Walk & Talk with Greg McKeown — How to Find Your Purpose and Master Essentialism in 2024 (#719)

Team TimTim! I love Tim's promoting of this Walk & Talk/Listen. Tim's acknowledgement that one doesn't need to simply sit and watch/listen to content is a great reminder for all. It might be worth designing unique short clips for YouTube, separate from the audio discussions, but still connected to the specific interview. (Ex: #685 Dr. Shirley Sahrmann could be just of the visual demos given) That way Tim can continue to steer away from MORE EQUIPMENT, bigger teams and costs, etc. The videos could be evergreen in the sense that they could be attached or possibly detached from a specific episode (De-shelled eggs anyone?) They could be filmed whenever: in person or virtual and Youtube would then be a true justification for demonstrating and further explaining things that are aided through visuals as opposed to being sitting, talking heads. It could extend and breathe further life into an episode between crossing the different mediums and still be packaged together in places for people to delve into all aspects of the interview, but where a sedentary situation would be expected. Greg McKeown, I'm happy to hear your daughter Eve is doing well. Your recognition and attentiveness to her changes in behavior to what tipped you off to her illness discussed the last time you spoke with Tim is something that I think about often. I know how much I changed myself during my adolescent years, but my parents never had the vocabulary, connections or ability to reach out about this and my relationships with myself and them has been forever altered as a result. Your story about Eve is a beautiful story, even if it required quite the storm to be weathered. I'm happy to hear that she is well and healthy enough to head out into the world and serve a Mission. The first LDS members I'd ever met were in Moldova, during a stint in the Peace Corps. I am not myself LDS and I find living in SLC difficult at times due to the theocracy that exists in some form wherever a prevalent religion reigns. I like to say being from the midwest that, "The Catholics run the show where I'm from, it's just a different set of gangsters" 😉 I would also like compliment the LDS faith as well though. LDS beliefs, members and opinions have at times helped reshape, reframe and improve my life. You a good representative of their organization and I know you are not alone. Thank you Tim, Greg & team. -Nate-

Hi Tim, First, let me say how great it was to hear you conduct today's interview with Greg outdoors and on the move. As a walk-and-talk psychotherapist from Vancouver (also with back issues) I love the way you're incorporating this healthier, time-honored way of exploring the world of ideas. I hope it did your back some good and that you get out to do more of it. Second, I wanted to say how good it was to hear you and Greg riff on the idea of finding and speaking one's truth. As a freelance film-maker I know how incredibly hard this can be to do. When people sit down in front of the camera, most of us (myself included) feel sure we'll be able to lay out the truth about who we really are, what we really want, and why we're doing what we're doing with our lives. It's not until we're given time to really sit with the questions in a relaxed, unhurried way that we start to doubt the stories we usually tell. We're at a loss for words (not necessarily a bad thing). The feeling is unnerving as hell – like 'standing on fishes' (Rilke) – but the only way to start living a conscious life. Lastly, and related to the above, thank you for mentioning the poetry of Mary Oliver. I look forward to going through your previous episodes to learn more about what poetry means to you and how it serves you. I'd also look forward to an episode one day that explored the therapeutic power that poetry can have in a human life. Thanks again for a great episode today. Adrian

Sent this already but received no confirmation it went, so resending just in case. [Moderator: Comments are moderated. Please allow time for comments to be reviewed and approved before being published.] ————– Hi Tim, First, let me say how great it was to hear you conduct today's interview with Greg outdoors and on the move. As a walk-and-talk psychotherapist from Vancouver (also with back issues) I love the way you're incorporating this healthier, time-honored way of exploring the world of ideas. I hope it did your back some good and that you get to do more of it. Second, I wanted to say how good it was to hear you and Greg riff on the idea of finding and speaking one's truth. As a freelance film-maker I know how incredibly hard this can be to do. When people sit down in front of the camera, most of us (myself included) feel sure we'll be able to lay out the truth about who we really are, what we really want, and why we're doing what we're doing with our lives. It's not until we're given time to really sit with the questions in a relaxed, unhurried way that we start to doubt the stories we usually tell. We're at a loss for words (not necessarily a bad thing). The feeling is unnerving as hell – like 'standing on fishes' (Rilke) – but the only way to begin living a conscious life. Lastly, and related to the above, thank you for mentioning the poetry of Mary Oliver. I look forward to going through your previous episodes to learn more about what poetry means to you and how it serves you. I'd also look forward to an episode one day that explored the therapeutic power that poetry can have in a human life. Thanks again for a great episode today. Adrian

I think the walk-and-talk format is great… With a venerable history, of course! (Pun intended — calling university classes for example "courses" coming from the Ancient Greek philosophers' tradition of walking a "course" as they discussed, I believe.) Really enjoyed this discussion and it hit me at a good time. A couple of years ago I created a two-page "life vision" that I was in the practice of reviewing daily for a while but got out of the habit somehow. Need to revisit that, maybe revise it, and remember to look at it regularly, to remind me what's really important.

Yes to the walk and talk!!! A good podcast is a great excuse to go out and take a long walk. Big fan of this format.

Thanks for the article!

Tim, I was just curious if you had listened to your good friend Dr. Peter Attia's recent podcast with Dr. Stuart McGill? He is the master of all things back related. You might enjoy and benefit from the show. Also Kelly Starrett and his wife have written a new book "Built to Move". Worthwhile read about benefits of sitting on the floor in various positions, proper breathing etc. Also beneficial for the back. Have a great day and keep up the fantastic work. Jeff L

Hey Tim, there is a McGill Method Master Clinician in your area. Dr. Kai Tiltman. May be worth checking out. Jeff L

#48 hour challenge Tim and Noah, immense gratitude for your impactful contributions to my life. I have a care home business but your episode on the 48-hour challenge inspired me to pursue my dream of starting a hobby (sauna business). After listening yesterday, I've already posted on Facebook, taking preorders for Barrel saunas in my town. Delivery and installation included. Thank you once again for everything that you do for the world.

