Tim Ferriss

Tim Ferriss

productivityentrepreneurshiplifestyle

Author of The 4-Hour Workweek, angel investor, and host of The Tim Ferriss Show — the first business/interview podcast to exceed 100 million downloads.

Website @taborferriss

Latest Episodes

#855: Tim Ferriss — How to Quiet the Ruminative Mind, Avoid Traps of Self-Help, and Focus in a World of Promiscuous Overcommitment

01:18:21

In this episode, Tim Ferriss is interviewed by Dan Harris about managing a ruminative mind, the pitfalls of self-help culture, and the challenge of overcommitment. They discuss cutting-edge treatments like TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) for depression and OCD, the critical importance of social relationships over productivity optimization, and how workaholism can lead to a 'desertification' of one's social life. Both hosts share personal confessions about isolation and the transformative power of prioritizing genuine human connection.

Accelerated TMS protocols like the SAINT Protocol show 70-80% depression remission rates and can dramatically reduce OCD symptomsSocial relationships and community matter far more for wellbeing than self-help optimization and productivity hacksWorkaholism leads to a 'desertification' of social life that undermines the very success and happiness people are striving for

Feb 24, 2026

#854: Tish Rabe — 200+ Children's Books, Getting Picked for Dr. Seuss, Lessons from Early Sesame Street, How to Write 300+ Songs, and More

01:27:22

Tish Rabe, a New York Times bestselling author of over 200 children's books with 11 million copies sold, shares her unlikely journey from opera major to prolific children's author and songwriter. She discusses her early career writing for Sesame Street, how she was personally selected by Dr. Seuss to continue his legacy, and the craft behind writing effective rhyming children's books and songs. The conversation covers lessons from Jim Henson, the educational rigor behind Sesame Street's curriculum-driven approach, and practical techniques like writing a story's ending first.

Writing the ending of a story first provides a clear destination that strengthens the entire narrative structureSesame Street's success was built on curriculum-first design with rigorous focus group testing to ensure children actually learnedDouble-level humor that entertains both children and parents simultaneously is key to creating enduring children's content

Feb 18, 2026

#853: Jordan Jonas, Champion of Alone — The Art of Survival, Lessons from Nomadic Tribes, Hardship as the Path to Peace, How to Handle Rogue Wolverines, and Why Not to Photograph Attacking Bears

02:26:06

Jordan Jonas, winner of Alone Season 6, shares his extraordinary life journey from growing up on an Idaho farm to living with nomadic Evenki tribes in Siberia, riding freight trains, and mastering wilderness survival skills. The conversation explores his family's resilience through Assyrian genocide and his father's 12-year health decline, revealing how hardship can forge deep purpose and joy. Tim Ferriss and Jordan discuss practical survival techniques like axe selection and fire-starting, alongside philosophical reflections on what modern people can learn from indigenous cultures and confronting adversity.

Hardship and suffering can paradoxically lead to deeper peace, purpose, and joy — as demonstrated by Jordan's grandparents rebuilding after genocide and his father facing death with radical positivityTraditional tools and indigenous knowledge (like single-bevel Siberian axes) vastly outperform modern commercial alternatives for wilderness survival, and immersion with nomadic tribes teaches skills no formal training can replicateModern comfort-optimized life disconnects people from the evolutionary fulfillment found in direct engagement with nature, physical challenge, and self-reliance

Feb 11, 2026

#852: Tim McGraw — Starting Late with a $20 Guitar, Selling 100M+ Records, and 30+ Years of Creative Longevity

01:57:40

Tim McGraw shares his journey from buying a $20 pawn shop guitar to becoming one of country music's most successful artists, selling over 106 million records across a 30+ year career. The conversation covers his creative philosophy of always letting the song win, his physical transformation after a wake-up call during the filming of Four Christmases, and the emotional story of discovering his father was baseball legend Tug McGraw. Ferriss and McGraw also explore the discipline required for creative longevity, the importance of trusting artistic instincts over audience reactions, and lessons on parenting and personal growth.

The song always has to win — artistic integrity and serving the material must come before commercial pressure or audience expectationsA pivotal wake-up call during Four Christmases led Tim to completely transform his physical health and training approach, sustaining his performance ability for decadesStarting late with almost nothing — pawning his high school ring for a $20 guitar — demonstrates that humble, determined beginnings can lead to extraordinary creative careers

Feb 4, 2026

#851: Dr. Tommy Wood — How to Future-Proof Your Brain from Dementia

02:07:49

Dr. Tommy Wood, a neuroscience professor at the University of Washington, discusses evidence-based strategies for preventing dementia and protecting brain health across the lifespan. The conversation covers his research on brain injury in newborns, concussion protocols for adults, and the modifiable lifestyle factors that could prevent 45-70% of dementia cases. He also shares practical recommendations around exercise (especially VO2 max training), nutrition, and foundational supplements for long-term cognitive health.

Up to 45-70% of dementia cases may be preventable through modifiable lifestyle factors like exercise, nutrition, and cognitive stimulationVO2 max training and high-intensity interval work (like Norwegian 4x4 protocols) serve as powerful cardio insurance against cognitive declineA foundation of omega-3s, B vitamins, vitamin D, iron, and magnesium supports brain health as part of a whole-system approach rather than single-nutrient fixes

Jan 28, 2026

Get Tim Ferriss's insights in your inbox

Subscribe and follow Tim Ferriss to receive weekly AI-curated digests.