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Human Guinea Pig

Tim Ferriss: Bestselling Author

Tim Ferriss is a self-experimenter and bestselling author, best known for The 4-Hour Workweek, which has been translated into 40+ languages.  Newsweek calls him "the world's best human guinea pig," and The New York Times calls him "a cross between Jack Welch and a Buddhist monk."  In this show, he deconstructs world-class performers from eclectic areas (investing, chess, pro sports, etc.), digging deep to find the tools, tactics, and tricks that listeners can use.

The Tim Ferriss Show

James Nestor is a science journalist and the author of the international bestseller Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, with more than three million copies sold in 44 languages.

This episode is brought to you by:

Helix Sleep premium mattresses: https://HelixSleep.com/Tim (27% off all mattress orders)

Momentous high-quality creatine for cognitive and muscular support: https://livemomentous.com/Tim (Code TIM for up to 35% off.)

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.

[00:01:37] Why I waited years to interview James about Breath.

[00:02:35] Maurice Daubard: The mysterious 90-year-old who preceded Wim Hof.

[00:05:01] Tummo breathing: Ancient Bon Buddhist heat generation.

[00:08:13] James’ personal breathwork practice and the Wim Hof method (with warnings).

[00:09:25] How breathwork cured James’ chronic respiratory issues.

[00:11:46] Sudarshan Kriya: The weekend workshop that changed everything.

[00:16:56] My nine-minute breath hold experiment (hyperbaric chamber edition).

[00:18:57] Post-book revelations and angry doctors’ offices.

[00:20:41] The ADHD-breathing connection: A controversial Venn diagram.

[00:22:00] DIY breathing assessments for kids.

[00:25:55] Mouth tape: From hostage situations to sleep optimization.

[00:28:48] James’ seven-year mouth taping commitment.

[00:31:14] CO2 levels: Your LEED-certified hotel is suffocating you.

[00:36:50] Monitoring CO2 with the Aranet4 and building a CO2 database.

[00:39:51] James’ travel kit: Red lights, granny packs, and a Soviet-era PEMF device.

[00:51:59] In Weirdville, eyes sing The Body Electric.

[00:52:58] The supplements included in David’s granny packs.

[00:54:16] Natto vs. nattokinase.

[00:56:18] Athletes and breathing: The BOLT score explained.

[01:03:25] LeBron James’ alternate nostril breathing and diaphragmatic dysfunction.

[01:04:47] Inspiratory muscle training and the back soreness warning.

[01:08:47] The Relaxator: An adult breathing pacifier for focus.

[01:12:54] San Francisco Writers Grotto and the trustafarian invasion.

[01:16:10] Writer’s block: A convenient excuse for hobbyists.

[01:19:04] Cutting the corporate cord: James’ visceral “I quit” moment.

[01:23:25] The freediving story that launched a book deal.

[01:25:41] Deep‘s disappointing launch and publisher betrayal.

[01:28:10] Breath: From 290,000 words to 85,000 in a house in the woods.

[01:31:51] Finding the skeleton: The Stanford experiment as through-line.

[01:35:44] Prayer and coherent breathing: The 5.5-second secret.

[01:38:44] James’ critique of breathwork culture and barriers to entry.

[01:41:07] Sleep optimization: SnoreLab, side sleeping, and incline bed therapy.

[01:44:56] Parting thoughts and where to find James and free breathing protocols.

*

Show notes for this episode: https://tim.blog/2025/09/30/james-nestor-breath/

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.

#829: James Nestor — Breathing Protocols to Reboot Your Health, Fix Your Sleep, and Boost Performance

David Senra is the host of the Founders podcast. For the past nine years, David has intensely studied the life and work of hundreds of history’s greatest entrepreneurs. His new podcast, David Senra, showcases conversations with the best-of-the-best living founders and extreme winners.

This episode is brought to you by:

Cresset family office services for CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs

Our Place’s Titanium Always Pan® Pro using nonstick technology that’s coating-free and made without PFAS, otherwise known as “Forever Chemicals”

AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Who is David Senra?

[00:01:11] Brad Jacobs: Roll-up king and positive-driven billionaire founder.

