
Outliers with Daniel Scrivner: Explore the Greatest Innovators, Founders, and Investors
Learn from history's greatest innovators, founders, and investors with a mix of interviews and summaries of the best books, essays, and lectures. Each week, Daniel Scrivner decodes the ideas, strategies, and frameworks used by the best innovators, founders, and investors. Past guests include Scott Belsky (Adobe), Gokul Rajaram (DoorDash), Kevin Kelly (WIRED), Sir Ronald Cohen (IMPACT), Erling Kagge (Everest Explorer), along with the founders of Wealthfront, Public.com, Primal Kitchen, 1-800-GOT-JUNK, Levels, and Eight Sleep. Visit OutlierAcademy.com for episode notes, searchable transcripts, videos, and more.
Outliers with Daniel Scrivner is a mix of Founders Podcast, How I Built This, Business Breakdowns, Invest Like The Best, Founder's Field Guide, 20VC (20 Minute VC), The Knowledge Project, What It Takes, and The Tim Ferriss Show.
Latest episodes

Jan 26, 2024 • 16min
Friday 5: Five Lessons on Simplicity from Steve Jobs | Episode #176
Get Friday 5 delivered to your inbox every Friday at 8 AM Pacific
In this episode of Friday Five, Daniel Scrivner shares his five favorite ideas from the book 'Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success' by Ken Segall. The book explores Apple's obsession with simplicity and how it has contributed to the company's success. The five ideas and stories discussed include starting with small groups of smart people, expressing a single idea clearly, the power of speaking human, being a ruthless enforcer of high standards, and the importance of marketing based on values.
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(01:55) #1 Start with small groups of smart people and keep them small
(04:21) #2 People will always respond better to a single idea expressed clearly
(06:38) #3 1,000 songs in your pocket and the power of speaking human
(07:59) #4 Good enough is not good enough. Be a ruthless enforcer of high standards
(08:52) #5 In a complicated world, marketing is about values
Explore the episode notes.
Search and down a transcript and find links to related books, interviews, lectures, and more: outlieracademy.com/176.
Watch and listen.
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Explore my full summary for the book featured this week.
Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success
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Jan 26, 2024 • 2min
Trailer - Friday 5: Five Lessons on Simplicity from Steve Jobs | Episode #176
Get Friday 5 delivered to your inbox every Friday at 8 AM Pacific
In this episode of Friday Five, Daniel Scrivner shares his five favorite ideas from the book 'Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success' by Ken Segall. The book explores Apple's obsession with simplicity and how it has contributed to the company's success. The five ideas and stories discussed include starting with small groups of smart people, expressing a single idea clearly, the power of speaking human, being a ruthless enforcer of high standards, and the importance of marketing based on values.
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(01:55) #1 Start with small groups of smart people and keep them small
(04:21) #2 People will always respond better to a single idea expressed clearly
(06:38) #3 1,000 songs in your pocket and the power of speaking human
(07:59) #4 Good enough is not good enough. Be a ruthless enforcer of high standards
(08:52) #5 In a complicated world, marketing is about values
Explore the episode notes.
Search and down a transcript and find links to related books, interviews, lectures, and more: outlieracademy.com/176.
Watch and listen.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Find this episode in your favorite podcast app
Get new episodes delivered via email
Explore my full summary for the book featured this week.
Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success
Brought to you by HVMN. With Ketone-IQ, fuel your best anytime with a boost of awesome-feeling energy and clarity. Unlock the power of nature's superfuel—no fasting or keto diet required.
Advertise with Outliers and reach our global community
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 25, 2024 • 40min
Book: (Part 2) "Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success" | Episode #175 (Part 2 of 2)
"Simple can be harder than complex. You have to work hard to get your thinking clean, to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end, because once you get there, you can move mountains." — Steve Jobs
To Steve Jobs, simplicity was a religion. It was also a weapon. Revolution after revolution, Jobs proved that Simplicity is the most powerful force in business. It guides the way Apple is organized, how it designs products, and how it connects with customers.
As ad agency creative director, Ken Segall played a key role in Apple's resurrection after Steve Jobs returned. He helped create such marketing campaigns as Think Different. By naming the iMac, he also laid the foundation for naming waves of i-products to come.
Explore the episode notes.
Search and down a transcript and find links to related books, interviews, lectures, and more: outlieracademy.com/175.
Watch and listen.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Find this episode in your favorite podcast app
Get new episodes delivered via email
Explore my full summary for the book featured this week.
Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success
For more, explore my full profile on Steve Jobs.
Who is Steve Jobs? Wisdom From The Man Who Built Apple, NeXT, and Pixar
Brought to you by HVMN. With Ketone-IQ, fuel your best anytime with a boost of awesome-feeling energy and clarity. Unlock the power of nature's superfuel—no fasting or keto diet required.
