Tim Ferriss

New Insights from Sam Harris, Dr. Peter Attia, Ramit Sethi, and Elizabeth Gilbert  (#599)

Welcome to another episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, where it is usually my job to deconstruct world-class performers to tease out the routines, habits, et cetera that you can apply to your own life. 

This episode is something different. It’s an experimental format that I’m super excited about.

This is an episode that scratches an itch I’ve had for years. I am not always able to listen to every great podcast episode out there, even when they are by some of my closest friends. The answer to my predicament was to ask them to send me a top segment from their podcast that I could listen to and—more importantly—also share with you, my dear listeners. 

My team edited them together, and here we are! This episode is a compilation of 15-to-30-minute clips from some the best podcasters in the world and certainly some of my favorites.

At the beginning of each clip, you will hear an intro from the host and where to find their work and podcast. To close, I’ll also share one of my favorite clips from an episode of The Tim Ferriss Show.

You can view this episode as a buffet, and I strongly suggest that you check out the shows included. If you like my podcast, you will very likely enjoy the featured shows in this episode.

And before you go: Do you like this format? If so, please let me know on Twitter at @tferriss and also mention @TeamTimFerriss. Whether we continue this series or not depends on you.

Please enjoy!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Musicor on your favorite podcast platform.

Brought to you by Athletic Greens all-in-one nutritional supplement, Helix Sleep premium mattresses, and Allform premium, modular furniture. More on all three below.

#599: New Insights from Sam Harris, Dr. Peter Attia, Ramit Sethi, and Elizabeth Gilbert

This episode is brought to you by Helix SleepHelix was selected as the best overall mattress of 2025 by Forbes and Wired magazines and best in category by Good Housekeeping, GQ, and many others. With Helix, there’s a specific mattress to meet each and every body’s unique comfort needs. Just take their quiz—only two minutes to complete—that matches your body type and sleep preferences to the perfect mattress for you. They have a 10-year warranty, and you get to try it out for a hundred nights, risk-free. They’ll even pick it up from you if you don’t love it. And now, Helix is offering listeners 27% off all mattress orders for a limited time at HelixSleep.com/Tim.


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This episode is brought to you by AG1! I get asked all the time, “If you could use only one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is usually AG1, my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body in 2010 and did not get paid to do so. Right now, get a FREE Welcome Kit, including Vitamin D3+K2 and AG1 Flavor Sampler, when you first subscribe. Visit DrinkAG1.com/Tim to claim this special offer today and receive your 1-year supply of Vitamin D—a vital nutrient for a strong immune system and strong bones!


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

SCROLL BELOW FOR LINKS AND SHOW NOTES…

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Sam Harris:

Making Sense PodcastWebsite | Waking Up (App) | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Connect with Peter Attia:

The Peter Attia Drive Podcast | Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Connect with Ramit Sethi:

I Will Teach You To Be Rich Podcast | WebsiteTwitter | Instagram | YouTube

Connect with Elizabeth Gilbert:

Magic Lessons Podcast | Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

SHOW NOTES

  • [07:40] Who is Sam Harris?
  • [10:10] The last time
  • [14:58] Mindfulness changes the brain
  • [21:53] When intrusive thoughts disrupt meditation
  • [24:03] The perils of taking the search for self too literally
  • [33:18] Can you point to your consciousness?
  • [35:26] Begin again
  • [39:10] A recap and where to find more from Sam
  • [42:47] Who is Peter Attia?
  • [44:17] The challenges of cancer screening
  • [46:14] Nobody should ever die from colon cancer
  • [49:39] When should you have your first colonoscopy?
  • [51:18] Early and aggressive lowering of apoB could change course of ASCVD (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease)
  • [59:36] New thoughts on nutrition and TRF (time-restricted feeding)
  • [1:03:57] DEXA scanning for determining muscle mass
  • [1:06:46] The perils of underdoing protein
  • [1:08:36] Updated thoughts on exercise
  • [1:12:58] How Peter trains for grip strength
  • [1:14:00] Exercise: the good news and bad news
  • [1:15:32] Who is Ramit Sethi?
  • [1:16:59] Frugal vs. cheap
  • [1:23:37] Focusing on what can go right vs. what can go wrong
  • [1:27:13] The qualities that make us successful can wind up costing us everything
  • [1:31:18] Questions for galvanizing change from cheap to frugal
  • [1:41:46] The worry-free number
  • [1:47:312] Why is New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert a fan of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius?
  • [1:53:35] Lessons from Martha Beck
  • [2:03:04] Staying true to one’s inner compass and saying “No” without remorse

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Comment Rules: Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That's how we're gonna be — cool. Critical is fine, but if you're rude, we'll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation! (Thanks to Brian Oberkirch for the inspiration.)

