19 Best Guests From The Tim Ferriss Podcast
Tim Ferriss Podcast
Tim Ferriss is a best-selling author, investor, entrepreneur, and notorious self-experimenter, but he may be best known for his commercially and critically acclaimed podcast, aptly titled The Tim Ferriss Show.
Tim has an unyielding thirst for learning and his podcast is a reflection of his many worldly curiosities. The Tim Ferriss Show features a stunning guest list of world-class achievers from big business, the arts, science, the military, and more.
On his podcast, Tim methodically deconstructs the habits and traits of all these high-level performers and looks to tease out the common threads of success for all his faithful listeners.
The array of guests that Tim has lined up over the years is staggering. It is a wildly impressive group of people who have reached the pinnacle of achievement in many of their respective fields.
These guests all tend to open up and become rather revealing with Tim. Tim has a special knack for making them comfortable and asking just the right prompting questions.
There is always something to take away from his conversations with every single guest, no matter what their backgrounds are.
Narrowing down Tim’s entire podcast catalog to just 19 guests was quite the challenge, but I feel these 19 are all intriguing personalities from diverse backgrounds.
Each one of them brings the goods with nuggets of wisdom and actionable life advice.
Here are The 19 Best Guests From The Tim Ferriss Show Podcast:
1. Tim Ferriss and Debbie Millman
Yes, I am listing Tim Ferriss himself at the #1 best guest ever spot, accompanied by Debbie Millman, who is a powerhouse design expert, author, brand consultant, and podcast host herself.
This episode is clearly the. most important and impactful work Tim has ever done on his platform, detailing his journey in healing from trauma caused by childhood sexual abuse.
This episode is heavy but also hopeful in the same breath. Tim and Debbie were incredibly brave and vulnerable for the greater good of humanity here.
2. Chris Dixon And Naval Ravikant – The Wonders Of Web3 And Much More
Whether you have never heard the term Web3 or you are an early adopter of blockchain technologies with a robust crypto portfolio, this is a must-listen podcast episode.
No matter your understanding of Web3, it is here and it is going to have a profound impact on society at large over the next decade.
We most likely do not even understand nor have the ability to conceptualize the many ways in which blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies will change the ways in which we live, connect, and work throughout the globe.
This conversation is an incredible primer on the big picture concepts and value propositions of Web3 and how it differs from the current-day version of the internet we are all familiar with.
Chris Dixon and Naval Ravikant are brilliant thinkers, entrepreneurs, and investors and they have an uncanny ability to take complex, heady issues and distill them down into laymen’s terms.
The world is changing before our eyes and podcasts provide a free means of becoming educated and informed.
This is one of those critical episodes to help you stay ahead of the curve.
3. Derek Sivers
Derek Sivers founded CD Baby back in the ‘90s which went on to become the largest seller of independent music online. The numbers CD Baby churned out were staggering, reaching $100 million in sales.
Derek’s approach to life and business will change your context for everything. In this episode, Derek tells the tale of a major life lesson learned on an exhaustive 43-minute bike ride.
It is a lesson that is applicable to everyone, no matter what your calling may be.
4. Peter Attia
Peter Attia has an impressive and intriguing background. He is an MD and mechanical engineer.
He abruptly left an acclaimed career as a surgeon to pursue a consulting gig, working with high-level forecasting projects for big banking businesses. He made a return to healthcare and did research at the National Cancer Institute.
I am most drawn to Peter’s knowledge and philosophies on diet and nutrition. He has some interesting and contrarian takes on the state of healthcare and supplementation and backs up all his thoughts with a grounded and reasoned explanation.
Also, check out Peter’s episode on the Jocko Podcast. It is a fascinating look into the world of a trauma surgeon in the heart of Baltimore City.
Go check out the episode right here.
5. Laird Hamilton
The guest here is Laird Hamilton, pro surfer, extreme adventurer, and entrepreneur, but you also get some solid contributions from his wife Gabby Reece, a pro volleyball player, as well as their trainer Brian MacKenzie.
I loved the parenting discussion coming from Laird and Gabby. I was also taken at how communal and involved Laird gets with other people when it comes to working out and exercising.
Laird’s episode made me start to think about the benefits of camaraderie when exercising. It is a communal joy I am starting to experience at the yoga studio I recently joined.
Go check out the episode right here.
6. Matt Mullenweg
Matt is the CEO of Automatic, which is impressive in its own right, but he was also the original lead developer of WordPress, which is now responsible for powering more than 25% of the websites on the internet.
