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Tim Ferriss

KevKev TimTim TalkTalk on Dragon Slaying, Lessons Learned, Viagra, and Assorted Nonsense (#500)

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Artist's rendering of Tim Ferriss and Kevin Rose with a star above them that says, "500."
Illustration via 99designs

Kevin Rose (@KevinRose)—technologist, serial entrepreneur, world-class investor, self-experimenter, and all-around wild and crazy guy—was the first guest on the podcast nearly seven years ago. We were in San Francisco, sitting at this huge wooden table, and I remember being very nervous. I didn’t know what to expect, but if people liked the idea, I promised to do at least six total episodes.

600M+ downloads and hundreds of guests later, Kevin is taking the reins and interviewing me for episode #500!

Hard to believe it all started off as a lark. It’s arguably the biggest thing I’ve ever done, and without you all—my dear listeners—it wouldn’t be possible.

Thank you for allowing me to do this work. I love it. ?

Please enjoy!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Brought to you by Wealthfront automated investing; Literati Kids, a try-before-you-buy subscription book club; and Athletic Greens all-in-one nutritional supplement. More on all three below.

The transcript of this episode can be found here. Transcripts of all episodes can be found here.

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#500: KevKev TimTim TalkTalk on Dragon Slaying, Lessons Learned, Viagra, and Assorted Nonsense

This episode is brought to you by Literati Kids, a try-before-you-buy subscription book club! Great children’s books open up new worlds for discovery. With Literati Kids, your child can explore uncharted places every month with spellbinding stories handpicked by experts.

From art and escapades to tales of compassion and friendship, each Literati box follows a new, enriching theme. And with personalized extras like stickers, surprises, and special guest artwork, every box is a fun and fresh adventure. Head to Literati.com/Tim for 25% off your first two orders. Select your child’s book club and start them on a literary journey like no other.

This episode is brought to you by Wealthfront! Wealthfront is a financial services platform that offers services to help you save and invest your money. Right now, your cash can earn 3.30% APY—that’s the Annual Percentage Yield—with the Wealthfront Cash Account from its network of program banks. That’s 8 times more interest than a typical savings account at a bank, according to FDIC.gov as of 05/18/2026 (Wealthfront’s 3.30% APY vs. 0.38% average savings rate). Right now, for a limited time, Wealthfront is offering new clients that use my sign-up link an additional 0.75% boost over the base rate for three months, meaning you can get up to 4.05% APY, limited to a $150,000 balance. Terms & Conditions apply. Visit Wealthfront.com/Tim to get started. 

The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC (“Wealthfront Brokerage”), member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The 3.30% Base APY on cash deposits is as of January 30, 2026, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum balance. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where it earns the variable base APY. The Direct Deposit Plus Investing Program from Wealthfront Advisers LLC and Wealthfront Brokerage LLC provides eligible clients a 0.25% APY increase above the base APY on eligible Cash Account balances (up to an overall boosted rate of 4.30% for a limited time when including the three month 0.75% APY boost for new Cash Account clients) when you direct deposit $1,000/month plus maintain a funded investing account. Wealthfront may change or end the program at any time and determine eligibility at its discretion. Terms and conditions apply. Full details for both promotions at wealthfront.com/promo-terms.

Tim Ferriss, who is not a client, receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage LLC for advertising and holds a non-controlling equity interest in the corporate parent of Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, which creates an incentive that results in a conflict of interest. Tim expresses his own opinions and Wealthfront does not endorse, sponsor, or promote them. This ad may not reflect the experience of other Cash Account clients, and similar outcomes are not guaranteed. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, not bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value. See full disclosures here. 

This episode is brought to you by AG1. I’ve taken AG1 for more than a decade. Longtime listeners have heard me call it my nutritional insurance. Here’s the news: they’ve just launched AG1 Pro, designed for people focused on performance and longevity. I’ll be traveling soon, and I’m throwing this in my bag to cover my bases while I travel. Past a certain age, maintaining lean muscle becomes priority number one, and AG1 Pro is formulated to support exactly that. It includes HMB, a clinically studied compound that supports protein synthesis and helps reduce protein breakdown, plus zinc carnosine to support the gut lining. Remember: training is only half the equation. Recovery is where the work compounds, and AG1 Pro is built to support it. It’s NSF Certified for Sport, so what’s on the label is what’s in the pouch. Get your free AG1 Pro Yeti Shaker in the Welcome Kit at Drinkag1.com/Tim.

What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

SCROLL BELOW FOR LINKS AND SHOW NOTES…

Want to hear the episode where this thing all began? Give episode one with Kevin Rose a listen, in which we discuss what makes a good wine bar, why Kevin seems to be so good at predicting what’s next, the characteristics of winners, the story of Odeo (the company that birthed Twitter), tips on choosing angel investments, and more.

#1: Kevin Rose

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

  • Connect with Kevin Rose:

The Kevin Rose Show | Oak Meditation | Zero | Instagram | Twitter

SHOW NOTES

  • Reminiscing over accidentally copious quantities of wine about the time Kevin told me doing a podcast would be “stupid.” But then he helped me with the first episode of TimTim TalkTalk, anyway. [03:49]
  • What one thing do I eat that I’ve never wanted to admit to the 4-Hour Body tribe? [08:41]
  • After years of experimenting with so-called life hacks, have I found peace outside of having things or knowing things? [10:50]
  • As I’m constantly trying new things, how do I ensure I don’t become buried under a mountain of stuff? [15:29]
  • How do high performers know when to course correct (e.g., abandon faulty notions)? [21:38]
  • When was the last time a blood or urine sample was stored in my fridge? [32:14]
  • How did I meet and fall in love with my girlfriend? [36:04]
  • Have I ever made a mistake in one of my books that I wish I could take back? [43:28]
  • What supplements am I taking these days? [46:41]
  • Do I still practice the 4-Hour Body regimen? What’s my approach to longevity, and what is my overall level of fitness like these days? [49:17]
  • Best movie to watch on mushrooms? [55:18]
  • A failure I haven’t talked about. [57:15]
  • When it happens, what type of dad do I want to be? What attributes from my own father would I hope to carry over, and what tweaks might I make? [1:00:17]
  • What would my billboard say these days? [1:05:05]
  • Would I get a hair transplant? [1:06:06]
  • While it’s impossible to pick a favorite episode out of the 500 so far, here are a few that stand out. [1:09:20]
  • Do I believe in UFOs? [1:13:46]
  • A harder question: have I ever tried Viagra? [1:16:29]
  • Are there any more 4-Hour books on the horizon? [1:19:40]
  • Where do I see myself in the next 10-20 years? Is retirement in the cards, or is there another path for Tim-Tim+? [1:20:29]
  • What substances soothe my weary soul on an especially trying day? [1:23:09]
  • Is there anything that makes me feel old? Is there anything that makes me feel young? [1:29:27]
  • For what do I hope to be remembered when I shuffle off this mortal coil? [1:30:18]
  • At 500, how many more episodes do I think I have left in me? [1:41:06]
  • Parting thoughts. [1:43:28]

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