[00:02:26] Rare positive archetypes: Ed Thorp, Sol Price, Brunello Cucinelli.

[00:06:04] Michael Dell as another exception; fear of failure and motivation.

[00:06:47] Negative self-talk, excellence, and its ripple effects.

[00:08:26] Jensen Huang story: “Why do you suck so much?”

[00:08:54] Inspiration from Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History.

[00:10:00] Derek Sivers: unconventional, philosophical entrepreneur.

[00:11:04] Learning equals behavior change, not memorization.

[00:11:48] Jeremy Giffon insight: biographies as substitute mentors.

[00:12:37] Reading biographies as one-sided conversations.

[00:13:16] The chain of influence.

[00:14:09] Podcasting as “relationships at scale.”

[00:14:28] Coping with trauma and breaking cycles.

[00:20:18] Note-taking process: books, Post-its, ruler, Readwise.

[00:29:27] OCD tendencies and love of doing things the hard way.

[00:31:04] Comparing our reading/re-reading workflows.

[00:35:04] A family falling out and the randomness of student housing.

[00:38:58] David’s introduction to my work during his MySpace-era college years.

[00:40:07] Podcasting influences: Jocko Willink, Kevin Rose’s Elon Musk interview.

[00:44:14] Five-and-a-half years of obscurity before breakthrough.

[00:46:50] Graphtreon and experiments with subscription models.

[00:49:25] Patrick O’Shaughnessy’s endorsement sparks growth.

[00:51:23] Sam Hinkie and Patrick connections fuel momentum.

[00:52:19] Transition to ads and joining Patrick’s network.

[00:55:17] Edwin Land: patron saint of founders and Steve Jobs’ influence.

[00:57:02] Lessons from Sam Zell, Jay Pritzker, and William Zeckendorf.

[00:58:48] Need a generous, well-connected person? You can’t go wrong with Rick Gerson.

[01:03:04] Edwin Land’s philosophies: Differentiation and doing to excess.

[01:04:30] Entrepreneurial archetypes and conflicting advice.

[01:06:00] Daniel Ek as an alternative founder archetype and mentor.

[01:10:59] Further founder archetypes and contrasts.

[01:13:41] What is an anti-business billionaire?

[01:19:55] Advice from “shark” Michael Ovitz about the value of truth in one’s inner circle.

[01:22:30] The hands-on approach of practical founders who live for the love of their business.

[01:23:28] Doing one thing relentlessly.

[01:23:51] “This can’t be my life” as a powerful motivator.

[01:26:57] Low introspection as a common trait among founders — and its implications about human nature.

[01:30:15] Robert Caro: The only writer David believes should be allowed to write thousand-page biographies.

[01:32:40] James Dyson’s persistence vs. the risk of blind stubbornness.

[01:34:22] Todd Graves (Raising Cane’s) as an example of relentless focus on one idea.

[01:35:41] Separating fact from fiction in biographies/histories.

[01:41:55] Considering trainable vs. non-trainable attributes in potential role models.

[01:46:11] Perusing Charlie Munger’s library.

[01:49:35] Dealmaking lessons on Eddie Lampert’s superyacht.

[01:55:34] The smartest person David knows.

[01:56:55] David’s obsessive craftsman approach to podcast creation.

[01:58:51] Why David decided to begin a second podcast.

[02:01:21] The economics of trust.

[02:03:40] The benefits of cultivating a purposeful aloofness about current events.

[02:07:11] Using the pulpit of publicity for good, not evil.

[02:09:57] New show frequency/dynamic and how David plans to balance the burden of running two shows.

[02:13:30] Teamwork with essence of turtle.

[02:15:40] Adapting the Rockefeller “secret allies” strategy to podcasting.

[02:17:56] Chris Hutchins: The mad scientist of podcasting?

[02:18:30] Working with Rob Mohr and Andrew Huberman of SciComm.

[02:20:54] Why David focuses on 24-hour cycles over long-term planning.

[02:24:54] Does David worry the extra workload will disrupt his lifestyle?

[02:30:18] What makes one potential guest more interesting to David than another?

[02:34:34] Making an impact vs. happiness.

