The Tim Ferriss Show

chevron_right

#739: Brené Brown and Edward O. Thorp

whatshot 896 snips

May 21, 2024

Brené Brown, a renowned researcher and best-selling author, dives into the intricacies of self-acceptance and the armor we create against vulnerability. She emphasizes the importance of curiosity and open communication in personal growth. Edward O. Thorp, the legendary mathematician and blackjack strategist, shares his fascinating journey from academia to gambling, revealing insights on overcoming the house edge and the art of strategic investing. Together, they explore themes of emotional resilience and the quest for understanding 'enough' in life.

02:01:43

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Cultivating Curiosity

Replace armor with curiosity about yourself and the world.
Ask yourself: "Why did I react that way?"

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

The 80/20 Marriage Hack

View marriage as a partnership where you carry each other's burdens.
Quantify energy levels and create a plan of kindness, especially when both partners are low.

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Embrace Curiosity

Be curious and look for opportunities to apply knowledge in unexpected ways.
Don't be afraid to challenge assumptions, even in areas where you lack experience.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Health Essentials and Podcast Milestones

01:48 • 5min

chevron_right

Navigating Self-Acceptance and Personal Growth

06:42 • 20min

chevron_right

Parenting Philosophy and B2B Marketing Insights

26:21 • 4min

chevron_right

From Math to Gambling: A Journey of Strategy and Innovation

30:46 • 13min

chevron_right

From Fitness to Finance: A Journey of Transformation

44:02 • 18min

chevron_right

Investing Wisdom: Long-Term Strategy vs. Day Trading

01:02:00 • 3min

chevron_right

The Art of Long-Term Investing

01:04:32 • 30min

chevron_right

Navigating Political Solutions to Environmental Challenges

01:34:28 • 3min

chevron_right

Navigating the Geopolitical Future

01:36:59 • 16min

chevron_right

Searching for 'Enough': Wealth, Wellness, and Insight

01:53:14 • 8min

chevron_right

#460

• Mentioned in 64 episodes

Slaughterhouse-five

Kurt Vonnegut

This novel follows the life of Billy Pilgrim, a chaplain's assistant in the U.S. Army during World War II. Billy becomes 'unstuck in time' and experiences his life out of order, including his time as a prisoner of war in Dresden during the Allied firebombing. The book is a powerful anti-war statement, blending Vonnegut's own experiences with science fiction elements, such as Billy's abduction by aliens from Tralfamadore. It explores themes of post-traumatic stress, the absurdity of war, and the human condition, using Vonnegut's characteristic black humor and fatalistic tone.

#1052

• Mentioned in 36 episodes

A Man for All Markets

From Las Vegas to Wall Street, How I Beat the Dealer and the Market

Edward O. Thorp

In this book, Edward O. Thorp recounts his remarkable career, from inventing card counting systems to beat blackjack dealers, to developing mathematical formulas that gave him an edge in the financial markets. Thorp's story includes his invention of the world's first wearable computer to predict roulette outcomes, his detection of the Bernie Madoff scheme, and his interactions with notable figures like Warren Buffett and Rudy Giuliani. The book offers practical wisdom on investing, asset allocation, and wealth management, making it an intellectual thrill ride for readers interested in finance and mathematics.

#1649

• Mentioned in 26 episodes

The paleo solution

The Original Human Diet

Robb Wolf

In 'The Paleo Solution,' Robb Wolf combines cutting-edge research from genetics, biochemistry, and anthropology to advocate for a return to the ancestral diet. The book proposes that modern humans should eat in a way that mimics the dietary habits of our Paleolithic ancestors, focusing on whole, unprocessed foods such as meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds, while avoiding grains, legumes, dairy products, and refined sugars. Wolf provides practical advice, meal plans, and real-life success stories to help readers transition to a Paleo lifestyle, which can lead to significant health improvements including better blood sugar control, lower cholesterol levels, reduced inflammation, and improved weight management.

#114

• Mentioned in 160 episodes

The 4-Hour Body

An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman

Tim Ferriss

In 'The 4-Hour Body,' Tim Ferriss shares the results of over a decade of self-experimentation and research, involving hundreds of elite athletes, dozens of MDs, and thousands of hours of personal testing. The book covers more than 50 topics, including how to lose weight quickly, gain muscle without steroids, sleep less and perform better, and improve sexual health. Ferriss emphasizes the importance of finding the smallest changes that produce the biggest results, making it accessible for readers to achieve significant improvements in their physical health and performance.

#1993

• Mentioned in 22 episodes

The Man Who Solved the Market

How Jim Simons Launched the Quant Revolution

Greg Zuckerman

This book tells the gripping story of how Jim Simons, a world-class mathematician and former code breaker, mastered the financial markets. Simons' firm, Renaissance Technologies, achieved unprecedented success with its Medallion fund, generating average annual returns of 66 percent since 1988. The book, based on unprecedented access to Simons and his team, details how Simons hired mathematicians, physicists, and computer scientists to develop algorithms that identified deeply hidden patterns in market data. It also explores how Simons' success extended beyond finance, influencing scientific research, education, and politics. The narrative highlights the collaborative nature of Renaissance Technologies and the significant impact its methods have had on various industries and society at large.

