The Tim Ferriss Show

Jack Canfield is the coauthor of more than two hundred books, including, The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be and the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, which includes forty New York Times bestsellers and which has sold more than 600 million copies in 50-plus languages around the world. This episode is brought to you by: Monarch track, budget, plan, and do more with your money: https://www.monarch.com/tim AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: https://drinkag1.com/tim Helix Sleep premium mattresses: https://helixsleep.com/tim Timestamps: [00:00:00] Who is Jack? [00:01:57] How a single “yes” from Jack shaped my career. [00:04:55] A contract lesson: How Chicken Soup for the Soul sold millions in China with zero royalties. [00:06:45] Jack’s background: From poverty to Harvard. [00:09:43] Discovering Chinese history and the “easy A” that changed everything. [00:11:07] Winning “Teacher of the Year” teaching Black history. [00:14:35] High praise from Sammy Davis Jr. [00:17:37] W. Clement Stone: The $600 million mentor who turned motivation into a science (and insurance). [00:21:35] Stone’s challenge: Take 100% responsibility and stop watching TV (a 14-month year hack). [00:22:40] From visualizing $100,000 to a million. [00:25:42] Chicken Soup origins. [00:27:35] Mark Victor Hansen joins. [00:29:15] 144 rejections later. [00:31:28] The ABA miracle. [00:34:05] The Rule of Five. [00:36:05] Selling The Soul and splurging on sweaters. [00:37:27] The Soup sourced from the universe. [00:39:33] The big break. [00:41:22] Word-of-mouth magic. [00:45:37] Lessons from live feedback. [00:47:27] The burnout years. [00:49:25] Life after Chicken Soup. [00:51:05] Late-night typing marathons and pun-laden chapter transitions that led to The Success Principles. [00:54:02] How Jack’s love of transformation beats any royalty check. [00:55:07] Retirement reflections. [00:59:32] Jack’s longevity formula: Laughter, organic food, love, and letting go. [01:02:10] An ayahuasca awakening. [01:03:39] The story of Rythmia Life Advancement Center and how it’s affected Jack. [01:06:43] Breaking belief loops and understanding community as medicine. [01:10:06] E + R = O and strategies for taking 100% responsibility of one’s life. [01:22:27] Why “clean up your messes” is first in Jack’s list of productivity tips. [01:29:27] Where to begin if you’re unfamiliar with Jack’s work. [01:31:08] Ken Blanchard: “Feedback is the breakfast of champions.” [01:32:13] Parting thoughts. Show notes for this episode: https://tim.blog/2025/10/29/jack-canfield/ * 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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Boyd Varty is the founder of Track Your Life, which offers a limited number of premium retreats in South Africa’s bushveld, and author of one of my favorite books, The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life. As a fourth-generation custodian of Londolozi Game Reserve, Boyd grew up with lions, leopards, snakes, and elephants and has spent his life in apprenticeship to the natural world. He is also the host of the Track Your Life podcast. This episode is brought to you by: Our Place’s Titanium Always Pan Pro using nonstick technology that’s coating-free and made without PFAS, otherwise known as “Forever Chemicals”: https://fromourplace.com/tim (use code TIM at checkout) Gusto simple and easy payroll, HR, and benefits platform used by 400,000+ businesses: https://gusto.com/tim (three months free) Wealthfront high-yield cash account: https://Wealthfront.com/Tim (new clients get 3.75% base APY from program banks + additional 0.65% boost for 3 months on your uninvested cash (max $150k balance). Terms apply. The Cash Account offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC (“WFB”) member FINRA/SIPC, not a bank. The base APY as of 9/26/25 is representative, can change, and requires no minimum. Tim Ferriss, a non-client, receives compensation from WFB for advertising and holds a non-controlling equity interest in the corporate parent of WFB.  Experiences will vary. Outcomes not guaranteed. Instant withdrawals may be limited by your receiving firm and other factors. Investment advisory services provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value.) * Timestamps: [00:00:00] Start. [00:01:59] Boyd returns. [00:03:14] Elite firefighting unit: Boyd’s French Foreign Legionnaire predecessor. [00:04:27] The paper mache lion incident and Lucky’s dramatic exit. [00:08:07] Firefighting drill disaster: When 50/50 failed spectacularly. [00:09:58] Leadership lesson: Bringing energy down when chaos climbs. [00:11:52] Story hunting and the natural world as meaning machine. [00:17:16] Uncle JV: Wildlife filmmaker with a dangerous drama meter. [00:19:10] Camera bearing adventures: Elephants, hyenas, and the red mist. [00:22:30] Zambia expeditions: Crocodiles, dead elephants, and shovel oars. [00:25:48] Orienting toward safety: Building capability versus childhood overwhelm. [00:29:11] Wilderness retreat lessons: Wordlessness and natural state. [00:31:40] The Londolozi time war: Tech detox and parasympathetic shifts. [00:39:49] Mystical