[02:36:32] Playing the status game when your heart’s not in it is for suckers.

[02:44:23] Travel observations and the rarity of truly unique experiences.

[02:46:26] Books as philosophical operating systems.

[02:48:39] Parting thoughts.

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

#828: David Senra — How Extreme Winners Think and Win: Lessons from 400+ of History’s Greatest Founders and Investors (Including Buffett, Munger, Rockefeller, Jobs, Ovitz, Zell, and Names You Don’t Know But Should)

Pablos Holman is a hacker and inventor and the author of Deep Future: Creating Technology that Matters, the indispensable guide to deep tech. Previously, Pablos worked on spaceships at Blue Origin and helped build The Intellectual Ventures Lab to invent a wide variety of breakthroughs. Pablos also hosts the Deep Future Podcast and is managing partner at Deep Future.

This episode is brought to you by:

Cresset prestigious family office for CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs: https://cressetcapital.com/tim

Maui Nui Venison​, delicious, nutrient-dense, and responsible red meat: https://mauinuivenison.com/lp/tim

AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: https://drinkag1.com/tim

Timestamps:

 • [00:00:00] Start.
 • [00:02:12] The first time I witnessed Pablos’ digital sleight of hand.
 • [00:04:33] How did Pablos become what 
he • considers to be a hacker?
 • [00:08:04] The off-label mindset that makes a good hacker (like Samy Kamkar) great.
 • [00:17:07] The magic of Rodney Mullen.
 • [00:20:28] How Eric Johanson and Pablos gave life to adorable password thief Hackerbot.
 • [00:23:44] Hacker self-defense and the zero-click exploit market.
 • [00:27:11] International pockets of hacker density.
 • [00:30:13] Conventions where modern hackers congregate.
 • [00:30:48] Why, in geopolitics, technology is a game lost by the non-players.
 • [00:33:05] The case to rally behind new nuclear power.
 • [00:36:54] Sequencing priorities so the US can remain technologically competitive.
 • [00:44:49] Evaluating risk and reward in deep tech investment.
 • [00:50:40] Shoring up the shape of shipping.
 • [00:56:59] How Pablos gained his name and famous frames.
 • [00:58:48] Pablos is a possible-ist.
 • [00:59:45] What makes Pablos an attractive hire for the world’s richest people?
 • [01:02:06] From Silicon Valley to Seattle: the Blue Origin origin story.
 • [01:08:55] Why Pablos prevails over his M-dash peers.
 • [01:11:41] 
Zero Effect • and 
WarGames • : The only movies that matter?
 • [01:15:58] A major security malfunction exploited by Major Malfunction.
 • [01:18:30] The enigmatic Neal Stephenson.
 • [01:19:38] Long-form lessons gleaned from Jeff Bezos and the Blue Origin mission.
 • [01:27:15] For solving the world’s problems, communities are crucial.
 • [01:31:03] Newlab PSYOPS.
 • [01:34:44] AI and the ripple effects of China’s engineering-minded vs. America’s attorney-heavy leadership.
 • [01:48:20] Unearthing like-minded inventors and innovators.
 • [01:50:42] How Pablos learned salsa dancing via aikido vs. my own tango experience.
 • [02:08:27] Why 
you • should invest or get involved in deep tech.
 • [02:14:45] Clearing up fusion confusion.
 • [02:21:17] Making progress happen is a team effort.
 • [02:24:19] 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.

#827: Pablos Holman — One of The Scariest Hackers I’ve Ever Met

This episode is a solo Q&A session where I answer a bunch of questions. We covered a ton of ground, from personal health protocols to professional frameworks and creative projects. 

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.)

Monarch Money track, budget, plan, and do more with your money: MonarchMoney.com/Tim (50% off your first year at monarchmoney.com with code TIM)

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)

Timestamps: 

[00:00:00] Start

[00:06:00] Coyote retail distribution challenges and data gathering.

[00:09:12] Elbow surgery recovery: sequencing, decongestion, Marc Pro device, peptides, BFR training.

[00:16:14] California vs. Austin for builders, mechanical engineers, and tech startups.