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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 25, 2024 • 1min
Trailer - Book: (Part 2) "Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success" | Episode #175 (Part 2 of 2)
"Simple can be harder than complex. You have to work hard to get your thinking clean, to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end, because once you get there, you can move mountains." — Steve Jobs
To Steve Jobs, simplicity was a religion. It was also a weapon. Revolution after revolution, Jobs proved that Simplicity is the most powerful force in business. It guides the way Apple is organized, how it designs products, and how it connects with customers.
As ad agency creative director, Ken Segall played a key role in Apple's resurrection after Steve Jobs returned. He helped create such marketing campaigns as Think Different. By naming the iMac, he also laid the foundation for naming waves of i-products to come.
Explore the episode notes.
Search and down a transcript and find links to related books, interviews, lectures, and more: outlieracademy.com/175.
Watch and listen.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Find this episode in your favorite podcast app
Get new episodes delivered via email
Explore my full summary for the book featured this week.
Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success
For more, explore my full profile on Steve Jobs.
Who is Steve Jobs? Wisdom From The Man Who Built Apple, NeXT, and Pixar
Brought to you by HVMN. With Ketone-IQ, fuel your best anytime with a boost of awesome-feeling energy and clarity. Unlock the power of nature's superfuel—no fasting or keto diet required.
Advertise with Outliers and reach our global community
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 23, 2024 • 53min
Book: (Part 1) "Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success" | Episode #174 (Part 1 of 2)
"Simple can be harder than complex. You have to work hard to get your thinking clean, to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end, because once you get there, you can move mountains." — Steve Jobs
To Steve Jobs, simplicity was a religion. It was also a weapon. Revolution after revolution, Jobs proved that Simplicity is the most powerful force in business. It guides the way Apple is organized, how it designs products, and how it connects with customers.
As ad agency creative director, Ken Segall played a key role in Apple's resurrection after Steve Jobs returned. He helped create such marketing campaigns as Think Different. By naming the iMac, he also laid the foundation for naming waves of i-products to come.
Explore the episode notes.
Search and down a transcript and find links to related books, interviews, lectures, and more: outlieracademy.com/174.
Watch and listen.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Find this episode in your favorite podcast app
Get new episodes delivered via email
Explore my full summary for the book featured this week.
Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success
For more, explore my full profile on Steve Jobs.
Who is Steve Jobs? Wisdom From The Man Who Built Apple, NeXT, and Pixar
Brought to you by HVMN. With Ketone-IQ, fuel your best anytime with a boost of awesome-feeling energy and clarity. Unlock the power of nature's superfuel—no fasting or keto diet required.
Advertise with Outliers and reach our global community
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 23, 2024 • 2min
Trailer - Book: (Part 1) "Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success" | Episode #174 (Part 1 of 2)
"Simple can be harder than complex. You have to work hard to get your thinking clean, to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end, because once you get there, you can move mountains." — Steve Jobs
To Steve Jobs, simplicity was a religion. It was also a weapon. Revolution after revolution, Jobs proved that Simplicity is the most powerful force in business. It guides the way Apple is organized, how it designs products, and how it connects with customers.
As ad agency creative director, Ken Segall played a key role in Apple's resurrection after Steve Jobs returned. He helped create such marketing campaigns as Think Different. By naming the iMac, he also laid the foundation for naming waves of i-products to come.
Explore the episode notes.
Search and down a transcript and find links to related books, interviews, lectures, and more: outlieracademy.com/174.
Watch and listen.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Find this episode in your favorite podcast app
Get new episodes delivered via email
Explore my full summary for the book featured this week.
Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success
For more, explore my full profile on Steve Jobs.
Who is Steve Jobs? Wisdom From The Man Who Built Apple, NeXT, and Pixar
Brought to you by HVMN. With Ketone-IQ, fuel your best anytime with a boost of awesome-feeling energy and clarity. Unlock the power of nature's superfuel—no fasting or keto diet required.
Advertise with Outliers and reach our global community
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 22, 2024 • 12min
Short Read: Mike Moritz on Steve Job's Frugality in "Imitators Take Note: Steve Jobs Was More Than a Showman" | Episode #173
"It is easy to forget that, when he was a student, the man who brought us the Macintosh, iPhone and iPad (and, with his little finger, Pixar) collected bottle caps to make ends meet. The need to stretch every nickel informed the way Apple was run during the early days." — Mike Moritz
In 2015, Mike Moritz wrote an opinion piece for The Financial Times called "Imitators take note — Steve Jobs was more than a showman." It's a great reminder that the best businesses — including Apple — are the most capital efficient businesses. That what matters isn't how much you raise, but the business you build with what you raise. And that even Apple, started out life being incredibly cheap and capital efficient.
