#663: In Case You Missed It: February 2023 Recap of “The Tim Ferriss Show” | TED Radio Hour

Intro

In this episode of the TED Radio Hour, host Guy Raz recaps the February 2023 episodes of “The Tim Ferriss Show.” Tim Ferriss is known for his popular email newsletter, Five Bullet Friday, where he shares his favorite discoveries of the week. The Tim Ferriss Show features interviews with a variety of guests, deconstructing world-class performers to extract routines and habits that listeners can apply to their own lives.

Main Takeaways

Tim Ferriss and Five Bullet Friday

• Five Bullet Friday is Tim Ferriss’ popular email newsletter that shares five short and action-packed bullet points of the coolest things he has found that week.
• 25% of Tim Ferriss’ podcast guests were first subscribers to Five Bullet Friday.
• Tim Ferriss shares exclusive content and early access to special deals with Five Bullet Friday subscribers.

Deconstructing World-Class Performers

• The Tim Ferriss Show deconstructs world-class performers to extract routines and habits that listeners can apply to their own lives.
• The podcast features interviews with a variety of guests.

February 2023 Recap

• The Between Episode serves as a recap of the episodes from the last month.
• John Verveiki, Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto, discusses philosophical fellowship, which involves picking a philosophical text and using it to transform oneself.
• Brené Brown, research professor at the University of Houston, discusses vulnerability and the importance of being brave.
• Exploding Kittens CEO Ilan Lee raised almost $9 million on Kickstarter, despite initially aiming for $10,000 in 30 days.
• Alternate reality games are built on the premise that together, a community can become extraordinary versions of themselves.
• Matt, the creator of The Oatmeal, spent a decade building an audience, earning their trust, and convincing them of his high-quality work.
• The sleep divorce is a taboo topic where couples sleep in separate beds or locations to improve sleep.

Summary

Philosophical Fellowship and Embracing Change

John Verveiki, Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto, discusses the concept of philosophical fellowship, which involves using a philosophical text to transform oneself. He emphasizes the importance of embracing change, especially during midlife, as it presents an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. Brené Brown, research professor at the University of Houston, adds to this discussion by highlighting the significance of vulnerability and being brave. She encourages listeners to open Pandora’s Box and explore their emotions, as it is necessary for personal development.

Success in Crowdfunding and Alternate Reality Games

Ilan Lee, CEO of Exploding Kittens, shares his experience of raising almost $9 million on Kickstarter for his project. He discusses the importance of having a strong background and a loaded deck, but also highlights the possibility of achieving success even without these advantages. The podcast also explores the world of alternate reality games, where a community comes together to solve convoluted puzzles and become extraordinary versions of themselves.

The Oatmeal and Building an Audience

Matt, the creator of The Oatmeal, shares his journey of building an audience and earning their trust. He emphasizes the importance of consistently delivering high-quality content and connecting with the audience on a personal level. The collaboration between Matt and the creator of the Kickstarter campaign resulted in tremendous success, with the campaign raising over $8 million and becoming the most-backed Kickstarter campaign ever.

Sleep Divorce and Improving Sleep

The podcast explores the concept of sleep divorce, where couples sleep in separate beds or locations to improve their sleep quality. While it may be a taboo topic, survey data suggests that about one out of every four couples have experienced a sleep divorce. The discussion highlights the benefits of sleeping well, including improved sex life and increased desirability for intimacy. Lack of sleep can also negatively impact relationships, decreasing empathy and conflict resolution skills. The podcast suggests approaches to sleep divorce, such as gentle conversations and temporary trial periods, as well as alternatives like building in cuddle time before bed and in the morning.

Conclusion

Through interviews with various guests, “The Tim Ferriss Show” explores topics such as personal growth, vulnerability, crowdfunding success, alternate reality games, building an audience, and sleep quality. The podcast provides valuable insights and actionable advice for listeners to apply to their own lives. Whether it’s embracing change, being brave, or improving sleep, there is something for everyone in this February 2023 recap.