[00:19:06] Using AI for medical advice workflow (and cross-referencing with professionals).

[00:23:51] Current supplement regimen and PAGG/AGG status.

[00:31:54] California vs. Texas considerations for aspiring parents.

[00:32:48] Saying "No" to good things for "Hell, yes" moments.

[00:34:34] Philanthropy lessons learned since starting Saisei Foundation.

[00:37:45] Something I've changed my mind about recently: intermittent fasting.

[00:42:44] Precious items from childhood I still keep: D&D relics and marine biology books.

[00:43:03] Bucket list hike: Glacier National Park.

[00:43:42] How the catalytic chaos of publishing The 4-Hour Chef led to launching this podcast.

[00:45:52] Bringing delight vs. sixth-gear, high-performance focus.

[00:49:05] Thoughts on extended human fasting research from the Soviet era.

[00:52:58] Most magical New Mexico experience: Mountain Cloud Zen Center meditation retreat.

[00:53:22] Meta skills for the AI era: Hyper-adaptability and world-class learning.

[00:54:01] The (real and ideal) future of CØCKPUNCH/Legends of Varlata.

[00:59:47] Competitive chess training enhancement: glucose management, intermittent fasting, MCT oil.

[01:06:31] Behind-the-scenes projects: Fusion, algae feed additives, meat alternatives.

[01:08:32] Countries I wish I had visited earlier, and places I'd still like to see.

[01:11:06] "Not yet" vs. "No" in early growth phases.

[01:14:14] Post Coyote, do I have any future games in the works?

[01:14:46] Over-ear vs. in-ear headphones for podcasting.

[01:15:16] What's the uncrowded channel right now?

[01:16:17] Recommendations for Dr. Mindy Pelz.

[01:16:58] Robert Rodriguez and project juggling.

[01:17:24] Fast neutron reactors and the Bugatti of ketones.

[01:19:05] Extended family outings and Mahonk Mountain House.

[01:20:31] NO BOOK meetup plans?

[01:20:54] 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.

#826: Q&A with Tim — Supplements I’m Taking, Austin vs. SF, Training for Mental Performance, Current Go-To AI Tools, Recovering from Surgery, Intermittent Fasting, and More

Dr. Dominic D’Agostino (@DominicDAgosti2) is a tenured associate professor in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and a Visiting Senior Research Scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition.

This episode is brought to you by: 

Helix Sleep premium mattresses: https://HelixSleep.com/Tim (27% off all mattress orders)

Momentous high-quality creatine: https://livemomentous.com/tim (code TIM for up to 35% off)

AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: https://DrinkAG1.com/Tim (1-year supply of Vitamin D plus 5 free AG1 travel packs)

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Start.

[00:14:43] Why I'm interested in ketogenic strategies for neurodegenerative prevention.

[00:16:18] Mary and Steve Newport's ketone-linked temporary cognitive improvements.

[00:18:18] A mechanisms overview for Alzheimer's/dementia.

[00:21:25] The immune system as longevity's "fifth horseman" — and why metabolic control is key.

[00:22:04] How to measure ketones and GKI.

[00:23:00] Fasting vs. ketogenic diet.

[00:24:18] There's nothing fishy about sardine fasting.

[00:28:32] My hiatal hernia discovery and increased cancer risk concerns.

[00:30:04] HSCRP as a superior biomarker to LDL for cardiovascular risk.

[00:31:57] Glucose tolerance testing revelations and CGM importance.

[00:31:57] Upgrading the metabolic machinery through keto without getting bored.

[00:42:07] What do do if you, like Dom and me, are among the 30% who suffer from cholesterol hyperabsorption.

[00:43:42] Dom's day-to-day diet regimen.

[00:45:56] How Dom optimizes his aging dogs with ketones, SARMs, and supplements.

[00:51:30] Supplementing for sleep disruption while fasting.

[00:55:41] Why Dom doesn't have misgivings about melatonin.

[00:59:15] Shingles prevention through fasting protocols.

[01:00:15] Immune system modulation: Innate vs. adaptive, vegan vs. ketogenic.

[01:03:54] Dom at 50-something: Current meal timing and composition.

[01:05:57] Blue zone observations: Greek and Sardinian longevity habits.

[01:08:16] Ketogenic diet initiation tips: MCT, electrolytes, and fasted cardio.

[01:15:18] Ketone metabolic therapy for cancer.

[01:18:15] The metabolic psychiatry revolution.

[01:22:10] The soothing effects of hyperbaric oxygen and ketosis on seizure sufferers.

[01:28:27] Metformin vs. berberine.

[01:31:43] The low-dose neuroprotective potential of GLP-1 drugs.

[01:34:58] NAD research: MIB-626 and stabilized forms for mitochondrial health.

[01:39:48] Idebenone, CoQ10, and the Deanna protocol for ALS.

[01:42:05] Dom's supplement short list: CoQ10, creatine, ketones, vitamin D, melatonin.

[01:44:43] KetoNutrition.org, Metabolic Health Summit, Audacious Nutrition, veteran-focused research protocols, and other parting thoughts.

*

Show notes for this episode: https://tim.blog/2025/09/03/dr-dominic-dagostino-all-things-ketones/

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.

#825: Dr. Dominic D’Agostino — All Things Ketones, How to Protect the Brain and Boost Cognition, Sardine Fasting, Diet Rules, Revisiting Metformin and Melatonin, and More

Kevin J. Tracey, MD is president and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, a pioneer of vagus nerve research and author of the recent book, The Great Nerve: The New Science of the Vagus Nerve and How to Harness Its Healing Reflexes. 

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.)

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.)

Wealthfront high-yield cash account: https://Wealthfront.com/Tim (Start earning 3.75% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) from program banks on your short-term cash until you’re ready to invest. And when new clients open an account, they can get an extra fifty-dollar bonus with a deposit of five hundred dollars or more.) Terms & Conditions apply. The APY on cash deposits as of 09/26/25 is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. Tim Ferriss receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage LLC for advertising and holds a non-controlling equity interest in the corporate parent of Wealthfront Brokerage. See full disclosures here.

Timestamps:

00:00 Tim’s intro: why he dismissed vagus-nerve hype

06:34 What the vagus nerve actually is, plus common myths

11:31 Breaking news: FDA approval for SetPoint’s RA implant + Kelly Owens’s turnaround

21:11 Inflammation 101: when healing turns harmful

31:37 Bioelectronic medicine: from lab insight to real devices

55:26 TNF, IL-1, and IL-6: immune drivers and what VNS modulates

56:06 Exercise & recovery: vagal signals, IL-6, and adaptation

56:30 Cold exposure & breathwork: sympathetic spike, parasympathetic payoff

59:04 Chronic inflammation today: prevalence, diagnostics, and uncertainty

59:53 Autoimmunity: genes, environment, infections

01:01:08 Stress hormones, personality traits, and metabolic fallout

01:05:41 VNS tech landscape: implants, focused ultrasound, and what’s just TENS

01:11:14 Ear maps, revisited: the real science behind auricular stimulation

01:27:52 Ulf Andersson: auricular TENS, famotidine, and a depression turnaround

01:36:48 Depression & inflammation: where VNS helps (and where it doesn’t)

01:41:38 Body-brain loop: how inflammation signals ride the vagus nerve

01:42:56 Why VNS can lift mood: a working theory

01:43:22 Ulf’s setup: electrode placement and twice-daily routine

01:44:37 Acupuncture, fertility, and plausible vagal links

01:47:23 Chronic pain through an inflammation lens

01:48:34 Neural “engrams”: how the brain can store inflammatory memories

02:02:35 Cervical TENS vs. true VNS: mechanisms and open questions

02:12:15 On stage with the Dalai Lama: blue energy and two vagus nerves

02:16:55 Closing thoughts: self-care vs. medical devices, and what’s next

*

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.

#824: What Most Has My Attention Right Now — Credible (vs. Bogus) Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg is Professor and Chair of Ophthalmology and Director of the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University, a leading scientist in the development and degeneration of the visual system from eye to brain, and a practicing ophthalmologist and surgeon.

This episode is brought to you by: 

Gamma AI design partner for effortless presentations, websites, social media posts, and more: https://gamma.app (Use code TIM at checkout for 30% off any plan.)

Helix Sleep premium mattresses: https://HelixSleep.com/Tim (27% off on all mattress orders.)

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.

[00:05:30] How do you solve a problem like presbyopia?

[00:08:34] The athletic benefits of training supranormal (better than 20/20) vision.

[00:11:49] Indigenous eye drops and FDA-approved pilocarpine for presbyopia.

[00:14:05] Understanding basic eye anatomy.

[00:17:27] Exploring AREDS 2, CoQ10, ginkgo, vitamin B3, and other supplements for vision.

[00:23:00] Visual training devices and psychedelic-prompted brain plasticity.

[00:25:12] Thoughts on visual training effectiveness and motor action requirements.

[00:28:29] Concussion rehabilitation and visual perception exercises.

[00:32:36] Red light and violet light therapy for myopia and mitochondrial health.

[00:36:07] Vision loss correlation with cognitive decline and depression.

[00:39:36] Presbyopia progression and psychological dependence on readers.

[00:41:15] Cognito Therapeutics headset for Alzheimer's treatment.

[00:46:46] Glaucoma basics: neurodegenerative disease and risk factors.

[00:48:53] Eye pressure variability and diurnal cycles.

[00:50:02] Cannabis effects on eye pressure and compound isolation.

[00:51:47] Stem cell research for vision restoration.

[00:53:09] Anti-inflammatory effects and immune system role in eye diseases.

[00:55:15] Gut microbiome connection to glaucoma in animal models.

[00:58:43] Metabolic syndrome and GLP-1 receptor agonists.

[01:00:50] Microbiome sharing and future therapeutic possibilities.

[01:03:31] Dry eye treatment: preservative-free tears and serum drops.

[01:08:43] Vision screening recommendations and UV protection.

[01:11:22] Full-spectrum light benefits vs. UV exposure.

[01:13:27] Paradigm shifts: irreversible vision loss becoming reversible.

[01:17:18] Convergence of neuroscience advances and biotech investment.

[01:21:58] Miraculous mitochondria: health, transplants, and three-parent babies.

[01:26:24] My family history concerns and metabolic health screening.

[01:29:26] Exercise's biggest gain: going from none to some.

[01:33:03] Clinical trial participation resources and 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.

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Follow Tim:

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Instagram: instagram.com/timferriss

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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.

#823: Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg — Creating Supranormal Vision, Cutting-Edge Science for Eye Health, Supplements, Red Light Therapy, and The Future of Eyesight Restoration

Welcome to another wide-ranging "Random Show" episode that I recorded with my close friend Kevin Rose (digg.com)! We cover Kevin's sobriety journey and marking 100 days without alcohol, my results with the ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting, GLP-1 agonists, home security, the future of Venture Capital, AI, authenticating yourself online in a world of deepfakes and anonymity, the cultural shift toward human-to-human connection, Roblox, and more. Enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by:

Momentous high-quality creatine for cognitive and muscular support: https://livemomentous.com/Tim (Code TIM for up to 35% off.)

David Protein Bars with 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar: https://davidprotein.com/Tim (Buy 4 cartons, get the 5th free.)

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.

[00:06:54] Kevin celebrates 100 days sober! Why and how?

[00:15:16] Nanoblocks: Kevin's new Japanese micro-building hobby.

[00:18:16] The Slow TV movement and Craig Mod's ambient recordings.

[00:20:58] Craving analog experiences and wilderness trekking.

[00:22:24] Writing with background movies.

[00:23:42] High hopes for The Naked Gun reboot.

[00:24:35] Kevin's improved communication since quitting alcohol.

[00:26:28] My health interventions for cognitive protection.

[00:29:00] How ketogenic diet and 16/8 intermittent fasting led to my best lab results in 10+ years.

[00:33:35] Weight control regimens we don't recommend.

[00:39:51] Exogenous ketones: Qitone vs. premium options.

[00:50:32] How glucose tolerance tests work.

[00:51:58] Microdosing GLP-1 (tirzepatide) for glucose control.

[00:54:12] DORA sleep medications and neuroprotective effects.