Being frugal and stretching every nickel ensures that your business is as durable as possible. While revenue will always ebb and flow, expenses are typically subject to inertia. Expenses tend to build up invisibly, almost imperceptibly, and can require heroic acts to shrink. While is why it's so important to build a culture of frugality from Day One — ensuring that as many dollars spent as possible go toward strategic expenses that sustain and grow your business.
Explore the episode notes.
Search and down a transcript and find links to related books, interviews, lectures, and more: outlieracademy.com/173.
Watch and listen.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Find this episode in your favorite podcast app
Get new episodes delivered via email
For more, explore my full profile of Steve Jobs.
Who is Steve Jobs? Wisdom From The Man Who Built Apple, NeXT, and Pixar
Brought to you by HVMN. With Ketone-IQ, fuel your best anytime with a boost of awesome-feeling energy and clarity. Unlock the power of nature's superfuel—no fasting or keto diet required.
Advertise with Outliers and reach our global community
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 22, 2024 • 4min
Trailer - Short Read: Mike Moritz on Steve Job's Frugality in "Imitators Take Note: Steve Jobs Was More Than a Showman" | Episode #173
"It is easy to forget that, when he was a student, the man who brought us the Macintosh, iPhone and iPad (and, with his little finger, Pixar) collected bottle caps to make ends meet. The need to stretch every nickel informed the way Apple was run during the early days." — Mike Moritz
In 2015, Mike Moritz wrote an opinion piece for The Financial Times called "Imitators take note — Steve Jobs was more than a showman." It's a great reminder that the best businesses — including Apple — are the most capital efficient businesses. That what matters isn't how much you raise, but the business you build with what you raise. And that even Apple, started out life being incredibly cheap and capital efficient.
Being frugal and stretching every nickel ensures that your business is as durable as possible. While revenue will always ebb and flow, expenses are typically subject to inertia. Expenses tend to build up invisibly, almost imperceptibly, and can require heroic acts to shrink. While is why it's so important to build a culture of frugality from Day One — ensuring that as many dollars spent as possible go toward strategic expenses that sustain and grow your business.
Explore the episode notes.
Search and down a transcript and find links to related books, interviews, lectures, and more: outlieracademy.com/173.
Watch and listen.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Find this episode in your favorite podcast app
Get new episodes delivered via email
For more, explore my full profile of Steve Jobs.
Who is Steve Jobs? Wisdom From The Man Who Built Apple, NeXT, and Pixar
Brought to you by HVMN. With Ketone-IQ, fuel your best anytime with a boost of awesome-feeling energy and clarity. Unlock the power of nature's superfuel—no fasting or keto diet required.
Advertise with Outliers and reach our global community
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 20, 2024 • 1h 20min
How They Invest: Compound Kings (KNGS) Approach to Technology Value Investing | Episode #129
“The investment management business actually looks a lot more like every other business, where there's products, there's marketing, and there's distribution, and you have to be outstanding at all three of those things in order to succeed in this business.” – Robert Cantwell, Founder and CIO of Compound Kings
Chapters
(00:02:23) Introduction
(00:04:53) Defining a compounder (growth, profitability, high ROIC)
(00:06:22) Investing in challenging markets
(00:14:26) Robert’s thoughts on the rise of active management
(00:17:28) Why so much money is still in mutual funds
(00:19:33) Thematic ETFs and where they can go wrong
(00:39:05) Why investing in public markets is so challenging
(00:46:09) Top three positions in Compound Kings today: Meta, ServiceNow, and Adyen
(01:05:35) What it’s like to build an ETF business
Explore the episode notes.
Search and down a transcript and find links to related books, interviews, lectures, and more: outlieracademy.com/129.
About Robert Cantrell and Compound Kings.
Robert Cantwell is the Founder of Upholdings and Portfolio Manager of Compound Kings, which is an exchange-traded fund focused on investing in companies often called compounders. Compounders are typically profitable, growing, and generate very high returns on invest capital (ROIC).
Watch and listen.
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Brought to you by HVMN. With Ketone-IQ, fuel your best anytime with a boost of awesome-feeling energy and clarity. Unlock the power of nature's superfuel—no fasting or keto diet required.
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Jan 20, 2024 • 3min
Trailer - How They Invest: Compound Kings (KNGS) Approach to Technology Value Investing | Episode #129
“The investment management business actually looks a lot more like every other business, where there's products, there's marketing, and there's distribution, and you have to be outstanding at all three of those things in order to succeed in this business.” – Robert Cantwell, Founder and CIO of Compound Kings
Explore the episode notes.
Search and down a transcript and find links to related books, interviews, lectures, and more: outlieracademy.com/129.
Watch and listen.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Find this episode in your favorite podcast app
Get new episodes delivered via email
Brought to you by HVMN. With Ketone-IQ, fuel your best anytime with a boost of awesome-feeling energy and clarity. Unlock the power of nature's superfuel—no fasting or keto diet required.
Advertise with Outliers and reach our global community
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices