271: Ryan Holiday | Stillness Is the Key

Matt Schrier is an American photographer who survived seven months as an Al-Qaeda captive in Syria before escaping, and the author of The Dawn Prayer: A Memoir. What We Discuss with Matt Schrier: How Matt Schrier was captured by Al-Qaeda just 45 minutes away from the border on his way out of Syria in 2012. How making his captors laugh on day one of his captivity got him special treatment from a usually unforgiving crowd. What Matt did to survive and plan an escape in spite of an unhelpful, self-sabotaging cellmate. Why Matthew feels betrayed by the FBI and the US government for putting intelligence gathering over the safety of Americans imprisoned by terrorists. Why, even after becoming the first American to escape from Al-Qaeda and his feelings of betrayal from his own government, he has no regrets about going to Syria in the first place. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://jordanharbinger.com/217 Sign up for Six-Minute Networking -- our free networking and relationship development mini course -- at jordanharbinger.com/course! Why do people keep resisting new things? That's the question the Pessimists Archive podcast tries to answer. Each episode travels back in time to the moment a new technology or innovation was introduced and explores why everyone was freaking out about it. Give Pessimists Archive a listen here! Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

27 Jun 20191h 43min

Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) is a writer, comedian, producer, TV host, activist, and the author of five consecutive New York Times bestsellers -- her latest is Life Will Be the Death of Me...And You Too! What We Discuss with Chelsea Handler: Finding the line between mood enhancement and paranoia-generating abuse when it comes to cannabis. How a DUI at age 21 led to Chelsea's entry into the world of standup comedy, and what she was really trying to get from her search for attention. As someone who's never been afraid to quit a job she's grown tired of doing, what really matters to Chelsea? What's the difference between authentic generosity and generosity that just feeds the giver's ego? Why is Chelsea writing books, doing standup comedy, and working on television projects when she was sure she'd burned out on doing all of these things not long ago? And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://jordanharbinger.com/216 Sign up for Six-Minute Networking -- our free networking and relationship development mini course -- at jordanharbinger.com/course! By listening to the Dexter Guff Is Smarter Than You podcast, you have made the decision to change your life by listening to an under-qualified, over-confident lifestyle entrepreneur. Celebrate self-proclaimed thought leadership here! Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

25 Jun 201954min

There's lots of stuff in this one about investing wisely and eradicating debt -- especially student debt -- thanks to some professional help from our all-star, money-ninja accountant Matt Rzepka, along with the usual questions about everything else we get here on Feedback Friday. And in case you didn't already know it, Jordan Harbinger (@JordanHarbinger) and Jason DeFillippo (@jpdef) banter and take your comments and questions for Feedback Friday right here every week! If you want us to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Feedback Friday episodes, drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com. Now let's dive in! Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://jordanharbinger.com/215. On This Week's Feedback Friday, We Discuss: You judge people quickly, won't suck up to authority, and have a reputation as being unapproachable. What's really going on, and are you stuck this way? You're a frugally living 37-year-old doctor swimming in med school debt. Should you put all your money into saving and investments or toward extra loan repayment? For someone with student loan debt just starting out in their career, what is the best move for financial freedom? Should you pay off debt, invest, build savings, or acquire assets? Early in med school with many years of debt ahead, is it still worth it to be locking your money up and committing to your monthly index fund? Your network connection is great at opening doors, but lackluster in work ethic. Is there a way to inoffensively compensate them for opening those doors without involving them in the actual job that results? Are you really offended when an entertainer (say, a podcaster) openly expresses their political views, or are you just offended when their political views seem to differ from yours? How can you stop giving in to your need for instant gratification and become a productive member of society when you lack discipline and think the world's ending anyway? Life Pro Tip: If you volunteer to give up your seat on an overbooked flight, don't just take the first offer. Tell the gate agent, "Toss in another $200+/- and I'll go for it." They'll almost always agree, because a willing volunteer is worth it. And if they offer you a meal voucher, ask for a day pass to their first class club instead. It will have food plus other amenities! Recommendation of the Week: The Dawn Wall A quick shoutout to Malak Firaas from (the nation of) Jordan! Have any questions, comments, or stories you'd like to share with us? Drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com! Connect with Jordan on Twitter at @JordanHarbinger and Instagram at @jordanharbinger. Connect with Jason on Twitter at @jpdef... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

21 Jun 20191h 1min

Gabriel Weinberg (@yegg) is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, founder of privacy-protecting search engine DuckDuckGo, and coauthor of Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models. What We Discuss with Gabriel Weinberg: What are mental models, and how can they be applied to make your life run more efficiently and effectively? How mental models used primarily in physics, economics, biology, and math can be easily adjusted for everyday decisions. What a South American tribe that can only count to three and our own grade school experiences with multiplication tables can teach us about the power of math as a mental model. Why you should be second-guessing your natural intuition during the decision-making process, and how you can use mental models to do it. First principles versus conventional wisdom for approaching familiar situations in an innovative way. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://jordanharbinger.com/214 Sign up for Six-Minute Networking -- our free networking and relationship development mini course -- at jordanharbinger.com/course! The Mental Illness Happy Hour with Paul Gilmartin is a weekly online podcast that interviews comedians, artists, friends, and the occasional doctor. Each episode explores mental illness, trauma, addiction and negative thinking. Give it a listen here! Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