animal encounters: Lions, southern boubous, and synchronicity. [00:43:11] Re-enchantment: Nature’s desire to help us heal. [00:45:25] Following non-rational energy and forays into wordlessness. [00:52:31] Diana Chapman’s Whole-Body Yes and avoiding the simmering six. [00:58:04] Toby Pheasant and the great black mamba escape. [01:06:09] Training for persistence hunting using Bushman Great Dance wisdom. [01:09:23] The desert as storehouse: Abundance psychology in action. [01:11:23] Persistence hunt mechanics: Heat, time, and the animal’s energy transfer. [01:15:04] Running into ceremony: 47 degrees and letting the body know. [01:21:31] The kudu gives itself: Profound respect at the edge of survival. [01:27:22] Seeking the wild man: Access to the full spectrum of presence. [01:29:20] Context and discernment: Armor in cities, openness in wild spaces. [01:34:55] Men need men: Collective exploration around the fire. [01:37:40] Relationship as practice: Moving from romantic myth to active work. [01:40:15] Dick jokes and raft building: The indirect work that does heavy lifting. [01:45:43] Lunch the baboon: Hand lotion, bloody handprints, and royal delays. [01:55:43] Living amongst the animals: Warthog intelligence and leopard relationships. [01:57:27] 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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Frank Miller is regarded as one of the most influential and awarded creators. He began his career in comics in the late 1970s, first gaining notoriety as the artist, and later writer, of Daredevil for Marvel Comics. Next, came the science-fiction samurai drama Ronin, followed by the groundbreaking Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One with artist David Mazzuchelli. Following these seminal works, Miller fulfilled a lifelong dream by doing an all-out crime series, Sin City, which spawned two blockbuster films that he co-directed with Robert Rodriguez. Miller’s multi-award-winning graphic novel 300 was also adapted into a highly successful film by Zack Snyder. His upcoming memoir, Push the Wall: My Life, Writing, Drawing, and the Art of Storytelling, is now available for pre-order. This episode is brought to you by: Eight Sleep Pod Cover 5 sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating: EightSleep.com/Tim (use code TIM to get $350 off your very own Pod 5 Ultra.) Shopify global commerce platform, providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business: https://shopify.com/tim (one-dollar-per-month trial period) AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: DrinkAG1.com/Tim (1-year supply of Vitamin D (and 5 free AG1 travel packs) with your first subscription purchase.) Timestamps: [00:00:00] Start. [00:02:14] Aristotle’s definition of happiness: Devotion to excellence. [00:03:02] Tools of the trade: Blackwing pencils, India ink, liquid frisket. [00:04:45] Sin City‘s physical creation at “twice up” size. [00:08:06] The toothbrush spatter technique. [00:09:24] Channeling impatience, anger, and violence into dramatic creative work. [00:10:33] What Jack Kirby knew about making comics competitive with cinema’s spectacle. [00:11:56] Will Eisner and The Spirit‘s influence on the US market where writer-artist duality is rare. [00:13:33] How Jack Kirby blasted apart the panel grid (and a young Frank’s mind). [00:15:49] Push the wall and defy the code. [00:19:54] The ruthless mentorship of Neal Adams. [00:24:57] The genesis of the Elektra amd Daredevil “soap opera.” [00:27:56] Story structure: Start late, end early. [00:29:10] Trusting the muse over rigid methodology. [00:31:15] European invasion: Moebius and Forbidden Planet. [00:32:52] Japanese influence: Lone Wolf and Cub‘s impact. [00:34:30] Cultural differences in depicting violence and motion. [00:36:38] Ronin: Shameless imitation and rebirth. [00:37:28] How does Frank know if something is working (or not working)? [00:39:27] The critical reception of Ronin as a “broken nose.” [00:42:37] The ruthless structure of The Dark Knight Returns. [00:43:40] Mutual elevation with “smartest fan” Alan Moore. [00:48:26] Robert Rodriguez: Angel of goodwill and generosity. [00:49:28] Sin City film: Co-directing and the Director’s Guild sacrifice. [00:50:31] Working as a “two-headed beast” with Rodriguez. [00:55:27] Favorite films. [00:58:19] Books and ancient history inspiring 300. [00:59:00] Hollywood lessons: The importance of working with the right people. [01:01:13] The partnership and guidance of Silenn Thomas. [01:02:01] The clarity and creative rejuvenation of getting sober from alcohol. [01:04:48] Advice for aspiring comic artists: Story, story, story. [01:06:20] Learning to draw: Bridgman and Loomis books. [01:08:07] Perspective as a mathematical trick and lie. [01:11:00] Dick Giordano’s advice: Lay in blacks first. [01:13:52] Sin City workflow innovation: Batch processing stages. [01:15:48] Dark Horse Comics and creative freedom. [01:17:29] Economy of line work and elegant minimalism. [01:20:46] On collaborating with Bill Sienkiewicz on Elektra. [01:25:20] Billboard wisdom: “Ask every question,” and “Why?” [01:27:08] Challenging pathological conformity. [01:27:39] Parting thoughts and where to find Frank’s work. * 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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Richard H. Thaler is the 2017 recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his contributions to behavioral economics and the Charles R. Walgreen Distinguished Service Professor of Behavioral Science and Economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is the New York Times bestselling co-author of Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness and the author of Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioral Economics. His new book is The Winner's Curse: Behavioral Economics Anomalies, Then and Now.  