[00:56:55] Belsomra trial and cost considerations.

[00:57:52] Sauna temperature optimization based on Rhonda Patrick's research.

[01:00:28] There are no biological free lunches.

[01:03:27] The time Kevin found a homeless person in his closet.

[01:06:11] Modern home security and privacy measures.

[01:19:42] Pondering how we survived childhood.

[01:24:23] AI-driven venture capital landscape changes.

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

#822: The Random Show — Ketones for Cognition, Tim’s Best Lab Results in 10+ Years, How Kevin Hit 100 Days Sober, Home Defense, Vibe Coding Unleashed, and More

This is a very special episode for me. My brand-new card game, COYOTE, created in collaboration with Elan Lee and Exploding Kittens, is here. It is available in ~8,000 locations worldwide, including Walmart, Target, Amazon, and many others. Learn more: https://coyotegame.com.

This episode is brought to you by: 

Gamma AI design partner for effortless presentations, websites, social media posts, and more: https://gamma.app (Use code TIM at checkout for 30% off any plan.) 

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)

Wealthfront high-yield cash account: https://Wealthfront.com/Tim (Start earning 4.00% APY on your short-term cash until you’re ready to invest. And when new clients open an account today, you can get an extra fifty-dollar bonus with a deposit of five hundred dollars or more.) Terms apply. Tim Ferriss receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage, LLC for advertising and holds a non-controlling equity interest in the corporate parent of Wealthfront Brokerage. See full disclosures here.

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Start.

[00:05:21] Coyote: a game 47 years in the making.

[00:08:41] Who is Elan Lee?

[00:09:37] How our motivations behind game creation intersect.

[00:12:41] The nutshell view of pitching a game to a retailer.

[00:14:40] Salesmanship is a learnable skill, but Elan’s a natural.

[00:15:53] Why I’ve always wanted to make my own game and how development began in earnest.

[00:26:00] First contact with Elan and our fast-forged, fun-focused friendship.

[00:32:28] The Hanabi and Rock, Paper, Scissors-inspired Toronto trip breakthrough.

[00:39:40] Early prototyping and testing.

[00:45:34] The Zero Effect.

[00:47:37] Recommended game design rationales, resources, and reading.

[00:53:00] The beginner’s mind approach to writing effective game instructions.

[00:56:26] A simple fact: less complication = more fun.

[00:57:49] Cooperative vs. competitive play.

[00:58:24] Leveling the playing field with attack cards and sabotage mechanics.

[01:01:34] Tricking people into cognitively bettering themselves by gaming.

[01:08:04] Finding the sweet spot.

[01:10:44] It takes a lot of work to make a game effortlessly fun.

[01:13:40] How many games does Exploding Kittens publish per year?

[01:14:36] Exploding Kittens’ number-one seller was designed by Elan’s four-year-old daughter.

[01:18:30] Prototypes and pitching.

[01:22:26] Improving on the industry’s fundamentally flawed testing procedure.

[01:24:58] Analyzing passing/failure with play testers’ video and feedback.

[01:28:41] Risks of internal testing.

[01:31:47] Coyote’s first positive signs from the wild.

[01:34:22] Online vs. physical store sales and tweaking variables to gauge market interest.

[01:41:22] What a successful line review looks like.

[01:43:51] Line review hoops through which lesser-proven companies have to hop.

[01:48:04] Elan’s field-tested line review meeting strategies.

[01:54:15] The importance of finding proper agent representation.

[01:59:35] In modern marketing, social media (especially short-form video) is king.

[02:04:48] The best and worst ways for an aspiring designer to sell a game.

[02:13:05] Crowdfunding pros and cons, and Kickstarter alternatives.

[02:19:57] Dealing with deal terms.

[02:23:56] The Exploding Kittens attitude toward rare partnerships.

[02:25:45] The types of games that capture Elan’s attention.

[02:27:40] Common game design mistakes.

[02:29:49] How we tried to avoid these mistakes when packaging Coyote.

[02:33:55] Self-publishing vs. conventional publishing.

[02:38:40] Business considerations and risks.