Hey TFS team, take this with a grain of salt, but I felt as though you weren't as emotionally available/vulnerable in diving deeper with this conversation as your previous conversations and I can't help but think this is related to being outdoors (I assume) and walking. I think it was a great episode and as always I thoroughly enjoy your content. I just wanted to flag this in case you or your team had a similar feeling. The topics of self transcendence and loving deeply are beautiful, thanks for the episode.

Hi Tim, I am preparing to be a living organ donor, giving my sister half of my liver (and then each half of the liver, amazingly, will regrow to full size in each of our bodies). I was wondering if you had any suggestions to expedite the healing process – of the scar, ab muscles, liver, energy levels, etc. I will note that your reporting on the keto diet was the main reason we looked into that diet to fight my sister's cancer, and her response to the diet + chemo was off the charts. Thank you so much for all that you do! Best, Lauren

Unrelated. But someone is seemingly impersonating you on FB and trying to get people to invest in “your mining venture”.

Would love these walk and talk episodes to be on YouTube as audio only. YouTube is the only platform I use and I almost missed this episode! I actually listen to YouTube while I exercise, and I know many people do that too

I love this walk and talk format! There's something very cool to me about the fact that you can't find this podcast on Youtube. This is also a great current example of the "what if I did the opposite" question. I love seeing it in action! Way to go Tim! Thanks for being an inspiration!

Why are 98% of the people you interview white males? Thanks Victoria

Thanks very much for this conversation. I typically listen while I’m exercising 😊 What Greg said about his most important relationships profoundly touched me and made me uncomfortable at the same time. Being so open and vulnerable in my marriage seems impossible after so many years of “self actualization” seemingly in service of our marriage. The trope of honoring one’s self taken to the isolating extreme of “I only need to count on myself” has created this for us. I desperately want such intimacy in my closest relationships and I surely don’t want a cancer diagnosis to inspire it. I know that starting with embodied presence can get me there. Separately, but related, Tim; I urge you to invite Dr. Lisa Miller to the podcast. Her book “The Awakened Brain” is a gripping, data-heavy testimonial to the transformative power of spirituality in one’s life. I didn’t realize that Greg was LDS (I’m a UCC preacher’s kid myself) and his spiritual life is of course at the core of his relationships. Of course it is.

Hey Tim. Grateful for this episode. It was especially timely for me because I just had an old argument that never seems to get resolved. I think it may boil down to our differing philosophy (or prioritization) of self-actualizing vs self-transcendence! To my knowledge, neither of us have consciously thought about our argument in this context. In Maslow’s (updated) pyramid, is self-actualization placed underneath self-transcendence or is it totally replaced by self-transcendence? And thanks for bringing up the “performative vulnerability” phenomenon. It’s strangely disingenuous. I also get how you feel about the term “processing”… As far as “processing” goes, I believe that all this new therapy-speak (outside of actual therapy) can be detrimental/antithetical to deep relationships and self-transcendence because words like “boundaries” and “processing” seem to have become weaponized… (esp. in some female cliques I’ve seen). The term authenticity irks me right now in that same vein. As for the walk-and-talk format, I enjoyed it. Love your experimentation with paring back and blogging again. I am astonished that people watch podcasts. Why??? Generally, I have no idea what your guests even look like. My experience as a listener is akin to reading a book in that my vision of the characters grows straight from the imagination. Sometimes I’ll be shocked at how different guests look in real life (if I look them up). And I think that’s a good thing! Some may want to try listening from a ‘blank slate' of mind rather than making judgements based on immutable characteristics. It's one way to challenge assumptions.

I found the bit about Directional Documents interesting. Over the years, I have built/been running on my own sort of directional documents almost by circumstance it seems. They have been a super helpful way to organize the complexities of life and stay clear headed in all areas. Lately, I have heard lots of similar talk, and people wanting to have more agency in their own lives. My own documents have been quite impactful in my life. I have been trying to think about the best way/outlet to share this with the world. Feedback is much appreciated. Thanks for another great episode! -Sam

What a wonderful episode. Tim, thank you for your generous comments and praise. I have heard Greg on a number of other podcasts and I am truly happy at his success and how well he represents my faith- simply and deeply.

Loved the section at the 54 minute mark, “ Why self-actualization is an insufficient foundation for meaningful relationships.” Also, would love to know the equipment/gear used to record this awesome walk and talk episode.

What are the high-fidelity headphones/mic that are being used for this? I would like to purchase one to use myself. Thanks!

Nice episode, might I suggest calling this format a plodcast?

I am also interested. I believe it was mentioned during the podcast, but I was walking and didn’t write it down.

Hi, Keith – Tim uses this headset for recording walk-and-talk episodes: https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50xSTS-USB-StreamSet-Streaming-Headset/dp/B0BRQNJG7X/?th=1 Best, Team Tim Ferriss

Hi, Jordan – Tim was using the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS-USB StreamSet Streaming Headset. Best, Team Tim Ferriss

Hi, Jim – Tim uses this headset for recording walk-and-talk episodes: https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50xSTS-USB-StreamSet-Streaming-Headset/dp/B0BRQNJG7X/?th=1 Best, Team Tim Ferriss