Lenny Rachitsky, ex-Airbnb Product Manager, shares his secrets to creating high-quality content and rising above the noise in the oversaturated market of product management. He emphasizes the importance of adding value and spending time researching and revising. The podcast explores topics like writing with high signal to noise, using storytelling and metaphors, and the challenges of taking on additional projects. Lenny also discusses dealing with criticism, fears of making mistakes, and the benefits of specialization in writing.

Riva Tez, a freest writer with a knack for stumbling upon forgotten and under-explored ideas, discusses creating space for answers, the overlooked beauty of subtlety, rereading and memorization, the creativity recession, selective media consumption, the limitations of truth in education, cultivating taste, embracing authenticity and emotion in writing, thinking beyond training inputs in AI systems, and the concept of maximalism.

Guest Sam Parr, master copywriter and business builder, shares insights on turning online writing into cash and selling at scale. He talks about plagiarizing his way onto Amazon's bestseller list, building trust through colloquial copywriting, and the significance of headlines and captivating writing.

Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Netscape and prolific investor, discusses the combination of tech and liberal arts in writing. They explore topics like the impact of the pandemic on companies, the power of lateral thinkers, the stagnation of comment sections on the internet, and the influence of substance use on writing. They also discuss the role of green tea as a steady source of caffeine and the influence of music and exercise on creative writing.

The podcast explores the intimacy and connection in writing, the process of excavating your mind to find more to say, and the heart, soul, and contemplative journey in writing. It discusses deepening writing through inspiration and emotional resonance, the connection between writing and emotions, the significance of conversational chemistry, the influence of psychedelics on writing, the importance of writing every day, the power of stillness and trusting it, the journey of learning and discovery, and the transformative power of writing.

Derek Sivers, a musician, circus performer, and founder of CD Baby, talks about finding his best ideas, writing a posthumous autobiography, and the paradox of life. He explores the impact of writing on preserving memories, the struggle with writing every day, the importance of observation in creativity, the habit of taking notes, selling books independently, reaching out to authors, and the value of podcast connections.

Kevin Kelly, one of the most important tech writers of the last half century, discusses fame, structuring ideas, writing books, and founding Wired Magazine. They delve into the power of a thousand true fans, the tension between originality and cross-pollination of ideas, and the importance of reading widely. They also explore the central question in great art, the burdens of fame, and the role of writing in personal growth.

Lulu Cheng Meservey gives a masterclass on non-boring corporate communications, Korean pop culture, and religious fanaticism. Lulu shares what she’s learned running comms for startups, decoding cultural erogenous zones, and crafting impactful messages in 280 characters or less. Whether you're a writer, a communications professional, or simply curious about the intersection of K-POP and Internet whackos, this podcast is a window into modern communication.  Lulu is currently the Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Chief Communications Officer at Activision Blizzard, and was formerly head of comms at Substack. Her newsletter “Flack” is a new playbook for communications, written to help you win over people who matter, without wasting time or being cringe.Twitter: https://twitter.com/lulumeserveyNewsletter: https://www.getflack.com/Want to learn more about the next cohort with Write of Passage?Click here: https://writeofpassage.school/hiwWant to learn more about How I Write?Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videosApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Derek Thompson, a writer with a theater background, discusses elegant writing, dealing with critics, and the art of non-fiction story. They delve into writing routines, subconscious dreams, and the importance of being novel and important as a writer. The impact of algorithms on writing and the canonization of Impressionist paintings are also explored.

Jimmy Soni, a master of biographies and a professional speechwriter, discusses his approach to writing, including finding empty spaces when writing books. They also explore managing interview information, the power of compression in speech and writing, injecting humor and warmth in writing, and the importance of writing introductions. Additionally, Soni shares a funny mistake made while trying to impress a highly respected nonfiction author and emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with challenging individuals.