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brianrouley
brianrouley
3 years ago

My name is Brian Rouley. I’ve been a Tim Ferris fan for some time now. Near the end of 2018 I didn’t commit suicide, your experience and your willingness to openly share it helped me to reason through that ordeal, and I didn’t become “that guy”
– the one who causes 10X pain to others.
So, thank you.

greatoak333
greatoak333
3 years ago

This was a great episode. Is there any chance you can please help provide the transcript for this and/or future similar episodes? Thank you!

Tommy Braet
Tommy Braet
3 years ago

Hi Tim,

Have you read “Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art” ? It seems terribly relevant for your podcast

dominic
dominic
3 years ago

I wanted to leave a comment to say that I loved this format. It was really nice to get long snippets on a wide variety of topics. It was also nice to get introduced to new podcasts. Please do more episodes like this!

Zosia Hafso
Zosia Hafso
3 years ago

I loved the format and hope you will continue this series.
Tim, thank you for all you do. You inspire me every day.

Cole Dahle
Cole Dahle
3 years ago

I loved this format. Please do more of these podcast clips

Susie McDevitt
Susie McDevitt
3 years ago

Another Great show. I wanted to recommend that you interview Clinton Anderson, The Method Horse Trainer. After listening to your podcast for some time, his interview would teach many. Clinton Anderson is a phenom and has an interesting backstory. Very knowledgeable in life hacks and business. Look him up on any podcast and listen to what he has to say. Yes, there would be lots of cussing but I think you might be suprised what you may learn.

Black Top
Black Top
3 years ago

Love this kind of podcast please upload more.. !!

zefu
zefu
3 years ago

Tim MotherLovin Ferris, have you outdone yourself with this one!!! Thank you for all the good thing you brought into my life.
Thank you for bringing Sam Harris’ voice back into my consciousness – i missed it and needed it.
Thank you for Peter Attia as well – I’m now less reticent to Statins 🙂
A tiny bit less, but very grateful nevertheless for the Ramit’s bit – it hit a bit too close to home, where the discussions are similar – though I’m not cheap, just not financially (as) successful 🙂
But, man oh man, am I grateful for Elizabeth Gilbert! Do I needed to hear that! What a gem! I just started listening to the full episode and had to stop and write this: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

All my love, dude!

Taylor V.
Taylor V.
3 years ago

Hi Tim, I left this comment on Twitter until I finally figured out how to comment here! Love your show and find them very inspiring. As a woman, however, I was disappointed and kind of disgusted by the convo with Charles and Michelle. It was frustrating that the elephant in the room, his complete misogyny was totally ignored. Michelle is being treated like an indentured servant where instead her contribution should be given equal value. By filling the role as homemaker and primary parent, she allows him his freedom to pursue his career goals. She should have equal access to the cash he brings home. It should also be noted all his “rich life” goals were totally selfish, ego-feeding things where hers were communal and benefited the whole family or both of them as a couple. I’m surprised that Sethi didn’t recommend they seek couples therapy to address his sexism and control issues in the marriage. If I were her I’d leave him. I would never stay in a marriage where I felt I had to ask my husband for money or for permission to spend money and he might not give it to me if he doesn’t approve. He will not change with out some serious self work.

Deborah Gibbins
Deborah Gibbins
3 years ago

Thank you for this episode and format! After listening to Dr. Attia’s advice on colonoscopy screening, I decided to go against my GP’s advice to wait 10 years between routine colonoscopy and schedule the procedure 3 years “early”. Thank goodness – several polyps discovered and removed. So appreciate Tim and Dr. Attia!!!

Christian Jacob
Christian Jacob
3 years ago

Love the show, Always!I like this format, however, maybe less guests and more content from each. Although I loved the idea. A bit frustrated with the Ramit section though, as I went to his website to see what happened to Charles and Michelle and I cannot find the letters he mentioned….AAAAHHHH This is going to keep me up at night. O.K. not really I am just very curious.


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