10 Tim Ferriss Show Episodes That Shaped My Thinking
I’m a long-time listener of two great podcasts — EconTalk and The Tim Ferriss Show. In a recent discussion on X (are we calling it X or Twitter?), I promised to share my ten favorite episodes from Tim’s podcast.
Selecting just ten from nearly 700 episodes was far more difficult than anticipated. Undoubtedly, I’ve omitted some insanely good discussions, but this is my attempt to highlight the interviews that made the biggest impression on me, entertained me, taught me new ways of thinking, and contained ideas I continue reflecting on. Here it is:
1: #340: Paul Stamets — How Mushrooms Can Save You and (Perhaps) the World: Mind-blowing! I’ve now heard Paul tell the story of his first experience with psilocybin mushrooms and how it affected his lifelong stutter multiple times, and each time it gives me chills. His passion for the intricate fungi kingdom was contagious, and this episode opened my mind to the transformative role mushrooms could play in medicine, ecology, and beyond.
2. #97 Naval Ravikant — The Person I Call Most For Startup Advice: Though this was my introduction to Naval, he quickly became one of the thinkers who has most impacted how I approach personal growth and business strategy. His emphasis on reading widely and developing meta-learning skills resonated strongly with me. Naval’s unique perspectives on happiness, knowledge, and entrepreneurship left me rethinking many assumptions.
3. #571 Boyd Varty — The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life: Storytelling at its finest! This remarkable interview enthralled me as Boyd Varty recounted spellbinding stories from growing up on South Africa’s Londolozi Game Reserve. Afterward, I immediately bought his book, which has since become one of my top 3 to give to friends. If you want a safari-like auditory experience, this is a must-listen episode.
4. #587 Terry Crews — Masculinity, True Power, Therapy, and Resisting Cynicism — I knew I had to include one of the Crews episodes, and recency bias lifted 587 above 287. Terry Crews is a true Renaissance man who has experienced immense highs and lows yet approaches life with incredible gratitude. His story of overcoming anger and being a beacon for those around him is inspirational.
5. #125 Derek Sivers — Developing Confidence, Finding Happiness, and Saying No to Millions — Derek Sivers radiates authenticity in this conversation with Tim. In a world that pushes conformity, Derek stands out as someone who lives a life entirely on his terms. Also, his book notes are a go-to source for reading inspiration.
6. #153 BJ Miller — The Man Who Studied 1,000 Deaths to Learn How to Live — Death is a topic we tend to avoid, but reflecting on it can help us live more meaningfully. As a palliative care doctor involved in over 1,000 deaths, BJ Miller gained profound insights into living meaningfully by studying the end-of-life experience. His perspective on mortality was neither morbid nor anxiety-inducing but strangely uplifting and life-affirming.
7. #501 Steven Pressfield — How to Overcome Self-Sabotage and Resistance, Routines for Little Successes, and The Hero’s Journey vs. The Artists’s Journey — As someone striving to improve my writing skills, this episode resonated deeply and came at the perfect time. Pressfield artfully articulated the headspace required for artistic work, and his words unlocked something in me. After listening, I immediately read his seminal book, The War of Art, which further propelled my writing journey.
8. #444 Hugh Jackman — Best Decisions, Daily Routines, The 85% Rule, Favorite Exercises, Mind Training, and Much More. — I’m a sucker for breadth, and this episode delivered. Both Tim and Hugh adeptly explored an expansive range of subjects, including daily routines, influential books, physical exercises, cultivating intuition, meditation practices, and much more. I was impressed by the sheer volume of actionable advice they packed into a single episode. Tim and Hugh’s natural chemistry and curiosity made their far-ranging conversation flow seamlessly. The episode left me with a list of new books to read, routines to try, and exercises to practice.
9. #323 Tim Goes to a Maximum Security Prison — This episode shattered preconceptions and reminded me that humanity connects us all. The prisoners’ insights on resilience, regret, meaning, and redemption were staggeringly honest and insightful. I was moved by their reflections on struggles with temptation, backsliding, and forging new paths. Sometimes, the most impactful advice comes from unexpected places.
10. #366 Neil Gaiman — The Interview I’ve Waited 20 Years to Do — both low-key practical and deeply philosophical, as a writer looking to hone my processes, this episode is one I’ve returned to. From suggestions on notebooks and fountain pens to broader reflections on the creative process, this episode is a must-listen for aspiring writers or creatives of any kind.
And there you have it — my top 10 favorite Tim Ferriss Show episodes. I hope you discover some new episodes to love. Let me know which ones you end up checking out!
If you have other favorite episodes, I’m always eager to discover new insightful conversations, so share them in the comment section. Now, get started listening to some of the greatest minds of our time.