#2165

• Mentioned in 20 episodes

Beat the dealer

A Winning Strategy for the Game of Twenty-One

Edward O. Thorp

In 'Beat the Dealer', Edward O. Thorp shares the revolutionary point system that has been successfully used by professional and amateur card players for generations. The book includes an overview of the basic rules of blackjack, proven winning strategies ranging from simple to advanced, methods to overcome casino countermeasures, ways to spot cheating, and charts and tables to illustrate key concepts. It is considered the bible for players of this game of chance and has been instrumental in changing the rules in Las Vegas casinos. The book also includes perforated cards to help players implement the strategies in the casino.

#5750

• Mentioned in 8 episodes

The Man Who Beat the Market

How Ray Dalio, David Swensen, and Other Hedge Fund Managers Made Billions in the Financial Crisis and How You Can Too

Gregory Zuckerman

In 'The Man Who Beat the Market', Gregory Zuckerman delves into the strategies and philosophies of successful hedge fund managers such as Ray Dalio and David Swensen. The book provides insights into how these managers navigated and profited from the financial crisis, and offers lessons for individual investors on how to make informed investment decisions.

#292

• Mentioned in 89 episodes

Catch-22

Buck Henry

Set in the closing months of World War II, 'Catch-22' is a satirical novel that follows the story of Captain John Yossarian, a bombardier stationed on the island of Pianosa off the coast of Italy. The novel explores the absurdity and inhumanity of warfare through Yossarian's attempts to escape his flying duties, thwarted by the bureaucratic rule known as 'Catch-22'. This rule creates a paradox where a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous missions, but if he requests to be relieved of duty, he is proven sane and thus ineligible for relief. The novel is known for its nonchronological structure, circular reasoning, and its critique of military bureaucracy and the illogical nature of war.

#1052

• Mentioned in 36 episodes

A Man for All Markets

From Las Vegas to Wall Street, How I Beat the Dealer and the Market

Edward O. Thorp

#23929

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

The Wolf is at the Door

• Mentioned in 24 episodes

Wired to eat

Robb Wolf

In 'Wired to Eat', Robb Wolf explains how our genetics are working against us in the modern world of highly palatable foods. The book delves into the science behind appetite regulation, the impact of sleep, stress, and community on health, and introduces the concept of personalized nutrition. It includes a 30-Day Reset program to normalize appetite regulation and a 7-Day Carb Test to determine individual carbohydrate tolerance. The book also discusses ketogenic diets and intermittent fasting as potential tools for health improvement. Wolf emphasizes that each person's metabolism and nutritional needs are distinct, advocating for a personalized approach to dieting rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.

#87

• Mentioned in 190 episodes

Principles

Ray Dalio

In 'Principles: Life and Work', Ray Dalio shares the principles he has developed over his career that have helped him achieve success. The book is divided into three sections: the first section explains how Dalio's principles were formed from his personal and professional experiences; the second section outlines life principles, such as embracing reality, being radically open-minded, and understanding the importance of pain and reflection in personal growth; and the third section focuses on work principles, including the use of radical truth and radical transparency to transform an organization. Dalio advocates for systematizing decision-making into algorithms, learning from failures, and building a culture where it is okay to make mistakes but unacceptable not to learn from them.

#771

• Mentioned in 44 episodes

Radical acceptance

Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha

Tara Brach

Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach offers a transformative practice to help readers overcome habitual feelings of deficiency and better relate to their experiences and emotions. The book emphasizes two key pillars: observing one's experience clearly and responding with compassion. Through personal stories, case histories from her clinical psychology practice, and guided meditations, Brach provides practical guidance on mindfulness, compassion, and acceptance. The book helps readers stop being at war with themselves and live fully in every moment, addressing issues such as self-judgments, conflicts, addictions, and perfectionism. It also clarifies that Radical Acceptance does not mean self-indulgence or passivity but rather empowers genuine change and healing.

#820

• Mentioned in 43 episodes

The gifts of imperfection

Brené Brown

In this book, Brené Brown shares her research on the power of wholehearted living, a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness. She outlines ten guideposts to help readers cultivate courage, compassion, and connection. Brown emphasizes the importance of recognizing and overcoming shame, fear, and vulnerability, and instead embracing authenticity and self-love. The book is designed to help readers move away from perfectionism and towards a more authentic and fulfilling life.

• Mentioned in 566 episodes

Thinking, Fast and Slow

Daniel Kahneman

In this book, Daniel Kahneman takes readers on a tour of the mind, explaining how the two systems of thought shape our judgments and decisions. System 1 is fast, automatic, and emotional, while System 2 is slower, effortful, and logical. Kahneman discusses the impact of cognitive biases, the difficulties of predicting future happiness, and the effects of overconfidence on corporate strategies. He offers practical insights into how to guard against mental glitches and how to benefit from slow thinking in both personal and business life. The book also explores the distinction between the 'experiencing self' and the 'remembering self' and their roles in our perception of happiness.