Matt has plenty of wisdom to relay, but perhaps the best takeaway from Matt is his offering for everyone to just try and live a more thoughtful, calm, and present existence, even in the context of high-level business ambitions.
Go check out the episode right here.
7. Josh Waitzkin
Josh seems to me to be a microcosm of Tim’s entire podcast, which means his background is diverse and fascinating.
Josh was considered a chess prodigy and was the basis for the book and movie Searching For Bobby Fisher.
He is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a paddle-surfing enthusiast. In business, Josh coaches world-class investors.
Go check out the episode right here.
8. Seth Godin
I love hearing Seth talk and espouse his values on work, writing, and marketing. He has helped put such a fine point on what is truly important for me and what I need to be focusing on in my pursuits of business and marketing.
Seth touts a credo for achievement that is commonly championed by several of Tim’s other guests, which is: Just do the work. Show up and put the time in.
The extraneous things, like marketing, take care of themselves when you create something of value that people need and want.
Go check out the episode right here.
9. Jocko Willink
Jocko Willink is a retired Navy Seal, entrepreneur, consultant, and author. This episode of The Tim Ferriss Show was Jocko’s big stage debut and introduction to the masses.
It is an intense peek behind the curtain of war and the psyche of our military personnel. This appearance left a major imprint on Tim’s loyal listeners and set the stage for Jocko’s own podcast, The Jocko Podcast.
The Jocko Podcast has become a favorite podcast of mine as well.
10. Neil Gaiman
Getting to hear Tim be so downright jubilant about interviewing someone he has held in such high regard for so long is awesome. I find it inspiring to experience someone living out and fulfilling a dream.
If anyone is undertaking any sort of creative pursuit, this episode is a must-listen. Neil Gaiman is one of the most prolific and accomplished writers out there and to have the curtain drawn back on his creative process is an unbelievable treat for the listener.
I loved Neil’s philosophy of giving himself permission not to write during his scheduled or intended periods of writing. He wisely allows himself to either write or not to write at all, however, he is not allowed to do anything else.
Meaning, that Neil can sit and peacefully stare out the window as long as he would like but he is not allowed to pick up a magazine to read an article for a few minutes.
He suggests this approach gives him permission to have a blank page and not be compelled to write but also steers himself clear of getting sidetracked by useless activities and procrastination.
Go check out the episode right here.
11. Brenè Brown
Dr. Brenè Brown, Ph.D., is a researcher and author. Her Ted Talk on vulnerability is one of the most-watched Ted Talks in the entire world.
Dr. Brown is such a source of comfort, inspiration, and hope. One of her personal mantras, “lean into discomfort”, has become a gentle rallying cry for me through the recent loss of a dear cousin who died by suicide.
Ever since discovering Dr. Brenè Brown, I have been consciously trying to live a more vulnerable life.
Check out our feature article on Brown’s own podcast, Unlocking Us With Brenè Brown right here.
12. Dom D’Agostino
Dom D’Agostino may be the preeminent authority on the Ketogenic diet. He has a rather impressive background in research, which can be reflected in his deep scientific jargon at times, but his wisdom and guidance for the ketogenic diet are actionable.
For anyone deeply committed to the ketogenic diet or just curious about it, Dom is a must-listen.
Go check out the episode right here.
13. Tony Robbins
Tony Robbins most likely needs no introduction here. The man is an icon and he has earned that status through decades of coaching countless lives through transformational breakthroughs.
When Tony speaks I hang on every word. Pairing him up with Tim makes for one powerfully compelling episode.
14. Cheryl Strayed
Cheryl is a NY Times best-selling author with her acclaimed releases Tiny Beautiful Things, Brave Enough, and her memoir Wild, which got made into the movie starring Reese Witherspoon.
Cheryl is brilliant in this episode, which was recorded live in front of an audience at the SXSW festival in Austin Texas.
I found her experiences and philosophies to be inspirational for my creative endeavors. Her entire discussion with Tim is as entertaining as compelling.
Check out the episode right here.
15. Mark Zuckerberg – Founder And CEO Of Meta
Mark Zuckerberg seems to be on some sort of publicity tour as of late and I think it is a good move for his personal brand and the overall perception of Meta (Facebook).
He also seems to be choosing smart platforms for his public appearances with stops on The Lex Fridman Podcast and The Tim Ferriss Show.
As a quick aside, do check out the best episodes of the Lex Fridman Podcast right here.
Those podcasts offer the opportunity for long-form, nuanced discussions with thoughtful hosts who are equipped to not only discuss big business and technology with Zuckerberg but more than hold their own with arguably one of the biggest tech CEOs on the planet.