My co-host for this conversation is Nick Kokonas. Nick is an entrepreneur, investor, and author best known as the co-founder of The Alinea Group (sold in 2024) and the reservation platform Tock, which is now owned by American Express. This episode is brought to you by: Seed's DS-01 Daily Synbiotic broad spectrum 24-strain probiotic + prebiotic: https://Seed.com/Tim (Use code 25TIM for 25% off your first month's supply) ExpressVPN high-speed, secure, and anonymous VPN service: https://www.expressvpn.com/tim (get 4 months free on their annual plans) AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: https://DrinkAG1.com/Tim (1-year supply of Vitamin D plus 5 free AG1 travel packs with your first subscription purchase.) Timestamps: [00:00:00] Start. [00:02:33] First principles: What is economics, really? [00:04:18] The “max” assumption and agents as optimizers. [00:06:41] Rationality in models: Solving problems like an economist would. [00:07:29] “Meh” vs “Max” — shortcuts instead of optimization. [00:08:06] Selfishness, fairness, and self-control in economic models. [00:10:08] Milton Friedman’s “as if” defense. [00:12:36] The cashew nuts story: Origin of behavioral economics. [00:14:02] Removing choice and status quo bias. [00:17:31] The case for Americans needing forced savings. [00:19:34] Academic resistance: Psychologists laughing at economic theory. [00:24:37] Loss aversion: Disease cure experiment. [00:27:04] Endowment effect: Coffee mug experiment. [00:29:45] Restaurant reservations and the power of deposits. [00:31:05] Fairness research: Snow shovels and blizzards. [00:32:50] Uber surge pricing and the 9/11 thought experiment. [00:34:37] Behavioral economics in one sentence. [00:35:00] Nudges: 401(k) auto-enrollment case study. [00:37:46] The fly in the urinal and nudge durability. [00:39:07] Lakeshore Drive lines: Making safety easy. [00:41:30] Choice architecture: Good nudges vs. malicious nudges. [00:42:40] Online gambling and Robinhood’s gamification. [00:45:51] Lessons learned from teaching decision-making for 40 years. [00:46:52] Winner’s curse: The jar of coins demonstration. [00:49:04] ARCO engineers discover the winner’s curse in oil bidding. [00:50:11] Writing papers as competitive strategy. [00:52:31] Amos Tversky’s note: People learn through stories. [00:53:44] Overconfidence: Amazon River and CFO predictions. [00:55:59] NFL draft: 53% success rate (barely better than coin flips). [00:57:12] Trading down in the draft as optimal strategy. [00:59:26] Applying behavioral insights to daily habits. [01:01:04] The law of one price and restaurant deposit resistance. [01:02:39] Being a chef doesn’t automatically make you a good businessperson. [01:03:33] Sports analytics: The three-point shot revolution. [01:04:29] Michael Jordan vs Steve Kerr: 50% three-point shooting. [01:05:56] Finding $20 bills on the street. [01:06:35] Mental accounting: Money in jeans feels like a windfall. [01:07:50] Obama stimulus: Lump sum vs. spread out payments — why does it matter? [01:09:58] Airline baggage fees: “There’s a guy who owns that.” [01:11:43] Sunk cost fallacy: The dessert we don’t need. [01:12:37] Nick’s $500 wine example and building Tock on sunk costs. [01:14:41] Richard’s daughter and the baseball/concert tickets experiment. [01:16:05] Temptation bundling: Using cognitive biases for self-improvement. [01:19:06] Big data and natural experiments in the real world. [01:19:50] Mental accounting in action: Premium gas during the financial crisis. [01:22:34] Amazon’s hundred-PhD economics department. [01:23:48] The pragmatic reason Richard invented behavioral economics. [01:25:47] Strategy: Corrupt the youth, not change old minds. [01:27:06] The behavioral economics summer camp running since 1994. [01:28:12] The “Anomalies” column in Journal of Economic Perspectives. [01:29:44] Citations matter: Writing articles people can understand. [01:30:31] Availability bias: Homicides vs. suicides. [01:31:47] Kahneman and Tversky: The reason for everything. [01:33:11] Systematic bias vs. random errors. [01:34:08] Amos’ dinner trap: Everyone you know is dumb, except your models. [01:37:19] Michael Lewis’ The Undoing Project. [01:38:11] Daniel Kahneman’s assisted suicide decision as peak-end rule applied to life itself. [01:45:11] What keeps Richard going? [01:46:44] Why the updated version of The Winner’s Curse should appeal to economists and everyday humans. [01:49:58] 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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.