation in startups. He also discusses effective management and the value of constructive feedback, urging entrepreneurs to embrace resilience and pursue their passions while navigating challenges.

Amanda Palmer, a multi-talented artist known for her innovative approach to music and art, discusses her journey through creativity and personal pain. She reflects on her experiences with crowdfunding and the emotional depth of storytelling, particularly around themes of loss. Palmer challenges the belief that suffering is essential for art, advocating for openness and vulnerability. She emphasizes the transformative power of community support in fostering creativity, illustrating how platforms like Patreon have allowed her to connect more deeply with her audience.

In this episode, Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google and co-author of "Trillion Dollar Coach," shares insights from his journey in tech leadership and philanthropy. He discusses the legacy of mentor Bill Campbell and the transformative power of effective coaching. Schmidt emphasizes innovation as a systematic process and the importance of nurturing a strong organizational culture. He also highlights strategies for navigating communication challenges in fast-growing companies and the significance of personal routines in enhancing productivity.

Neil Gaiman, the bestselling author known for works like Coraline and American Gods, shares fascinating insights into his creative process. He discusses the relationship between location and productivity, emphasizing the need for a distraction-free space. Gaiman reflects on the inspirations behind his novel The Graveyard Book, revealing personal anecdotes from his experiences in a graveyard. The conversation also touches on navigating creative pressure and the balance between structured and organic writing, all while embracing the uncertainty inherent in artistic endeavors.

Michael Pollan, a bestselling author and professor, dives into the fascinating world of psychedelics and their transformative potential. He discusses their historical journey from the 1950s to their resurgence in modern mental health treatments. Pollan shares personal experiences linked to psilocybin and highlights its therapeutic benefits for depression and addiction. The conversation also explores the ego's role in consciousness, the importance of qualified guides in psychedelic therapy, and the societal stigma around mental health that needs change.

Safi Bahcall, author of *Loonshots* and a biotechnology entrepreneur, dives into how unconventional ideas can transform industries and even cure diseases. He explores the distinction between 'loon shots'—innovative breakthroughs—and strategic shifts, using historical examples like the telephone. Bahcall emphasizes resilience in the face of failure, drawing parallels between scientific innovation and personal growth. With insights from his experiences leading a biotech company, he encourages fostering creativity and rethinking what we believe to be true.

In this lively Q&A, insightful discussions cover finding mentors and the deeper meanings in life. Strategies for managing anxiety, especially in high-pressure situations, are shared, along with humorously mixed values through cocktails. The challenges of navigating relationships, emotional sensitivity, and personal growth in your late twenties also take center stage. With a focus on confidence-building and effective communication, listeners receive valuable life advice and practical techniques to enhance their everyday experiences.

Graham Duncan, Co-founder of East Rock Capital and talent tracking expert, shares fascinating insights on evaluating human potential. He emphasizes the importance of navigating ambiguity in talent selection and discusses innovative hiring strategies. The conversation also touches on the orchid and dandelion analogy for nurturing talent, the mindset for successful investing, and the distinction between finite and infinite games in finance. Listeners will appreciate Duncan's perspective on valuing time over traditional wealth and embracing mindfulness in everyday life.

In this conversation, Jim Collins, an influential author renowned for his research on business success, shares rare insights into the art of leadership. He emphasizes the importance of level five leaders who prioritize humility and collective achievement. Collins also explores creativity's nuances and the vital role of time management for impactful productivity. With a personal touch, he reflects on navigating life's challenges and the 'flywheel effect' that can propel companies from good to great, inviting listeners to rethink their approaches to business and personal growth.

"I really am a big believer in people's creativity flourishing when they come at things from a different direction and see things in a different way." — Caterina FakeCaterina Fake (@caterina) is a long-time Silicon Valley pioneer. She is the Cofounder of Yes VC, a pre-seed and seed stage fund investing in ideas that elevate our collective humanity. Previously, she worked at Founder Collective as a Founder Partner, served as Chair of Etsy, and was the co-founder of Flickr.At Flickr, Caterina and her team introduced many of the innovations — newsfeeds, hashtags, "followers," "likes" — that have become commonplace online. Caterina went on to found several more startups (Findery, Hunch) and became an active investor, advisor and board member, helping to build companies like Etsy and Kickstarter from their beginnings. (Other investments include Stack Overflow, Cloudera, and Blue Bottle Coffee.) Caterina is an early creator of online communities and a long time advocate of the responsibility of entrepreneurs for the outcomes of their technologies.Caterina sits on the board of Public Goods, the Sundance Institute, and McSweeney's. She was given the Silicon Valley Visionaries award in 2018 and has received honorary doctorates from both the New School and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).Caterina is also the host of the new podcast Should This Exist?, which asks the question, "What is technology doing to our humanity?" Should This Exist? can be listened to on Apple Podcasts, at shouldthisexist.com or anywhere podcasts are found.Please enjoy!Click here for the show notes for this episode.This podcast is brought to you by Athletic Greens. I get asked all the time, “If you could only use one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is, inevitably, Athletic Greens. It is my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body and did not get paid to do so. As a listener of The Tim Ferriss Show, you’ll get a free 20-count travel pack (valued at $79) with your first order at athleticgreens.com/tim.This podcast is also brought to you by Uber. Uber makes getting around town easier than ever before, and now Uber is introducing Uber Rewards, a new rewards program that helps keep modern life going. With Uber Rewards, you can earn points on Rides and Uber Eats and unlock rewards such as Uber Cash for your next Uber ride or your next Uber Eats order. You can unlock new benefits at every membership level, such as flexible cancellations with Gold, price protection with Platinum, complimentary surprise upgrades with Diamond, and more. For terms and to learn more about all the ways you can earn Uber Rewards, go to Uber.com/Rewards.***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.