#635

• Mentioned in 51 episodes

Atlas of the heart

J. Willis Hurst

This book is a detailed medical atlas that provides extensive information and illustrations related to the heart and cardiovascular system. It is intended for medical professionals and students, offering a thorough resource for understanding cardiac anatomy, physiology, and pathology.

#765

• Mentioned in 45 episodes

Dare to lead

Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.

Brené Brown

In 'Dare to Lead', Brené Brown provides a roadmap for leaders to build trust and foster a culture of courage and vulnerability. The book emphasizes that leadership is not about titles or power, but about recognizing and developing the potential in people and ideas. Brown introduces the 'BRAVING' framework (Boundaries, Reliability, Accountability, Vault, Integrity, Non-judgment, Generosity) to build and maintain trust. She also highlights the importance of embracing vulnerability, having tough conversations, and aligning actions with shared values. The book is based on her research with global leaders and offers practical advice on developing empathy, resilience, and courageous leadership skills.

This episode is a two-for-one, and that’s because the podcast recently hit its 10-year anniversary and passed one billion downloads. To celebrate, I’ve curated some of the best of the best—some of my favorites—from more than 700 episodes over the last decade. I could not be more excited. The episode features segments from episode #409 "Brené Brown — Striving versus Self-Acceptance, Saving Marriages, and More" and episode #596 "Edward O. Thorp, A Man for All Markets — Beating Blackjack and Roulette, Beating the Stock Market, Spotting Bernie Madoff Early, and Knowing When Enough Is Enough."

Please enjoy!

Sponsors:

AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: https://drinkag1.com/tim (1-year supply of Vitamin D (and 5 free AG1 travel packs) with your first subscription purchase.)

LinkedIn Ads marketing platform with 1B+ users: https://linkedin.com/TFS (free $100 LinkedIn ad credit for your first campaign)

LMNT electrolyte supplement: https://drinklmnt.com/Tim (free LMNT sample pack with any drink mix purchase)

Timestamps:

[00:00] Start

[06:06] Notes about this supercombo format.

[07:09] Enter Brené Brown.

[07:30] Changing in a lasting, meaningful way.

[08:03] Is self-accepted complacency possible?

[10:53] My woo confession about a crux skill.

[13:06] Narcissism: the shame-based fear of being ordinary.

[14:06] Efficacy isn’t always efficient.

[15:48] Pathology as armor that can’t be discarded.

[16:28] What are you unwilling to feel?

[17:04] Discarding armor that no longer serves us.

[21:26] Curiosity as midlife’s superpower.

[22:53] There’s trauma for all of us.

[23:33] An 80/20 marriage hack.

[25:18] Decisions in a family-focused family.

[27:04] Parenting from compliance to commitment.

[29:31] Enter Edward O. Thorp.

[29:54] Edward’s background, and what drew him to apply mathematics to gambling.

[37:04] Edward’s first blackjack trip to Vegas, reference materials used, and his meeting with Claude Shannon at MIT.

[40:13] Edward and Claude devised a method to beat roulette using the first wearable computer, according to MIT.

[42:16] Despite being 89, Edward looks great for his age; he discusses his approach to staying in shape over the years.

[50:22] Edward explains how he got into finance and investing, and the people he met along the way.

[59:25] Edward shares what convinced him that Warren Buffett would one day be the richest man in the world after their first meeting.

[1:03:58] Edward discusses the frameworks he would teach in an investing seminar for modern students, including those without a strong math aptitude.

[1:08:52] Edward shares lessons learned from investing that are transferable to other areas of life.

[1:11:02] Edward, a long-term thinker at 89, offers advice for those who struggle to think beyond the short-term.

[1:15:40] Edward explains how he discovered something suspicious about the Madoff brothers’ business practices 17 years before others caught on.

[1:24:17] Exploring mental models of externalities, the tragedy of the commons, and fundamental attribution errors.

[1:33:32] Edward recommends reading and listening material for those who want to enact positive change in the world, politically or evolutionarily.

[1:38:51] Edward shares which investors, besides Warren Buffett, impress him and why.

[1:42:52] Edward discusses how he balanced growing a business with personal life and what led him to wind things down.

[1:47:56] Edward defines independence and shares how he spent his time after winding down the investment side of his life.

[1:49:30] Edward shares what he’s particularly curious about learning at the moment.

[1:51:40] Reflecting on a conversation between Joseph Heller and Kurt Vonnegut, and other parting thoughts.

For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.

For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsors

Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.

For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.

Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.

Follow Tim:

Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss

Instagram: instagram.com/timferriss

YouTube: youtube.com/timferriss

Facebook: facebook.com/timferriss

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferriss

Past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, Margaret Atwood, Mark Zuckerberg, Peter Thiel, Dr. Gabor Maté, Anne Lamott, Sarah Silverman, Dr. Andrew Huberman, and many more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books