I must admit, much like the rest of the world, my opinions and perception of Zuckerberg and his company Meta have sullied over the past few years.
Concerns about privacy, greed, trampling of rights, and the harmful effects of social media on our youth have all soured my thoughts on Zuckerberg.
While those concerns are still prominent for me, I thought Zuckerberg came off as a thoughtful, grounded, and compassionate person in his discussion with Tim.
It was an interesting look into the mind and soul of one of the most intriguing tech founders in the past 25 years.
Check out the interview yourself and please do leave a comment with your takeaways from the interview.
16. Ray Dalio
Ray Dalio is a titan in the world of hedge fund investing with his firm Bridgewater Associates. Dalio keeps a relatively low profile so he is an incredible guest to get for Ferriss.
Dalio does not disappoint in giving a thoughtful and candid interview. Dalio recently authored the book Principles, and his firm is known for a culture of radical transparency.
He offers some fascinating insight into the world of business, leadership, and overall success in life.
Check out the episode right here.
17. Lebron James and His Top-Secret Trainer, Mike Mancias
When it comes to sustained greatness there are not many individuals more acclaimed and accomplished in their respective fields than Lebron James.
James, a CEO and serial entrepreneur as well, is as impressive in the business world as he is in dominating on the court.
This kind of unfiltered access to James and his long-time trainer is a fascinating glimpse into the methods and manners in which an elite performer maintains their peak mental and physical conditioning.
18. Gary Keller — How to Focus on the One Important Thing | The Tim Ferriss Show
Gary Keller is a powerhouse in the world of real estate and executive leadership. The detailing of how his career began and the moves he made within growing a massive real estate outfit are as informative as entertaining.
It is arguable, though, that Gary’s greatest contribution to society is his book The One Thing.
Like most impactful advice, Gary’s One Thing philosophy is so simple yet so profound. It should be required reading for anyone undertaking an entrepreneurial or creative pursuit.
Check out the episode right here.
19. Jim Collins — A Rare Interview with a Reclusive Polymath | The Tim Ferriss Show (Podcast)
Jim Collins was a great get for Tim. The acclaimed author rarely does press, so it was a real treat to hear this conversation.
Good To Great is one of the most iconic business books of all time. I love getting a glimpse into the process of accomplished creators and Tim is the perfect person to thoughtfully probe and extract gems of wisdom for his listeners.
Check out the episode right here.
Habits For A Happier Life
I am a devout listener of Tim’s podcast. It has made a recurring and positive impact on my life on a few different levels. It has encouraged and driven me to consciously forge a more meaningful and enriching life, specifically placing emphasis on the importance of establishing a morning routine.
Getting in the habit, of having a habit around morning time, has made a major impact on my productivity and my ability to simply try and be happier in life.
Tim’s podcast has also inspired me to be more diligent with my diet, opting to join the growing legion of loyal ketogenic practitioners out there, which is a high-fat diet with minimal carb intake.
I have personally benefited with a reduction in body fat, an uptick in sustainable energy levels, along with a sharper mental focus, all in great part because of the shared tips and info from Tim and his guests.
A Selfless And Lighthearted Approach
I think one of the most understated, but obviously endearing qualities about Tim’s podcast is Tim himself. Tim seems like a genuinely good dude who is earnest in his desire to teach and help people have better lives.
He covers some pretty heady topics on his show, but never to the detriment of Tim keeping a lighthearted and grounded disposition. He is self-deprecating and lacking in ego, all the while thriving in a world, big business, that is awash in ego.
I have never met Tim and he certainly is not aware of me, but as a faithful listener, you can not help but feel you know Tim just a little bit. That is a credit to how open and transparent Tim has been on his podcast, selflessly sharing many details of his life, challenges and heartache included.
Tim also authored and released books like Tribe Of Mentors and Tools Of Titans. Both books serve as a thorough canvassing of the many personalities that have graced Tim’s podcast or his personal network, in addition to some additional nuggets of actionable life advice.
Inspirational Videos From Tim Ferriss
In addition to being a premier podcaster, Tim also has an impressive collection of brief “how-to” style tutorials and quick-hitting informative video pieces in his content catalog as well.
We have combed through Tim’s video catalog to gather his most quick-hitting and actionable content and have compiled those inspirational pieces neatly into this feature all for you.
Here are 13 Inspirational Videos From Tim Ferriss:
- How To Cope With Feeling Unfocused Or Overwhelmed | Tim Ferriss
2. Best Mistake Tim Ferriss Has Ever Made | Tim Ferriss
Go check out all of the 13 Inspirational Videos from Tim Ferriss right here!
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