[02:44:59] Parting thoughts and a tantalizing offer.

*

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.

#821: My Two-Year Secret Project, COYOTE — The Strategies and Tactics for Building a Bestseller from Nothing with Elan Lee of Exploding Kittens

Elizabeth Gilbert is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Big Magic and Eat, Pray, Love as well as several other international bestsellers. Her latest novel, City of Girls, was named an instant New York Times bestseller. Go to ElizabethGilbert.Substack.com to subscribe to “Letters From Love with Elizabeth Gilbert,” her newsletter, which has more than 120,000 subscribers.

This episode was originally published in September 2024. Show notes and links: https://tim.blog/2024/09/26/elizabeth-gilbert-2/ 

Sponsors:

Vanta trusted compliance and security platform: https://vanta.com/tim ($1000 off)

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 (Shop their sale now!) 

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)

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Who is Elizabeth Gilbert?

[00:05:42] No cherished outcomes. 

[00:10:55] Self-compassionate ownership of responsibility. 

[00:15:52] The daily practice of writing letters from love. 

[00:22:22] Two-way prayer vs. one-way prayer. 

[00:30:57] The male approach to this practice. 

[00:34:27] How do you feel toward yourself vs. about yourself? 

[00:36:53] Understanding self-hatred to foster self-friendliness. 

[00:43:20] Setting boundaries and dealing with those who refuse to honor them. 

[00:50:15] Why (and how) Elizabeth avoids big family holiday gatherings. 

[00:52:15] Comfort in solitude. 

[00:53:38] Much abuzz about Elizabeth’s new ‘do. 

[00:57:52] Boundaries, priorities, and mysticism: a relaxed woman as a radical concept. 

[01:04:02] What mysticism brings to Elizabeth’s reality. 

[01:07:26] A better question to ask than “What do I want?” 

[01:09:32] Elizabeth’s hard-ass approach to project commitment. 

[01:16:40] Creativity guidance from Elizabeth’s higher power. 

[01:21:08] How *The Morning Pages* influenced *Eat, Pray, Love*. 

[01:24:27] More productive questions to ask than “Why?” 

[01:26:16] The pointlessness of purpose anxiety. 

[01:30:59] Balancing presence with other aspects of a well-lived life. 

[01:36:17] Comfort with mortality. 

[01:40:21] What motivates Elizabeth’s *Letters from Love* newsletter? 

[01:41:29] What can potential readers expect from this newsletter? 

[01:46:33] “Is the universe friendly?” — Frederic W. H. Myers 

[01:49:29] Parting thoughts. 

*

Show notes for this episode: https://tim.blog/2024/09/26/elizabeth-gilbert-2/

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.

#820: Elizabeth Gilbert — How to Find Your Inner Voice, Set Strong Boundaries, and Live a Life of Radical Ease (Repost)

This is a special inbetweenisode, which serves as a recap of the episodes from last month. It features a short clip from each conversation in one place so you can easily jump around to get a feel for the episode and guest.

Based on your feedback, this format has been tweaked and improved since the first recap episode. For instance, listeners suggested that the bios for each guest can slow the momentum, so we moved all the bios to the end. 

See it as a teaser. Something to whet your appetite. If you like what you hear, you can of course find the full episodes at tim.blog/podcast. 

Please enjoy! 

This episode is brought to you by 5-Bullet Friday, my very own email newsletter.

Timestamps:

Craig Mod: 03:16 

Ev Williams: 13:49

Richard Taylor: 23:57

Full episode titles:

Craig Mod — The Real Japan, Cheap Apartments in Tokyo, Productive Side Quests, Creative Retreats, Buying Future Freedom, and Being Possessed by Spirits

Ev Williams — The Art of Pivoting (e.g., Odeo to Twitter), Strategic Quitting, The Dangers of Premature Scaling, Must-Read Books, and More

Richard Taylor and Greg Broadmore, Wētā Workshop — Untapping Creativity, Stories from The Lord of the Rings, The Magic of New Zealand, Four Tenets to Live By, and The Only Sentence of Self-Help You Need

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

#807: In Case You Missed It: March 2025 Recap of "The Tim Ferriss Show"

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