20 Jun 20191h 11min

LeVar Burton (@levarburton) is an award-winning actor famous for iconic roles from Kunta Kinte in Roots to Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the host of long-running PBS series Reading Rainbow and the LeVar Burton Reads podcast. What We Discuss with LeVar Burton: How LeVar went from pursuing a vocation in the priesthood to acting in a miniseries that changed the national dialogue about slavery forever. What LeVar's Roots experience taught him about the power of television for education and engagement and how it paved the way for his involvement with Reading Rainbow. The questions LeVar asks parents who want their kids to read more. What it was like to act in Star Trek with the most expressive parts of his face covered and a head full of technobabble vocabulary. How LeVar avoided melting down in spite of international attention from an early age and what he's done to stay relevant over 40 years in show business. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://jordanharbinger.com/213 Sign up for Six-Minute Networking -- our free networking and relationship development mini course -- at jordanharbinger.com/course! Build Your Network with Travis Chappell is a podcast for aspiring professionals who want to grow their inner circle and sharpen their relationships. Listen here! Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

18 Jun 20191h 6min

Are you a germaphobe if it creeps you out when your spouse and in-laws don't wash their hands after using the bathroom, or is your disgust actually reasonable and justified? If getting divorced and burning down the house aren't options, we'll tell you how to live with unwashed loved ones on this Feedback Friday! And in case you didn't already know it, Jordan Harbinger (@JordanHarbinger) and Jason DeFillippo (@jpdef) banter and take your comments and questions for Feedback Friday right here every week! If you want us to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Feedback Friday episodes, drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com. Now let's dive in! Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://jordanharbinger.com/212. On This Week's Feedback Friday, We Discuss: Thanks to an accidental glance at their phone, you suspect one of your parents might be cheating on your other parent. What do you do now? You've noticed your significant other and in-laws don't wash their hands after using the bathroom. As a germaphobe, how do you reconcile love with the disgust you're feeling? Though your trustworthy significant other insists the condoms you found in their car were bought before you agreed to stop using them, it's bothering you. Should you let the issue go? How can you deal with the anxiety of starting your own business and accepting the risks and potential setbacks while giving it your all? How do you intentionally work your way toward connecting with super influential people like Reid Hoffman when you're just getting started in your networking efforts? Your stay-home spouse admitted recently that they are lonely. How do you foster friendships as an adult -- especially when you have infants to take care of? The VP of your company wants to advance you, yet worries you may be too young or inexperienced for a higher-up position. What can you do to convince them you're ready for the position? You have a somewhat manipulative boss who is taking a new job and wants to bring you along. Should you take this as an opportunity to continue your professional relationship, or is it just time to move on from his erratic reign? Life Pro Tip: If you can't decide between two items of clothing (like two different jackets), have someone take photos of you with them on (front and back), and then look at the photos. Recommendation of the Week: The Black Godfather A quick shoutout to Jodie! Have any questions, comments, or stories you'd like to share with us? Drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com! Connect with Jordan on Twitter at @JordanHarbinger and Instagram at @jordanharbinger. Connect with Jason on Twitter at @jpdef and Instagram at @JPD,... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 Jun 20191h 14min

Arthur Brooks (@arthurbrooks) is a social scientist, Washington Post columnist, president of the American Enterprise Institute, and author of Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt. What We Discuss with Arthur Brooks: Why happiness relies on being mindful of what you have right now instead of comparing yourself to others who have what you want. A disheartening statistic: One in six Americans has stopped talking to a family member or close friend entirely because of politics. How gratitude can be used as an anesthetic for contempt. Why a healthy society elevates authoritative leaders in search of cooperation for the greater good over coercive leaders who bully their way toward short-term results. Why we should commit not to be -- or interact with people who hide behind being -- anonymous on the Internet. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://jordanharbinger.com/211 Sign up for Six-Minute Networking -- our free networking and relationship development mini course -- at jordanharbinger.com/course! Build Your Network with Travis Chappell is a podcast for aspiring professionals who want to grow their inner circle and sharpen their relationships. Listen here! Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

13 Jun 20191h 31min

Howie Mandel (@howiemandel) is a comedian, actor, host of Deal or No Deal, judge on NBC’s America's Got Talent, and coauthor of Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me. What We Discuss with Howie Mandel: Why Howie believes it's important for us to be open about our struggles no matter what they are. How being impulsive helped Howie understand the power of "now" and set him on his current career path. Why Howie believes more of us would be ahead and happier if we learned to live in the moment instead of fretting over consequences. What Richard Pryor taught Howie about honing an act and controlling an audience like a conductor -- not always going for laughs, but impact. The real secret to staying married for 40 years. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://jordanharbinger.com/210 Sign up for Six-Minute Networking -- our free networking and relationship development mini course -- at jordanharbinger.com/course! Happier with Gretchen Rubin is a lively, thought-provoking podcast in which the best-selling author and her cohost (and sister) Elizabeth Craft share practical, manageable advice about happiness and good habits. Lend it your ears here! Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11 Jun 20191h 29min